Auburn Tigers at No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide: Preview, prediction, TV info

Auburn (3-8, 0-7 SEC) at No. 2 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC)

Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Spread: Alabama by 31.5

Watchability: Auburn is enduring its worst season in 60 years. Alabama has a clear path to its third national title in four years. That's why this is the biggest spread in Iron Bowl history. But the Tigers do have history on their side. Auburn is 7-1 in Tuscaloosa, despite trailing in the all-time series 41-34-1. The Tigers also can rightfully say everyone expects them to get embarrassed. That's usually a good motivator.

“I can care less who says anything about us not having a chance,” Auburn defensive back T'Sharvan Bell said. “I don't care if it's anybody -- any writers, any newscasters, it doesn't bother me. As long as the guys around me, the guys who line up next to me, my coaches believe we can win, that's all that matters. And I know they do.”

For Alabama, the misson is simple: lock up the SEC West and start preparing for Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and (potentially) Notre Dame in the BCS title game.

Shining stars: Auburn -- RB Tre Mason. The sophomore has run for 920 yards and eight touchdowns, including seven in the last six games. He averages 6.1 yards per carry. For the Tigers to avoid getting blown out, Mason must find some success against Alabama's SEC-best run defense (75.6 yards per game). Alabama -- RBs Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon. Poor tackling has plagued Auburn, which ranks last in the SEC in run defense (191.3). Lacy (870 rushing yards, 12 TDs, 6.0 ypc) and Yeldon (809 yards, 9 TDs, 6.7 ypc) should have big days.

Who could steal the show: Auburn -- DE Dee Ford. Since returning from an abdominal injury, Ford has four sacks in three games. His six sacks lead the team. "I've got a chance to play big," Ford said. "Do a lot for this defense, change the game." Alabama -- LB C.J. Mosley. The top player on the nation's best defense (10.1 points per game), Mosley has 89 tackles, 39 more than any other Tide player. He has four sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

You going? Ranking the road trip: It seems like a mismatch this year, but the Iron Bowl is always one of the most intense rivalries in college football.

Magic number for Auburn: 7. The Tigers are 7-3 in the last 10 meetings, and have won twice in Nick Saban's five-year tenure. Five of the last nine games have been decided by seven or fewer points.

Magic number for Alabama: 5. The Tide have won 10 games for the fifth straight year, and for the 32nd time in the program's 117-year history.

The game comes down to: Alabama is plus-12 in turnover margin, and Auburn is minus-10. For the Tigers to keep it close, they must flip that script Saturday and play the inspired defense they demonstrated in the 12-10 loss to LSU. Of course, that was two months ago.

Prediction: Alabama 48, Auburn 10

For more up-to-the minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.