ESPN’S ‘GameDay’ makes rivalry picks, talks Iron Bowl between Alabama-Auburn

ESPN’S ‘GameDay’ makes rivalry picks, talks Iron Bowl between Alabama-Auburn

It’s rivalry week, and the guys on ESPN’s “College GameDay” broke down a number of them on Saturday.

With Detroit Lions’ star Aidan Hutchinson, a former Michigan star, as the guest picker, the panel unanimously picked winners in six games this week. However, they didn’t pick the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn.

They did break down the game, though.

“The thing is that is not the Auburn team Alabama is going to see today,” Desmond Howard said of the Tigers losing to New Mexico State. “They are going to see an Auburn team that is going to come out with their hair on fire. This is their Super Bowl. This is their championship.

“For Alabama, the thing you have to do is weather that storm early, and you are going to have to put them away early. The way you give a team like this confidence is by letting them hang around and hang around. … In my opinion, Alabama needs to play Alabama football. Don’t play to your opponent, play to your standard. They have to put them away early. Kill their confidence early.”

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Kirk Herbstreit is rolling with the Tide.

“I feel like this is a different Alabama team (in terms of keeping your eye on the ball),” he said. “From where they were early in the year against Texas and USF to where they have peaked every single week, they have gotten better. I think there is an appreciation for it doesn’t matter who we play, we got to show up ready to go, especially in a game like this. I’d be surprised if we are talking about 2023 where Auburn pulled an upset.”

Pat McAfee believes the Crimson Tide has everything in front of them.

“I think this Alabama team is a little a bit different, and I think it is because of that Texas game. It is because Jalen Milroe has been playing his absolute best football. … Jermaine Burton making plays all over the field. … I had the incredible opportunity to talk to coach Saban, and he said what he loves about this locker room, he says, is because of that loss, he feels like they haven’t proven anything. Every week they try to get better, and they still have a chance to make the College Football Playoff.”

Here are the picks:

Kentucky-Louisville

  • Howard: Louisville
  • McAfee: Louisville
  • Hutchinson: Louisville
  • Corso: Kentucky
  • Herbstreit: Louisville

North Carolina-NC State

  • Howard: NC State
  • McAfee: UNC
  • Hutchinson: UNC
  • Corso: NC State
  • Herbstreit: NC State

Iowa State-Kansas State

  • Howard: Kansas State
  • McAfee: Kansas State
  • Hutchinson: Kansas State
  • Corso: Kansas State
  • Herbstreit: Kansas State

BYU-Oklahoma State

  • Howard: Oklahoma State
  • McAfee: Oklahoma State
  • Hutchinson: Oklahoma State
  • Corso: Oklahoma State
  • Herbstreit: Oklahoma State

Wisconsin-Minnesota

  • Howard: Minnesota
  • McAfee: Wisconsin
  • Hutchinson: Minnesota
  • Corso: Minnesota
  • Herbstreit: Minnesota

Texas A&M-LSU

  • Howard: LSU
  • McAfee: LSU
  • Hutchinson: LSU
  • Corso: LSU
  • Herbstreit: LSU

Florida State-Florida

  • Howard: Florida State
  • McAfee: Florida State
  • Hutchinson: Florida State
  • Corso: Florida State
  • Herbstreit: No pick

Washington-Wash. State

  • Howard: Washington
  • McAfee: Washington
  • Hutchinson: Washington
  • Corso: Washington
  • Herbstreit: Washington

Clemson-South Carolina

  • Howard: Clemson
  • McAfee: Clemson
  • Hutchinson: Clemson
  • Corso: Clemson
  • Herbstreit: Clemson

Ohio State-Michigan

  • Howard: Michigan
  • McAfee: Ohio State
  • Hutchinson: Michigan
  • Corso: Ohio State
  • Herbstreit: Ohio State