Phil Steele, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Picks for biggest Week 14 games

Insider College Football

Each week during the 2014 college football season, I will offer my picks and scores for the biggest games in addition to a handful of other key matchups.

Last week my picks went 7-3 straight up and 5-5 against the spread. My overall record stands at 96-34 SU and 66-63-1 ATS.

After a weaker slate of games last week, this week's card features several high-profile rivalries and opportunities for teams to enhance their playoff résumés.


No. 14 Auburn Tigers at No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-9.5)

Saturday at 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN

There's revenge and then there's legit revenge. Last year, remarkably, Alabama missed four field goals and lost on the 109-yard "kick-six" return by Chris Davis on the game's final play in the Tigers' 34-28 upset that ended the Crimson Tide's hopes of a third straight national title.

This year the stakes are just as high for the Crimson Tide as they have won six straight games and come in No. 1; this is the seventh straight season they have held the top spot for at least one week. On the other side, the Tigers are 3-3 in their last six games and are fortunate to be 8-3 as they escaped with wins over Kansas State, South Carolina and Ole Miss in the final minutes.

The Alabama defense is holding opponents to 142 YPG below their season average (No. 2 in the country) while the Auburn defense is allowing 4.8 rushing yards per carry in SEC play. If the Crimson Tide can have success running the ball, that should open up the playbook for an offense that is averaging 536 YPG at home in SEC play.

^ Back to Top ^