Houston Cougars vs Auburn Tigers 2021 Birmingham Bowl

On Tuesday, December 28, we have our Houston vs Auburn prediction for the 2021 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl. This is the first of five games being played that day. From December 28 through January 1, a total of 23 of the 41 bowl games for this season will be played. It is the busiest week of the bowl season with each day featuring either four or five games.

The #21/20 Houston Cougars (11-2) finished 8-0 in the AAC and in a virtual tie with #4 Cincinnati. In the conference title game, the Bearcats beat the Cougars 35-20. The Auburn Tigers (6-6) ended the season with four straight losses. However, that final loss was 24-22 to #3 Alabama in OT. Their SEC record of 3-5 tied them with LSU for last in the West.

Birmingham Bowl Spread and Totals Odds

In this game, Houston is the underdog at +2.5 (-114), while favored Auburn is -2.5 (-104). The total is at 51.0 with the over being -107 and under -113. The 2021 TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, AL with kickoff at 12:00 pm ET. The weather forecast is for mostly cloudy with temperatures in the low 70s. Winds will be from the SSW at 9 mph with 20 mph gusts. A shower is possible. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

Cougars vs Tigers Pick - Stats

In creating our Houston vs Auburn prediction, we find that the Cougar offense, which averaged 37.3 PPG and passed for 270.7 YPG, is formidable. True, they are facing an Auburn defense that allowed only 22.2 PPG. But that Tiger D comes to this game in a weakened state. Note, that the Cougar defense gave up only 21.0 PPG, and they come to this game at full strength.

Houston vs Auburn Prediction - Key Players

First things first - Auburn will be without various key playing, including their best defender cornerback Roger McCreary, as well as top tackler lineback Zakoby McClain. On offense, the Tigers will be without quarterback Bo Nix, center Nick Brahms, and right tackle Brodarious Hamm. These exits leave gaping holes for the Tigers. Sophomore TJ Finley, formerly with LSU, will substitute. He has little experience and big shoes to fill. Running back Tank Bigsby (207 ATTs, 1,003 YDs, 4.8 AVG, 10 TDs) will likely be called upon to provide the primary offensive thrust. In front on D, ends Colby Wooden (5 SCKs), and Derick Hall (9 SCKs) and tackle Eku Leota (6 SCKs) will try to pressure Houston QB Clayton Tune who’s been sacked 35 times.

This season, Tune has thrown for 3,263 yards and completed 68.5 percent of his passes. He’s tossed 28 TD passes and nine picks. Wideout Nathaniel Dell (80 REC, 1,179 YDs, 14.7 AVG, 12 TDs) is the top receiver of a deep pass-catching unit. Running back Alton McCaskill and Ta'Zhawn Henry are a productive rushing tandem accumulating over 1,400 rushing yards and 23 TDs. McCaskill is averaging 5.0 YPA and Henry 4.8. On defense, the Cougars feature a deep group of pass rushers led by ends Derek Parish (5 SCKs) and Logan Hall (6 SCKs). Plus, corner Marcus Jones (13 PD, 5 INTs) anchors a quality secondary.

Houston vs Auburn Prediction

The no-shows for Auburn as well as a stacked offense and defense for Houston give the Cougars a major advantage in this game. However, the Tigers, despite their record and position in the SEC standings, can be tough when down. However, in the end, we have to go with the betting underdog in this one, the Houston Cougars at +2.5 (-114). In terms of the over/under, our Houston vs Auburn prediction anticipates the Cougars scoring about 32 points while the Tigers hit for around 20. That makes the totals call tight, but we are going with over 51.0 (-107).

Sports Betting Smarts is previewing and predicting every one of this season’s 41 college football bowl games. In the first week, we went 12-4 with an 8-2 mark on Saturday.

2021 Birmingham Bowl - Houston vs Auburn Summary

Spread - Houston +2.5 (-114)

Over/Under - Over 51.0 (-107)