Auburn vs Houston Odds, Picks & Preview – 2021 Birmingham Bowl

• The Auburn Tigers are 2.5-point favorites over the Houston Cougars in the 2021 Birmingham Bowl
• Auburn is just 6-6 on the season compared to #21 Houston’s 11-2 mark. Houston can pile up the points ranking 13th in the nation at 37.3 points per game.
• See the odds, breakdown, and betting advice below

The Houston Cougars (11-2) are poised to bounce back after falling in defeat to college football playoff-bound Cincinnati 35-20. Houston had some issues beating some middle-of-the-road ranked teams. Meanwhile, Auburn (6-6, 3-5 SEC) faltered in November losing four straight games.

Houston and Auburn have not faced each other in 48 seasons.

Houston is motivated after their conference championship loss to Cincinnati a few weeks ago. Even with their record, Houston is a 2.5 point underdog on a neutral site. Also, the Auburn Tigers are carrying an astounding 81% of the betting money ATS but just 13% of the moneyline. The Tigers are 6-6 against the spread this season as they face off against Houston on Tuesday afternoon.

Auburn vs Houston Odds

Odds as of December 27th at DraftKings

Tuesday afternoon’s game is set for a noon ET kickoff at Protective Stadium from Birmingham, Alabama. Mostly cloudy conditions and temperatures in the lower 70’s are forecasted. ESPN is carrying the broadcast. After opening at 51, the over inched up to 51.5 and has remained steady.

Houston Looking for Win #12

The Houston Cougars were close to upsetting Cincinnati in their conference title game. They just could not seal the deal as the Bearcats pulled away in the second half.  After an opening game loss, Houston had won 11 straight games piling up the 13th most points per game in the nation.

With a normally solid defense (25th in points against), Houston has an opportunity to get that 12th win.

In his first public comments since being hurt in next to last game of regular season, Houston LB Donavan Mutin said he suffered a Grade-1 concussion and brain scans showed no damage.

— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) December 22, 2021

The defensive line had mostly been stout over this final stretch of the season. That Cincinnati game was out of the ordinary for Houston as they were without Mutin who had been a big part of their defensive resurgence. He lead the Cougars in tackles with 69 and “captained” their defense. It is hard to gauge what happens when a defensive leader goes out that late in the season. It showed against Cincinnati, however.

In scoring differential, Houston scored 16.3 points per game more than they allowed which ranked among the top-15 in the nation.

Can Auburn Forget November?

Will Auburn be able to turn the losing tide? The Tigers just could not win games in November as they lost four straight games in a variety of ways.  After their offense disappeared against Texas A&M, their defense did against Mississippi State the following week. Then, there were the games they could not close out against South Carolina and Alabama. Those two losses may have been more telling, honestly.

Now, the Tigers produce more than 400 yards of offense in a more balanced manner, They have accumulated almost 165 yards rushing a game with a solid offensive line.

https://twitter.com/CFBKnowitall73/status/1474911753184104460

Never mind injuries, Auburn’s biggest problem throughout November was holding leads. They faltered in the second half against MSU, South Carolina, and Alabama. A team should be able to run things and seal things off, instead Auburn did not and now looks to a different offensive line heading into the Birmingham Bowl. This looks like a home game but could also be an opportunity for Houston.

Auburn vs Houston Betting Trends and Pick

As we mentioned previously, there is no history between these two teams recently. The last time they played against each other was in 1973.

A closer look: Houston vs. Auburn. 🔍

• First matchup since '73
• 28th all-time bowl appearance
• Against the SEC#GoCoogs pic.twitter.com/5g5qRM1LnY

— Houston Football (@UHCougarFB) December 26, 2021

The number that still gets most is the fact that Houston can dominate both sides of the ball. It comes down to the start. They have to get off to a good start. Clayton Tune to Nathaniel Dell will have to be something heard often for Houston to have a chance to win along with running well.

Houston will cover and this is a game that the Cougars could win outright. The spread is more than attractive enough to take the Cougars as they take advantage of an Auburn team prone to second-half mistakes.

• Picks: Houston +2.5 (-115), Houston ML (+105)