Nick Marshall.JPG

Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall scores a touchdown as Alabama defensive back Landon Collins chases during the first half of their game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013, in Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Opelika-Auburn News, Albert Cesare)

If Alabama and Auburn played today in Tuscaloosa, the game would be close to a pick 'em, says oddsmaker

.

"Personally, I think Auburn has a better team than Alabama right now,"

on Monday afternoon. "They have a huge edge at quarterback."

He pointed to Auburn's cross-divisional opponents - Georgia and South Carolina - as formidable opponents, while Alabama gets Florida and Tennessee.

"Auburn has a better team," Sheridan said again. "When I say better, I'm not talking 21 points or something like that. But if they were to play this weekend, Auburn would beat Alabama with that huge edge at quarterback."

When the issue of Alabama's quarterback came up, however, the odds changed with the addition of

.

"If they were playing in Tuscaloosa this weekend, I wouldn't make Alabama the favorite," Sheridan explained. "It would be pretty close to a pick 'em. I would love to take Auburn and the points. Again, without Coker.

"With Coker, Alabama would be a slight favorite."

Sheridan described the Tide as "putting all their eggs in one basket with Coker." In fact, he said if Coker doesn't pan out and isn't the quarterback for Alabama, "they are going to lose quite a few games."

"If he's an average quarterback and it doesn't work out, I can easily see them lose on the road to Mississippi. They can certainly lose to LSU. There are probably a few more in the middle."

Auburn, meanwhile, according to Sheridan, "was very good last year. (

came on strong. Now, they have some dynamic offense and they're going to be darn good on defense."

Finebaum asked him about the College Football Playoff, and Sheridan gave his early prediction.

"Well, I would definitely say the winner of the Alabama-Auburn game would be one team. Florida State is a great football team. The schedule is pretty tough this year, Paul, but Florida State, for sure, would be favored."

He also mentioned Oregon, with quarterback Marcus Mariota back, would be in the mix, along with Ohio State, though he said he's "pick South Carolina."

Sheridan did say when it comes to the SEC, "clearly, the two best teams are Alabama and Auburn."

.