Alabama is a small favorite heading into next Saturday's Iron Bowl.

The Crimson Tide is a four-point favorite, according to Vegas Insider.

As should be well known at this point, this is essentially an SEC West title game. The winner will face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

A win would put Alabama one step closer to securing a spot in the College Football Playoff for a third straight year. A loss, though, would put the Tide at serious risk of missing the playoff.

Alabama is 11-0 and will surely be No. 1 in the playoff rankings. Auburn is 9-2, will likely be No. 6 in the playoff rankings and would be in good shape to make the College Football Playoff if it can beat Alabama and Georgia.

Matt Zenitz is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @mzenitz.