Alabama vs Eastern Illinois predictions, how the Crimson Tide can get right before Auburn

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Alabama football’s 2025 regular season schedule at Bryant-Denny Stadium is coming to a close.

The No. 10 Crimson Tide will host Eastern Illinois in the program’s annual FCS game before taking on rival Auburn on the road for an Iron Bowl that holds significant SEC championship and College Football Playoff implications.

Alabama beat Mercer in Kalen DeBoer’s first game against an FCS opponent with the Crimson Tide in 2024, beating the Bears 52-7.

Alabama kicks off against Eastern Illinois at 1 p.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 22 on SEC Network+.

Here are The Tuscaloosa News’ predictions for Alabama vs. Eastern Illinois.

Alabama vs Eastern Illinois predictions

  • Colin Gay: Alabama will pair a get-right game with a rest-up game, one where it should empty the bench early and win handedly with all eyes looking 150 miles southeast and an upcoming rivalry game that carries an unbelievable amount of weight.
  • Chase Goodbread: As an FCS program, and not a very good one, EIU should not be able to keep this close. Expect backups on the field early and often, especially for an Alabama team that substitutes heavily even in close games.

Alabama vs Eastern Illinois scouting report: What we’re watching

  • Colin Gay: How much has Alabama’s quarterback room grown? No quarterback other than Ty Simpson has taken a snap for the Crimson Tide since Week 3 against Wisconsin. Over the course of SEC play, how have Austin Mack and Keelon Russell improved, and how does each quarterback look running Ryan Grubb’s scheme?
  • Chase Goodbread: When will Alabama make its first substitution on the offensive line? UA only rotated at one position up front in the loss to Oklahoma: left guard. That represented a step toward a fixed starting five for a unit that’s rotated at multiple spots throughout the season. 

Alabama vs Eastern Illinois score predictions

  • Colin Gay: No. X Alabama 55, Eastern Illinois 6
  • Chase Goodbread: No. X Alabama 51, Eastern Illinois 6

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama vs Eastern Illinois predictions, keys to victory in Week 13

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