The Mercer Bears take on the Auburn Tigers in Auburn, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. EST on SEC Network+.
Auburn is favored by 27.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of 8000. The total is set at 51.5 points.
Here’s my Mercer vs. Auburn prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 22, 2025.
Mercer vs Auburn Prediction
- Mercer vs. Auburn Pick: Auburn Team Total Over 41 or Better
My Auburn vs. Mercer best bet is on the Tigers to go over their team total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Mercer vs Auburn Odds
| Mercer Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+27.5 -110 | 51.5 -110o / -110u | +1800 |
| Auburn Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-27.5 -110 | 51.5 -110o / -110u | -8000 |
- Mercer vs Auburn Spread: Mercer +27.5, Auburn -27.5
- Mercer vs Auburn Over/Under: 51.5 Points
- Mercer vs Auburn Moneyline: Mercer +1800, Auburn -8000
Mercer vs Auburn College Football Betting Preview
Mercer Bears Betting Preview: Much Improved Offense Leads the Way
Mercer comes into this one 9-1 (the season opener against UC Davis did not finish and was declared a no-contest) and rolling, as the Bears offense has put up 45 points or more in five of their last six games.
This has been quite the turnaround season for Mercer after a season-opening loss against non-scholarship Pioneer Football League member Presbyterian, which was an embarrassing loss.
The Bears are now rolling and have clinched the Southern Conference title and the FCS Playoff bid that accompanies it.
I think we may see this team compete hard for a half or so, but the goal here has got to be getting out of this game healthy and getting to the FCS Playoffs.
The Mercer offense has played exquisite football this year, led by quarterback Braden Atkinson, who has thrown for 3,238 yards with 33 touchdown passes this year.
Atkinson makes smart decisions with the ball, and he spreads it around nicely to a full complement of receivers. Adjatay Dabbs is the big-play target, averaging over 20 yards per catch and hauling in seven touchdowns this year.
The ground game has been serviceable with CJ Miller running for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns, and the offensive line has been unbelievable this season while allowing just two sacks.
Defensively, the Bears aren't as strong as they were last season when they led all of FCS in total defense, scoring defense and yards per play.
However, this is still a strong unit that's allowing just 73 rushing yards per game and 2.3 yards per rushing attempt.
The Bears have an excellent pass rush that has generated 40 sacks and 83 tackles for loss this season.
Andrew Zock is the guy to watch along the defensive line, registering 11.5 sacks while being a major problem for opposing offensive lines. There aren't a lot of strong offenses in the SoCon, but this defense has done its job more often than not.
Auburn Tigers Betting Preview: [Editorial Language]
Auburn has struggled through a 4-6 season that has seen its quarterback get benched, head coach fired, and the fan base become even more restless than ever before.
The Tigers have been so close this season, with five losses by a touchdown or less, but they haven’t been able to generate enough offense to get the job done.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels is going to sit this one out and preserve a redshirt year, so Jackson Arnold and Deuce Knight are going to split reps for the Tigers.
Auburn needs to get a little offensive mojo going before the Iron Bowl showdown with Alabama, something we haven't seen much of this season. I expect to see meaningful reps from this offense deep into the second half and for Auburn to have a good showing at home.
Defensively, this unit is nasty, as the Auburn front has created a lot of pressure and negative plays. The front seven is allowing just 2.7 yards per carry, and the defense has been really good on third down.
For all the struggles Auburn has gone through at this point in the season, its defense has not been the issue.
Mercer vs Auburn Pick, Betting Analysis
With a spread of 27.5 and a total of 50.5, we should get an Auburn team total of 38.5 or so. I would look to bet its team total over at 41 or better.
The Mercer defense has done what has been required to notch tallies in the win column this season, but there are still some problems.
Mercer surrendered 34 points to ETSU, 28 to Furman and 47 against Western Carolina. Its secondary can be had, as the Bears are allowing 7.9 yards per pass attempt with 22 passing touchdowns given up.
This secondary hasn't covered SEC-level receivers at any point this season, and I would expect Auburn to connect on several chunk pass plays.
The Tigers should put the clamps on this offense rather quickly, as their defense has been stout all season, specifically at home. Mercer hasn’t played anyone even remotely as talented, athlete for athlete, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Mercer play its second-string offense early in this one to avoid injury and get ready for a playoff push.
Mercer has surrendered 52 and 73 points initstheir most recent showings against SEC competition, and that was with a much better defense.
I think Auburn has the motivation to put up a big number here in this one and believe it will.
Pick: Auburn Team Total Over 41 or Better
