Ryan Williams predicts first-round upset for Auburn in NCAA Tournament

Ryan Williams is predicting a massive upset involving No. 1-seeded Auburn in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.

Even though it’s the offseason for football, the Iron Bowl rivalry never rests. On Monday evening, the Alabama receiver shared his 2025 March Madness bracket with the NCAA and it included a projected upset loss for rival Auburn in Round 1.

The Tigers will face either Alabama State or Saint Francis in the opening round. For now, Williams is predicting it will be Alabama State who makes it out of that First Four matchup — and then into the Round of 32.

Williams, of course, has the Crimson Tide advancing all the way to win its first-ever men’s basketball national championship. His other predicted Final Four teams are Creighton, UConn and Houston.

Williams has a few other SEC foes bowing out of the NCAA Tournament early. He sees Tennessee going down to 15-seeded Wofford in Round 1 and Florida losing to UConn in Round 2. The only SEC programs Williams has advancing to the Sweet 16 are Alabama, Kentucky and Ole Miss.

Here’s a full look at Williams’ predicted bracket:

Alabama and Auburn split their regular season series, with the road team winning both matchups. If they were to meet for a third time, it wouldn’t come until the National Championship game.

Spenser Davis

Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.