Tuscaloosa, AL - With Mississippi State losing at Ole Miss, Alabama would be the only remaining SEC team in the CFB Playoff, and a loss against Auburn would likely mean they would fall out as well. For all SEC fans, the thought was very scary. Alabama had already clinched the SEC West with MSU's loss, which locks them in to face Missouri in Atlanta. But as always, it's all work and no play when you work and play for Nick Saban.
What was thought to be a tighter game last year with the kick-six score looming over Bama's head the whole year, turned out to be a fight for pride and survival. Auburn was already out of the running for a SEC title repeat with losses to Texas A&M and Mississippi State. All they could do now is play the spoiler and hope to land a huge bowl. Both teams exchanged scores with Alabama scoring back-to-back touchdown while Auburn was forced to kick field goals on their first 3 possessions. It was by then Auburn began to take advantage of key interceptions by Blake Sims turning them into quick scores. They exchanged the lead one more time before Auburn got ahead 26-21 at the half.
Auburn took advantage of one more Blake Sims interception and moving up 33-21. Lane Kiffin began to pull out the arsenal when Sims pulled it together and began finding Amari Cooper, once on a 39-yard touchdown catch pulling within 6. After Daniel Carlson made his fifth field goal of the night, it would be the last time Auburn would lead. It was by then Sims found Cooper once again on a one-play 75 yard touchdown catch to pull within 2. After Nick Perry intercepted Marshall, momentum turned the Tide's way. Alabama would move up for good with Sims finding DeAndrew White in the end zone. T.J. Yeldon would lead a rushing attack setting up Derrick Henry to score from 25 yards out, putting Alabama ahead for good. Corey Grant was able to find the end zone on Auburn's final possession to pull within 11, but time was already up.
This was where Alabama fought for three things, redemption, an SEC title and a national title all on the same night. The Iron Bowl set a record with 1,169 total yards. Amari Cooper set records as well with 13 catches 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. He would also be the all-time leader in school receptions going over 200. Despite throwing 3 interceptions, Blake Sims finished with 312 yards and 4 touchdowns. In a losing effort, Nick Marshall also set a passing record with 456 yards, throwing 3 touchdowns. T.J. Yeldon finished the night with 127 yards and 2 touchdowns.
It may have started extremely sour with the SEC East going 0-4 against the ACC and Mississippi State losing to Ole Miss, but it was Alabama who saved the day. They are now the SEC's only hope of winning the first College Football Playoff title. They can for the time being focus on Missouri and winning the SEC Championship. After then, everything will be set in stone.