TUSCALOOSA, Ala. “It wasn't fairly, however nothing has been this season in Alabama.” Within the 89th Iron Bowl, Alabama rolled previous Auburn for a 28-14 victory that saved critics of the troubled Kalen DeBoer regime at bay and saved alive the faint flames of a Faculty Soccer Playoff run.
To cut back a rivalry sport to a query of the way it will affect the Faculty Soccer Playoff, because the announcers did throughout Friday evening's Georgia-Georgia Tech sport, is to overlook the purpose of a rivalry sport completely. Alabama and Auburn have been battling for greater than a century, and no newly created playoff construction will have an effect on the anger, rage and disgust that animates this excellent rivalry.
No matter occurs with the CFP choice committee, occurs. The Iron Bowl is about way more parochial considerations — like who could have bragging rights for the subsequent yr at workplaces, grocery shops, church buildings, eating places and golf programs throughout the state of Alabama.
That stated, there have been certainly playoff prospects in play on Saturday — slim, sure, however prospects nonetheless. When South Carolina knocked off Clemson shortly earlier than kickoff, Alabama successfully moved into the “first crew out” spot within the playoff bracket, which means a loss to a higher-seeded crew would may open the door for the Tide.
Auburn, in the meantime, was combating for bowl eligibility and self-respect after a season that didn't even attain “reveal” standing. Satisfaction was on the road for the Tigers, and pleasure can get you far in a rivalry sport.
Alabama wanted to make an announcement to the CFP choice committee, and within the first half, the Tide made the very same assertion they've made all season: Roar a technique, belch the subsequent. Alabama dedicated three turnovers within the first half — two fumbles and a fumble that changed into an interception — whereas additionally scoring two touchdowns with Jalen Milroe.
The Tigers may transfer the ball at will between the 20s — a throwback to Alabama's drive-stopping struggles final week in opposition to Oklahoma — however Auburn may handle simply two area objectives within the first half, and the rating was 14-6 at halftime.
Alabama scored on its first two possessions of the third quarter, each on runs, one by Justice Haynes and one by Milroe. Even with the sport seemingly protected at 28-6, Alabama and Auburn continued to punt, resulting in a brief throw on the sideline:
Auburn confirmed the faintest glimpses of what it may be this season late within the third quarter, when quarterback Payton Thorne led the Tigers on a 10-play, 87-yard drive that culminated in a neat 29-yard landing to Cam Coleman. Milroe, persevering with his inconsistent play all through the season, fumbled and gave Auburn an opportunity to tug a possession again. However Jarquez Hunter's lofted move on a trick play was intercepted on the Alabama Four, and the Tide managed to eat up the remainder of the clock.
Milroe completed the sport with 256 yards passing and 104 yards speeding, together with three speeding touchdowns, an interception and two fumbles. As a crew, Alabama turned the ball over 4 totally different instances, however Auburn may solely flip these turnovers into two area objectives. Germie Bernard led Alabama with 111 receiving yards, whereas Jam Miller had 28 carries on the evening.
Thorne, in the meantime, completed the sport with 301 yards passing and 42 yards on the bottom, throwing a landing and an interception. Auburn's KeAndre Lambert-Smith led all receivers with 116 yards. However Auburn was simply Four-of-12 on third-down conversions, nicely under Alabama's 12-of-18.
Auburn and Freeze now face some extreme and tough questions. This season marked a step again for the Tigers — final yr, a six-win Auburn crew reached the Music Metropolis Bowl — and Freeze was employed partially due to his historical past of beating Alabama. He’s now Zero-2 in Iron Bowls and known as the season “humbling” and “irritating.” Auburn has now misplaced the final 5 Iron Bowls.
“We’ve got a high 10 (recruiting) class and hopefully we are able to get one other one subsequent week,” Freeze stated after the sport. “We've bought to return and attempt to end it off after which get on the portal to ensure we don't really feel like that subsequent yr.”
After the sport, DeBoer lobbied a bit for the Tide to earn a CFP berth, noting that “all people is aware of about our schedule … we've crushed 4 top-25 groups over the course of the yr and I don't know what number of. , if anybody has performed this.” He added that Alabama has received 5 of its final six and — like many SEC defenders — pointed to the convention's punishing, week-to-week schedule as some extent within the Tide's favor.
For now, all Alabama can do is wait. The door is a little bit wider open now than it was earlier than due to Miami's loss, however there's nonetheless an extended option to go — and quite a lot of committee discuss — earlier than Alabama can safe even a low CFP slot.
Requested if the Tide is a playoff crew, Milroe took a diplomatic route. “I believe we're a crew that can take pleasure in this win,” he stated. “It's less than us to determine what our future seems to be like.”