Alabama Survives the Ghosts of Jordan-Hare, Sets Up SEC Title Clash With Georgia
The Iron Bowl has a way of delivering chaos, especially when it's played under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium. But on Saturday, Alabama kept its cool in the cauldron, outlasting Auburn 27-20 to close out the regular season at 10-2 overall and 7-1 in SEC play. That win not only secured bragging rights-it punched the Crimson Tide’s ticket to Atlanta for next weekend’s SEC Championship Game.
Waiting for them? The Georgia Bulldogs. Again.
This will be the fifth time Alabama and Georgia square off in the SEC title game, and so far, it’s been all Crimson Tide. Nick Saban’s teams are 4-0 in those matchups, including their last meeting in 2023-a 27-24 thriller that capped off the final SEC Championship Game under the traditional East vs. West format before Texas and Oklahoma joined the party in 2024.
That 2023 win was also Saban’s last SEC title. Now, it’s Kalen DeBoer’s turn to take the reins.
In just his first season in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer has guided Alabama back to the conference championship stage. It’s familiar territory for him-he led Washington to a Pac-12 title and a national championship appearance just two seasons ago.
But this is the SEC. And a showdown with Kirby Smart’s Georgia squad is about as big as it gets.
There’s no shortage of storylines heading into Saturday’s clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For Alabama, it’s a chance to prove it belongs in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Some see this game as a double-edged sword-win, and you’re in the mix; lose, and the committee has a tougher decision to make. Either way, the Tide will have to earn it on the field.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT, with ABC carrying the broadcast nationwide.
Off the field, the Alabama faithful are already feeling the buzz. Kristen Saban, Nick’s daughter and a proud Tide alum, summed it up on Instagram: “college football is fun.” That’s the mood in Tuscaloosa right now-fun, focused, and maybe a little fired up.
Meanwhile, Saban himself is stirring the pot in classic fashion. He’s made headlines this week by publicly backing Lane Kiffin for the LSU job. Whether it’s gamesmanship or genuine support, it’s clear the offseason drama never really stops in the SEC.
But for now, all eyes are on Saturday. Alabama vs.
Georgia. DeBoer vs.
Smart. A conference title and playoff hopes on the line.
This is what December football is all about.