Alabama Survives the Iron Bowl, Eyes SEC Title with Playoff Hopes Still in the Balance
It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it didn’t have to be. Alabama walked into Jordan-Hare Stadium, took a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter, and held on for a gritty 27-20 win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Rivalry games are rarely pretty, and this one followed the script-tension, momentum swings, and a finish that kept the Crimson Tide faithful holding their breath.
With the win, Alabama punched its ticket to the SEC Championship Game. But let’s be clear: the College Football Playoff picture is still murky. The Tide did their part against their archrival, but their CFP fate now hinges on what happens next Saturday in Atlanta-and potentially elsewhere around the country.
Ty Simpson Makes His Case
After the game, quarterback Ty Simpson wasn’t shy about where he thinks Alabama belongs.
“The question is, why aren’t we [a Playoff team]?” Simpson said, standing firm behind the Tide’s résumé. “We’re the most resilient team in the country.”
It’s hard to argue with that last part. Alabama has weathered a season filled with pressure-packed moments, including a brutal mid-season stretch that saw them take down four ranked opponents in four straight weeks.
That run-from September 27 through October 18-was the kind of gauntlet that leaves most teams limping. Alabama came out of it stronger.
And Simpson? He’s grown into the moment. He may not have lit up the stat sheet against Auburn, but he managed the game, made timely throws, and helped his team avoid the kind of costly mistakes that can flip a rivalry game on its head.
He even joked postgame that if it were up to him, every SEC team would be in the Playoff.
“Basically, every SEC game is a playoff game,” he said.
A Resume Built on Grit
At 10-2 overall and 7-1 in the SEC, Alabama’s resume is solid-but not spotless. The early-season loss to Florida State (now 5-7) still looms large, especially if they can’t get past Georgia in the SEC title game. That’s the kind of blemish that the CFP committee tends to scrutinize.
But unlike last season, Alabama avoided the kind of bad conference losses that tanked their chances. They’ve looked more complete, more composed, and more battle-tested.
That four-game ranked-team win streak? That’s not just impressive-it’s rare.
The Tide have done everything they can to stay in the hunt. Now, it’s about finishing the job.
Next Stop: Atlanta
The SEC Championship Game is set. Alabama vs.
Georgia. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
ET on ABC.
A win over the Bulldogs would almost certainly lock up a Playoff spot for Alabama. A loss?
That’s where things get dicey. ESPN’s Football Power Index currently gives the Tide a 65.9% chance to make the CFP.
But a defeat-especially if a team like BYU wins the Big 12-could leave Alabama on the outside looking in for the second straight year.
And for a program that measures seasons in championships, that’s not a scenario they want to revisit.
The Bottom Line
Alabama’s win over Auburn wasn’t about style points-it was about survival. And in rivalry week, that’s enough.
Now comes the real test. Beat Georgia, and the Tide are likely in.
Lose, and the conversation gets complicated.
But if you ask Ty Simpson, there’s no debate.
This team has fought through one of the toughest schedules in the country. They’ve answered every challenge since that opening-week stumble. And now, they’re one win away from proving they belong on college football’s biggest stage.