Alabama keeps Playoff hopes alive with impressive Iron Bowl victory.
The Alabama Crimson Tide concluded their 2024 regular season on Saturday with a dominant 28-14 victory over Auburn in the Iron Bowl. With a 9-3 regular season record and no games remaining, the Crimson Tide’s Playoff hopes are officially out of their control.
Alabama controlled the Iron Bowl for all 60 minutes despite the final score only showing a two-touchdown victory. Alabama did, however, receive some help from around the country, with Syracuse beating Miami and South Carolina defeating Clemson.
With the Crimson Tide coming in at No. 11 in the AP Poll on Sunday, they’d get the final spot in the Playoff if the drawing was today with No. 12 Arizona State getting an auto-bid as Big 12 Champions. Unfortunately, Alabama will not have one last chance to impress the committee during conference championship weekend.
The only game that will likely affect Alabama’s playoff chances is the ACC Championship between Clemson and SMU. SMU has just one loss on the season and is likely in the playoffs even if they lose. So, if Clemson were to win they’d receive the conference’s auto-bid and Alabama would drop a spot on the pecking order.
All of Alabama nation needs to rally behind the Ponies on Saturday.
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Kalen DeBoer won his first Iron Bowl matchup against the Auburn Tigers. Here’s how past Alabama football coaches fared in their first games against Auburn.
With a 28-14 win over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer joined some pretty rare company in the rich history of Alabama football.
DeBoer won “The Big One” in Year 1, beating Auburn behind a much-improved performance from Jalen Milroe, who completed 18-of-24 passes for 256 yards and ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Alabama won its fifth straight over Auburn.
In doing so, DeBoer became just the third Alabama coach since 1948 — the year the rivalry resumed following a 41-yard absence — to win his first Iron Bowl showdown. He joined Dennis Franchione (2001) and Alabama coaching great Gene Stallings (1990).
From Nick Saban back in 2007 to Bear Bryant over 65 years ago, here’s a look at how past Alabama football coaches have fared in their first meeting vs. Auburn, as well as their all-time records against the Tigers and their biggest margin of victory in the series.
Nick Saban (Alabama coach, 2007-2023)
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 24, 2007
Final Score: Auburn 17, Alabama 10
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 12-5
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 49 points — Alabama 49, Auburn 0, Nov. 24, 2012
Saban will be the first to tell you he experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows in the Iron Bowl rivalry, mostly at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Four of the Alabama football legend’s five losses in the rivalry came on the Plains, including his first Iron Bowl in 2007.
Fans who remembered Shula’s time as the Crimson Tide’s quarterback from 1984-86, a period that included two Iron Bowl wins, wanted Shula to succeed. But as head coach, Shula took over at the lowest point in the program’s history. Unprecedented sanctions levied by the NCAA severely crippled Alabama in recruiting — at a time when Auburn was becoming a glorified NFL factory.
Dennis Franchione (Alabama coach, 2001-02)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 17, 2001
Final Score: Alabama 31, Auburn 7
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 1-1
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 24 points (2001)
“Coach Fraud” won his first Iron Bowl with a surprising 31-7 rout of Auburn behind quarterback Andrew Zow at Jordan-Hare. Perhaps his biggest crime wasn’t so much bed-hopping from Tuscaloosa to College Station at the end of 2002, but that he lost to Auburn just before his Lady of the Night act. Many Alabama fans still believe he had one foot out the door heading into the 2002 Iron Bowl, a game the Crimson Tide were a double-digit favorite to win.
Mike DuBose (Alabama coach, 1997-2000)
Scott Halleran /Allsport
First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 22, 1997
Final Score: Auburn 18, Alabama 17
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 2-2
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 14 points — Alabama 31, Auburn 17, Nov. 21, 1998
DuBose’s first Iron Bowl as head coach was almost a successful one. But “almost” doesn’t count in a rivalry like Alabama-Auburn, and a late fumble deep in Alabama territory by Ed Scissum with less than a minute left led Auburn to a game-winning field goal — and helped cement Bruce Arians’ firing as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.
Gene Stallings (Alabama coach, 1990-1996)
Rick Stewart/ALLSPORT
First Iron Bowl Game: Dec. 1, 1990
Final Score: Alabama 16, Auburn 7
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 5-2
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 17 points — Alabama 17, Auburn 0, Nov. 26, 1992
Alabama had lost four straight to Auburn entering the 1990 edition of the Iron Bowl, a cardinal sin that led to the previous Crimson Tide coach leaving. The Tide’s defense was outstanding on this December day at Birmingham’s Legion Field, and Philip Doyle kicked three field goals to start a three-game win streak over the Tigers.
Bill Curry (Alabama coach, 1987-1989)
Alabama coach Bill Curry and players prior to a game. (Imagn)
First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 27, 1987
Final Score: Auburn 10, Alabama 0
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 0-3
Curry recruited at a good level during his three seasons at Alabama, and his recruiting fingerprints can be found all over the 1992 national championship team. But when you don’t win this game, you don’t stay long at either school. After a 30-20 loss in the 1989 Iron Bowl (the first to be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium), Curry left Tuscaloosa for the Bluegrass State and the Kentucky Wildcats.
Ray Perkins (Alabama coach, 1983-1986)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
First Iron Bowl Game: Dec. 3, 1983
Final Score: Auburn 23, Alabama 20
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 2-2
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: two points (1984, 1985)
Perkins had the unenviable task of following in Bear Bryant’s footsteps after Bryant’s retirement and, a month later, his sudden passing in January 1983. A former Bryant player, Perkins was 2-2 against Auburn. His two wins as head coach are classics: 1984’s “Wrong Way Bo” that ended with a 17-15 upset of Pat Dye’s 11th-ranked Tigers and a year later, Van Tiffin’s game-winning 52-yard field goal (“The Kick”) as time expired for a 25-23 win.
Bear Bryant (Alabama coach, 1958-1982)
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 29, 1958
Final Score: Auburn 14, Alabama 8
Overall Record vs. Auburn: 19-6
Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 38 points — Alabama 38, Auburn 0, Dec. 1, 1962
Yes, the two greatest coaches in Alabama football history, if not college football history, both lost to Auburn in their first seasons. Bryant would compile a 19-6 record against “that cow college.”
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Does Alabama have a path to a CFP spot after Week 14?
When it comes to potentially making the College Football Playoff, it’s now fully wait-and-see mode for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
At 9-3 overall, as well as 5-3 in conference play, Alabama did not make the SEC Championship Game this season, which means that the regular season has now come to an end for the Crimson Tide.
Because of this, it means that Alabama will not have another opportunity to impress the College Football Playoff committee, meaning that the Crimson Tide’s current resume is what will determine if they make the CFP or not.
Is it enough however? Well, some analysts across college football voiced their thoughts Saturday and Sunday, especially after the results Saturday that included both Clemson and Miami losing in front of Alabama in the CFP rankings.
The latest of that group was USA TODAY Sports’ Blake Toppmeyer, who gave his thoughts on Alabama’s CFP potential chances Sunday afternoon.
“Hard to imagine a three-loss team that lost to Vanderbilt and got trounced by Oklahoma would remain in the mix, but here we are,” Toppmeyer said. “If strength of schedule and brand bias tip the scales, then Alabama will snag that final spot. Wins against Georgia and South Carolina bedrock Alabama’s case.”
While obviously the Crimson Tide cannot improve their resume with no games remaining before the bracket is officially revealed, it’s clear that when compared to some of the other bubble teams, Alabama might just have the advantage resume-wise.
Will wins over the likes of Georgia and South Carolina end up putting the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff? Time will only tell.
How did Alabama’s win over Auburn affect their CFP outlook.
Having already owned three losses so far this season, it was no secret that the Alabama Crimson Tide had to win Saturday night against the Auburn Tigers to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Not only did Alabama need to do that to keep their hopes alive, but also the Crimson Tide had to have a few results happen elsewhere to improve those chances, which is exactly what happened when both Clemson and Miami went down with losses.
After the Crimson Tide’s win as well, where does Alabama’s CFP chances sit now with only championship week left to go?
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), Alabama currently has a 30.1% chance to make the College Football Playoff as of Sunday, Dec. 1. In addition to that, ESPN’s FPI also kept Alabama in the No. 4 spot nationally.
The Crimson Tide will officially find out their latest standing when the CFP rankings are released Tuesday night.
Alabama rises in the AP Poll following an Iron Bowl win over Auburn.
After the Alabama Crimson Tide saw a rise in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll on Sunday afternoon as a result of their 28-14 Iron Bowl win over the Auburn Tigers, the same can now be said for the AP Poll Top 25.
Yes, after carrying an AP Poll ranking of No. 13 into the Iron Bowl, Alabama is back on the rise in the latest rankings release, jumping two spots up to No. 11 overall. The Crimson Tide are also the fourth highest-ranked SEC team, following No. 2 Texas, No. 5 Georgia, and No. 6 Tennessee.
One of the most notable takeaways however is the fact that Alabama is ahead of both South Carolina (No. 13) and Miami (No. 14) in the latest AP Poll, which will be something to watch for to see if the same happens in Tuesday night’s College Football Playoff rankings.
Alabama’s record currently sits at 9-3 after the conclusion of the regular season, and will await their CFP fate next Sunday afternoon when the official bracket is released.
Take a look at how far Alabama climbed in the final regular season US LBM Coaches Poll ahead of Championship Saturday next week in college football.
The Alabama Crimson Tide avoided the upset bug Saturday with a 28-14 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. It was more than some teams could say for their Rivalry Week showdowns.
Jalen Milroe was 18-of-24 passing for 256 yards and ran 17 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC) made one last statement for the playoff committee before the final CFP rankings are released on Dec. 8.
In the meantime, Alabama rose two spots to No. 11 in the Week 14 US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday. The Crimson Tide will have to see what happens on Championship Saturday next week to learn of their ultimate College Football Playoff fate the following Sunday.
Alabama had some help in moving up the Coaches Poll this week. The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) lost as heavy favorites to the rival Michigan Wolverines (7-5) in Columbus in a game that featured a wild melee on the field afterwards. Elsewhere, the Miami Hurricanes (10-2) blew a 21-point lead at Syracuse (9-3) and fell 42-38 in what might be a devastating blow to their CFP hopes.
Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers (9-3) lost their third game of 2024, 17-14 to rival South Carolina, yet will still play for the ACC title with a berth in the playoff on the line next week on Championship Saturday thanks to Miami’s loss at Syracuse.
Ohio State, Miami and Clemson all fell several spots in this week’s poll. The Buckeyes fell six spots to No. 8, while Alabama jumped past Miami, which fell to No. 14, and Clemson (down to No. 17).
For the seventh straight week, the Oregon Ducks (12-0) stayed at No. 1 after capping an unbeaten regular season with a 49-21 blowout win over the Washington Huskies in Eugene. The Texas Longhorns (11-1) rose to No. 2 and will play the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) for the SEC championship Saturday in Atlanta.
Penn State (11-1) moved up to No. 3 after a 44-7 blowout win over Maryland to close the regular season, and Notre Dame (11-1) moved up to No. 4 after a 49-35 win at rival Southern California (6-6). With Ohio State losing, Penn State will now play Oregon for the Big Ten championship next Saturday in Indianapolis.
Tennessee (10-2) and SMU (11-1) both rose one spot to No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Indiana (11-1) moved up one spot to No. 9, and No. 10 Boise State (11-1) rounded out the top 10.
Alabama remained the highest-ranked three-loss team, with South Carolina (9-3) one spot below the Crimson Tide at No. 12.
Not only was this past Saturday “rivalry week” across college football, but it was also the final weekend of the 2024 SEC football regular season.
Because of this, it not only means that we know where every SEC team sits in the final conference standings, but also gives us the finalized matchup for the 2024 SEC Championship Game set to be played this upcoming week in Atlanta, Georgia.
Here are those final SEC standings, which are current as of the results from Week 14:
Updated SEC Football Standings after Week 14
1. Texas (7-1)
T-2. Georgia, Tennessee (6-2)
T-4. Alabama, South Carolina, Texas A&M, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri (5-3)
10. Florida (4-4)
T-11. Arkansas, Vanderbilt (3-5)
T-13. Oklahoma, Auburn (2-6)
15. Kentucky (1-7)
16. Mississippi State (0-8)
After their win over Auburn, Alabama finishes the regular season at 5-3 in SEC play, which is tied for fourth in the conference.
With the regular season having now ended as well, the top two teams in the SEC standings are the Texas Longhorns and Georgia Bulldogs. The teams will officially meet this Saturday in Atlanta, Georgia for the 2024 SEC Championship Game.
Alabama defeated Auburn the latest chapter of the Iron Bowl on Saturday night, 28-14.
One of college football’s greatest rivalries was renewed once again Saturday in Tuscaloosa when the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers met for the latest chapter of their storied history inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
This would be a memorable result for the Crimson Tide as well, as Alabama won the first Iron Bowl of the Kalen DeBoer era, while also keeping their College Football Playoff hopes alive, as well as denying Auburn a bowl game in the process with their 28-14 win.
A game which also extended Alabama’s current winning streak over Auburn to five-straight head-to-head, let’s take a look at some photos from Saturday’s Iron Bowl between the Crimson Tide and Tigers.
DeBoer made his case for Alabama in the College Football Playoff after the Crimson Tide’s win over Auburn.
On Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer got his first taste of one of college football’s best rivalries annually, the Iron Bowl.
A must-win game for Alabama against their biggest rivals, the Crimson Tide would get that victory over the Auburn Tigers as well, topping the in-state foe by a final score of 28-14.
Not only was this DeBoer’s first win over Auburn, but it also marked a big result for the Crimson Tide that keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive, even despite having three losses.
DeBoer was also asked about this after the Auburn game as well, with the Crimson Tide head coach going to make the case for why he thinks Alabama should make the CFP, even with three losses.
“I think everyone is aware of our schedule,” DeBoer said. “I don’t know the exact stats, but I know we beat four Top 25 teams throughout the year. I don’t know how many, if anyone, has done that. When you talk about the schedule, and what it is week-to-week, it’s just a grind. Having to come back every week, the only conference that has to do that is ours. That’s what I would say. We’ve won four of our last six. Playing some physical football, and have continued to excel in that area with what the game is all about. I think those are two pretty big deals. We’ve beaten some high-quality teams, teams that are still out there still playing some good ball themselves, and just winning four of the last six in the back-half of the season.”
While Alabama defeated Auburn on Saturday, the Crimson Tide also got some help elsewhere, as a few teams ahead of them in the CFP rankings lost such as Miami and Clemson.
With only one week remaining before the CFP bracket is released, could the Crimson Tide potentially jump into the field in Tuesday night’s next rankings release?
Alabama and Auburn collided Saturday afternoon for the latest edition of the Iron Bowl.
Saturday afternoon brought about the official conclusion of the 2024 regular season for the Alabama Crimson Tide, as the program collided with the rival Auburn Tigers in Tuscaloosa for the latest edition of the Iron Bowl.
Alabama would go on to win this game as well, picking up yet another win over their in-state rivals by a final score of 28-14. However, even despite the win, this was a game where Alabama struggled at times, in particular when it came to turnovers.
Alabama’s final game of the regular season, let’s take a look at some of our instant reactions to the Crimson Tide’s win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Alabama makes it five-straight over Auburn, seven in Tuscaloosa
As a result of Alabama’s win over Auburn on Saturday, the Crimson Tide have now won five-straight Iron Bowl’s dating back to 2020. This also marks the seven-straight Iron Bowl that Alabama has won in Tuscaloosa, with Auburn’s last win inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium coming back in 2010.
Alabama third down offense, defense impress
Alabama’s performance on third down Saturday was certainly impressive on both sides of the ball, with the Crimson Tide’s defense limiting Auburn on offense to only 4-of-12 conversions. Offensively, Alabama converted 12-of-18 third down attempts.
Alabama struggles with turnovers
There is no secret who won the turnover battle Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and that was the Auburn Tigers. In all, Alabama committed four turnovers to Auburn’s two, which were a Jalen Milroe interception, two fumbles from the Crimson Tide quarterback, and a Ryan Williams fumble all in the first half alone.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has mixed performance
As mentioned previously, Milroe struggled a bit with turnovers where he committed three, but aside from that, it was overall solid showing from the Alabama signal caller. Milroe completed 18-of-24 passes for 256 yards and an interception, while also rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns on 17 attempts.
Kalen DeBoer’s first Iron Bowl win
This is the first Iron Bowl win for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer with the Crimson Tide. The Alabama head coach concludes his first regular season in Tuscaloosa with a 9-3 overall record, as well as a 5-3 mark in SEC play.
Alabama denies Auburn bowl game, keeps College Football Playoff hopes alive
Lastly, not only did Alabama deny Auburn of a trip to a bowl game, but they also kept their CFP chances alive. With three losses, it will likely depend on other results outside of Alabama’s control, with Tuesday night showing where the Crimson Tide sit in the latest CFP rankings after this win.
