Alabama faced off against Auburn in the Iron Bowl for the 90th time on Saturday, November 29th at Jordan-Hare stadium.
This win was huge for Alabama as it gives them a guaranteed spot in the 12-team playoffs. Their win against Auburn brings Bama to Atlanta for the SEC championship against Georgia; if they pull off that win, Bama can be a top seed in the playoffs.
This win adds on to Alabama’s dominant record in the Iron Bowl (52-1-37). This year’s matchup will go down as one of the most intense games in Alabama-Auburn history. The game went down to the wire and caused a scare in Tuscaloosa. In the 4th quarter, the game was tied 20-20, Alabama’s ball. Coach DeBoer decided to go for it on 4th down, when Alabama receiver Isaiah Horton caught the game deciding touchdown.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Head Coach, was confident with his decision to go for it late in the 4th.
“I figured it was 29 yards shorter than the last time we needed a touchdown. So, the percentages were much more in our favor, I just feel like there’s a confidence you have in the offense, to get the two yards. We didn’t need a touchdown on that play, but we needed the two yards,” says Deboer.
After Horton’s clutch play, Alabama was up a touchdown with only a couple minutes left in the game. Bama needed a big stop when Alabama safety, Bray Hubbard, hit Auburn receiver Cam Coleman, causing him to fumble. Alabama took a knee and won the game 27-20.
Ty Simpson, Alabama starting quarterback, has a strong belief in his head coach.
“It starts with our head coach, it comes from him, my resilience, and it goes down the line. Credit to our O-line, and to the whole offense,”says Simpson.
Even with this win, some fans are concerned that Alabama’s sophomore sensation, Ryan Williams, might not be living up to his freshman All-American season. Williams had his 2nd 0 stats game all season, and many are saying his draft stock has fallen.
Isaiah Horton, Alabama receiver, believes his teammate will come back from this adversity.
“Ryans alright, he’s still working hard, and he’s fine,” says Horton.
Alabama is getting ready to play Georgia in the SEC championship game, on December 6th, at Mercedes-Benz stadium.
