By Cole Frederick
Iron Bowl Review
Alabama pulled away from Auburn in the second half of the Iron Bowl and defeated the Tigers, 30-12, to secure a perfect 12-0 regular season. The Crimson Tide led 13-9 at the half after several first half turnovers kept Auburn in the game, but the Alabama defense held the Auburn (8-4, 5-3) offense to a mere 182 yards on the afternoon. UA quarterback Jalen Hurts threw two first half interceptions but rallied and finished the game with 286 passing yards, 37 rushing yards and three total touchdowns. ArDarius Stewart hauled in 10 passes for 127 yards and a score for Alabama. Auburn’s offense struggled throughout the day, but freshman receiver Eli Stove was a bright spot as he caught four passes for 87 yards. Alabama advances to the SEC Championship Game to take on the Florida Gators this Saturday (Dec. 3) at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
SEC football rankings
1. Alabama (12-0, 8-0)
2. Auburn (8-4, 5-3)
3. Florida (8-3, 6-2)
4. LSU (7-4, 5-3)
5. Texas A&M (8-4, 4-4)
6. Tennessee (8-4, 4-4)
7. Arkansas (7-5, 3-5)
8. Georgia (7-5, 4-4)
9. Kentucky (7-5, 4-4)
10. Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5)
11. Mississippi State (5-7, 3-5)
12. South Carolina (6-6, 3-5)
13. Ole Miss (5-7, 2-6)
14. Missouri (4-8, 2-6)
SEC Championship Game Preview
Week 13: 5-4; season: 84-25
When Alabama and Florida meet on Saturday in the 25th SEC title game, it will be the ninth meeting between the two schools with the conference championship on the line. The Crimson Tide and the Gators met the first three times the SEC Championship Game was held, and the Gators prevailed in two of those meetings.
Since Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and Florida have met three times, and the Tide have won two of the three contests, including last year’s 29-15 win. The two teams are 4-4 against each other in the title game.
Alabama has almost assuredly clinched a berth in the College Football Playoff, even if UA loses to Florida. The Tide has been dominate all season, and that trend is likely to continue on Saturday. Florida won the East Division despite battling several injuries to key contributors, but the Gator offense likely won’t be much of a challenge for the Alabama defense.
Jalen Hurts’ mobility will be difficult for Florida to defend, even though the Gators do have one of the best defenses in the conference. Florida can turn this into a defensive struggle for a half, but Alabama will pull away in the third quarter and cruise to another SEC title.
Prediction: Alabama 34, Florida 6.