Alabama Survives Thrilling Iron Bowl, Advances to SEC Championship

No. 10 Alabama escaped Jordan-Hare Stadium with a heart-stopping 27-20 victory over rival Auburn on Saturday. The win secured the Crimson Tide’s spot in the SEC Championship Game against No. 4 Georgia. The game was decided by a clutch fourth-down touchdown pass with under four minutes to play.

The dramatic finish capped a fierce comeback attempt by Auburn. The Tigers rallied from a 17-point deficit to tie the game in the second half.

Simpson Delivers Under Pressure on Final Drive

Quarterback Ty Simpson found receiver Isaiah Horton for the game-winning score. The play came on fourth-and-2 from the Auburn 6-yard line. It was the third touchdown connection between the pair on the afternoon.

Simpson completed 19 of 35 passes for 122 yards. His performance was not statistically dominant. According to ESPN, his leadership on the final drive was the difference.

Alabama’s defense made a critical stop after regaining the lead. They forced a fumble by Auburn’s Cam Coleman with 33 seconds left. The recovery sealed the victory for the Tide.

Auburn’s Valiant Comeback Falls Just Short

Auburn interim coach DJ Durkin nearly engineered a monumental upset. The Tigers clawed back after a disastrous start. Quarterback Ashton Daniels was dynamic, throwing for 259 yards and rushing for 108 more.

Wide receiver Malcolm Simmons was a big-play threat all day. He caught a 64-yard touchdown pass. He also had a 66-yard reception to set up another score.

Ultimately, Auburn’s mistakes proved costly. The late fumble ended their final hope. The Tigers finish the season with a 5-7 record.

Championship Path Set for DeBoer’s Squad

The victory sends Alabama to Atlanta for the SEC title game. They will face the Georgia Bulldogs on December 2. This is a rematch of a regular-season game Alabama won in September.

A win next weekend would bolster Alabama’s case for the College Football Playoff. The selection committee values conference championships highly. Coach Kalen DeBoer has navigated his first season in the SEC to a 10-2 record.

The Iron Bowl win marks Alabama’s sixth consecutive victory in the series. It also extends Auburn’s home losing streak in the rivalry to three games. The atmosphere at Jordan-Hare was electric until the final second.

Alabama’s resilience in the Iron Bowl demonstrates their championship mentality as they prepare for Georgia. The path to the playoff is now clear. They must win one more game in Atlanta to complete their mission.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)

What was the final score of the Iron Bowl?

The final score was Alabama 27, Auburn 20. The game was tied 20-20 late in the fourth quarter before Alabama’s winning touchdown drive.

Who won the Iron Bowl for Alabama?

Quarterback Ty Simpson threw the game-winning touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton. The defense secured the win by forcing a fumble on Auburn’s final possession.

What does this win mean for Alabama?

The victory sends Alabama to the SEC Championship Game against Georgia. Winning that game would give Alabama a strong chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Where was the 2023 Iron Bowl played?

The game was played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. It was a sold-out crowd for one of college football’s most intense rivalries.

How many times has Alabama won the Iron Bowl in a row?

Alabama has now won six consecutive Iron Bowl games. This current streak dates back to the 2020 season.

What is Auburn’s record after this loss?

Auburn finishes the regular season with a 5-7 record. The loss means they are not eligible to play in a postseason bowl game.