Fansided

Alabama vs Auburn: 5 reasons Tigers upset Crimson Tide

By John Buhler

Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Jason Smith (4) runs ahead of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) for a touchdown during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Jason Smith (4) runs ahead of Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) for a touchdown during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster (10) leave the field after his team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster (10) leave the field after his team defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide defeated the Bulldogs 51-3. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Other than pride, this game is meaningless for Alabama

Here is the truth about the 2016 Iron Bowl: Other than in-state pride, Alabama doesn’t need to win this game to win the National Championship. The Crimson Tide locked up the SEC West division crown two weeks ago when Auburn fell in Athens to their second-best SEC rival Georgia Bulldogs.

Alabama can drop the Iron Bowl, frankly rest players if Saban feels so inclined, dismantle Jim McElwain’s Florida Gators in the 2016 SEC Championship, and get the No. 1 seed in the 2017 College Football Playoff at 12-1 (7-1).

All Alabama has to do is win the SEC Championship and the Crimson Tide will be in their third straight College Football Playoff. It’s rare for a major rivalry game like this have no real impact on a divisional race.

It almost feels on par with an NFL team having locked up home field advantage in the NFL Playoffs and the head coach opts to rest players against a division rival in Week 17. Alabama has been so impressive this season that the Crimson Tide can actually drop their biggest game of the season and still feel fantastic about their playoff chances.

All this does is eliminate the sense of urgency for Alabama to play in this game. Yes, there are ways Alabama can still get up for this game. Winning the Iron Bowl is massively important in Alabama. Being the first team to go 15-0 in a college football season would be really cool, too.

Auburn has a great chance in this game because why wouldn’t the Tigers want to spoil Alabama’s quest for perfection.

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