Alabama vs Auburn: 5 reasons Tigers upset Crimson Tide
By John Buhler
1. A win puts Auburn in the New Year’s Six conversation
Besides getting the opportunity to beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa to end the Crimson Tide’s hopes for a perfect 2016 college football season, there could be something on the line for Auburn in this one.
Should the Tigers stun the No. 1 Crimson Tide at Bryan-Denny Stadium on Saturday, one could argue that Auburn could be playing in a New Year’s Six bowl. At 9-3 (6-2), Auburn would have beaten the No. 1 team in the nation on the road and would have three respectable losses on their résumé.
On the road at Georgia isn’t great, but that is a major rivalry game for Auburn. Maybe the Selection Committee can get behind that? Texas A&M was a top-four team in the first 2017 College Football Playoff rankings. Clemson should make the 2017 College Football Playoff by winning the ACC.
So let’s assume Alabama rebounds from a loss in the Iron Bowl to clobber Florida in the SEC Championship to make the College Football Playoff. Who would be the team from the SEC to get the Sugar Bowl nod?
It may not be Florida, especially if they lose to both Florida State and Alabama in consecutive weeks to fall to 8-4 (6-2) on the year. Tennessee hasn’t beaten anybody great. The Volunteers’ 9-3 isn’t as impressive as Auburn’s. Georgia and LSU are both four-loss teams. Texas A&M might lose to LSU on Thanksgiving.
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Realistically, Iron Bowl victory gives Auburn the likely bid to play in the Sugar Bowl. The Cotton Bowl is a bit of a reach for Auburn as an at-large team, but it is still in play with Auburn’s proximity to Arlington. Getting to a New Year’s Six bowl will be huge for Auburn. The Tigers can get their if they beat Alabama and the Crimson Tide destroy Florida on December 3rd in Atlanta.