Alabama may not make it into the College Football Playoff, but a lot is at stake for the Crimson Tide in this year’s Iron Bowl.
While there have been many more important Iron Bowls in recent memory, Alabama does have plenty at stake heading into its latest meeting vs. arch-rival Auburn.
The Crimson Tide enter play on Saturday at 9-2 overall, 5-2 in SEC play and as the No. 7 team in the country. Although there is no chance for the Crimson Tide to make it back into the College Football Playoff, getting a win over Auburn in Tuscaloosa will keep a few streaks intact for the Crimson Tide, as well as stop the bleeding a bit when it comes to Nick Saban’s football program.
Here is what all is at stake for the Crimson Tide when it comes to the Iron Bowl vs. Auburn now.
All that is at stake for Alabama heading into the Iron Bowl vs. Auburn
With a win over Auburn, Saban improves to 11-5 as the Crimson Tide’s head coach in the Iron Bowl. Alabama will have won three in a row over the Tigers, which would tie the most consecutive wins Saban has had over his program’s arch-rival since taking over in Tuscaloosa in 2007. Alabama would also improve to 49-37-1 in the most important college football rivalry in the SEC footprint.
Outside of what it means in the Yellowhammer State, the Crimson Tide would improve to 10-2 overall and 6-2 in SEC play with a win over the Crimson Tide. That would give Alabama its 15th straight 10-win season dating back to 2008. A sixth SEC win would give Alabama 12 straight seasons with at least six conference wins dating back to 2010. They would also go to a NY6 bowl.
Not only would the Crimson Tide be in a fantastic position to go to either the Sugar or Orange Bowl, making it to eight New Year’s Six bowls in nine chances since the creation of the College Football Playoff’s format is amazing. Neither bowl will be a playoff game, but to still be among the 12 best teams in the country even in the midst of a down season is an incredible accomplishment.
The other big thing at stake in this year’s Iron Bowl is what happens to Auburn. Should the Tigers stun the Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny, they would improve to 6-6 on the season to achieve bowl eligibility. It would also give new athletic director John Cohen a potential reason to remove the interim tag on Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and name him the full-time head coach. It could happen.
Ultimately, this Iron Bowl is all about making sure 10-2 (6-2) is the nadir of this era of Crimson Tide football under Saban. They should bounce back and contend for national titles in the next few years, but this season is a potential turning point for the entire program. It could be the beginning of the end, not just for the Alabama dynasty, but could convince Saban he is about ready to retire.
If Alabama takes care of business, the Crimson Tide will win the Iron Bowl and then go to the NY6.
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