Iron peak: Tigers stun No. 1
Surging Auburn stakes claim to CFP berth with huge win over rival
AUBURN, Ala. — No one could’ve predicted the result of this Iron Bowl. No one except the Auburn Tigers, that is. Somehow, they never lost faith. Not when they surrendered 11 sacks in an early season loss to Clemson.
Not when they turned it over five times against little bitty Mercer, needing a late touchdown just to secure the victory.
Not even when they threw away a 20- point lead at LSU, seemingly finishing off any hopes of a memorable season.
Yet, there they were Saturday evening, surrounded by thousands of ecstatic fans who stormed onto Pat Dye Field at Jordan- Hare Stadium, celebrating a 26- 14 victory over top- ranked Alabama. The SEC fined Auburn $ 250,000 because of the overzealous fans.
No. 6 Auburn ( 10- 2, 7- 1) is playing as well as any team in the country, a squad that’s peaking at just the right time. There was no doubt about who was the better team on this day. If the Tigers can beat No. 7 Georgia again in next weekend’s SEC championship — and they already blew out the Bulldogs two weeks ago, 40- 17 — they’ll be more than worthy of a spot in the College Football Playoff. Never mind those two losses. “I don’t think it’s hard to believe,” said quarterback Jason Stidham, the transfer from Baylor who epitomizes this Jekyll- andHyde of a team as well as anyone. “I’m with these guys day in and day out. I know what kind of character this team has. I know what kind of people are on this team. Very resilient. We knew that everything we wanted to accomplish was still in front of us to make it to the SEC championship. And, sure enough, we took care of business every week after LSU. Here we are, sitting in a great spot.”
He added, his voice oozing with confidence, “I think we’re pretty darn good.”
In a way, the win over Alabama on Saturday meant more than the improbable victory over Alabama four years ago, when the Tide came up short on a potential gamewinning field goal — and the Tigers returned it 109 yards for their own game- winning touchdown. That was a miracle. This was meant to be. “I feel like we’re playing the best we’ve ever played since I’ve been here,” junior cornerback Carlton Davis said. “I can’t compare my team to other teams. I just know what we can do.”
Alabama ( 11- 1, 7- 1) can do nothing but hope. A fourth consecutive playoff appearance is still a possibility, but the Tide need some help. Either Wisconsin or Oklahoma will have to lose in their conference championship game next weekend to clear a spot.
“We are a one- loss team and we lost to a really good team,” defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “I think we deserve a chance to be in the playoffs.”
“I don’t think one game defines who you are,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It certainly doesn’t define this team for who they are. I’m sorry that I could not do a better job as a coach and as a leader.”
Auburn’s fate is entirely in its hands, and perhaps on the right shoulder of all- world running back Kerryon Johnson.
He trudged off the field in the closing minutes with his arm dangling at his side, casting doubt on whether he’ll be able to go in the SEC championship. All he did against Alabama was throw for a touchdown on a nifty jump pass at the goal line, run for another score, catch three passes and finish with 104 yards on 30 bruising carries.
If Johnson is sidelined, Auburn will have to turn to sophomore Kam Martin, who was held to nine yards on four carries by the Crimson Tide.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts passed for 177 yards and a touchdown while running 17 times for 80 yards.