SEC-ond thoughts
Dawgs pounded, Bama survives as CFP picture shakes up
Kerryon Johnson and the Auburn Tigers delivered an emphatic statement to the rest of the Southeastern Conference: Don’t forget us — especially with the Iron Bowl against Alabama coming up in two weeks.
The No. 10 Tigers emerged from the shadows of the nation’s top two teams, riding Johnson and a smothering defense to a 40-17 victory over No. 2 Georgia on Saturday in Auburn, Ala.
The No. 1 Crimson Tide, meanwhile, almost gave the SEC two top-3 losers. But Jalen Hurts hit DeVonta Smith for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 25 seconds remaining to lift Alabama over No. 18 Mississippi State, 31-24, in Starkeville, Miss.
Alabama (10-0, 7-0 SEC, No. 2 CFP) won its 10th straight game against Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3, No. 16 CFP), but this one was much more difficult than most of the others.
The Bulldogs pushed ahead 24-17 early in the fourth quarter on Jace Christmann’s 25-yard field goal, but Alabama responded to tie it at 24 when Damien Harris ran for a 14-yard score with 9:49 left. Alabama had a chance to take the lead with about two minutes left, but a 40-yard field goal attempt by Andy Pappanastos banged off the left upright and fell harmlessly to the turf.
Mississippi State went three-andout on the ensuing drive and Alabama took over with 1:09 remaining. That was more than enough time for the Tide, who drove six plays and 68 yards in 44 seconds for the game-winning score.
“We did a good job of staying together, being one and staying cool and calm,” Hurts said. “We did enough.”
Alabama coach Nick Saban wasn’t particularly pleased with parts of his team — especially on defense — but he was relieved it responded well to some adversity.
“Sometimes you need hard,” Saban said. “If we’re going to beat really good teams, if we’re going to compete, we’ve got to learn how to compete in close games where every play counts. Where you’ve got to play every play for 60 minutes.”
Auburn (8-2, 6-1 SEC. No. 10 CFP), with Johnson running for 167 yards and catching a 55-yard touchdown pass from Jarrett Stidham, remained in contention in the SEC Western Division, and potentially for the playoff, after snapping a three-year losing streak to one of its top rivals. Georgia (9-1, 6-1, No. 1 CFP) came in with the top spot in the playoff rankings and could get a rematch if Auburn can beat Alabama in two weeks.
The first go around wasn’t pretty for Georgia. The Tigers held Nick Chubb, Sony Michel and the SEC’s top ground game to 46 yards, 233 below their season average.
As Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said, “They seized the moment.”
“We have a great opportunity right now, and our goal was to win the SEC championship,” Malzahn said. “Here we are, Nov. 11, and we’re right in the middle of it. And all the dreams we have are still alive.”
Johnson ran 32 times and caught two passes for 66 yards. Stidham threw for 214 yards and three touchdowns, all of 30-plus yards. He also ran for a 7-yard score.
“We knew we had a great team, but we had to go out and prove it,” Johnson said. “We did that today and that’s something we can hang our hat on.”
Georgia special teams blunders helped set up three Auburn touchdowns, including a roughing the penalty flag in the first half.
Georgia’s Jake Fromm was 13-of-28 passing for 184 yards and a late touchdown pass. coach Kirby Smart said Auburn “whipped” his Bulldogs at the lines of scrimmage.
“Humility is always a week away, and I think this team will answer and respond the right way,” he said. “We’ve got some good leaders in that room, and they want to improve on what they just showed.”