Alabama started strong and held on late, defeating Auburn 27-20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
From the beginning, the game looked like what most expected. Both offenses struggled to get anything going. Alabama’s defense was particularly dominant, limiting Auburn’s offense to just 26 yards on its first five possessions.
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Meanwhile, Alabama’s offense wasn’t great by any means, but they did find something in the running game that we hadn’t seen for most of the season. Jam Miller had a couple of nice runs on a drive that ended with a field goal to open the scoring, then on the next possession, Ty Simpson ripped 26 yards on a QB power play to set up a beautiful touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton in the back of the end zone.
After another stop, Miller found two explosive runs off the tackle for a combined 37 yards, setting up another touchdown throw for Horton. Suddenly, the Tide led 17-0 and a satisfying blowout in the Iron Bowl seemed to be in the cards. Auburn’s offense could accomplish absolutely nothing, and an Alabama running game that had been a potential Achilles’ heel all season suddenly looked like a strength.
Unfortunately, this streak of success was fleeting. With solid field position after a three-pointer, OC Ryan Grubb called for a flea flicker that unfortunately fooled no one. The end result was a three-and-out return, and Blake Doud added insult to injury with a punt that gave Auburn the ball near midfield. More importantly, it gave them hope.
Auburn quarterback Ashton Daniels, who had been under severe pressure up to that point, managed to break the pocket and take off down the sideline for a 20-yard gain. Two plays later, Alabama CB Cam Calhoun was flagged for targeting the ball. The defense held firm in the red zone, but Auburn was on the board with a field goal to cut the lead to 17-3.
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After another boring Alabama possession, Auburn was able to move the ball on the ground enough to set up a 43-yard field goal as time expired, cutting Alabama’s lead to 17-6 heading into halftime. If you had told any Alabama fan before the game that the Tide would lead by 11 at the half, they would have been elated. Unfortunately, we have seen this team fail to defeat their opponents too often this season.
At that point, Daniels came out of the locker room and immediately found Malcolm Simmons for a 64-yard reception and rushing touchdown to cut the lead to four points. The Tide knew how to respond with a field goal, but it wasn’t easy. Auburn then drove the ball deep into Alabama territory, but Bray Hubbard was able to thwart the threat with a tipped interception. Unfortunately, a sack by Simpson on the first down put Alabama behind the chains and they were forced to punt.
That’s when things got really complicated.
Daniels found Simmons again, this time for a 64-yard YAC drive to put Auburn inside the 5. Zay Mincey was in man coverage on the play and simply threw a tackle in space to allow the breakaway. Two plays later, RB Jeremiah Cobb scored and the game was tied at 20. Needless to say, Alabama fans were stressed.
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As mentioned above, Alabama has had trouble locking down teams all season long. The good news is that they have usually done what it takes to win the game in the end, and this one was no different. The Tide was able to make the long, slow late-game drive they have become known for. Daniel Hill, in place of Jam Miller, who suffered what is likely a long-term leg injury, made a couple of strong runs to lead the way.
Alabama then became the beneficiary of two flags that Auburn fans will talk about for generations: a pass interference call on third and long, and then a rough passer flag. Simpson was able to find Horton for the third time in the game for a 27-20 lead, and the Tide would hold on for dear life from there.
This team can win and leave fans frustrated like no other, but they did it. Ryan Williams played very little in the game, which was curious. Horton and Germie Bernard took the lead in this one at catcher. The defense was excellent for most of the night, but allowed two critical explosive plays for 14 points. Miller will almost certainly be out next week.
Now more than ever, it’s about surviving and moving forward. Alabama did that. After all the weirdness that has been the 2025 SEC season, Alabama and Georgia will meet in Atlanta for the conference title.
Same old thing, right?
Rolling tide.