No. 8 Alabama and Auburn will meet Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the 2023 edition of their annual in-state Iron Bowl rivalry game as the Crimson Tide look to go unbeaten in SEC regular-season play and head into the SEC Championship Game holding onto a chance of making the College Football Playoff. With Alabama having a nonconference loss to one-loss Texas on the résumé, it's paramount the Tide dispatch of Auburn in the Iron Bowl to gain some style points the selection committee may consider.
The Crimson Tide keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive, with No. 1 Georgia next on the slate in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Alabama struggled to capitalize on fourth-quarter opportunities, with a bad snap and a 5-yard penalty moving the Crimson Tide back to the 31-yard line on fourth-and goal in the waning minutes. Quarterback Jalen Milroe managed to do the unthinkable, finding receiver Isaiah Bond in the back left on the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
Alabama nearly returned an interception for another touchdown on the final play. But this game will be remembered around the state for fourth-and-31, a play where Auburn didn't try to put any pressure on Milroe before he spotted Bond.
Ja’Varrius Johnson scored on a 27-yard touchdown catch and a 12-yard run to put the Tigers (6-6, 3-5) in position to win.
Milroe finished with 259 passing yards, 107 rushing yards and two passing touchdowns. He routinely made impressive throws not only on intermediate routes but also on deep balls, connecting with Jermaine Burton for a 68-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Auburn and coach Hugh Freeze leaned on their running game, notching 244 rushing yards but just 93 passing yards. Running backs Jarquez Hunter and Damari Alston gave the Crimson Tide defense fits, finishing with a combined 178 rushing yards. The Tigers offense and defense came up with big plays time and time again in a game that should have left Auburn fans rejoicing on the gridiron after storming the field. However, the Crimson Tide will march on to the SEC title game after stealing this game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in the final moments.
Read more
2023 Week 13: Arkansas 14 Missouri 48 Derek Chauvin former officer accused of murdering George Floyd been stabbed in prison
Sarah H
Also on site :
- Young European Catholics Release Manifesto: ‘The Revolution Has Begun’
- Brown: Without Verstappen, Red Bull would trail sister team
- BMPS 2025 Finals Day 1: Teams, Map Rotation, and Stream