The Iron Bowl is known to be one of the fiercest rivalries in all of sports, and one team being superior never truly affects the game all that much.
This has especially been the case when the game is played at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
The Tide came into the game ranked third in the nation with the College Football Playoff in their sights. They still have these goals in reach, but Auburn gave them all they wanted in an attempt to derail such opportunities.
In its 85-year history, the Iron Bowl had never seen an overtime game prior to this matchup. In the fourth overtime period, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young hit John Metchie III for the final nail in Auburn’s coffin to win the game 24-22.
Here's Eli Gold with the call of Bryce to Metchie's game winner! ??#RollTide #IronBowl pic.twitter.com/uBiaGMEhr3
— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) November 28, 2021
Auburn was up 10-0 with under nine minutes left in regulation before Will Reichard kicked a field goal to bring the Tide within seven points with 8:44 left in the game.
Auburn had led the entire game until the final 24 seconds when Bryce Young connected with Ja’Corey Brooks on a 28-yard pass to tie the game and send it into overtime.
Some doubted how competitive this game would or would not be with Auburn being unranked and barely holding an above .500 record on the year. However, in the Iron Bowl, anything can happen.
Fans of both schools were treated to an epic showdown and should realize they just witnessed one of the best Iron Bowls in the rivalry’s storied history. Yet, the Alabama faithful are the only fans leaving this game with their heads held high after a hard-fought victory.
Some Alabama fans will be somewhat disappointed in the way the Crimson Tide played against a below-average Auburn team with a limping backup quarterback. However, this is the Iron Bowl and a win is a win, and any win in this rivalry should be well-received.
There were some great positives in this game for the Tide, with Will Anderson being one yet again as in games prior. Anderson and Henry To’oTo’o make up arguably the best linebacker core in the nation, and tonight they proved why.
The two Tide linebackers and the rest of the Alabama defense were able to hold Auburn’s offense to only 159 total yards of offense.
Young and the Tide offense started out with some struggles moving the ball against a stiff Auburn defense, but managed to open up the lid in the second half. Young ended the game with 317 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Heisman hopeful also threw one interception in the game but played an outstanding second half.
Alabama is now positioned to make the playoffs if it can emerge victorious against Georgia next week in the SEC Championship game. The Crimson Tide accomplished something they had not been able to since 2015, and that was defeat Auburn on its home turf.
Nick Saban displayed elation post-game and exhibited a sense of relief after winning, statistically, what has been the toughest venue for him since he has been at the helm in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide have a lot to hang their hat on, as this win was more significant than what meets the eye. It should be noted that Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has yet to defeat Saban, even when his team in years past had appeared to be the more talented of the two. With this being the case, the SEC Title is by no means a lock for the Bulldogs.
Hayden Crigler is a contributing college football and college basketball writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him through email: [email protected] or on Twitter: @hayden_crigler.
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