Alabama Thumps Auburn in Heated Regular Season Finale

Tuscaloosa, AL - The first half of the Iron Bowl had fans on both sidelines uneasy. Alabama's defense was standing tall, holding the Auburn Tigers to just six points despite three redzone trips in the first half.

Meanwhile, the Alabama offense was struggling to hold up its end of the bargain, scoring just 14 points in the first half and turning the ball over three times to set Auburn up in short-yardage situations. Alabama has not clicked since the first half of the Georgia game offensively, and the same could be said for the first half of the Iron Bowl. Milroe had a handful of explosive plays on the ground and found Germie Bernard in some much-needed situations, but he could not connect with Ryan Williams on what would have been a forty+ yard touchdown and overthrew Germie Bernard, who was in triple coverage, resulting in a first-half pick.

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The Crimson TIde's defense was Alabama's saving grace in the first half, allowing 204 yards of offense, only 75 yards rushing, and affecting the passing of Peyton Thorne with an active pass rush and some more exotic blitz packages that we have not seen Alabama run much of this season.

The Crimson Tide would show pressure, then back out of it, have its edge rushers run twists and stunts, and allowed just two third-down conversions on nine attempts in the first half.

In the second half, Alabama came out swinging offensively. Alabama marched down the field thanks to a catch by Ryan Williams, a screen catch by CJ Dippre, and capped it with a two-yard run by Justice Haynes to give the Crimson Tide a 21-6 lead less than four minutes into the second half.

The Alabama defense responded by forcing another Auburn three-and-out.

Jalen Milroe blew the game wide open, hitting Germie Bernard for a 26-yard gain to set the Crimson Tide up on the Auburn side of the field. Three plays later, Jalen Milroe scored his third rushing touchdown of the game with a 17-yard scamper. Alabama was rolling with a 28-6 lead over Auburn midway through the third quarter.

What is a rivalry game without a couple of heated moments? An Auburn player drove Alabama defensive back DeVonta Smith into the Auburn bench following an incomplete pass, and the mess hit the fan at that point. Malachi Moore, Zabien Brown, Jordan Renaud, DeVonta Smith, and other players were involved in some shoving and hitting between the two teams, as well as several Auburn players who were on the bench at the time of Smith being driven into the sideline.

The mid-game scuffle stirred up the Auburn offense, as Payton Thorne drove the Tigers down the field and capped a four-minute scoring drive off with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Cam Coleman, who was put in a one-on-one situation with fellow freshman Zabien Brown.

Alabama - 28
Auburn - 14

The nervous meter was beginning to rise in Tuscaloosa, especially as Alabama entered the fourth quarter with just a 14-point lead and facing third and seven.

Things got even more nerve-wracking, as Milroe fumbled on the Alabama side of the field and Auburn began to drive.

Bray Hubbard eased the minds of the Crimson Tide faithful.

He intercepts the trick play double-pass by Auburn, giving the Crimson Tide's offense a chance to ice the game with a long touchdown drive that chewed up most of the fourth-quarter clock.

Alabama's sweet victory was solidified by Zabien Brown's pick over Peyton Thorne, and the Crimson Tide shut down the Auburn Tigers to secure a 28-14 victory.

Alabama finishes the regular season 9-3, and undefeated at home in the SEC. The Crimson Tide will now await the decision from the College Football Playoffs regarding their playoff hopes.