It Ain’t Over for the Alabama Crimson Tide Just Yet

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The Iron Bowl was a disastrous affair for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In a 26-14 loss, the Tide played one of if not the worst games of the Nick Saban era. The numbers are actually pretty close. Alabama had 377 total yards to Auburn’s 408. The Tigers only possessed the ball six more minutes than the Tide. Both teams each had just one turnover. Though it felt like Auburn was gashing the Tide defense in the run game, Alabama actually had more rushing yards than the Tigers – 209 to 168. But, as it is prone to do from time to time, that pesky ‘situational football’ reared its ugly head.

In the most critical points of the game, Alabama flat out screwed the pooch.

They were 3/11 on third downs, committed eight penalties for 60 yards, and stalled the most important drive of the game when the offense fumbled the snap twice in a row. Even then, they were bailed out of a 20+ yard loss because the erroneous snap took place before Auburn could substitute defenders and they were caught with 12 men on the field. And, yet – they failed to convert the 4th & 3 that could have saved the game. Like I said, I can’t remember a time when a Nick Saban team played so sloppily and deserved to lose so much.

I wrote a few weeks ago that this Alabama team did not feel like a championship team, and my suspicion proved true against Auburn. But, as bad as it was, it could be a whole lot worse. This weekend is shaping up to be another weekend of total chaos.

Believe it or not, the Tide is actually in a pretty decent spot. You have to figure that the SEC Championship is effectively a playoff game, though the playoff committee has yet to select a two-loss team. That might not bode well for Auburn, but they’d be hard to deny as SEC Champions. Besides, it might actually work better for Alabama if Georgia wins. The committee tries to avoid rematches, but the Bulldogs and the Tide didn’t meet in the regular season. That may make it easier to vote in Alabama.

The ACC Championship is also a veritable playoff game. So, that leaves two spots up for grabs. I find it likely that Oklahoma gets in as 12-1 Big 12 Champions. But, should TCU upset the Sooners, Alabama would benefit.

The key game for Tide fans this weekend is the Big Ten Championship. Ohio State is favored over Wisconsin, but already has a horrendous beating at the hands of 7-5 Iowa and a lopsided loss to Oklahoma. They are cooked. So, if it comes down to one-loss Wisconsin vs. one-loss Alabama, I think the Tide is in.

As bad as the Auburn loss stings, all is not lost.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley

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