Alabama Football: How can the Crimson Tide clinch the SEC West in 2017
By Dana Becker
For Alabama football, the SEC West Division title is just the first of a three-step process to becoming national champions.
But as the old saying goes, you can’t reach point B if you haven’t cleared point A.
The Crimson Tide can clinch the division crown and a spot opposite Georgia in the SEC Championship with a win next week over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
Both Alabama and Auburn step out of conference play this week, with the Tide facing Mercer and the Tigers meeting UL Monroe. That means the league race will have to wait another week regardless of what happens.
But that’s how Alabama and Auburn like it, putting more pressure and more exposure on their year-ending tilt.
The Crimson Tide (10-0, 7-0 SEC) have been a one-team wrecking ball in SEC play this year, allowing just 72 points over seven games, scoring 293 themselves.
Led by Nick Saban, Alabama is looking to reach a third consecutive national championship game after falling to Clemson in the finals a year ago. The Tide have been selected for all three College Football Playoffs, falling to Ohio State in the first semifinal three years ago.
Jalen Hurts, in his second year as the starting quarterback for Alabama, has thrown 11 touchdowns and just one interception on 193 attempts. He has 1,648 yards passing, with leading receiver Calvin Ridley sitting at 49 receptions for 755 yards with two scores.
Damien Harris is closing in on a second straight 1,000-yard season, running for 823 yards on just 98 carries with 11 touchdowns.
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The winner between Alabama-Auburn (7-2, 6-1) will claim the division title, with the loser locking up second place honors. LSU (7-3, 4-2) currently sits third in the division a game ahead of both Mississippi State (7-3, 3-3) and Texas A&M (6-4, 3-3). Mississippi (5-5, 2-4) is sixth and Arkansas (4-6, 1-5) brings up the rear.