Alabama Football: 3 Takeaways from the Iron Bowl

Here are three takeaways from a defensive struggle at Jordan-Hare.

There is an old saying about rivalry games, “throw the records out.” That saying rings true about this year’s Iron Bowl between the #3 Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers. No one could have seen the stand Auburn took in this game after their performance a week ago.

The Tigers came into this game on a three-game losing streak, blowing leads against Mississippi State and South Carolina. However, you throw the records out when you talk about the Iron Bowl. There was talk of first-year head coach Bryan Harsin not making it to year two.

For the Tigers, Saturday afternoon was their National Title game. These games can make up for the disappointments of an entire season.

No SEC title, no College Football Playoff for Auburn, but you can say that you are the best team in Alabama for an entire season. That matters in this rivalry. For the Crimson Tide, however, there is much more at stake.

The Crimson Tide are playing for a showdown against Georgia. Alabama needs this game or no playoff for the second time. How do you settle this contrast of purpose? Overtime.

Auburn held the most explosive offense in the country to just ten points. Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young led the Tide on a late touchdown drive to send the game into overtime in a game without much offense.

Here are three takeaways.