The Auburn Tigers are 60 minutes away from playing for the national title, beating the Alabama Crimson Tide 28-27 in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers trailed 24-0 in the second quarter, but a defensive resurgence and big plays by QB Cam Newton won the second half.
Auburn is 12-0 heading into the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Even if they lose, they’ll be a strong consideration for the BCS Championship Game. But Carolina’s defense will have to put away Newton for four quarters, something nobody’s done so far. Alabama pretty much just did it for one.
The Tide outgained the Tigers by 121 yards, but two red zone turnovers turned a sure touchdown and likely field goal into new life for Auburn. The game should’ve been in the neighborhood of 34-7 at halftime.
Auburn’s defense, popularly regarded as one of the worst in the SEC, sacked Alabama quarterbacks six times, five in the second half after two suspended starters entered the game. Tide QB Greg McElroy had one of the best games of his career, but was shut down for most of the second half and knocked out of the game late.