Earlier today, we noted a deep gulp originating from somewhere in the vicinity of Mike Slive‘s office after Alabama fell behind 14-0 early on the Auburn.
Now, that sound you hear after the Tide escaped with a narrow victory over the Tigers in the Iron Bowl? A huuuge sigh of relief coming from the SEC commissioner. As well as the whole of Crimson Tide Nation.
Pending Florida’s expected romp over Florida State Saturday, the epic SEC title game matching the unbeaten No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country is set as Alabama rallied from their early deficit, overcame a late-game deficit, and downed Auburn 26-21 to remain unbeaten and on course for their collision with the Gators.
Trailing 21-20 with 8:27 left in the fourth, the Tide embarked on a for-the-ages 79-yard drive that ate up 7:03 of the clock and ended with the go-ahead touchdown pass from quarterback Greg McElroy to Roy Upchurch from four yards out.
On that clock-chewing drive, McElroy was a McMaestro, completing 7 of 8 passes for 63 yards in salvaging the Tide’s unbeaten season.
Most certainly, ‘Bama running back Mark Ingram‘s Heisman hopes took a huge hit, but that doesn’t matter as the Tide’s title hopes didn’t.
Add it all up, and it means the SEC is nearly set for their unbeaten conference showdown for the ages.
Alabama did their job, Florida. Your turn, Gators.
