Alabama hasn’t been tested very often during its dominant 2016 season, but in the Iron Bowl anything can happen, and Auburn was intent on pulling the upset.

Through the first two quarters, the Tigers looked capable of keeping the Crimson Tide’s explosive offense out of the end zone and forcing a defensive battle.

Although Alabama gained 263 yards of offense in the first half, it only scored 13 points. A pair of interceptions by freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts prevented the Crimson Tide from sustaining drives and scoring more often.

Entering halftime, Nick Saban spoke about his team’s offensive struggles and how his team wasn’t meeting expectations.

“Look, (Auburn) got one first down and 9 points,” Saban said after the first half. “Other parts of the game like special teams, turnovers, how we’re consistently playing on offense and executing on offense is not what it needs to be.”

While there were plenty of frustrating moments for Alabama’s offense, its defense was nearly flawless in the first half.

The Crimson Tide surrendered just 31 yards to the Tigers and held them to one first down, the fourth time Alabama has limited an SEC team to one first down in the first half under Saban.

Auburn’s only points came on field goals from kicker Daniel Carlson and were made possible by a 58-yard punt return and the two interceptions.

Alabama’s defense played at an elite level in the first half, but the nation’s top-ranked team still had only a 4-point lead after two quarters and needed to regroup.

Regrouping hasn’t been a problem for the Crimson Tide. In fact, Alabama’s ability to flip the switch is unmatched in college football.

After Saturday’s win against Auburn, Alabama has scored 238 points in the second half of games this season. With an average of nearly 20 points per game after halftime, the Crimson Tide are among college football’s best in that statistic.

Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) carries the ball up the field against the Texas A&M Aggies during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, the numbers are just as impressive. Alabama’s opponents have scored just 61 points in the second half, which is the fewest in the country.

That means Crimson Tide have outscored their opponents by 177 points in the second half of games this season, and their +14.8 per-game scoring differential is the best mark in college football.

In short, once Alabama has its foot on a team’s throat, it won’t get off.

While this has always been something Saban’s teams have done well, this year’s squad is noticeably better.

Last year’s national championship group allowed over a field goal more per contest in the second half of games last season. Alabama outscored its opponents by 10 points last year, 4.8 points below this year’s mark.

Those numbers may seem small and inconsequential, but when considering the 5-point victory over Ole Miss earlier this year or the win against Clemson in last season’s title game by the same margin, they could make the difference.

In the context of Saturday’s Iron Bowl victory, Alabama once again flexed its second-half muscles.

After earning empty yards in the first half, the Crimson Tide marched 57 yards on its opening drive after halftime and scored on a 4-yard run by Hurts.

Alabama’s second drive was much of the same. Covering 64 yards in five plays, the Crimson Tide once again reached the end zone on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Hurts to ArDarius Stewart.

The next Alabama possession ended with a field goal, and the one after that ended the game. Failing to score on four of their seven offensive possessions in the first half, the Crimson Tide put points on the board on each of the three drives that mattered after halftime.

Great teams are prone to mental lapses. When a team’s ability and talent are greater than its opponent’s, the real challenge is usually in avoiding complacency or over-confidence.

Saban has proven he is one of the best at helping his team avoid that “no-show” game that has plagued some of college football’s other elite programs. This year’s team has rarely looked mentally checked out, but when they have, they have always quickly recovered.

In this year’s impressive Iron Bowl victory, Alabama once again proved it can lock in when it matters most. And that is arguably its greatest strength heading into the College Football Playoff.

William McFadden covers the University of Georgia and the University of Alabama for Saturday Down South. For insight on these two SEC powerhouses, follow him on Twitter @willmcfadden.