So much for the Iron Bowl: Georgia stuns Auburn to clinch SEC West for Alabama
Saturday’s games narrowed down the SEC East race to two teams.
The SEC West? That’s all wrapped up.
Georgia stunned No. 9 Auburn 13-7 in a defensive struggle in Athens, clinching the SEC West title for top-ranked Alabama. The Tigers (7-3, 5-2) didn’t pick up a first down in the second half, while the Bulldogs’ rally was sparked by Maurice Smith’s pick-six in the early third quarter.
That play, which ended up being the deciding touchdown, is a delightful twist of irony:
So the DB (Maurice Smith) that Saban tried to block from going to Georgia had the Pick Six vs. Auburn that may clinch the division for Bama.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 12, 2016
It did end up clinching the title for the Crimson Tide, which is headed to the SEC Championship Game for the third straight season.
Alabama is the first since Florida (1994-96) to advance to the SEC Championship Game in three consecutive seasons.
— Chuck Dunlap (@SEC_Chuck) November 12, 2016
Auburn’s dud ended a few weeks of hype about an SEC West-deciding Iron Bowl. The Tigers were arguably the hottest team in the nation after starting the season 1-2. Quarterback Sean White completed 6-of-20 passes for just 27 yards, while star running back Kamryn Pettway missed the game with an injury.
Alabama will still win the West even if it loses to Auburn on Nov. 26, but people aren’t too thrilled about that game anymore.
Iron Bowl tickets just got cheaper
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 13, 2016
FEELS GREAT TO NOT BE WORRIED ABOUT THE IRON BOWL ANYMORE YOU GUYS.
— Hunter Johnson (@HunterLJohnson) November 13, 2016
The Iron Bowl will have as much on the line as today's Michigan State/Rutgers game.
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) November 13, 2016
Alabama is headed to the SEC Championship. Iron Bowl now a state championship.
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) November 13, 2016
Well, the Iron Bowl turned from the "SEC West championship bowl" to the "Can Gus Malzahn save his job" bowl. #AUBvsUGA
— Nathan Young (@nvyoung) November 13, 2016
You had 1 job, Auburn….
— A Superhero (@TheGr8estEver) November 13, 2016