SEC fans everywhere breathed a collective sigh of relief just before midnight Saturday after top-ranked Alabama put the finishing touches on an exciting Iron Bowl victory over Auburn.

The league’s other College Football Playoff hopeful, along with several underwhelming teams from the Eastern Division, weren’t so lucky.

Fourth-ranked Mississippi State, in need of a convincing win at Ole Miss to remain in national championship contention, laid a colossal Egg in Oxford against a spirited group of Rebels.

Favored in three of four head-to-games during rivalry weekend, the ACC made a statement by going unbeaten against the nation’s perceived superpower highlighted by Georgia Tech’s overtime win in Athens.

Clemson snapped a five-game losing skid to South Carolina with a dominant knockout while Florida State, with its 28th consecutive win, dodged Florida’s upset bid with a late defensive stop. Kentucky fell to Louisville, 44-40, the Wildcats’ sixth straight loss to end the regular season season.

The demoralizing day nearly came full circle in the nightcap, but Alabama was able to withstand Auburn’s best shot — and a stellar night from Nick Marshall — to win its 11th game.

Those playing the SEC bias card, it’s time to turn that one in.