Alabama makes plays when it has to

AUBURN — Alabama battled back and won a thrilling Iron Bowl.

Auburn battled all day and won respect. Kudos to both.

What we witnessed on the turf of Jordan-Hare Stadium on Friday afternoon was Alabama-Auburn — or Auburn-Alabama if you prefer — football at its best.

And let’s be honest, few of us saw it coming.

Even after Auburn took a shocking 14-0 lead, it was if the Tiger fans were afraid to go bonkers in sensing an Alabama comeback.

That’s how much respect the Crimson Tide has deservingly earned over the past two years.

But as it got deep into the fourth quarter and Auburn held the lead, this place got wild and crazy.

And it was then we saw the true character of this Alabama football team.

With their backs against the wall, the Tide drove 79 yards in 15 plays in just over seven minutes to take the lead and break the Tigers’ hearts.

The scoreboard read 26-21 after Roy Upchurch took in a short Greg McElroy pass.

It was unbelievably the first time the Tide had led all afternoon — though it never really seemed as if Auburn was in control.

Give Auburn’s defense tons of credit for its performance. The undermanned group fought, and fought, and fought, to give the Tigers a chance to win.

I figured the unit — so low on depth — would wilt in the second half. It never really did, though it was understandably wearing down on Alabama’s winning drive.

There was still 1:24 left when the high-octane Auburn offense got one last chance for another quick strike like it had done two times in the game.

As you know, it wouldn’t happen a third time.

Quite frankly, Auburn looked a little confused as it hurriedly tried to get down field and pull off a heroic finish.

When Chris Todd’s desperation pass was knocked down in the end zone on the game’s final play, Alabama had escaped what was close to being one of the biggest upsets in Iron Bowl history.

Making it close doesn’t soothe Auburn’s hurt, but it’s a heck of a lot better than what happened a year ago.

Alabama is still a much deeper, much stronger and more talented football team.

The gap, however, between the two programs has shrunk.

Until Friday, it was hard to tell exactly how much improvement Auburn has made during Gene Chizik’s first year at the helm. We know now by the way Auburn stood toe-to-toe with Alabama a solid foundation is in place.

As for Alabama, everyone understands what’s directly ahead.

The 26-21 victory gives Alabama its second straight unbeaten regular season. Do that in the Southeastern Conference and you have a chance to play for college football’s top prize.

The next step in that quest for Alabama is a week away in Atlanta in the SEC showdown with Florida.

The Georgia Dome will be rocking as arguably the two best teams in the nation go to war.

The way Alabama had to battle to the very end against Auburn should prepare them well for the challenge ahead.