Alabama lost to Auburn two years ago in Jordan-Hare Stadium but still received the fourth and final invitation to the College Football Playoff.
The Crimson Tide can’t afford to rely on history repeating itself.
“We can’t control what the playoff committee or anybody else has to say about us,” Alabama junior receiver DeVonta Smith said this week in a news conference. “We just have to go out there and play to the best of our ability and put on a show to make them see that this team deserves a chance.”
Alabama has been under the national microscope countless times in the Nick Saban coaching era, but the No. 5 Crimson Tide (10-1, 6-1 SEC) may have to not only win but win with style Saturday when they face No. 16 Auburn (8-3, 4-3) inside Jordan-Hare. The big difference between this season’s showdown and the 2017 matchup that the Tigers won 26-14 is that Alabama was undefeated two years ago and ranked No. 1 in the playoff rankings.
The Tide lost any room for error this season with their 46-41 home loss to LSU on Nov. 9, making this Iron Bowl an audition for the weeks ahead.