Auburn bowls into No. 13 Alabama for Iron Bowl amid CFP angst

Alabama pulled off one of the biggest long-shot plays to beat Auburn on fourth-and-goal from the Tigers’ 31-yard line last season.The Crimson Tide might need a long shot of another variety this year.No. 13 Alabama stands on the outside of the 12-team College Football Playoff picture as it concludes its regular season against visiting Auburn of the Southeastern Conference on Saturday in the Iron Bowl at Tuscaloosa, Ala.The Crimson Tide (8-3, 4-3 SEC) can only get into the playoff as an at-large team after being walloped 24-3 by host Oklahoma last weekend.Speaking Monday, one day before the latest rankings were unveiled, Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer said the focus would be on a huge rivalry with Auburn (5-6, 2-5).”The state — 365 days of the year. Ever since I’ve been here, I think I hear about it every day,” DeBoer said of the need to beat the Tigers. “So understand what it means. The excitement. We have to learn from last week and be better because of it and turn the page and get ready to practice and do everything we can to be successful on Saturday, find a way to win.”Last season, the Crimson Tide defeated Auburn 27-24 behind the “Milroe Miracle.”The Tigers were one defensive stop away from a big upset before Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe delivered a dart of a throw to Isaiah Bond for a 31-yard touchdown with 32 seconds left.Auburn coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t forgotten the bitter feeling of losing in such a manner.”There is no bigger game on the schedule,” Freeze said of playing the Crimson Tide. “To sit in this seat and to lose one like we did last year still doesn’t sit right. I know that the Auburn faithful had to endure that, and we want to change that feeling in this building and for our great fan base in this state. It’s a tall task.”The Tigers are on a high note after a 43-41 four-overtime victory over then-No. 15 Texas A&M last weekend. Star running back Jarquez Hunter rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries and has 1,145 yards for the season.