What Alabama's Iron Bowl win meant to a team that can't control its Playoff fate

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.

In what might have been their last Alabama home game, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker wanted extra time to soak in the moment.

Milroe took a lap around Bryant-Denny Stadium following the Crimson Tides 28-14 win over Auburn , thanking as many fans as he could for the atmosphere.

Booker took it a step further, walking into the stands and singing with the student section as Rammer Jammer blared through the speakers.

Advertisement It continued into an emotional scene in the locker room.

Milroe was teary-eyed as he addressed the team.

Then Booker gave an impassioned speech in which he couldnt hold back his tears.

He just poured his heart, just expressed his heart to the whole team, Milroe said.

At about the same time, some 1,000 miles away, Syracuse had a celebration of its own after knocking off No.

8 Miami , a result that could help push Alabama back into the College Football Playoff conversation .

But at that moment, the Playoff wasnt on Alabamas mind.

I think it was just all about enjoying the win and enjoying the process that weve had, Milroe said.

Yes, this has not been the easiest (season), but just each hardship, each obstacle that weve all been on this whole season, weve done together.

Remember these moments! #RollTide pic.twitter.com/XOWVJsSdRG Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 1, 2024 Still, the process and the Playoff are intertwined.

Alabamas hope seemed all but gone a week ago after losing to Oklahoma , but a few upsets and a win over Auburn have it on the doorstep potentially .

But responses to questions about the Playoff postgame were telling and self-aware.

Alabama believes its a Playoff team.

It also knows its fate is out of its hands.

We just have to sit back and watch, cornerback Domani Jackson said.

We cant predict that, we just have to sit back and watch.

GO DEEPER Does Alabama have a Playoff case after beating Auburn? Key Iron Bowl takeaways Kalen DeBoer, on the other hand, gave a firmer answer: Everyones aware of our schedule, DeBoer said.

I dont know the exact stats, but I know we beat four Top 25 teams throughout the year.

I dont know how many, if anyones done that.

...

When you talk about the schedule and what it is week to week, its just a grind.

Having to come back every week, the only conference that has to do that is ours.

Thats what I would say.

Advertisement Saturday marked DeBoers ninth win in his first season, tied for the most ever by a first-year coach at Alabama.

But the losses will stick with him and this team more than the wins, especially if there isnt a Playoff berth coming.

The win over Auburn was a nice finish to the regular season, but whats left is uncertainty.

Who will Alabamas next opponent be? In what setting? If its a bowl outside of the Playoff, who has played their final game already? Uncertainty couldve been avoided with more consistent play.

Theres more (wins) that I wish we would have had, DeBoer said.

Thats the way I look at it.

But from the season standpoint, highs and lows, thats part of any program.

The championship programs go through the same thing each and every year.

All thats left for Alabama is reflection.

Theres good, bad and everything in between.

Its a team that played the toughest schedule in the SEC by conference record and has notable wins including Georgia, South Carolina and Missouri.

Theres been an equal number of inexplicable losses: Vanderbilt , Oklahoma and a disappointing effort at Tennessee.

Even Saturdays win over Auburn, for as triumphant as it was, had elements of what made this team hard to characterize.

Alabama turned the ball over four times against Auburn, giving it seven in the past two games.

Alabamas first-half drive chart went as follows: fumble, punt, touchdown, interception, touchdown, fumble.

But the defense allowed only six points after those miscues and forced two turnovers of its own.

To the offenses credit, it controlled the game clock by a 14-minute margin with an effective run game.

Thats been the 2024 Alabama experience: equal parts dominant, equal parts head-scratching.

The sum was the desired outcome for Alabama, the third time this year when it won following a loss.

Jackson noted that this week felt different in its preparation, though thats likely due to the opponent.

It meant more to do it against rival Auburn for players like Milroe and Booker whove likely played the Tigers for the final time and to senior Malachi Moore , whos the first Alabama player to go 5-0 against Auburn.

Advertisement It wasnt perfect, but it was a bounceback win all the same, and a much-needed win for all parties involved.

It was all just coming together, Jackson said.

People assume this is a bad season and whatnot, so we just had to go out there for the seniors and do it for them.

And I think we did.

Everything about this season centers around DeBoer, who was tasked with taking this program and maintaining the standard set by Nick Saban.

Whats to be made of year one? In some ways that question leads to an incomplete answer.

The season isnt over, but with no scheduled games left, Saturday night opened the door for players to truly reflect.

Milroe, one of this years permanent team captains, let off an honest, thoughtful review.

Im gonna say this: I love coach DeBoer, Milroe said.

Its not easy being a head coach in the SEC, but hes just shown tremendous leadership, pride and how much he cares about us.

Im gonna be quite honest, man, hes one of the best coaches Ive been around.

Yeah, we lost some games.

Yeah, we havent played our best game, but I really enjoyed being a quarterback for coach DeBoer.

I appreciate him for his leadership, love and how much he pours into me each and every day.

GO DEEPER Auburn hired Hugh Freeze to beat Alabama.

It's racking up missed opportunities instead What is next for Alabama thats tangible? The early signing period, starting on Wednesday, where Alabama has the No.

2 class in the 247Sports Composite.

Its the next major milestone for DeBoer, who to this point answered questions about his recruiting acumen.

That in part made Saturdays win a big deal.

Had Auburn, which has commitments from eight of the top 10 prospects in-state, won the game, it couldve sold the idea that the Tigers are on the cusp of flipping the rivalry.

Thats been slowed by the fifth straight win by Alabama.

But a few days after prospects are signed, Alabama will learn its postseason fate.

Theres not much left for Alabama to say about why it should or shouldnt be included.

At least outwardly, Alabama seems at peace with whatever the committee decides.

Given its play this season, there isnt much of a choice.

The goal is to go 1-0 no matter who the opponent is, Milroe said.

I think were excited for whats ahead and well be prepared for the opportunity whenever it presents itself.

(Top photo of Jalen Milroe: Jason Clark / Getty Images).

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