Alabama 42, Auburn 14: The Tide States Its Case

It will take a while to know if we have a rematch. After all, LSU still has at least one game to play to make sure that the Bayou Bengals are in the national championship game. But if your scenario for avoiding a second Tide-Tigers clash for the crystal football involved a narrow Alabama win against Auburn, go ahead and cross it off the list.

Alabama thoroughly trounced the other Tigers on Saturday, rolling up 402 yards of total offense on offense and limiting Auburn to 138. The Tigers had nine first downs on the game. The worst state line of the night belonged to backup quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who ended up with a passer rating of -50.0. Yes, that's possible.

The best was to a onetime Heisman Trophy contender whose name might now be very much back in the mix. Trent Richardson had 203 yards rushing on 27 carries and a five-yard touchdown reception to boot. And A.J. McCarron might have finally arrived, going 18-of-23 for 184 yards and three touchdowns.

Sure, the Tide still have to avoid some potential land mines for their national title hopes. If Oklahoma State waxes Oklahoma next week, it could get tricky for Alabama and its fans, who will then have to wait on the official BCS standings to be sure.

But on Saturday, it was hard not to think that Alabama was one of the best two teams in the country. If that's what the voters are looking for, we might have a rematch, whether that's a good idea or not.

Woo Pig Sooie