Many believed that the LSU Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide would deliver the ‘Game of the Year.’ Those people still might be right, but ‘Bama and the Auburn Tigers delivered quite the GOTYC on Saturday afternoon.
Emerging from this titanous tussle were the Tigers, who won 48-45 over the Tide to effectively knock their hated adversaries out of the College Football Playoff discussion. The win also means that Auburn is up to 9-3 on the year and could prop them up into a primo bowl game.
The game was rather absurd in the first half, as 58 points were scored (we hope you took the over). But the final three points put up were a bit controversial. Auburn was somehow able to get a snap off with a second to go that led to a field goal to make it 31-27 in favor of ‘Bama, as opposed to 31-24. Nick Saban was (rightfully) very agitated about this, and in the end, the MOV of three certainly... loomed large.
Nevertheless though, this was a wild one till the very end. Shaun Shivers’ TD (that literally took an Alabama defender’s helmet off) gave the Tigers the lead with 8:08 to go. Auburn battened down the hatches and kept Alabama off the board, and the Tide committed a costly error at the end of the game. They had 12 players on the field, which led to an illegal substitution penalty that gave Auburn a fresh set of downs that eventually led to the clock ticking all the way down.
It’s important to note that Jaylen Waddle absolutely dominated this game. Like, to a ridiculous degree. Waddle had a kickoff return for a touchdown and three receiving touchdowns, as well. He finished with 98 receiving yards and 230 all-purpose yards. It was without a doubt an absolute standout performance that is worthy of any kind of recognition and praise.