NCAAF Analysis

What an Iron Bowl that was. Auburn came into this game as heavy underdogs, but Hugh Freeze had his team ready to play. The Tigers pushed Alabama to the absolute limit, and it took a fourth-quarter touchdown drive from Jalen Milroe to secure the victory. Auburn's defense played their best game of the season, holding the Tide to just 31 points after they'd been averaging 42 against SEC competition.

The story of this game was Auburn's rushing attack. Jarquez Hunter ran for 145 yards and kept the chains moving all afternoon. Alabama's defense eventually made the stops they needed, but Auburn showed flashes of what this program could become under Freeze. The Tigers covered the spread and gave their fans something to cheer about heading into the offseason.

For Alabama, this win punches their ticket to Atlanta, but the performance raised some concerns. The offensive line struggled against Auburn's front, and Milroe took four sacks. Kalen DeBoer will have some things to clean up before the SEC Championship, but a win is a win in this rivalry. The Tide is heading to face Georgia with momentum, even if it wasn't pretty.

Michigan did it again. For the fourth consecutive year, the Wolverines went into Columbus and came out with a victory. This one was an absolute gut-punch for Ohio State fans who watched their team dominate the stat sheet but couldn't finish drives in the red zone. Will Howard threw for 340 yards, but three turnovers proved fatal for the Buckeyes in the biggest game of the year.

Sherrone Moore is now 1-0 against Ohio State in his first year as Michigan's head coach, and what a way to start. The Wolverines played smash-mouth football, controlling the clock with 185 rushing yards and winning the turnover battle 3-1. Davis Warren didn't put up gaudy numbers, but he made the plays when they mattered most, including a 15-yard touchdown scramble in the fourth quarter.

Ohio State's playoff hopes took a massive hit with this loss. They're still likely to make the expanded field, but a first-round bye is off the table. Ryan Day is now 1-5 against Michigan, and the pressure in Columbus is reaching a boiling point. Meanwhile, Michigan heads to the Big Ten Championship with a chance to add another trophy to the case. The rivalry is officially back, and it belongs to Ann Arbor.

Bedlam is back in the SEC era, and Oklahoma made sure to remind everyone who owns this rivalry. The Sooners dominated the second half, outscoring Oklahoma State 24-7 after halftime to pull away for a comfortable victory. Jackson Arnold threw for three touchdowns and looked like the franchise quarterback Oklahoma has been waiting for since Baker Mayfield left Norman.

Oklahoma State hung tough in the first half behind Ollie Gordon II's 130 rushing yards, but the Cowboys couldn't match Oklahoma's depth and explosiveness. Mike Gundy's defense had no answer for the Sooners' tempo in the second half, and the turnovers started piling up. OSU turned it over three times after halftime, each one leading to Oklahoma points.

This game had major implications for both programs. Oklahoma finished the regular season 10-2 and is firmly in the playoff picture. Oklahoma State's loss means they'll head to a solid bowl game but won't be playing for a conference title. Brent Venables has the Sooners heading in the right direction, and this rivalry victory will do wonders for recruiting momentum heading into the offseason.

Florida ended Florida State's season on a sour note in what was essentially a referendum on both programs. The Gators defense showed up in a big way, holding the Seminoles to just 270 total yards and forcing three turnovers. Billy Napier desperately needed this win to quiet the critics, and his team delivered with a complete performance on both sides of the ball.

Florida State's struggles continued in this rivalry game. The Seminoles couldn't establish any rhythm on offense, and their highly-touted recruiting class hasn't translated to wins on the field. Mike Norvell is facing serious questions about the direction of this program after another disappointing season. The fanbase that was so high after a 13-0 regular season two years ago is now demanding answers.

For Florida, this win salvages what was otherwise a frustrating season. The Gators finish 7-5 and will head to a mid-tier bowl with some momentum. More importantly, they got the bragging rights in the state's biggest rivalry. Graham Mertz played a clean game, and the defense looked like the unit everyone expected at the start of the year. Maybe there's hope in Gainesville after all.