Auburn vs. Alabama: Iron Bowl Win Shows Crimson Tide Should Be Playoff Favorite

The general college football public can debate who the fourth team in the College Football Playoff all it wants after a hectic rivalry week. Alabama proved that it should be the favorite to win the whole thing when the tournament actually transpires on Jan. 1. 

The Crimson Tide weren't perfect in the Iron Bowl. The naysayers will immediately point out that the usually dominant defense gave up 630 total yards, couldn't defend the deep ball very well and were let off the hook by some questionable red-zone execution by Auburn. 

Yet, the Crimson Tide still won by a comfortable margin when the clock hit zero at Bryant-Denny Stadium. 

Here are a few takeaways from the 55-44 victory that has the Crimson Tide looking like the team to beat in college football once again. 

History Repeats Itself

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The Iron Bowl isn't just a massive in-state rivalry these days. Lately it's become an indicator of things to come on the national stage. As ESPN Stats & Info points out, the winner of the game has gone on to win the national championship in four of the last five seasons:

Yes, every year is played in a vacuum. But a pattern of five years is saying something. Auburn might not have been the most consistent team this season, but Alabama got the Tigers' best shot. 

Of all the top teams who failed to win in dominant fashion on Saturday, Alabama did so against the best opponent. The ability to win in an emotional atmosphere is crucial to postseason success, and the Tide showed they could do just that on Saturday. 

The Tide Can Win in Many Ways

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This can't be overstated. There's value in a team that has multiple ways to win. The defensive effort from Alabama might be cause for concern to many, but it also showed that Alabama has the firepower to thrive in a shootout game. 

We already know Bama can win in ugly fashion. They've been known as a ground-and-pound team with excellent defense throughout the Nick Saban era. They've done it against the likes of Arkansas, LSU and Mississippi State. 

What we didn't know was how they would respond against an offense that finds ways to score against their vaunted defense. Turns out, they can handle a shootout just fine. The Tide answered with 55 points and 539 total yards of their own. 

With Baylor, TCU, Oregon and Ohio State all in the top five in scoring offense, per CFBStats.com, and in contention to be an Alabama opponent in the playoff, the defense will give up some points. Now we know it's not the end of the road for Bama. 

They're Resilient

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It's been said about Florida State all season. There's something to be said for a team that simply finds a way to win. 

Unlike the 'Noles, the Tide haven't been put in too many bad situations this season. They found themselves in one in the Iron Bowl. Auburn rode a great first half and hot start to the second to a 33-21 lead. 

Wide reciever Amari Cooper really summed it up best after the game, via Jon Solomon of CBS Sports, "We're relentless. We don't want to lose. I guess you can say we'll win by any means."

Florida State has been lauded for that quality all season. Alabama just proved that they can also come from behind when the situation calls for it.

Blake Sims Is Championship Material

Coming into this season, one question loomed large over Alabama's season: Can Blake Sims really replace A.J. McCarron? Through the first half, it really looked like the answer was a resounding no. The senior became the first Saban-coached quarterback to throw three interceptions in a game by the third quarter.

But just like his team, Sims didn't let a rough start bring him down. The senior displayed great leadership by staying the course and believing he could turn things around, via Solomon:

"

I wasn't frustrated... I try to keep my body language up, let the team know my spirit was still up because I felt like if my body language got down, the team was going to get down, and this wasn't the game for that.

"

Sims' relentless attitude paid off in a big way. The athletic quarterback made plenty of clutch plays down the stretch including the 11-yard scamper that put the Tide up for good in the fourth quarter. College GameDay tweeted the highlight:

The run was just part of an admirable turnaround. Marc Torrence of Bleacher Report provided the stats for Sims after pick No. 3:

Behind every dominant Alabama team in the Saban era has been a quarterback who has what it takes to make plays down the stretch and win championships. After watching Sims take ownership of a bad first half and lead a comeback victory, it looks like they have that once again. 

Sims might not have the cache with fans of stars like Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Trevone Boykin and Bryce Petty. He's playing in a much different system with a much different role. But he's more than able of outdueling them down the stretch of a big game. 

Add it all up and it looks like the new system for crowning a champion could lead to the coronation of a familiar face when it's all over.