Alabama faces potential trap game in Iron Bowl

On paper, the Tigers are heavily outmatched, but in all likelihood, they're the only unranked team left on the Tide's schedule. Next Saturday, Alabama is locked in to play the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, and win or lose, the Tide are likely to make a New Year's Six bowl, if not the College Football Playoff.

Could the Tide's last regular-season game be a trap game?

It’s possible. Just think back to 2021, when a Bryce Young-led Tide were favored by about three touchdowns over the Tigers but needed a last-minute touchdown to force overtime before finally getting a win. 

This year, Alabama is favored by about two touchdowns, but these Tigers are no less dangerous than they were two years ago. 

In Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn almost took down that same Georgia team, with only a fourth-quarter touchdown keeping the Dawgs undefeated. That was far from the first time the Tigers punched above their weight at home, a place where "magical things happen," as Lane Kiffin puts it. Remember the Kick Six?

Head coach Nick Saban said he’s aware of the “crazy stuff that happens in this game,” per Roll Bama Roll. As long as the Crimson Tide execute the game plan, they’ll likely win. At least, that's the way Saban sees it.

"Since I’ve been here, the team that should’ve won the game, won the game, based on who played the best,” Saban said. “So I think the focus needs to be on how are we going to play and how are we going to execute and do what we do, and what kind of consistency are we going to be able to maintain in the difficult environment.”

If Alabama plays to its standard, this game could end up as a blowout. But if not, prepare for chaos, Alabama fans. You've seen it happen here before.