Alabama Survives Auburn 27–20 in Iron Bowl Thriller, Punches Ticket to SEC Championship Game

Ty Simpson throws three touchdowns to Isaiah Horton, while Alabama’s defense steps up late to seal a sixth straight rivalry win and secure a trip to Atlanta.

AUBURN, Ala. | The Iron Bowl delivered chaos, drama, and a resilient champion.

In the 90th edition of college football’s fiercest rivalry, No. 10 Alabama (10–2, 7–1 SEC) held off a feisty Auburn squad 27–20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium, capturing its sixth straight victory over the Tigers and earning a spot in the 2025 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

The win also made history: for the first time ever, the Crimson Tide has won three straight Iron Bowls at Jordan-Hare, anchoring a milestone night for head coach Kalen DeBoer, who improved to 2–0 against Auburn.

Simpson–Horton Connection Defines the Night

Quarterback Ty Simpson was steady when it mattered most, finishing 19-of-35 for 122 yards and three touchdowns, all to rising star Isaiah Horton, who posted:

• 5 receptions
• 35 yards
• 3 TDs (career high)

Horton became the first Alabama receiver since Jameson Williams in 2021 to catch three touchdowns in a single game.

Simpson added 31 rushing yards, extending plays and navigating Auburn pressure at key moments — most notably on a late 4th-and-2 strike to Horton that served as the game-winning touchdown with 3:50 remaining.

No. 1 Ohio State Silences Michigan 27–9, Snaps Wolverines’ Four-Year Rivalry Streak in Ann Arbor

Michigan’s offense held to a season-low 163 yards as the Buckeyes dominated late, outgaining the Wolverines 419–163 and reclaiming control of “The Game.”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. | For the first time since 2019, the final whistle in “The Game” belonged to Ohio State. Behind a stifling defense, a methodical offense, and big-play execution on third and fourth downs, the No. 1 Buckeyes muscled past No. 15 Michigan 27–9 on Saturday at Michigan Stadium, snapping the Wolverines’ four-year win streak in college football’s most storied rivalry.

Michigan (9–3) delivered an explosive start and grabbed early momentum, but Ohio State (12–0) showcased why it entered the weekend as the nation’s top-ranked team — overpowering the Wolverines on both sides of the ball, seizing control before halftime, and choking out the final 30 minutes with old-fashioned ground dominance.

Makai Lemon Sparks Late Surge as No. 19 USC Pulls Away From UCLA 29–10 to Stay Perfect at Coliseum

After a first-quarter benching, Lemon delivers a game-changing touchdown, while King Miller explodes for 124 yards and two scores as the Trojans win their third crosstown showdown under Lincoln Riley.

LOS ANGELES | If USC needed a spark, Makai Lemon lit the fuse.

Benched for the first quarter along with fellow top wideout Ja’Kobi Lane, the sophomore receiver re-emerged with the biggest play of the game — a 32-yard go-ahead touchdown in the waning seconds of the third quarter — lifting No. 19 USC to a 29–10 win over rival UCLA on Saturday at the Coliseum.

The victory moved the Trojans to 9–3 (7–2 Big Ten) and capped a perfect 7–0 home season, the best under Lincoln Riley since his debut campaign. And while USC’s College Football Playoff dreams evaporated with last week’s loss to Oregon, the Trojans seized Los Angeles bragging rights in emphatic fashion.