Jalen Milroe lights up Iron Bowl, keeps Alabama alive for CFP

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- This is Jalen Milroe and Alabama football in 2024. Fully capable of big plays and dominant stretches with just enough mistakes to keep things interesting -- or frustrating.

Flawed, but perfect at Bryant-Denny Stadium nonetheless.

Milroe passed for 256 yards and ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns to lead No. 13 Alabama to a 28-14 victory over Auburn on Saturday to keep the Crimson Tide's playoff hopes alive.

It was the final chance for Alabama (9-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference, No. 13 CFP) to make a statement in Kalen DeBoer's up-and-down debut season. The Tide must wait to see how the chase shakes out, but the team perhaps got a boost when CFP No. 12 Clemson, which plays SMU for the ACC championship, and No. 6 Miami both lost.

DeBoer's biggest selling point might be playing in the powerful SEC with a résumé that includes a win over No. 6  Georgia but also three road losses.

"I think everyone's aware of our schedule, and I don't know the exact stats, but I know we beat four top-25 teams throughout the year, and I don't know if anyone's done that," DeBoer said. "When you talk about the schedule and what it is week to week, it's just a grind. And having to come back every week, really the only conference that has to do that is ours.

"We've won five of our last six, playing some physical football. ... We've beaten some high quality teams, teams that are still out there, I believe, playing some good ball themselves."

The Tigers (5-7, 2-6) kept it close for a half but wound up with a fifth straight Iron Bowl loss and fourth consecutive losing season.

Alabama's four turnovers, including two fumbles and an interception by Milroe, helped Auburn keep it closer.

But Milroe delivered enough big plays to help the Tide remain undefeated at home. He was 18-of-24 passing and had 17 runs with touchdowns of 1, 17 and 19 yards.

Jam Miller chipped away at the Tigers' defense with 84 yards on 28 runs, and Germie Bernard gained 111 yards on seven catches.

Asked if Alabama was playoff worthy, Bernard answered: "100 percent. Next question."

Milroe and other players demurred on the question, focusing on savoring the rivalry win.

Auburn's Payton Thorne completed 24 of 41 passes for 301 yards with a 29-yard touchdown to Cam Coleman. He had a late interception while tailback Jarquez Hunter was also picked off in the fourth quarter on a trick play that backfired and ended any comeback hopes.

Alabama took a 14-6 lead into the locker room after a first half marred by missed opportunities on both sides. The Tide lost a fumble and interception in Auburn territory and had another fumble set up a field goal at the end.

Auburn missed a field goal, failed on a fourth-down play from the Tide's 19 and failed to get into the end zone after getting a first down at the 2. Ian Vachon's 25-yard field goal was the result with 27 seconds left after a Milroe fumble.

Tempers flared in the second half after a melee on the Auburn sideline. Alabama defensive backs DeVonta Smith and Malachi Moore were both called for unsportsmanlike conduct. It started after Auburn receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith blocked Smith well out of bounds.

"It's an emotional game," said DeBoer, who didn't have the best view from the opposite sideline. "It builds up to this, and the game itself back and forth. It's not OK, but I understand where the emotions were on both sides."

On the field, Milroe & Co. converted 12 of 18 third-down attempts.

"I think the difference in the game was their ability to stay on the field on third down, and us not being able to score touchdowns in the red zone," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said.

Auburn: Couldn't follow up on a win over No. 20  Texas A&M, and Freeze will enter his third season on the hot seat.

Alabama: A 24-3 loss at  Oklahoma left the playoff hopes in limbo even with the Iron Bowl win. Milroe rebounded from a game where he was intercepted three times and rushed for only 7 yards, even if it was another flawed performance.

Alabama and Auburn await their postseason destinations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.