5 Key Takeaways from Alabama's 27-20 Iron Bowl Win

The 2025 Iron Bowl will be remembered as a gritty, defensive battle where Alabama did just enough to survive a spirited Auburn effort. Here are the five biggest takeaways from the Crimson Tide's 27-20 victory.

1. The Simpson-Horton Connection is Real

Quarterback Ty Simpson and receiver Isaiah Horton were the entire story for the Alabama offense. Horton caught all three of Simpson's touchdown passes, proving to be the go-to target in the red zone. In a game where the run game struggled to find rhythm, this duo provided the spark needed to win.

2. Auburn's Fight Under Durkin

Credit to interim coach DJ Durkin. Despite a 5-7 season, his team played with incredible heart, erasing a 17-point deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Ashton Daniels (259 passing yards, 108 rushing yards) was a warrior, keeping Auburn in the game almost single-handedly.

3. The "Bend Don't Break" Defense

Alabama was outgained 411-280 in total yards. That's usually a recipe for a loss. However, the Tide defense tightened up when it mattered. The decisive play—recovering Cam Coleman's fumble with 33 seconds left—was the ultimate example of opportunistic defense winning championships.

4. Special Teams Matter

Kicker Conor Talty was reliable, hitting crucial field goals (45 and 29 yards) that kept Alabama ahead or extended leads. In a 7-point game, those kicks were the difference between a win and overtime.

5. Momentum Heading to Atlanta

It wasn't pretty, but a win is a win in the Iron Bowl. Alabama (10-2) now heads to the SEC Championship Game against Georgia with a 6-game winning streak over their arch-rivals. Surviving a scare like this often refocuses a team, and they'll need that focus to beat the Bulldogs for a second time this season.