It is win or go home for the Alabama Crimson Tide. The team enters the SEC Championship Game after beating rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl. That secured their spot in the championship game, but the one loss to Mississippi still has their postseason in doubt. If the team can get the championship win then they move on as one of the four teams in the College Football Playoffs. However, the Missouri Tigers are looking to play upset and avenge their loss from last year which could throw off the Tide's plans.
After beating Auburn 55-44, Alabama jumped Florida State for the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll. However that only partially matters considering the team is already No. 1 in the playoff rankings. The Tide did everything they could to get that Iron Bowl win. Quarterback Blake Sims overcame three interceptions in an extremely slow start to battle it out in a shoot out for the win. A heavy dose of the league's best receiver in Amari Cooper helped as he now has 1,573 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season.
The ability to win a shootout comes in thanks to first-year offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. Becuase of him, Sims has 2,988 yards and Coopers looks like a solid top five draft pick. Those two players will be relied on heavily against the Tigers. Right now, the Tide rank 21st nationally in passing offense which is a big improvement over recent years.
That offense will be tested against Missouri. The Tigers have one of the best defensive fronts in the league that have recorded 40 sacks this season. They will do everything they can to pressure the Alabama offensive line and put the heat on Sims. With the inconsistency of their offense, that is what will keep them in the game.
Maty Mauk has seen his ups and downs this season with 2,279 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year. He can certainly make plays when needed, but has struggled at times this year. The Tigers have two very bad losses on the season. They were rolled in their home loss to Indiana and were shutout against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Watch Alabama vs. Missouri live stream, click here.