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Why the Iron Bowl may not have the same stakes after Alabama destroys LSU

Auburn may not be able to eliminate Alabama from the CFP after the Crimson Tide handled LSU in Week 10.
ByAndrew Hughes
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Nov 7, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Nov 7, 2026; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams (1) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Alabama handled business on Saturday with a dominant 31-13 victory over LSU in Death Valley. Unfortunately, that may take away some of the stakes for the Iron Bowl on November 28, when Auburn visits Tuscaloosa.

The Crimson Tide, at 7-2 and with Vanderbilt and Chattanooga left on the docket, could already be a shoo-in for the CFP. Being ranked No. 5 in the CFP rankings last week did much of the heavy lifting, and beating the Bayou Bengals to move Lane Kiffin's overall record against Alabama to 0-6 sealed the deal.

While AU can still drastically alter the Crimson Tide's seeding in the CFP, the Tigers probably won't be able to eliminate them from consideration.

The postgame panel on ABC was doing its job of selling Alabama as having already punched its ticket by mentioning that three-loss teams will make the field. Even LSU is considered not eliminated if it can navigate the next two weeks against Texas and on Rocky Top against Tennessee.

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Auburn may be in better position if Alabama has less to play for

If the Tide isn't fighting for its CFP existence in the Iron Bowl, there could be incentive to rest banged-up players. While the Iron Bowl will always have players giving their all to beat their in-state rival, it could be Auburn that has the advantage if the CFP is on Kalen DeBoer and Co.'s minds. Obviously, it should be.

With the SEC Championship Game possibly being played one last time, even with a contract for the game to be in Atlanta until 2031, it could behoove the Crimson Tide to avoid playing in it. Losing to Auburn would obviously not be ideal, but losing in the SEC Championship Game and potentially losing a player or two to injury would be catastrophic.

Alex Golesh has already beaten Georgia in Athens, proving that rivals are vulnerable to the Auburn Tigers in the year 2026. He has spent much more time preparing for the Iron Bowl than for the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry, too.

While watching Alabama win games is never a fun exercise, perhaps this win today is one that will benefit Auburn in due time.

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