There are wake-up calls and there are warning shots. Alabama got one of each against Auburn. A close game, one in which it had to make plays and remain patient, was more valuable to Alabama than marching into Auburn and slapping around the Tigers, as it did a year ago.

Heading into the most important game of the year, it served Alabama well to test itself, even to play below expectations while still managing to produce in a crucial situation. Ingram's numbers fell far below his average and his Heisman hopes may have been bruised, but Alabama found out it can win when he doesn't rush for 100 yards and produce two or three touchdowns.