And just like that, Alabama's complete dominance over Auburn is once again affirmed. In the five years since Nick Saban arrived at the Capstone the Crimson Tide has outscored the intra-state rival 141-80. Which kind of explains how the folks in orange and blue cling so tightly to their desperately close wins in that span.
Here's the roundup of what the boys in the press are saying this beautiful morning. We've put the post-Iron Bowl items at the top and the BCSNCG navel gazing/hand wringing after the jump. Feel free to link any others you might find in the comments.
Alabama 'had that dominating look' in 4th quarter of rout of Auburn | al.com
A year after Auburn showed the gleaming eye of the Tiger during a tenacious comeback from a 24-0 deficit to an improbable, unforgettable 28-27 victory, this was the eye of the Tide. This was a stare. This was a glare. This was a dare.
Alabama defense regains its swagger - TideSports.com
A week after the word struggle was a charitable way to describe the University of Alabama's defensive performance against the run, the word that best described it in the 2011 Iron Bowl was, well, uncharitable.
And you will know Alabama’s closing BCS statement by the trail of blood - Yahoo! Sports
As usual, Alabama's dominance was so complete as to be almost casual. The defense held Auburn to its worst output in total yards (138) in more than a decade, didn't allow the Tigers across midfield until well into the fourth quarter and effectively pitched its third shutout of the year... For an 11-1, season-long frontrunner that was already outscoring opponents by almost four touchdowns per game, it was a thoroughly dominant end to another thoroughly dominant regular season.
It wasn't a classic Iron Bowl, but it was sweet revenge and a huge statement for Alabama | al.com
Not every Beatles song went platinum. Not every Tom Hanks movie won an Oscar. Not every Hemingway novel was a spell-binder. So, not every Iron Bowl is supposed to be some Instant Classic. Witness Alabama's 42-14 punishment of Auburn on Saturday, memorable mostly for the Tide's utter dominance.
Alabama football: Tide goes all out in convincing victory | The Montgomery Advertiser
The band sounded maybe a touch louder. The few thousand in crimson stayed just a little bit longer. It was chaos in Jordan-Hare Stadium early Saturday evening. All because the revenge tasted just a little bit satisfying for the Alabama Crimson Tide with everything riding on the preceding 60 minutes.
Alabama’s 42-14 beatdown of Auburn Saturday was almost 10 months in the making. It started when Tide coach Nick Saban and his staff began placing those "Never Again" signs in his players’ dorms and apartments. It ended with Alabama reestablishing its dominance in this college football-crazed state and erasing the memories of last year’s "Camback"
Alabama 42, Auburn 14: The Tide States Its Case - Team Speed Kills
Alabama thoroughly trounced the other Tigers on Saturday, rolling up 402 yards of total offense on offense and limiting Auburn to 138. The Tigers had nine first downs on the game. The worst state line of the night belonged to backup quarterback Kiehl Frazier, who ended up with a passer rating of -50.0. Yes, that's possible.
QUICK HITS: No. 2 Alabama 42, Auburn 14 - CBSSports.com
Alabama's front seven and their rush defense is awfully, awfully good--No. 1 in the nation for a reason, mostly a reason like "held Auburn to 78 rushing yards, and less than 25 before two late garbage-time drives." But their pass defense? That's even better
There was no Cam Newton to take Auburn to a miraculous comeback for the second straight year, like when Auburn rallied to beat the Tide in Tuscaloosa.
Richardson powers No. 2 Bama past Auburn, 42-14 | ajc.com
Fans began chanting first "Heisman" and then "LSU" in the fourth, with a sizable contingent wearing crimson and white remaining in the stands afterward clamoring for a rematch. By then, there wasn't all that much orange and blue left.
Alabama makes its best case for BCS - ESPN
Who needs next week's BCS Selection Sunday when you have this week's See Ya Saturday? Seriously, who's kidding whom? Unless No. 1 LSU spends January abroad and No. 2 Alabama goes on Christmas break -- and doesn't return -- then we've got our Allstate BCS National Championship Game matchup.
HURT: Tide deserving of a title shot - TideSports.com
if you are a fan of full-throated, fight-to-the-death, over-the-top radio talk show-fueled histrionics. The Alabama-Auburn game might have disappointed you, but the debate between the "rematch"/"no rematch" factions of the college football world will be right up your alley. Insults will be hurled. Competency will be questioned. Hopefully no plant or animal life will be harmed along the way, but the arguments will be bitter.
Alabama rendered anti-rematch talk moot with Iron Bowl win - Andy Staples - SI.com
Barring a revolt from voters in the Coaches' and Harris polls, Alabama rendered next week entirely meaningless by whipping Auburn, 42-14, in Saturday's Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide set the (re)matchup for the BCS title game by suffocating the Tigers to the tune of 44 yards and two first downs through the first three quarters. Now, prepare to be suffocated for a week by arguments from the SEC side for Alabama-LSU, Part Deux and from the anti-SEC side for an LSU-Anybody Else matchup.
Rolling toward a rematch? | TuscaloosaNews.com
The University of Alabama football team waited a year for redemption, and savored every minute of it Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Alabama punches its ticket to a BCS rematch with an Iron Bowl knockout | al.com
A serious question for all the pollsters who contribute to the delinquency of the BCS by playing its reindeer games: How do you keep Alabama out of the BCS Championship Game? Seriously.
No. 2 Alabama rolls past Auburn – USATODAY.com
Alabama's fans, after watching LSU edge the Crimson Tide 9-6 in overtime three weeks ago, want another crack at the Tigers, Jan. 9 in the BCS title game in New Orleans. And if you press many of the Alabama players, you'll find they want another shot at the Tigers, too. The title matchup might be more than six weeks down the road, but there was an anticipatory mood around the Alabama locker room Saturday after their old foe had been dispatched with relative ease.
Sometimes, you shouldn't throw out the record books. A physically dominating Alabama team that has beaten up every opponent but one this season was expected to have its way with a struggling, overmatched Auburn squad in the 2011 Iron Bowl. That's exactly what happened.
After punishing Auburn, 'Bama proves it deserves shot at LSU - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com
The only unknown now after Alabama whipped Auburn 42-14 is: will the LSU-Alabama sequel be as entertaining as Godfather: Part II or as dreadful as Caddyshack II? That won't be determined until the teams meet again on Jan. 9 in New Orleans for the BCS title game -- and yes, SEC haters, I'm sorry to say they will meet again. That's because never again is now never before.
Alabama itching for rematch with LSU in national title game | al.com
As the seconds ticked away, Alabama going through the formality of kneeling down with the final snap, the chant began. First, it was a small rumble. Then, eventually, it was an avalanche of hope, celebration and braggadocio. "L-S-U! L-S-U! L-S-U!" exploded the chorus from the Alabama fans wedged into a corner of Jordan-Hare Stadium.
There's still some hope of avoiding an LSU-Alabama rematch - latimes.com
Alabama cruised to a 42-14 victory and started the ugly endgame toward an LSU-Alabama rematch for the Bowl Championship Series title. "LSU! LSU! LSU" Alabama fans started chanting. Why? Because, folks, there might be no other way out of this mess.
Alabama’s Win Over Auburn Makes L.S.U. Rematch Likely - NYTimes.com
Alabama brushed aside Auburn (7-5, 4-4), 42-14, but even this rivalry game was background noise to the business of whether the Crimson Tide should play in New Orleans on Jan. 9.
In crazy bowl scenario, it looks like it could be Alabama vs. LSU and Auburn vs. Clemson | al.com
Wonder how many Alabama fans who once considered a Bowl Championship Series loophole as a flaw now consider it a brilliant bit of foresight?