No. 10 Alabama escaped Auburn behind the Simpson-Horton connection

AUBURN, Ala. Ty Simpson and Isaiah Horton connected three times for touchdowns, and No. 10 Alabama held off Auburn with a 27-20 victory Saturday night in the Iron Bowl.

The Crimson Tide advance to face fourth-ranked Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game next week in Atlanta. Alabama (10-2, 7-1) beat Georgia 24-21 on the road in the regular season.

The Tide were on the ropes again at Jordan-Hare Stadium. After leading 17-0 early in the second quarter, they found themselves tied in the closing minutes.

But Simpson-Horton had a fourth-and-2 play from the Auburn 6 with 3:50 remaining. It was their third sack of the night, including scores of 6- and 3-yards in the first half.

Simpson completed 19 of 35 passes for a season-low 122 yards. Horton finished with five catches for 35 yards, all three scores coming in the red zone. Alabama won despite 276 total yards.

Alabama’s Jam Miller rushed for 83 yards before the injury.

Ashton Daniels led Auburn (5-7, 1-7) with 259 passing and 108 yards rushing. Malcolm Simmons hauled in two long passes, including a 64-yarder for a touchdown and a 66-yarder that set up a score.

Daniels had the Tigers on the move late, taking advantage of a pass-interference penalty and scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-2, but star receiver Kim Coleman broke away with 33 seconds left.

Alabama: The Crimson Tide started fast, scoring on three of their first five possessions and leading 17-0, but a second-half lull gave Auburn a chance.

Auburn: The Tigers allowed 279 total yards, another solid defensive effort. But their next coach needs to fix the offensive side of the ball.

Alabama will get a rematch against Georgia, which lost the first meeting in Athens in late September.

Auburn, which fired Tulane coach Jon Sumrall to replace Hugh Freeze, may need to redirect its search, with Sumrall expected to land in Florida.