Ty Simpson and Alabama have thrived this season through adversity. Heading into Saturday night's Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare Stadium, it's far from the first time they've had their backs against the wall this season.
They'll just have to prove they can respond. Again.
Alabama spent most of the season playing every game like it was the National Championship. They had little margin for error after dropping the season-opener to Florida State. The Crimson Tide responded with eight consecutive wins before dropping a home game to Oklahoma by two points two weeks ago.
That same doubt from fans and the national media that was prevalent following the loss in Tallahassee has crept back in. And it's that doubt that's fueling Simpson and Alabama heading into the Iron Bowl this weekend at Auburn.
“It takes me back to the first game of the year and all the doubt that everybody had,” Simpson said. “It takes me back to doing the little things and what got me there. Just trusting God, trusting my process, and understanding that I’ve done this before. There’s games that I’ve done it, and nothing’s wrong. I’m just happy to be out here and got better today.
"Our backs are against the wall right now."
Ty Simpson says Alabama's backs are against the wall against Auburn
Alabama understands what's at stake this weekend. It's win or go home. Either the Crimson Tide beats the Tigers in the Iron Bowl and advances to the SEC Championship, or Alabama loses and falls to 9-3 for the second straight regular season and misses the 12-team College Football Playoff for the second straight year.
Too much has been made about Kalen DeBoer's future in Tuscaloosa being tied to this game. That's not true. He's not in any imminent danger of losing his job, and there's been no credible reporting to indicate that he's actually looking for an off-ramp.
But that doesn't mean things wouldn't be a bit uncomfortable heading into 2026 if Alabama loses to Auburn and isn't able to get into the playoff. It would be a tough pill to swallow that, for the second straight year, a program that has routinely been the best in college football for nearly two decades, is once again not one of the 12 best teams in the country.
Alabama fans may have a lot of anxiety about this game. But this is a familiar position for the players and the coaching staff this season. They are used to having a target on their back, and they are used to playing these do-or-die games.
They spent the whole season responding to adversity. They did it in Athens against Georgia. They did in both Columbias. They did it at home against Vanderbilt.
They'll have to do it once more on the Plains.