Alabama, Florida stay the course

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Nick Saban has Alabama on top again.

The national rankings and SEC West? That’s old news.

Already No. 1 in the nation, Alabama emphatically reclaimed the premier spot in the state by overwhelming bitter rival Auburn 36-0 on Saturday to end a six-year Iron Bowl losing streak and fashion the biggest margin in the series in 46 years.

This is what it feels like to beat the Tigers, ’Bama. Even the normally stoic Saban promised he was celebrating inside – and in the privacy of the locker room with players and wife Terry.

“I’m happy, I really am happy,” said Saban, smiling to prove it. “I was happy and dancing in the locker room. Miss Terry gave me a big kiss coming up here. I was real happy about that.”

The dominant win set the stage for Alabama (12-0, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) to face No. 2 Florida in the league championship game with a berth in the BCS national title game on the line.

“Our seniors didn’t want to leave without beating Auburn,” quarterback John Parker Wilson said. “We beat them good. We left no doubt.”

The loss left Auburn (5-7, 2-6) shut out of a bowl game for the first time in nine years.

“Well, all good streaks come to an end, and it came to a screeching halt,” coach Tommy Tuberville said. “It was a tough night for us.”