A season to treasure: How Alabama rolled into the College Football Playoff

How will fans remember the University of Alabama's 2023 football season?

Even though the season isn't over, with coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide facing Michigan on Jan. 1 at the Rose Bowl, it's safe to assume that fans will be talking about one particular play for years to come.

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Called "the Gravedigger," the play resulted in a touchdown pass with just 32 seconds left and gave Alabama a win over archrival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Nov. 25. The play also paved the way for UA to win the school's 30^th SEC championship on Dec. 2 and earn a berth in the College Football Playoff after missing the 2022 playoffs.

But this season generated plenty of other good memories for fans, including victories over rivals Tennessee and LSU, the two teams that dealt UA heartbreaking losses in 2022.

Here's a look back at a season Alabama fans are sure to treasure:

Alabama 56, Middle Tennessee State 7

Quarterback Jalen Milroe accounted for five touchdowns, three passing and two rushing, as Alabama won its home opener over Middle Tennessee State.

Texas 34, Alabama 24

Texas, coached by former UA assistant Steve Sarkisian, scored three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to defeat the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium.  The game marked UA's first home loss since Nov. 9, 2019, and the Longhorns' first-ever visit to Tuscaloosa.

Alabama 17, South Florida 3

With Milroe benched, quarterback Ty Simpson led Alabama to a win over South Florida in Tampa. Roydell Williams rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown. The game was delayed for nearly an hour because of lightning.

Alabama 24, Ole Miss 10

With Milroe returning to his role as the starting quarterback, Alabama trailed Ole Miss 7-6 at halftime but rallied in the second half to earn a win in Tuscaloosa. Will Reichard kicked three field goals, while Milroe connected with wide receiver Jalen Hale for a score and Jase McClellan rushed for a touchdown to power the Tide to victory.

Alabama 40, Mississippi State 17

Defensive end Chris Braswell returned an interception for a touchdown as Alabama downed Mississippi State in Starkville. Milroe rushed for two TDs and Reichard added three field goals.

Alabama 26, Texas A&M 20

Wide receiver Jermaine Burton caught nine passes for 197 yards and a touchdown as the Tide rode another strong performance by Milroe to win over Texas A&M and coach Jimbo Fisher in College Station.

Alabama 24, Arkansas 21

Alabama scored 24 straight points and then withstood a late rally by Arkansas to earn a homecoming win in Tuscaloosa. The victory marked Saban's 200^th win as the Alabama coach and UA's 17^th straight win over the Razorbacks.

Alabama 34, Tennessee 20

Trailing 20-7 at halftime, UA shut down the high-powered Tennessee offense in the second half to avenge a 2022 loss to the Vols. Milroe's 46-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond started the rally and linebacker Jihaad Campbell's scoop-and-score after a Volunteer fumble sealed the win.

Alabama 42, LSU 28

Milroe ran for four touchdowns as Alabama downed LSU and took a giant step toward winning the SEC West Division. Cornerback Terrion Arnold intercepted a pass tipped by defensive end Dallas Turner to set up Alabama's last touchdown as Alabama overcame a big night by LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy.

Alabama 49, Kentucky 21

Milroe had three touchdowns rushing and three passing in Lexington as the Tide defeated the Kentucky Wildcats. The victory locked up the SEC West title and gave UA a berth in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

Alabama 66, Chattanooga 10

Alabama overwhelmed Chattanooga with a strong rushing attack and an 85-yard punt return for a score by freshman defensive back Caleb Downs. It was the most points Alabama scored since a 66-3 win over Western Carolina in 2019.

Alabama 27, Auburn 24

Trailing 24-20 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn with 43 seconds left in the game, Milroe threw the winning touchdown pass to Bond on fourth down and goal from the Tigers' 31-yeard-line. The dramatic, last-ditch scoring strike earned UA its fourth straight win in the Iron Bowl.

Alabama 27, Georgia 24

Alabama earned the school's 30^th SEC title by defeating the two-time defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Milroe threw two touchdown passes, linebacker Trezmen Marshall had a key fumble recovery and halfback Roydell Williams scored the winning touchdown as UA notched its 11^th straight win. The Tide also snapped the Bulldogs' 29-game winning streak.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How the Tide won the SEC, earned College Football Playoff berth