For the first time in 42 years, Alabama football has beaten Auburn four years in a row.

The Crimson Tide didn’t make it easy in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, but it took every opening Auburn gave it, including in the back corner of the endzone with 32 seconds left. The 27-24 final score was closer than it appeared, even with a late pick-six being wiped off the board.

Alabama (11-1, 8-0 SEC) finished the regular season with a perfect conference record. But before taking on the reigning two-time national champions in Georgia next weekend for an SEC Championship, let’s give out grades for a historic Iron Bowl.

Offense: B

Alabama hit most of its season averages, but credit to Jalen Milroe for a remarkable effort. He threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 107 more yards. When Auburn managed momentum, Milroe answered with a 68-yard touchdown to Jermaine Burton in the second quarter and a 37-yard scramble after halftime. Isaiah Bond was targeted a team-high eight times, producing the play all will remember within the state.

Yet, Alabama had two touchdowns taken off the board via penalties. The first was a holding call on CJ Dippre, wiping out a perfectly timed end around that Kendrick Law carried for 40 yards. Then Milroe threw his first of two illegal forward passes. A mistimed snap also set the stage for Milroe’s heroics, but that’s not how style points work. This game shouldn’t have been this close.

1/78

Defense: B-

Auburn’s offense looked lost, but then it found big gains on the ground, repeatedly. The seven runs of over 10-plus yards charged Auburn, which utilized Jarquez Hunter, Payton Thorne, Damari Alston and Ja’Varrius Johnson, went for 235 yards and two touchdowns combined. The Tide had defensive breakdowns and allowed a season-high on the ground.

For the most part, the Tigers played the game wanted. Two drives went over 10 plays and ate six minutes of the clock. Auburn lost the time of possession battle (32:43 to 27:17) because of three turnovers. But the Koy Moore muffed punt was an unforced error. This grade gets boosted due to the four sacks and pair of interceptions from Terrion Arnold.

Special teams: B

A game ball is likely headed to James Burnip. Auburn’s averaging starting field position was its own 22-yard line. Burnip boomed five punts for 211 yards, the best being one that flummoxed Moore and was deftly scooped by Jihaad Campbell. Caleb Downs also had -3 punting yards in two punts, but he was able to not drop any, which is an improvement.

Will Richard went two for three on field goals — making from 22- and 32 yards out, missing from 42 yards — and is currently tied with Navy’s Keenan Reynolds at 530 points, the most all-time in NCAA history.

Coaching: B

Auburn’s running effort was concerning. So were the offensive miscues. UA also had eight penalties compared to Auburn’s five. Nick Saban called it a “reality check” postgame. Yet, Alabama didn’t buckle in a raucous road environment, a drastic change from last season. The September Tide wouldn’t have won this game, but the November Tide did, extending a winning streak to nine games.

Overall: A+

I mean, the fact that Alabama won a weird game in Jordan-Hare Stadium on the 10-year anniversary of the Kick 6 is some serious college football karma. The performance wasn’t great. It can lead to some doubts next week against the Bulldogs. But none of that matters. Fourth-and-31 is etched into history.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].