I'm being contrarian here, but I might prefer Auburn win. I know I'm supposed to hate Auburn, but I hope for what is best for Alabama. Last year Alabama lost SDH for the year in the conference championship game, a game I might add that provided no benefit to Alabama.As we all know, IF Alabama defeats Miss St. and Georgia beats Auburn this Saturday, Alabama is guaranteed to head to Atlanta for the SECCG for the 4th straight time.
Right now Alabama vs. Georgia is setting up to be a playoff rematch, with the final game being the only one that really counts. If Georgia doesn't lose in the regular season, beating them once probably won't be enough. I want a safety net, and I cheer for that throughout the season, but I want the easiest path for Alabama. Playing in the SECCG and having to play Georgia twice is not my idea of easiest path. I would be fine with avoiding both of those things.
So, how do things break down at the moment? The Pac-12 and Big 10 are narrowly hanging onto hopes for the playoff, with a single team having a chance (Wisconsin and Washington respectively). Notre Dame has Miami coming up, if they lose to Miami (or Stanford) they are out of it. The Big 12 has no undefeated teams, if they can't present a 1 loss conference champion their hopes look dim to. The SEC and the ACC seem to be on track to place at least one team in the playoff. Basically though that's 6 slots, with two all but guaranteed.
Alabama's only path isn't to win the SEC actually. I won't want them to lose, I'd prefer they win out, but avoiding the SECCG is actually a viable path and similar to the one Ohio State took last year. It doesn't take much to open that door. That also happens to be the easiest path, Alabama rests while other teams knock each other out. Interestingly enough, if Auburn beats Georgia, then Alabama, then Georgia again, they might actually just reopen the path for Alabama to the playoff (putting themselves in a similar position to Penn State last year). But, assuming Alabama plays in the SECCG, if Alabama plays a one loss Georgia team in the SECCG and beats them, then Alabama will be done with Georgia. What I don't want, is an undefeated Georgia team in the SECCG...