Alabama Crushes Missouri 42-13 to Cement Place in College Football Playoff, Win 24th Conference Championship and Return To National Title Game Contention

Alabama was named the No.1 seed in the first College Football Playoff Sunday, Dec. 7, after the Crimson Tide spent Saturday defeating No. 16 Missouri 42-13 in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. The win gave No.1 Alabama its 24th conference title and assures the Crimson Tide will make this year's inaugural College Football Playoff, according to al.com.

Quarterback Blake Sims took home game MVP honors after completing 23 of 27 passes and throwing for two touchdowns, while his favorite target, Amari Cooper, boosted his Heisman Trophy chances with a record-setting day.

Cooper caught 12 passes, the most in SEC Championship Game history, according to ESPN, totaling 83 yards. In the process, Cooper passed Jordan Matthews to become the conference's record holder for most receptions in a single season, with 115. Matthews set the previous record of 112 in 2013.

Pundits came into the game wondering if the SEC would be shutout of the College Football Playoff with a Missouri win. The Tigers won the conference's East Division, but ugly losses to Indiana and Georgia and the mediocre strength of schedule hindered Missouri's overall résumé.

Alabama won national titles in 2009, 2011 and 2012 under current coach Nick Saban. Two more wins would give the school its 14th national title, according to NCAA records.

The Crimson Tide benefited from a quick start and a significant fan advantage, as most of the 73,000 fans packed into the Georgia Dome donned red and white Saturday. Alabama scored the game's first 14 points and pulled away after Missouri cut the score to 21-13 in the third quarter.

Alabama outgained Missouri 504-313 in total yards, due in part to the absence of top Tigers defensive end Shane Ray, who was ejected in the first half for targeting.