AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — No. 2 Alabama found its championship form in the nick of time.

Outplayed most of the game, the Crimson Tide stayed unbeaten with a 26-21 victory Friday over Auburn, taking the lead with a nearly perfect drive that was capped by Greg McElroy’s 4-yard touchdown pass to Roy Upchurch with 1:24 left.

Alabama (12-0, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) completed a second straight perfect regular season in the Iron Bowl, but did it the hard way against its bitter rival. The Tide fell behind in the opening minutes, but came out ahead to do its part to set up 1 vs. 2 showdown with top-ranked Florida in the SEC championship game.

But forget the national and league championship, the state title almost slipped away.

“The strong do survive but the strong do get their (butts) kicked,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “That was my message to the team.”

Auburn (7-5, 3-5) pushed the ball to the Alabama 37 on the final drive, but Chris Todd’s pass to the end zone was batted down by the Tide defense.

For the second straight day, one of the three teams at the top of the BCS standings and in control of the national title race was knocked woozy, but did not fall. Much like No. 3 Texas, which held off Texas A&M 49-39 on Thanksgiving night, Alabama found out being a big favorite against an archrival sometimes doesn’t matter much.

TCU and Cincinnati, the unbeaten teams behind Florida, Alabama and Texas in the BCS standings, are left to hope Florida State can pull an upset against Florida on Saturday that might open the door for them to reach the national title game.

The Tide survived a shaky effort by it’s usually stellar defense and a sub-par game from Heisman Trophy contender Mark Ingram.

The SEC’s leading rusher was held to 30 yards on 16 carries and was on the bench for most of the game-winning drive. Saban said he believed Ingram had a bruised hip.

“Something like that,” the player said. “I’ll be all right.”

McElroy and Julio Jones took over without him, aided by five runs and a 17-yard catch by freshman Trent Richardson on the 15-play, 79-yard drive that consumed more than seven minutes.

McElroy, who has been criticized at times as a weak link in an offense with a powerful running game, completed his final seven passes for 62 yards on the climactic drive after opening with an incompletion. Jones made four catches, three for first downs.

“We didn’t play a great game today,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “It’s a great win. I’ve never been prouder of them.

“I don’t think you can say enough about the competitive character that this team showed today.”