ATLANTA — Najee Harris scored five touchdowns and No. 1 Alabama advanced to the College Football Playoff with a perfect record, holding off No. 11 Florida in a 52-46 shootout for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday night.
The 11-0 Crimson Tide got its toughest test in a season of blowouts. But Harris' record-setting performance will send coach Nick Saban to the playoff in search of his seventh national title.
After falling behind 35-17 by halftime, Florida made a game of it with a pair of third-quarter scores.
The Gators fought to the bitter end, adding two more touchdowns before running out of time.