AUBURN, Ala. -- The popular cliche among Auburn fans during Iron Bowl week is that it doesn’t matter whether the Tigers’ record is 11-0 or 0-11, beating Alabama defines the season.

More than just bragging rights are on the line this year, however.

The Tigers (11-0, 7-0 SEC) have bigger goals in mind when they travel to Bryant-Denny Stadium this afternoon. At No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series rankings, their national title hopes hang in the balance.

“It’s one of those games where if we win, it’s like everything we did was really worth it,” running back Mike Dyer said. “If we lose, it’s like I don’t really know if 11-0, 10-0, 9-0 is really that big of a deal.”