TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Auburn came back from the dead to rally from a 24-0 deficit and beat Alabama 28-27 on Friday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, snapping the Crimson Tide's 20-game home winning streak.

Here’s an instant analysis from the game:

How the game was won: After falling behind 24-0 in the first half, Auburn came storming back to outscore Alabama 28-3 the rest of the way, mixing in big plays on offense and a couple of crucial forced turnovers. Defensively, Auburn stopped Alabama in its tracks in the second half and held the Crimson Tide to a single field goal.

Turning point: Alabama, leading 24-7 in the final minutes of the first half, had a second down at the Auburn 8-yard line. But Nick Fairley burst through the line to sack Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, forcing a fumble that Fairley recovered.

Stat of the game: Alabama had 379 yards of total offense in the first half, but was held to 67 yards after halftime.

Player of the game: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton passed for three touchdowns and ran for a touchdown. His 7-yard touchdown pass to Philip Lutzenkirchen early in the fourth quarter was the game-winner for the Tigers.

Unsung hero: Auburn defensive coordinator Ted Roof was able to make several key adjustments at the half, and the Tigers shut the Crimson Tide down in the second half.

What it means: Auburn (12-0, 8-0) now needs just one more win to play for its first national championship since 1957. The Tigers, No. 2 in the BCS standings, will face South Carolina next Saturday in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. A win there and Auburn can lock up a trip to the BCS National Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz. The Tigers now own five wins over teams currently in the top 25 of the BCS standings and have come from behind to win four different times this season after falling behind by at least two touchdowns.