TUSCALOOSA — The West was already won. The Iron Bowl didn’t even matter.

Except it always matters.

Alabama and Auburn definitely didn’t disappoint in the 79th rendition of their bitter rivalry, combining for 1,169 yards and an Iron Bowl-best 99 points in a 55-44 shootout that furthered the Tide’s playoff aspirations and all but cemented Amari Cooper’s seat at the Heisman ceremony.

Cooper took over as Alabama’s all-time receptions leader with his first catch and then proceeded to pile on 12 more, electrifying Bryant-Denny Stadium with 224 yards — which tied the school record he set earlier this year — and a trio of touchdowns.

Cooper’s final two scores, 39- and 75-yard beauties in single coverage, came during a 20-3 surge that ultimately vaulted the Tide into the lead after trailing 33-21 early in the third quarter.

Cooper’s 207 career catches left D.J. Hall’s previous high of 194 in the dust, and his 14 touchdown receptions this year surpassed his own single-season record of 11 set in 2012.

If Cooper didn’t take over the top receiving spot in an Iron Bowl, Auburn’s Sammie Coates was going to. The Tigers’ big-play wideout turned just five catches into 206 yards and a pair of lengthy touchdowns.

Toss D’haquille Williams’ seven receptions for 121 yards into the mix for Auburn, and the three future NFLers combined for an eye-popping 25 catches, 551 yards and five touchdowns.

By comparison, the 10 other guys targeted by both teams accounted for 22 total receptions, 217 yards and two TDs.

Sheesh.

% Golden Blake: Blake Sims picked an awful time to start throwing picks. The timing of his epic rebound, however? Couldn’t have been better.

Only once backup Jake Coker could be seen warming up on the sideline following Sims’ third interception less than a minute into the third quarter did Sims start to play like the steady signal-caller that’s led Alabama all season.

The fifth-year senior responded with touchdowns on Alabama’s next four drives— the first two to Cooper, the third an 11-yard scramble and fourth a strike to DeAndrew White on a play he extended with his legs.

Sims’ stat-line at the end of the game showed how hit or miss he truly was. He wound up 20 of 27 with 312 yards, four touchdowns and the three interceptions, meaning only four of his passes hit the turf.

Not a bad night, picks and all.

% Nick of Time: Seven different receivers caught at least two passes from Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall.

Only one player pulled in one.

His name is Nick Perry. And he plays for the Tide.

The free safety made the most of Senior Night 13 tackles and, more importantly, one momentum-swinging interception.

Just five plays after Sims and Cooper connected on a 75-yard TD to pull Alabama within two, Perry stepped in front of pass and returned it 23 yards Auburn’s 31.

Sims took the reins from there, finding Cooper twice and rushing in for the game-winning score.

% Hey, We Can Run the Ball, Too: A great deal of attention is sure to be heaped upon Cooper, Sims and the Tide’s explosive passing performance.

As it should be.

But don’t forget two guys — T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry — who did a lot of damage with their legs in relatively limited time.

Yeldon churned out 127 yards and two touchdowns on 19 totes, while Henry made out with 72 yards and a score on just five carries.

Henry rounded out his total with 74 yards on Alabama’s final possession. The sophomore reeled off a 49-yard run and then sprinted 25 yards to the end zone.

% Stats to Celebrate: There were two numbers from Saturday’s Iron Bowl that should stick out to Tide nation.

Both are zero.

One year after the infamous Kick-Six, it’s the number of field goals Alabama missed — and, in turn, the number of return yards Auburn had on missed field goals.

There’s not a highlight tied to the stat that can be replayed over and over again on Sportscenter until next year’s battle at Jordan-Hare, but there are bragging rights.

The Tide sure are happy to have them back.