No. 2 Alabama 49, Auburn 0: AJ McCarron threw four touchdown passes as the host Crimson Tide clinched the SEC West and stayed on track for their third national championship in four seasons.

Alabama (11-1, 7-1 SEC) put together two 10-play touchdown drives in the first quarter. When McCarron hit freshman Amari Cooper for a 37-yard touchdown pass, it was 21-0 early in the second quarter.

Alabama, which led 42-0 at halftime, faces Georgia in next week’s SEC Championship Game, with the winner all but certain to advance to the BCS Championship Game.

Auburn (3-9, 0-8) went winless in the SEC for the first time and completed its worst season in 60 years. University president Jay Gogue planned to evaluate the program and coach Gene Chizik as soon as the season ended.

McCarron hit 15 of 21 throws for 216 yards, while teammate Eddie Lacy ran for 131 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Tigers quarterback Jonathan Wallace completed 5 of 14 throws for 71 yards, with two interceptions.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Alabama leads the Iron Bowl series 42-34-1. … The Tide entered with the nation’s best scoring defense (10.1 points per game), then posted their third shutout. … It was the most lopsided Iron Bowl since Alabama’s 55-0 win in 1948.