Tag: The Iron Bowl

What is the Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry called?

The Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry goes back over 100+ years.

Set to be played this upcoming Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. the Auburn Tigers is one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football.

Dating back over 100+ years, Alabama and Auburn have played some high-profile matchups in the rivalry’s history, with many meetings having stakes attached with both SEC and national championship implications.

Alabama vs. Auburn has also seen many of college football’s great players and coaches grace the field throughout the rivalry’s history, which includes Hall of Famers, Heisman Trophy winners, and more.

However, just what is the rivalry game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers called and why?

The Alabama vs. Auburn rivalry is known across college football as “The Iron Bowl,” and has held that name since the mid-1900’s when former Tigers coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan coined the phrase, which has stuck since.

Iron also plays a role in the name, as Birmingham, Alabama, which is where the game was initially played during the early days of the rivalry at Legion Field, is famous for its’ production of iron and steel.

The Iron Bowl is set to be played once again Saturday, November 30, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Iron Bowl: Best photos from Alabama vs. Auburn over the years

The Iron Bowl featuring Alabama vs. Auburn is one of college football’s top rivalries.

When it comes to college football rivalries, there are few, if any, better and more historic than the Iron Bowl.

Featuring the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers, the Iron Bowl has well over 100+ years of history between the two programs, taking place in multiple different cities from across the state of Alabama such as Auburn, Birmingham, and Tuscaloosa.

These two programs have also played some of the sport’s greatest games over the years, with many of those meetings, especially over the last decade-plus, eventually going on to decide the SEC, as well as even national, champion multiple times.

So, before the Crimson Tide and Tigers renew their rivalry Saturday, let’s take a look back at photos from Alabama vs. Auburn in the Iron Bowl over the years:

A look at Alabama vs. Auburn head-to-head football history

The Iron Bowl has a lengthy history that dates back to 1893.

Across the entirety of college football, there are few rivalries, if any, greater than the Iron Bowl, which pits a pair of in-state foes, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers, against each other annually.

A rivalry that dates all the way back to 1893, this will be the 89th meeting between Alabama and Auburn all-time, with the Crimson Tide owning an overall 50-37-1 advantage in the series head-to-head.

In the early days of the rivalry, a vast majority of the games were played at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama prior to the two schools playing on each other’s campuses annually starting in the late-1900’s.

Since then, both programs have enjoyed dominant stretches in the head-to-head series, the first of which was a six-game winning streak from Auburn from 2002-07. Alabama then reversed that when former head coach Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa, going a combined 12-5 since 2007, with only one of those losses coming in Tuscaloosa.

That lone Auburn win in Tuscaloosa during the Saban era came in 2010, which was the last time the Tigers have won in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

At the moment, Alabama is currently riding a four-game winning streak in the rivalry dating back to 2020. That stretch includes a 42-13 and 49-27 victory in Tuscaloosa, as well as a 24-22 and 27-24 win at Auburn.

The most recent meeting a year ago took place in Auburn, which is where Alabama picked up a 27-24 victory. This game included the now famous “4th-and-31” play, when quarterback Jalen Milroe threw a late touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Bond in the corner of the end zone.

What will now happen when the Crimson Tide and Tigers meet Saturday afternoon for the latest edition of the Iron Bowl?

Everything Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said about Auburn, Iron Bowl

DeBoer commented on the importance of the Iron Bowl on Monday.

When it comes to this year’s Iron Bowl, it is not only significant through the fact that it is the first without Nick Saban since 2006, but also that is the first for Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Yes, DeBoer is now set to face the Auburn Tigers, not only for the first time as head coach at Alabama, but also for the first time in his coaching career.

DeBoer also previewed Alabama’s upcoming matchup as part of his weekly press conference as well. Here is everything that DeBoer said about Auburn, as well as the Iron Bowl.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on importance of Iron Bowl

“Just talking about it yesterday in the team meeting, you can already feel leadership stepping up, and really talk about what this game means to them, what this means to us, and what it means to everyone on both sides of the state 365 days of the year,” DeBoer said. “Ever since I’ve been here, I think I hear about it every day, and understand what it means and the excitement, and we have to learn from last week, and be better because of it, turn the page, get ready to practice tomorrow, and do everything we can to be successful on Saturday. Find a way to win.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on legacy of Iron Bowl

“It’s going to be an awesome environment, we know that,” DeBoer said. “Love playing the game at home. We get a chance to be undefeated, that’s a sidebar note, but to be undefeated at home, it’s a big deal. It’s always been a big deal to me, and that’s where we’re at as a team. Just this game, what it means to those that come from each side, and what it means to the state, it’s talked about, and not just told to me, but talked about amongst everyone in their homes, and it’s Thanksgiving weekend, so if you’re not at the game, you’re home watching it with your friends and family. Heard stories of families being divided because of it in many different ways, so that’s what rivalry games are all about, and I know this is a rivalry that’s on another level.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer on past story of Iron Bowl

“Not that there is a particular story or something that’s just off-the-wall, I know those all exist, but I understand what took place a year ago, and what it took to win that game,” DeBoer said. “That’s probably pretty reminiscent of what both sides are looking at as far as the effort it’s going to take, and playing for four quarters. Playing every second and every play like it’s your last. That’s the intensity of it.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on Cam Coleman, Auburn offense

“They have multiple threats that I would consider very difficult,” DeBoer said. “Certainly high-profile guys who have really produced for both teams as young athletes here at the college level. He’s extremely impressive, and he’s made a lot of plays for them this year. You’ve got to focus not just on him, but the others guys that have had big games, and it’s not just in the pass game, but in the run game. Their quarterback now, Thorne, has done a nice job adding to that too with his legs. A lot of threats, and that’s what you want to be, an offense that has a lot of threats, and they have that.”

Where is the Iron Bowl being played this year?

The Iron Bowl will be renewed this Saturday between Alabama and Auburn.

The final week of the 2024 college football season has now officially arrived, which means one thing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’s rivalry week.

Yes, the Crimson Tide will return to the field this Saturday night for what is the first time since their devastating 24-3 road loss at Oklahoma, needing a significant victory to likely have any chance at make the College Football Playoff.

It will not be easy however, as Alabama will face their long-time rivals, the Auburn Tigers, for the first time since the Crimson Tide’s thrilling comeback from a year ago, a game that featured the now famous “4th-and-31” play.

Where is this game set to take place however?

After last seasons meeting occurred in Auburn, the Iron Bowl will officially return to Tuscaloosa this upcoming Saturday for the first time since 2022, a game in which Alabama won by a final score of 49-27. Auburn has also not won in Tuscaloosa since the 2010 season, with Alabama winning six-straight since that loss.

Alabama vs. Auburn will take place Saturday, Nov. 30 from inside Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET, and will be available to watch on either ABC or ESPN+.

Texas AD tells Paul Finebaum ‘There’s nothing like’ the Red River Rivalry game

Oklahoma’s rivalry matchup with Texas every October won’t take a backseat to any other game in the SEC.

[autotag]SEC[/autotag] spring meetings took place this week in Destin, Florida, with the Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns taking their place at the table.

Oklahoma enters its first year in the SEC after leaving the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag]. Along with Texas, they will be the newcomers to a conference that’s been very successful, especially in football.

But the [autotag]Red River Shootout[/autotag], the annual rivalry matchup between the Sooners and the Longhorns, won’t be taking a backseat to any other game the SEC has to offer.

Oklahoma athletic director [autotag]Joe Castiglione[/autotag] and Texas athletic director [autotag]Chris Del Conte[/autotag] joined “The Paul Finebaum Show” this week to discuss joining the SEC and the topic turned to Red River.

Del Conte spoke up with high praise of the game, saying, “It’s ridiculous, it’s the greatest thing ever.” He went on to say, “There’s nothing like this game.”

Del Conte added, “…you may talk about the Cocktail Party, the Iron Bowl, there’s nothing like this game at the State Fair.”

The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is the rivalry between Georgia and Florida, played at a neutral site in Jacksonville. [autotag]The Iron Bowl[/autotag] is the matchup between Alabama and Auburn played at campus sites each year. Both are two of the most storied rivalries in the SEC and in all of college football, but the Red River Shootout is on a different level, at least according to the man running the athletic program south of the Red River.

Del Conte’s words are the latest example of the idea of many in the states of Oklahoma and Texas that think the Sooners and the Longhorns won’t be tiptoeing around in the SEC in year one. Both teams plan to make a statement with their play and with their programs. And in this instance, Del Conte is right on the money.

One of the truly special things about college football is the rivalries that are baked into the game. Hundreds of years of animosity between players, coaches and fanbases stir the pot in a sport that is all about passion and pageantry. OU-Texas is not only one of college football’s best rivalries, it’s one of the best in all of sports.

Sure, both teams have other rivals. The Sooners have intense matchups with Oklahoma State and Nebraska that have carried over from the Big Eight days. The Longhorns have plenty of foes from the old Southwest Conference, like Texas A&M and Arkansas. But these two blue bloods and their fans consider each other their undisputed rival.

Then, there’s the setting. The Cotton Bowl in Dallas is probably the most unique in sports. Located right in the middle of the State Fair of Texas, it has a built in atmosphere that’s unique.

Neutral-site games aren’t usually what we think of when we think college football, but Red River is a wonderful exception. The history of the two programs and the 50/50 split of the fans in the stadium creates an environment unlike any other. Anytime someone brings up home-home matchups in the Red River Rivalry, both fan bases shut that talk down really quickly.

There are great rivalry matchups in the SEC and in college football, but Red River has its own sacred place in the lore of the sport. Del Conte certainly isn’t alone is his thinking, at least not according to Josh Pate of 247Sports. Pate said, “Seeing folks who’ve never been to the Red River Shootout commenting on it. I’ve been sideline for all the big ones multiple times… it takes a backseat to NO rivalry game in CFB.”

The Red River Shootout is sixty minutes of pure, unadulterated hate between two of the ten best programs in the history of college football. It takes place in a venue unlike anything else sports has to offer, and both athletic directors are committed to keeping it that way.

It’s the essence of college football.

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