Alabama vs. Auburn — Iron Bowl takes another turn for history originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Iron Bowl is a rivalry fueled by proximity and pride. This is the top conference game and if you ask anyone in the southern region of the country, it's the king of college football rivalries.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSince 1893, Alabama-Auburn has represented a cultural dividing line, often with SEC West titles at stake. It's more than just two teams from Alabama competing for bragging rights. This runs deep and divides many houses by either "Roll Tide" or "War Eagle".
The rivalry’s most unforgettable ending came on Chris Davis’ 109-yard "Kick Six" in 2013, a play that remains Auburn’s modern rallying cry. The Tigers' radio broadcast is memorable with "Auburn's going to win the football game" still one of the greatest calls to date.
Alabama has found sustained dominance, but the game’s volatility keeps expectations as a big unknown. The programs sit 85 miles apart, meaning rosters and coaching staffs frequently overlap through high school pipelines and shared recruiting targets. This is a way of life for people down in the sweet home roots of Alabama.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementWhether played in Tuscaloosa or Auburn, the atmosphere is always unpredictable and personal. Iron, steel, coal — industrial fingerprints built the name, but the rivalry’s spark built the legendary contest.
Alabama heads to Auburn on Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC).
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