“Few contests embody the social, cultural and economic importance of college football more than the Iron Bowl, the annual meeting of Auburn University’s Tigers and the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide. The intensity, passion and rivalry between these universities and their fans does not begin as football season approaches. The feelings are year round and the Iron Bowl defines an intense intrastate rivalry that divides communities, families, and friendships.”

The first game between Auburn (then the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University) and Alabama was played February 22^nd, 1893, at Birmingham’s Lakeview Park. Auburn won the contest 32-22 before a crowd estimated between 450 to 5,000, depending upon the source of the report!

The year 1908 proved to be the beginning of a 41 year break between the teams as both schools could not agree on contractual issues including officiating (Auburn wanted Northern referees; Alabama Southern), expenses and per diem rates for players. After 1944, the Alabama state legislature passed a series of resolutions that the schools should meet again in football, but neither Auburn nor Alabama paid any attention to them.

There is a local rumor that following resistance from both Auburn and Alabama to resume play, the Alabama legislature told the schools: “Play each other or we will pull your state funding!”. Regardless, the rivalry resumed December 4, 1948 at Birmingham’s famed Legion Field where the game stayed until 1989. During this time, in 1964, Auburn coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan was asked how he would feel if Auburn was not offered a bowl berth. Jordan responded: “We’ve got our own bowl game. We have it every year. It’s the Iron Bowl in Birmingham”! (The Iron Bowl comment reflected Birmingham’s proximity to iron ore deposits and its nickname as “Steel City”.)

Over time, Auburn fans did not consider Legion Field as a neutral site. Firstly, Birmingham is a 45 minute ride for Alabama fans while a 2 hour ride for those from Auburn. Secondly, as Auburn did not have a law program and Alabama did, most state legislators were Alabama graduates. Since the City of Birmingham was allotted a portion of all tickets – especially the nicer box seats – ticket sales and attendance was skewed towards Alabama fans.

In the late 80s, the two schools agreed to have Auburn play their home games at Jordan-Hare field commencing in 1989, while Alabama could continue to play their home games at Legion Field. In 1998, Alabama moved their home games to Bryant-Denny Stadium.

It is said that the “vitriol” between the Alabama fan and the Auburn fan runs very deep. An Iron Bowl victory serves as a symbol of “supremacy” for the next year’s discussions, as “the fear of losing the Iron Bowl far outweighs the joy of winning it.”

The Iron bowl is truly a battle for State pride, bragging rights and a spot in history books. Consider the 1972 Iron Bowl, titled “Punt Bama Punt”:

In the press conference leading up to the game, Alabama coach Bear Bryant stated, “I’d rather beat that cow college than beat Texas 10 times.”

Alabama was scheduled to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl in January 1973. Alabama was undefeated; ranked second in the nation going into the game and had a 16-0 lead by the fourth quarter. However, the Auburn Tigers came back and ended up winning 17-16, kicking a field goal and blocking two punts which were returned for touchdowns.

Another memorable contest was the 2013 Iron Bowl, winning the ESPY Award for “Best Game” of the year in any sport, and the final play won the ESPY Award for “Best Play” of the year. As reported by 1819 News:

During the 2013 matchup, one second was put back on the clock at the end of a tied game. Rather than going to overtime, Alabama head coach Nick Saban elected to try a 57-yard game-winning field goal. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn put his punt returner Chris Davis in the end zone in case the kick fell short. The kick did fall short, and Davis returned it back for a touchdown.

Since 1893, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers have played each other 88 times in the Iron Bowl, with Alabama leading the series 50–37–1. On November 30^th of this year, the Iron Bowl returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The city’s average temperature for that day is 63 degrees and should have perfect weather conditions for what many in college sports call “The Greatest Game on Earth”!