A Brief History of the Iron Bowl

By casey green

Some rivalries are built on history. Others are built on championships. The Iron Bowl has both. For more than a century, Alabama and Auburn have delivered unforgettable moments, legendary players, and games that have helped define college football.

Few rivalries in college football carry the tradition, passion, and significance of the Iron Bowl. For more than a century, Alabama and Auburn have battled for in-state bragging rights in a rivalry that has consistently produced unforgettable moments and helped shape the history of the sport.

While Alabama has controlled much of the rivalry in recent years, the Iron Bowl has remained one of college football's most unpredictable games. Some of the rivalry's most memorable moments have come during this stretch, including Auburn's legendary "Kick Six" in 2013 and Alabama's insane fourth-and-goal touchdown from the 31-yard line in 2021 to win. No matter the records or rankings, the Iron Bowl has a way of delivering instant classics.

The series began in 1893, and after interruptions over the years, the two schools have met every season since 1948. Through 90 meetings, Alabama holds a 58-37-1 advantage in the all-time series. Despite the Crimson Tide's edge, the rivalry has rarely lacked drama, proving that records often mean very little once the ball is kicked off.

Both programs rank among the most successful in college football history. Alabama's 985 all-time victories rank third nationally, while Auburn's 809 wins place the Tigers among the sport's top 20 winningest programs. Combined, the schools have captured 38 SEC championships and 27 national championships, with Alabama accounting for 18 of those titles. Auburn's eight conference championships and rich football tradition have kept the Tigers firmly among the SEC's most well known programs, even as they search for the coach capable of returning them to championship contention.

The Iron Bowl has also frequently featured national championship implications. The rivalry has produced 25 ranked matchups, including eight meetings between top-10 teams and two contests where both teams entered the game ranked inside the top five. Those high-stakes showdowns have helped cement the game's reputation as one of the premier regular-season finales in all of sports.

The talent on the field has consistently translated to success at the professional level. Alabama and Auburn have combined to produce 737 NFL Draft selections, including 118 first-round picks and seven No. 1 overall selections—four of them from Auburn. Fantastic players such as Joe Namath, Bo Jackson, and Cam Newton are just a few of the stars who have represented these programs before enjoying remarkable NFL careers.

The Iron Bowl continues to stand alongside Ohio State versus Michigan as one of college football's defining rivalries. While Alabama has dominated much of the recent history, Auburn has repeatedly shown it can spoil championship dreams and produce unforgettable moments. If the Tigers can once again establish themselves as a consistent national contender, the rivalry could return to featuring annual top-10 matchups with conference and national title implications.