Though some dislike the format, the College Football Playoff allocates only four spots. It’s stiff competition considering there are over 100 teams fighting for one of the berths. And then there are the classic bowl games that feature annual matchups between rival teams. The Iron Bowl 2022, between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers, is one of the most anticipated college football games each season.
What Is The Iron Bowl? A Glimpse Into Iron Bowl History
Beginning in 1893, the two SEC members from the state of Alabama have gone head-to-head on the field. The rivalry between the Alabama Crimson Tide, the three-time CFP National Championship victors, and the Auburn Tigers is known as one of the greatest in American sports.
A trek of less than an hour separates these two programs. But up until 1998, the two met somewhat in the middle as the game was held in Birmingham, Alabama, a city that played a crucial role in the iron industry. Are you catching on?
In 1907, the Alabama-Auburn series was forced to come to a halt for a number of reasons. The violence on the field and among fans in the stands warranted worry. Then there were ongoing disagreements between the coaching staffs about per diem allowances, officiating selection and the number of players to bring. Whatever the reason, the rivalry went on a 41-year hiatus before resuming in 1948, with Alabama dominating in a 55-0 romp.
The Tide, currently with a winning record against every SEC competitor, leads the series 48-37-1, though it is Auburn that will always have bragging rights for taking the first matchup 32-22 in front of 5,000 roaring fans. The rivalry is a heated one as both schools have elite status in their conference and the Iron Bowl has been aired nationally since 1964.
Iron Bowl 2021: A Recap Of Last Season
Hosted at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, 2021’s Iron Bowl was one for the books, a four-overtime thriller that ended 24-22 in the Crimson Tide’s favor. That gave Alabama a two-game Iron Bowl winning streak and improved the team’s season record to 11-1.
During the fourth overtime, Alabama was able to stop Auburn’s two-point attempt to continue play. Then the Tide overtook the Tigers when QB Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy Sportsbook, connected on a pass to John Metchie. Alabama went on to play in the following week’s SEC championship against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Young recorded 317 passing yards, two touchdowns and a single interception. The California native was sacked seven times, the most of his three-year career – that’s what a rivalry will do to you. On the other side was Auburn QB T.J. Finley, who threw for 137 yards and pocketed two touchdowns and a single interception. The junior was sacked six times, also the most of his three-year career – talk about déjà vu.
The 2022 Iron Bowl is scheduled for November 26 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Crimson Tide are 5-0 in their last five meetings with the Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With Alabama having lost two games already this season and ranked No. 9, its lowest since 2010, this could possibly be the year the Tigers take back a win and hoist the James E. Foy trophy once again.
This year's Iron Bowl will be the first since 2007 where both teams enter with multiple losses.
— Nathan King (@NathanKing247) November 14, 2022
Iron Bowl Series History