The weekend after Thanksgiving means it is time for the Iron Bowl.
No. 10 Alabama visits Auburn on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET on ABC) for the annual rivalry sport between the in-state SEC giants. The Crimson Tide lead the all-time collection 51-37-1 however have a shedding document (7-10 because the collection shifted to on-campus stadiums) when visiting the Tigers, in line with ESPN Analysis.
Alabama enters this matchup with 5 straight wins in opposition to Auburn — its longest win streak within the Iron Bowl since notching 9 straight from 1973-1981. However something can occur when the sport shifts to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Tigers have performed spoiler vs. sturdy Crimson Tide groups a number of instances prior to now decade, although most such cases have come once they’re ranked. Unranked Auburn groups are 1-29 in opposition to ranked Alabama groups — the one win coming in 2002.
Regardless, latest historical past suggests we should always count on the sudden when these two packages line up in Auburn. This is a glance again at notable Iron Bowl matchups at Jordan-Hare Stadium in latest reminiscence.
2023: Fourth-and-31
Outcome: 27-24 Alabama win
Alabama’s School Soccer Playoff hopes have been getting ready to evaporation when it confronted a fourth-and-31 with 43 seconds left in regulation and down 24-20. Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe had different plans.
Alabama bought to Auburn’s 7-yard line with 1:43 remaining earlier than going again 18 yards on a sack and 5 yards on a penalty. It led to a down that CBS broadcaster Brad Nessler deemed “fourth-and-a-mile.” However it was no drawback for Milroe.
He stood within the pocket for a handful of seconds earlier than firing a strike to broad receiver Isaiah Bond within the nook of the tip zone. Bond leaped for the ball and managed to plant two ft right down to safe the game-winning landing. The outstanding play was mockingly referred to as “gravedigger” and immediately etched itself in Iron Bowl lore.
“I will always remember this sport … ever,” Milroe stated after the win.
2021: Quadruple-overtime insanity
Outcome: 24-22 Alabama win
The Crimson Tide had their backs in opposition to the wall versus the Tigers in 2021 earlier than eventual Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Younger stepped up.
Down by seven and dealing with a third-and-10 with 24 seconds left, Younger related with broad receiver Ja’Corey Brooks for a surprising 28-yard landing. The play capped off a 12-play, 97-yard landing drive wherein Alabama had no timeouts. It despatched the sport into extra time, marking the primary Iron Bowl sport to require OT.
The 2 sides traded factors within the first three overtimes: touchdowns within the first, area objectives within the second then a two-point go within the third. After the Tigers failed their two-point go try within the fourth extra time, the Crimson Tide transformed theirs to win the sport — ending the longest Iron Bowl of all time.
2017: A top-10 matchup goes the Tigers’ means
Outcome: 26-14 Auburn win
In 2017, No. 1 Alabama traveled to Jordan-Hare to face No. 6 Auburn in a matchup with large School Soccer Playoff implications. The Tigers wound up cruising to a victory, ending the Crimson Tide’s excellent season and securing their first Iron Bowl win in 4 years.
Auburn operating again Kerryon Johnson had 30 carries for 104 yards and a rating, whereas additionally throwing a landing go. Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts led the staff with 194 complete yards.
Nonetheless, the loss did not have a serious influence on the Crimson Tide’s title aspirations as they entered the playoff because the No. 4 seed. They defeated No. 1 Clemson then proceeded to stun No. 3 Georgia to win an epic Nationwide Championship Sport.
2013: Kick Six
Outcome: 34-28 Auburn win
It is arguably probably the most memorable sport in Iron Bowl historical past, and for all the fitting causes. Coming off back-to-back nationwide championships, No. 1 Alabama went to Auburn undefeated and on the cusp of one other title. Nonetheless, the No. 4 Tigers would have the ultimate say.
With the rating tied and one second remaining, Crimson Tide kicker Adam Griffith stepped on the sector to try a 57-yard area objective. Auburn strategically positioned Chris Davis ultimately zone for a return in case the kick got here up brief — a call that proved prescient, sparking a play no Auburn fan will ever overlook.
Davis returned the missed kick 109 yards to defeat the Crimson Tide and clinch a spot within the SEC championship sport. In keeping with 2013 NCAA data, it was solely the fourth time {that a} missed area objective was returned for 100 or extra yards.
The enduring play had an iconic name, too. As Davis got here close to the tip zone to attain, Auburn’s late play-by-play radio announcer Rod Bramblett screamed: “Auburn’s going to win the soccer sport,” a defining Iron Bowl second.