Iron Bowl

College Football Rivalries

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Nicknamed the Iron Bowl for the state of Alabama's iron and steel production, the Alabama-Auburn game is arguably the best rivalry in college football. The football hatred between the two schools has historically spilled over into the politics and society of the state.

The winner of the game gets bragging rights for the state, though no trophy is known to be awarded to the winner. The first game between the two schools was played on February 22, 1893, and as a sign of things to come, the game caused an immediate dispute between the schools. Alabama considered the game to be the final game of the 1892 season, while Auburn said it was their first game of the 1893 year.

In 1907, the series was suspended as a result of another dispute between the schools. They could not come to agreement over the amount of expenses to be paid players, as well as from where officials for the game should be obtained. The series would not resume again into 1948, when the Alabama House of Representatives finally resolved the dispute for the schools.

The game was generally played on a neutral site (Legion Field) in Birmingham, but in 1989, Auburn set out to move the site to their home stadium, which had been renovated to provide more seating. In 2000, the game finally returned to Tuscaloosa.

Alabama leads the series, 38-33-1, but has never won any of the games on their home turf in Tuscaloosa (five losses).

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