| Southeastern Conference (SEC) football is the | | | | game in all of college football. A win in that game |
| best college football in America for many reasons. | | | | is not just another check in the victory column. It |
| But, at the heart of it all are amazing football | | | | often plays a major role in deciding who wins the |
| rivalries. Certainly the biggest SEC football rivalry | | | | SEC Western Division and goes to the SEC |
| is the intrastate Alabama vs Auburn rivalry. | | | | Championship Game. A victory in this game also |
| In the state of Alabama, you are either a fanatical | | | | has enough weight to transform a bad season |
| fan of Auburn University or the University of | | | | into a good one; or, vice-versa. |
| Alabama. You have to pick sides. Neutrality in such | | | | In fact, losing four straight Iron Bowls probably |
| a serious matter is not an option. | | | | was the final straw that cost Alabama coach Mike |
| Over the years, college football has evolved into a | | | | Shula his job after the 2006 season. Shula was |
| major part of Alabama life. Alabama natives are | | | | the only Crimson Tide head coach to ever lose |
| understandably proud of their rich college football | | | | four straight Iron Bowls. |
| heritage. Think "Bear Bryant," Bo Jackson, Joe | | | | Through 2006, Alabama leads the all-time Iron |
| Namath and so many others. | | | | Bowl series record 38-32-1. However, Auburn has |
| But, there is one particular day of the year when | | | | won each of the past five Iron Bowls. The game |
| everyone in Alabama focuses on one football | | | | is always the last game of the regular season for |
| game. That game is the annual Auburn vs | | | | each team. |
| Alabama "Iron Bowl". Friends and family can be | | | | The 2007 Iron Bowl will be played on November |
| split up - at least for the day the Iron Bowl is | | | | 24, 2007 at Auburn's Jordan Hare Stadium. |
| played. | | | | Undoubtedly new Bama coach Nick Saban is |
| The Iron Bowl is probably the biggest rivalry | | | | focusing lots of energy on winning that game. |
