The South’s Epic: The Iron Bowl

by Chris Paschal

When examining the characters and storylines of the Alabama-Auburn game, it is obvious that this rivalry is neither a tragedy or comedy. Instead, the Iron Bowl is an Epic. An Epic is a story that highlights the extraordinary and spectacular efforts and feats of a mortal character who overcomes trial after trial to ultimately come out victorious and triumphant by the end of the story. The point of Epics are to enlighten and teach citizens the importance of morals and principles that can make them better members of society.

That’s the Iron Bowl. Some of the greatest feats in the history of college football have happened during this game. This rivalry is impressive for many reasons – it’s birth in Birmingham, the players that play in this game, the games that are produced, and the storylines that come from it.

First, it’s original setting. This rivalry was forged amongst the iron and steel that was produced in Birmingham, the home of the Iron Bowl from 1948 through the mid-1990s. Unlike Michigan-Ohio State or Southern Cal-Notre Dame, the Alabama-Auburn game was in a split stadium, in the cold, surrounded by the mills and industrial wastelands that engulfed Birmingham for so many years. Auburn fans were yelling at Alabama players and Alabama fans were yelling at Auburn players. The intensity inside the stadium and the setting of the game both contributed in making this one of the most insane rivalries in all of sports.

But it isn’t just the fact that the Iron Bowl was born amongst iron and steel that make it epic. Another reason this game is so special are the players on the field. Some of the greatest players in the history of SEC Football played in this game. Between Alabama and Auburn, five Heisman Trophy winners, 200 All-Americans, and 628 future NFL Draft picks, graced either the Tiger or Crimson Tide sidelines. And in this game, the greatest players perform their best. Bo Jackson was told when he was recruited by Crimson Tide position coaches that Alabama hadn’t lost to Auburn in nine years and that they weren’t going to lose for another nine. All it took was a heroic effort by the freshman Tiger to prove that statement untrue. Jackson capped off the historic 1982 upset with a game-winning-leap over the top of several Crimson Tide defensive linemen into the end zone.

It was 27 years later when Alabama’s Greg McElroy, a modest “game manager” who was starting in his first Iron Bowl, threw the game-winning touchdown at Auburn to keep the Crimson Tide alive and well on their march towards their first National Title under Nick Saban.

The cream always rises to the top during the Iron Bowl. That’s why some of the greatest games in college football history take place. In 1972, Auburn was trailing Alabama 16-3 deep into the second half. It looked like the Auburn Tigers were down and out against the undefeated Crimson Tide, who entered the game as two touchdown favorites, and who were hunting yet another National Title. Halfway through the fourth quarter, Bill Newton blocked an Alabama punt allowing the Tigers to recover the football and return it for a touchdown. Still trailing 16-10, and with Auburn’s offense unable to score against the Crimson Tide, it looked to be too little too late. That is until minutes later, and with little time remaining in the game, Newton broke through the Alabama line and blocked another punt with Auburn miraculously recovering and running it in for the game-winning score. The 1972 reenactment of the Iron Bowl is known, and will forever be known as “Punt, Bama, Punt.”

In 1985, Van Tiffin was facing a 52-yard field goal with the Iron Bowl on the line. There were only a few seconds left when Alabama’s Tiffin kicked one of the most impressive field goals in the history of college football. What is striking about that moment is not the kick, which is spectacular, of course, but the fact the stadium didn’t collapse. Alabama fans were shocked, but mostly relieved. While the Crimson Tide had won the year before, they would go on to finish an abysmal 2-6 between the years of 1982-1989. Tiffin and his leg were a bright spot during the troubling times between Bear Bryant and Gene Stallings.

It was another long, 50 plus-yard field goal that doomed the Crimson Tide in 2013. Tied 28-28 in Jordan-Hare. The winner going on to represent the SEC West in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama trotted out kicker Adam Griffith for a 57-yard field goal. A single second left in the game. Griffith swung his leg. For a moment it looked like the Crimson Tide would have another Van Tiffin-like hero on their sideline. But the ball fell a few yards short – into the arms of Auburn Tiger, Chris Davis. What happened next will forever live in Auburn lore, and will probably be considered one of the greatest plays in college football history for the next couple of centuries. Davis ran with the ball out of the end zone and, well, you know the rest…

That’s what makes this rivalry so insane. It truly is an Epic. When you watch the Iron Bowl, you see regular, young men fighting their butts off, overcoming adversity, and leaving it all on the field. Yes, Alabama is a far superior program. In fact, Alabama is the most impressive college football program regardless of classification, conference, or region. But for one game, they seem vulnerable. For a few hours, Alabama has to play their best football if they are to beat Auburn. And Auburn has to play their best football. More often than not, that is what we see. Two proud, well-coached, athletic SEC teams, from the Yellowhammer State, battling it out for year-long bragging rights, playing their best football. That’s why in 2012 Gene Chizik had to go. No, it wasn’t just the 3-9 record. And yes, he had just won a National Title in 2010. But it was so shocking, and so unsettling for Auburn fans to see the Tigers get whipped by the Tide that something drastic had to be done.

This year, Alabama looks to keep its playoff hopes alive. They had the greatest quarterback in Crimson Tide history leading one of the most powerful offenses in SEC history. Despite losing him to injury, the Tide still has playmakers littered throughout its roster. Meanwhile, Auburn is fighting to keep its head above the treacherous waters of the SEC. The Iron Bowl is an Epic. And sometimes the greatest, most heroic performances come during the most uncertain and dark of times. Alabama is going to bring its best, and so will Auburn. Both have questions looming. Throw those questions to the side. No matter the score, I expect to see some hard-hitting, awe-inspiring football.