Iron Bowl Madness

On Saturday, November 29, 2014, in my hometown of Tuscaloosa, AL,  the Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Auburn Tigers in the 79th Iron Bowl. Football is serious business in the state of Alabama, and it doesn't get any bigger or better than this. The Iron Bowl is a historic American college football game between the two largest public universities in the state of Alabama: The University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn University Tigers. Since 1893, the Iron Bowl has been one of the most heated rivalries in sports. The name of the Iron Bowl comes from Birmingham's historic role in the steel industry, since so many of the early games were played in Birmingham at the historic Legion Field.

The Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers have battled it out 78 times. Since 2000, the games alternate and are played at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn every odd-numbered year, and Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa every even-numbered year. So far the Tide leads the series 42-35-1. The largest win occurred in 1948 when the Tide beat the Tigers 55-0. The longest winning streak is held by the Tide also. From 1973 to 1981 the Tide were victorious over the Tigers 9 straight times. The streak was ended in 1982 when Bo Jackson leaped over the top of Tide defenders to score the winning touchdown. Auburn won that year by a score of 23-22, breaking a 9-game winning streak held by the Tide.

So who are you pulling for? Who are you hoping to win? Who will have bragging rights for 1 year? Being a proud graduate of the University of Alabama (B.A. 1988/MLIS 1994), of course I want the Crimson Tide to win yet another game and add one more victory to an already uncatchable lead (that’s my opinion of course). So get your popcorn, pizza, or whatever you like to consume ready for Saturday November 29, 2014 (my birthday) for the 79th Iron Bowl.

If you would like to read more on the history of the Iron Bowl and the traditions of these two great schools, check out what books BPL has to offer on the two teams: Roll Tide! War Eagle!

Andrei Jones
Five Points West Library