Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Alabama chapter.

The Iron Bowl this year proved there is room for only one steel machine in the great state of Alabama: The Crimson Tide.

The Iron Bowl is one of the most-cherished college football rivalry games in NCAA football history. The Iron Bowl began between the two largest public universities in Alabama. The name stems from the role Birmingham, Ala. played in the growth of the steel industry during the Industrial Revolution. The first Iron Bowl was played on February 22, 1893, and the game was played every year until 1907 where the game was suspended due to money issues and compromises between the two schools. It did not begin again until December 4, 1948. The greatest rivalry was alive again.

Since 2000, the game has been played at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium every odd-numbered year, and at Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium every even-numbered year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

The last time Auburn played in Bryant-Denny Stadium, it was a nightmare for Alabama fans. Dubbing the name “Cam Comeback,” Auburn’s quarterback and former Heisman Trophy winner, single-handedly rolled over the Tide in Bryant-Denny, beating Alabama 28-27.

This year, things looked quite different in Bryant-Denny stadium. The game was dubbed an “embarrassing” performance for the Tigers by (former) Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik. At the half, Alabama was up 42-0. For Auburn, there was no coming back from that, with the final score being 49-0.  

Alabama won the West Division of the Southeastern Conference, clinching a spot in the SEC Championship at the Georgia Dome, this Saturday in Atlanta against the #3 University of Georgia Bulldogs. The winner of the SEC Championship will most likely go onto face Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the National Championship in Miami, Fla. on January 7, 2013.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/24/alabama-auburn-rivalry-iron-bowl-history_n_2175522.html

http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/72241/iron-bowl-rout-all-but-seals-chiziks-fate

http://blogs.tennesseevalleynow.com/bamablog/

http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2010/11/26/1837897/iron-bowl-2010-auburn-vs-alabama-final-score-update

 Victoria, the Sports Columnist for Her Campus Alabama, is a sophomore at the University of Alabama originally from Philadelphia, PA.  With a major in Communications and minor in Public Relations, Victoria plans to pursue her dream to work in sports whether it be for ESPN, a NFL franchise, or behind a desk sports-blogging. Victoria plans to work this summer, study abroad in Rome next spring, and get a summer internship in NYC next year. If she is not watching SportsCenter, E! News, or Duke Lacrosse, you can most likely find her blogging on her personal blog. http://socalledsecret.wordpress.com/
Jessica Johnson is a senior at The University of Alabama double majoring in English Studies and Communication Studies while minoring in Creative Writing. Avid reader, writer and one-man band, Jessica is always working on a project of some sort. After spending summer 2011 interning with Atlanta's Q100 morning radio show (and waking up at 3:30am to dress for work) she has a new respect for early birds. When not playing with her three rescued mutts, you'll find her at Gallettes sippin' on a Yellow Hammer screaming ROLL TIDE ROLL!!