In Alabama, the Iron Bowl isn’t just a football game — it’s a cultural phenomenon. Every year, for one Saturday, even the closest friends and family become foes thanks to this rivalry. Families divide down team lines, workplaces buzz with debate, and entire communities feel the tension. For Auburn and Alabama fans, it’s tradition, pride, and decades of history condensed into just four quarters. This year, the stakes are particularly high: Auburn needs a win to become bowl-eligible, while Alabama must win to stay in the playoff hunt.
For D.J. Durkin, this will be his first Iron Bowl as Auburn’s interim head coach, and he’s approaching it with the same weight that fans carry all season.