I know what you’re thinking – playoff implications? For Alabama? Alabama, who just lost to 5-5 Oklahoma, in what most would assume to be a crushing blow to their playoff chances? As beloved College GameDay crew member, Lee Corso, says so often, “Not so fast, my friend.”
Alabama has a 41% chance to make the playoffs if they can pull off a win against Auburn, ESPN’s Playoff Predictor tells us. It is important to factor in the strength of schedule, which works in Alabama’s favor, as they rank 16th, not to mention the most recent College Football Playoff ranking Alabama 13th in the country, one spot out of the playoff field. With a little classic college football chaos, the odds will only increase. If history is any indicator, Alabama will get the edge over competing teams with comparable records.
The committee proved correct in last year’s playoff as Alabama went toe-to-toe with National Champion Michigan, while Florida State got shellacked by a furious Georgia Bulldogs team who certainly could have argued for a playoff spot. Let’s be honest, are there really 12 teams better than the Crimson Tide? I think not!
On the other hand, are there many teams in the country that looked better than the Auburn Tigers this past Saturday? Payton Thorne looks like Michigan State Payton Thorne, Jarquez Hunter looks like the best Auburn running back since Tre Mason, and wide receiver Cam Coleman looks like someone ready to break the hearts of any opposing team’s fan base on the last play of any given game. Hugh Freeze finally has his team playing the brand of ball he promised when Auburn hired him to compete with Alabama and the rest of the country.
According to On3 Sports, Auburn and Freeze had the 8th-ranked recruiting class in the country in a 2024 class that included flipping Foley’s Perry Thompson from Alabama and securing the commitment of Demarcus Riddick over Georgia and Alabama. Yes, Demarcus Riddick, who claims he will never lose to Alabama, is faster than Jalen Milroe and doesn’t think that Ryan Williams is deserving of his “Hollywood” moniker. Despite their 2024 recruiting success, Auburn is aspiring higher in the 2025 class, as they currently stand at fifth in the national recruiting rankings.
College football is about recruiting, development and on-field play. Freeze and the Tigers are hitting their stride at the right time. In a season of high highs and low lows, both Alabama and Auburn are desperate to win on Saturday, in the 89th edition of the biggest rivalry in college football. For Alabama, a win keeps them squarely in the CFP race. For Auburn, a win solidifies faith in the vision that Freeze laid out for the Tigers, setting them up for a potential 2025 playoff run.
The stakes cannot be higher. Don’t get me wrong, there are a multitude of classic rivalry games, but none compared to the Iron Bowl. Ohio State vs. Michigan, Florida vs. Florida State, Texas vs. Texas A&M, and other rivalry games are full of passion, grit, spectacular plays, and unbelievable endings, but none like those of the Iron Bowl.
The Iron Bowl makes oddities seem normal, and normality seem odd. Need proof? The Camback in 2010, the Kick Six in 2013, the four-overtime game in 2021, and the Gravedigger in 2023, with Jalen Milroe calling the game on a fourth-and-31 touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond, to dash Auburn’s hopes for Freeze’s first signature win at Auburn.
It’s a new year, but the same ol’ Iron Bowl. A new era of college football, but the same ol’ tradition. New coaches, but the same ol’ standard of excellence. A new Alabama, but the same ol’ rivalry that divides the state. It’s a rivalry that has Alabamians thankful for their home state, and maybe more thankful for their football team. It’s a tradition that has Auburn and Alabama fans alike saying, “There is no place like home,” in unison with Dorothy Gale. So get ready for Elephants, Tigers, and whatever else the night has to offer.
Joshua Butler is from Vestavia Hills, Ala., and graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Addiction and Recovery Studies. He has a wide range of writing interests including theology, philosophy, policy and sports. To contact Josh, please email joshbutler0125@gmail.com.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
