Nick Saban had just been hired as the football coach at LSU. First things first, he made a beeline for high school quarterback Jason Campbell’s house in Mississippi on a recruiting trip.
This was before Saban became a legend. And to that point, Campbell was unimpressed.
“‘Coach Saban, I don’t know much about you,’” Campbell told him on the visit. “I’ve known the Auburn staff much longer.”
A few weeks later, Campbell’s destination was decided as he listened to the Iron Bowl radio broadcast, telling his father, “Dad, I want to play in that game.”
Welcome to the Iron Bowl. Yes, there are intense rivalries, but this one cuts deep. It’s brother vs. brother, where your arch-nemesis is in your head 365 days a year.
“The Iron Bowl,” said Campbell, a three-year starter on the Plains, “will get you fired and get your hired.”
Join us for the latest edition of Regions Extra: SEC Stories as hosts Peter Burns and Chris Doering sit down with a handful of Iron Bowl legends and take you to the stories behind the headlines.
The game was always on the national radar. In fact, it had a direct correlation in determining the national champion every season from 2009-2020. Going further back, Auburn’s undefeated run in 2004 was ignited with a victory in the Iron Bowl the year before, according to Campbell.
Flash forward to 2009. Alabama was off to a perfect start with designs on its first national title under Saban, who had taken over two seasons previously. Auburn was outmanned, but Tigers coach Gene Chizik had a plan that he shared with his team in the locker room.
“We’re going to score first,” Chizik remembered. “And right when we score we’re going to do a surprise onside kick – we’re going to get it and go down and score again. Sure enough, we go up 14-0.”
Behind Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, the Crimson Tide recovered to rally and avoid the upset. Victories against Florida and Texas followed, giving Bama the first of six national titles under Saban.
A year later, Auburn was undefeated and behind big early when Cam Newton mounted the “Camback,” the biggest rally in series history.
“I’m not sure anyone’s ever been in Tuscaloosa, down 24-0, and was able to come back and win,” Chizik said. “I’m not sure that will ever be done again.”
Auburn did win and went on to win a national title of its own. And it’s that game, not the Tide rally the year earlier that sticks with McElroy most.
“It hurts,” McElroy admitted. “It still hurts. It probably took me 10 years to get over it.”
What makes this rivalry special? Big plays, big moments, legendary players and coaches.
Just don’t lose – as Alabama did twice when Auburn came to town during Roman Harper’s Crimson Tide career.
“They come to Tuscaloosa. They win in Tuscaloosa. They stay in Tuscaloosa,” Harper said. “They party in Tuscaloosa. They try to take our girls after they win.”
You’ve got your motivation. Who’s ready for the next edition?
Meanwhile, you can listen to all episodes here:
What’s happening with Regions and the SEC 2025
We call it Game Day, with giveaways, great plays and more!
In the SEC, extra always matters. Every extra inch. Every extra second. Every extra ounce of effort. It’s the difference between the ordinary and the unforgettable.
At Regions, we’ve been bringing the same kind of relentless focus to SEC fans and games across the conference and providing some fun and memorable ways for people to be a part of the game day fun.
Regions Teams have already been at key matchups, bringing the Regions Big Bike, prize wheel, and more to both SEC Nation and Fanfare events across the conference.