Alabama can lock up another 10-win campaign. Auburn is targeting bowl eligibility and a happy ending to a trying season.
But this Iron Bowl, more than most in recent memory, is primarily about the year’s worth of state bragging rights that comes with a win. Typically, that’s enough motivation when these Southeastern Conference rivals take the football field.
The eighth-ranked Crimson Tide (9-2, 5-2, No. 7 College Football Playoff ranking) aren’t playing to remain in SEC title or CFP contention but might still enhance their bowl destination. That reality denies Auburn (5-6, 2-5) even the joys of playing the spoiler role, but a bowl shot is on the line for the Tigers.
It will still be a big Saturday in Tuscaloosa for what is, as Alabama coach Nick Saban said, “one of the greatest rivalry games in college football.” Important to fans and to players’ legacies and offseason moods. It’s just that it’s not important to national title hopes this time, like it has been for both programs multiple times since Saban took over the Tide.
“It means a lot to us, our players and our fans, and we’re going to do the best job we can to get ready for this game,” said Saban, whose Alabama teams have all won at least 10 games with the exception of his first in 2007, which won seven times in 13 games.