Why is Alabama-Auburn called the Iron Bowl? Crimson Tide, Tigers' rivalry name, explained

One of the most fiery rivalries in the South, college football, and — indeed — American sports, Alabama vs. Auburn is a game where the records coming in cease to matter.

Dubbed the Iron Bowl, the in-state rivalry between the Crimson Tide and Tigers has some of the most dramatic plays and games in college football history, including the 1967 "Run in the Mud," 1972's "Punt, Bama, Punt," 1982's "Bo Over the Top," 1985's "Wrong Way Bo," 2009's "The Drive" and 2010's "Camback."

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Two of the more recent entries in Iron Bowl lore include 2013's "Kick-6," which was joined last season by "Fourth-and-31," when Jalen Milroe completed a 31-yard pass to now-Texas receiver Isaiah Bond to get a 27-24 lead with 32 seconds left in the game. Because of that play, Alabama enters the 2024 edition of the rivalry with a four-game win streak, its longest since winning nine straight from 1973-82.

This will be Kalen DeBoer's introduction to the rivalry, and he'll look to uphold Nick Saban's legacy: DeBoer's predecessor took over an Alabama team that had lost five straight games to the Tigers and, after losing his first Iron Bowl in 2007, led the Tide to wins in 12 of their next 16 meetings with the Tigers, for an overall record of 12-5.

Here's what to know about Alabama and Auburn's rivalry, including why it's called the Iron Bowl.

Why is Alabama-Auburn called the Iron Bowl?

Alabama vs Auburn is actually dubbed The Iron Bowl for a city in which neither team currently plays.

Birmingham, Alabama — the neutral site where the two teams played from 1893-1998 (with exceptions) — was one of the leading industrial cities in the country. Its main products were coal and, of course, iron. It was also a huge steel manufacturer, rivaling its northern analog Pittsburgh.

As such, the late Ralph Jordan — who coached Auburn from 1951 to 1975 — coined the term "Iron Bowl" when he was asked about the Tigers not playing in a bowl game in 1964. He replied: "We've got our bowl game. We have it every year. It's the Iron Bowl in Birmingham."

Though the game is no longer played in Birmingham, instead alternating between Tuscaloosa and Auburn, the name has remained.

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Does the Iron Bowl have a trophy?

Alabama and Auburn play for the Foy-ODK Sportsmanship Trophy, commissioned for former Alabama and Auburn dean of student affairs James E. Foy. The ODK portion comes from the fraternity Omicron Delta Kappa, which sponsored the purchase of the trophy.

The trophy is presented to the winner on their home court during the basketball game between the two teams (they play twice a year, once on each floor).

Alabama vs Auburn series history

• Series record: Alabama leads 50-37-1

• Alabama's last win: Alabama 27, Auburn 24 (2023)

• Auburn's last win: Auburn 48, Alabama 45 (2019)

Alabama leads the series against Auburn 50-37-1, and has won each of the last four games (curiously, the only such streak Saban enjoyed in his 15 years leading the Crimson Tide).

Alabama holds the longest winning streak between the two teams with nine straight victories from 1973-81. Auburn's longest streak is six games from 2002-07.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Iron Bowl nickname, explained: What to know of Alabama-Auburn rivalry