2014 Iron Bowl: #15 Auburn at #1 Alabama Preview and Predictions

Nov 30, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers cornerback Chris Davis (11) gets past Alabama Crimson Tide punter Cody Mandell (29) and scores a 100 yard touchdown during the fourth quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Auburn Tigers won 34-28. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Who: #15 Auburn Tigers (8-3, 4-3 SEC) at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1, 6-1 SEC)

When: 6:45 p.m. CT (ESPN)

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

All-Time Series Record: Alabama leads 42-35-1

Most Recent Meeting: Putting this is a formality, right?

Everyone knows the Iron Bowl.

Two powerful programs in the state of Alabama fight for bragging rights and opportunities for SEC and national glory.

The winner of this game has played for or won a national title every year since 2009. The winner has won the SEC every year since 2008 except in 2011, when LSU won the West (but Alabama still won the national title).

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No, this year’s game doesn’t have quite the same appeal as last year’s game. Last year was Destiny vs. Dynasty. Rising program vs. powerful mainstay. #1 at #4.

The 2014 Iron Bowl can’t possibly live up to last year’s game. There’s no doubt about that. This year’s contest won’t likely see 99-yard touchdown passes or 109-yard game-winning field goal returns with no time left to end the game.

That’s a pretty unfair metric to judge any game, let alone the Iron Bowl.

This year, Alabama’s fighting for a playoff spot, while Auburn’s tough schedule, injury problems and woes on defense have relegated them to spoilers. But since they’re in this position, Auburn is embracing the spoiler role, and would love nothing more than to ruin Alabama’s season on their own field and make Gus Malzahn 2-0 against Nick Saban.

Next: Auburn's Keys to Victory