In Alabama, the Iron Bowl isn’t just a football game — it’s a cultural phenomenon. Every year, for one Saturday, even the closest friends and family become foes thanks to this rivalry. Families divide down team lines, workplaces buzz with debate, and entire communities feel the tension. For Auburn and Alabama fans, it’s tradition, pride, and decades of history condensed into just four quarters. This year, the stakes are particularly high: Auburn needs a win to become bowl-eligible, while Alabama must win to stay in the playoff hunt.
For D.J. Durkin, this will be his first Iron Bowl as Auburn’s interim head coach, and he’s approaching it with the same weight that fans carry all season. From his first comments Monday, it was clear he sees the rivalry as more than Xs and Os — it’s about responsibility, history, and representing a program that means so much to so many.
“It’s the greatest rivalry in college football,” Durkin said. “It’s a game that means a lot to a lot of people down here and certainly to our team and our coaching staff.”
Rather than jump straight into film, Durkin spent time reminding his team why this week is special. He walked players through the history of the rivalry, especially those who didn’t grow up in Alabama or haven’t experienced the Iron Bowl firsthand.
“This rivalry runs deep,” he said. “No matter where you come from, you know about the Iron Bowl, and in this area, nothing is bigger.”
Durkin wants his players to understand that representing Auburn in this game comes with a responsibility beyond football.
“We’re part of something bigger than ourselves,” he said. “Stay focused.”
Even with distractions and injuries this season, Durkin believes his team is mentally ready. Leadership in the locker room has helped the players understand exactly what’s at stake.
“The message is to take it one day at a time,” he said. “You don’t just get ready on Saturday. It’s about preparing each day.”
Asked what a win would mean in his first Iron Bowl, Durkin stayed focused on the team.
“For our team, it would be tremendous to come together and get it done as a group,” he said.
Durkin knows the challenge ahead is immense: Alabama has a disciplined defense, a quarterback who commands his offense with precision, and a team that executes at a high level. He called it Auburn’s toughest test of the season. But even when breaking down matchups, he returned to the bigger picture — the pride, legacy, and tradition of this rivalry.
“It’s the greatest rivalry in college football,” he said again, emphasizing that the game is as much about history and meaning as it is about points on the board.
Auburn knows the challenge history brings: the Tigers last beat Alabama in 2019, and in recent years, the Crimson Tide has largely dominated the series. For Durkin, stepping into his first Iron Bowl isn’t just about strategy or preparation — it’s about guiding his players through one of college football’s most storied and meaningful moments.
The stage is set for Saturday, Nov. 29, at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC, when Auburn will host Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium in what promises to be a game filled with tension, history, and high stakes for both teams.