Alabama Football: Three landmark games for Kalen DeBoer in 2024

Week Fourteen: Alabama vs Auburn 

Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | November 30, 2024

Bama-Tennessee is a historically great rivalry, often overshadowed only by the Iron Bowl, which may be the greatest rivalry in any American sport. Coach Nick Saban had to learn about the importance of the Iron Bowl rivalry the hard way, losing his first matchup against Auburn in 2007. Even upon his realization that this game took a little more preparation and focus, Coach Saban had more trouble with the Tigers than he did with any other opponent throughout his tenure at Alabama. 

Coach DeBoer’s introduction to the Iron Bowl should produce an incredible environment in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Like Tennessee and the rest of Bama’s rivals, Auburn believes it smells blood in the water with Coach Saban finally out of the way. They will do anything they can to get their licks in on DeBoer, and Auburn will be swinging as hard as anybody. The Tigers have gone four years without getting an Iron Bowl win, their longest drought since the Bear Bryant era from 1973 to 1981.

As hungry as the Auburn faithful will be for that elusive Iron Bowl win, Bama fans will be clamoring to keep the streak alive in year one under DeBoer.

Coach DeBoer has a nearly impossible standard to live up to in Tuscaloosa as he replaces Coach Saban. While he may never fully please the insatiable Alabama fan base, beating Georgia, Tennessee, and Auburn in 2024 would be a great start.