Auburn Permanent Rivals
Alabama Crimson Tide
I know this one doesn’t need much explaining or comment. The annual clash between Alabama and Auburn, while technically not the longest running rivalry game in the deep south, it is definitely one of the most intense. The term “Iron Bowl” was coined by Auburn’s legendary coach, Ralph “Shug” Jordan in the early 1950s. The nickname was a nod to Birmingham’s chief industry as the game was contested there from 1948 – 1989. The name has stuck to this day.
This year’s game will be held on Saturday, November 29th at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL.
Georgia Bulldogs
Southeastern Conference trivia for $1000 Alex. What football game is “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry”? For what it’s worth, I would have gotten this wrong. Auburn and Georgia began beating each others brains out way back in 1892. Over the 132 since, they have met up 128 times. That’s nuts! The 4 years they didn’t play was due to a rematch not being scheduled after the first game in 1893, in 1897 Georgia disbanded its team early in the season following the fatal on-field injury of one of its players (Yikes!), in 1917 and 1918, Georgia didn’t field a team during World War I, and in 1943, Auburn didn’t field a team due to World War II.
The all-time series stands at Georgia leading 64-56-8 with the Bulldogs having the better of it recently, winning 7 in a row going back to 2017. In 2025, they renew their hostilities on October 11th in Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL.
Vanderbilt Commodores
This one surprised me as much as the Auburn-Georgia series, but for different reasons. Auburn has played Vanderbilt 45 times in total and the series stands tied at 22-22-1. Can that be right? WOW! I would have never in a million years…
The first time they played one another was in 1893. Auburn won that first meeting, but Vandy went on to have a lot of early success, winning 18 of the first 25 contests.
The new “Admiral” of the Commodores, Head Coach Clark Lea, seems to have kicked Vanderbilt’s “laughing stock” moniker to the curb. Auburn will definitely need to be on the front foot when playing Vandy for the foreseeable future. This year the Tigers and Commodores get after it on November 8th in Nashville, TN.
P.S. Am I the only one who finds it interesting that there are Commodores in central Tennessee?
After 35 yrs in the analytical chemistry field, I am now retired. I'm blogging & podcasting full time with my daughter and I'm 2/3 of the way through my first novel. It's safe to say, there is no moss growing on this rolling stone!
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