Iron Bowl: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:31, 20 November 2005

Revision as of 04:05, 20 November 2005

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The '''Iron Bowl''' is an informal [[nickname]] given to the annual intercollegiate [[American football|football]] game between the teams of the [[University of Alabama]] and [[Auburn University]]. The Iron Bowl is held by many fans of the sport to be the most heated intercollegiate football rivalry in the nation. The deep-seated football hatred between Alabama and Auburn has historically spilled over into the politics and society of the state of [[Alabama]].

Like many intrastate rivalries between [[state university|public universities]] in the [[United States]], much of the animosity between the two schools stems from sociological differences between each school's fan base ([[alumn]]i and other supporters). Many of the more heated in-state rivalries involve a state's perceived "flagship university" and a [[land-grant university]]. Traditionally, flagship universities educated the more [[urbanization|urbanized]] and economically upscale portions of their state's population. Land-grant schools, which were specifically established to provide education in [[agriculture]], [[engineering]], and [[military science]], drew heavily from [[rural]] and small-town dwellers. Although this is a gross oversimplification, and there are numerous exceptions to this rule on both sides, there is a core of truth to this divide. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama is the "flagship" school and Auburn the land-grant school.

The winner of the game has statewide "bragging rights" until the next year, and as is typical of rivalry games of this nature, a win in this game can seemingly salvage an otherwise poor season for the winner, while a loss can ruin what had otherwise been a fine season for the loser. As is typical of such games, it is usually scheduled to be the final regular-season game for each team and is always played in late [[November]].

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*Auburn has won all five games played in Tuscaloosa. And Alabama has won two out of the last three played at Auburn.

*Auburn and Alabama have never had losing records in the same season.

[[John_McBon]]

[[Category:Alabama sports]]

[[Category:University of Alabama athletics]]