Iron Bowl week is finally here.
Auburn will host No. 10 Alabama in the 90th edition of the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Alabama is riding a five-game win streak against Auburn into Saturday’s matchup, with the Tigers’ last win coming in 2019, 48-45.
Auburn sits at 5-6 overall on the season as it looks to win once more to become bowl eligible under the guidance of interim head coach DJ Durkin.
Alabama currently owns just one conference loss this season, sitting at 9-2 under second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.
Both squads are coming off of lopsided victories against FCS opponents, marking one final tune-up before one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football takes place on Saturday.
With that, here is a look at the Tigers’ Week 14 opponent:
Same ole’ efficient Alabama
You have to go back to the pre-Nick Saban years to find an Alabama squad that was simply outmatched, talent-wise, in an Iron Bowl.
And while Auburn has certainly evened the talent gap, as compared to previous years, the Crimson Tide still boasts an exceptional amount of talent.
Because of that, Alabama owns a top 25 scoring offense with 33.8 points per game under first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. It is putting up 417.7 yards per game and ranks ninth in the country with 292.5 passing yards per game.
Alabama owns a stout defense under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack. The Crimson Tide are sixth nationally in first down defense. They hold the seventh-best red zone defense, giving up just 12 touchdowns when teams get inside the 20. Opponents are scoring just 16.2 points per game against Alabama, which is 10th nationally, and it gives up just 270.5 yards per game, the ninth-best mark in the nation.
Offensive players to know
QB Ty Simpson
Taking over for 2-year starter Jalen Milroe this season, Simpson has transitioned well into his starting role.
Simpson has completed 237-of-354 passes (66.9%) for 2,934 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 65 carries for 95 yards and two scores on the ground. He sits second in the SEC in passing yards, passing yards per game (266.7) and completions per game (21.5).
He has been selected for multiple prestigious awards, including being named as a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the most outstanding player in college football.
WR Germie Bernard
After leading all Crimson Tide receivers in receptions (50) and finishing second in receiving yards (794) last season, Bernard is continuing his tear this season.
Hecurrently paces Alabama receivers in receptions (48), receiving yards (676) and receiving touchdowns (six). He has also added 97 rushing yards on 16 carries with two rushing scores while completing two passes for 15 yards on his only two attempts.
His six receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth-most in the SEC and are tied for 35th nationally. His eight total touchdowns are tied for 10th among all SEC players. He also leads all Crimson Tide pass-catchers with 67.6 receiving yards per game.
WR Ryan Williams
Auburn fans are plenty familiar with Williams after former Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze was hard after Williams throughout his recruitment process.
After a stellar freshman campaign, where he led Alabama in receiving yards (865) and receiving touchdowns (8), Williams is putting up similar numbers in Year 2. This season, he has notched 598 yards on 40 receptions. His 15 yards per reception lead all Alabama wideouts.
Defensive players to know
LB Justin Jefferson
Taking on an elevated role this season for the Crimson Tide, Jefferson leads all Alabama tacklers with 64 tackles.
He has notched 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, while also contributing three pass breakups, two quarterback hurries, one interception and a forced fumble.
He tallied a career-high 14 tackles to go with one sack and a forced fumble against Vanderbilt and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week.
DB Bray Hubbard
Playing in 13 games with six starts a season ago, Hubbard has become a staple of Alabama’s defense in 2025.
He has recorded 58 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and three interceptions. His 58 tackles are the third-best mark on the team.
After tallying five tackles and two interceptions in Alabama’s 38-14 win over Wisconsin, he was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, along with being named the Panini Senior Bowl Defensive Player of the Week and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Defensive Back of the Week.
Game Overview
Auburn will look to salvage its season against Alabama in the first Iron Bowl under the lights since 2007.
With a raucous crowd of orange and blue backing it up, Auburn will ride a wave of momentum into this one after totalling 100 points in its last two outings. Ashton Daniels will take over starting duties under center after being held out last week to preserve his redshirt status for next season. Will Auburn be able to continue its recent offensive surge? It will be a mighty test against a stout Alabama defense.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide is looking to keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive and put the cherry on top of what’s been another down season, overall, for the Tigers.
If Auburn can – as cliché as it sounds – win the turnover battle and keep Simpson and the Alabama passing attack at bay, the Tigers are set up with a nice opportunity to knock down its archrival on its home turf.
Auburn and Alabama will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT on ABC.