Editor's Note: The 2025 Iron Bowl arrives under unprecedented circumstances. Alabama enters at 8-2 (6-1 SEC) and ranked #10 nationally after suffering a devastating 23-21 home loss to Oklahoma on November 15. The Crimson Tide now face a must-win situation to keep playoff hopes alive. Meanwhile, Auburn (4-6, 1-6 SEC) is in turmoil after firing head coach Hugh Freeze on November 2, 2025, following a devastating 10-3 loss to Kentucky. The Tigers will be led by interim coach DJ Durkin as they fight for bowl eligibility against their archrival. This will be the first night game since 2014, kicking off at 6:30 PM CT on ABC.
The Stark Contrast: Two Programs Going in Opposite Directions
Alabama: Fighting to Salvage Playoff Dreams After Oklahoma Loss
Record: 8-2 (6-1 SEC) | AP Ranking: #10 | Second Season Under DeBoer
Alabama's dominant season took a dramatic turn on November 15 when Oklahoma shocked the Crimson Tide 23-21 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The upset loss snapped Alabama's 17-game home winning streak and dropped them from #4 to #10 in the AP poll. Eli Bowen's 87-yard interception return for a touchdown and Oklahoma's 3 forced turnovers (17 points off turnovers) proved decisive. Alabama had won 8 consecutive games after a season-opening loss to Florida State, and had defeated four consecutive AP Top 25 opponents without any bye weeks:
- 🏈 Georgia: 24-21 victory in Athens
- 🏈 Vanderbilt: 30-14 home victory
- 🏈 Missouri: 27-24 road victory
- 🏈 Tennessee: 37-20 road victory
Alabama is the only SEC team to ever defeat four ranked opponents in four consecutive weeks without FCS games or bye weeks.
The offense averages 34.4 points per game (33rd nationally) while allowing just 18.2 points per game (21st nationally). DeBoer has established himself as a legitimate championship contender in just his second season, making him a strong Coach of the Year candidate.
Auburn: Program in Crisis After Hugh Freeze Era
Record: 4-6 (1-6 SEC) | Head Coach: DJ Durkin (Interim) | Former Coach: Hugh Freeze (Fired Nov 2, 2025)
The Auburn program entered a state of crisis when athletic director John Cohen announced the firing of Hugh Freeze on November 2, 2025, just days after a demoralizing 10-3 home loss to Kentucky. Freeze's departure came with a 15-19 overall record and 6-16 conference record—marking Auburn's third coaching change in five years.
Hugh Freeze's Final Record:
- • Overall: 15-19 (3 seasons)
- • SEC: 6-16
- • Each season resulted in losing SEC record
- • Buyout: $15.5 million remaining
Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin was immediately named interim head coach. Durkin's defense has been a bright spot, allowing just 17.7 points per game—the lone consistent strength of an otherwise struggling program.
John Cohen, Auburn AD
"DJ Durkin will absolutely get consideration for the permanent position. He has earned that. He will be part of a pool that we will consider."
Auburn's Remaining Schedule Before The Iron Bowl
Auburn faces a challenging path to the Iron Bowl with interim coach DJ Durkin at the helm:
- 📅 November 8: vs. #9 Vanderbilt (3:00 PM CST, SEC Network)
- 📅 November 15: BYE WEEK
- 📅 November 22: vs. Mercer (1:00 PM CST)
- 📅 November 29: @ #4 Alabama (Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, 2:30-7:00 PM CST Flex)
What's At Stake
Alabama: Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
After the Oklahoma loss, Alabama must win to keep playoff hopes alive:
- • MUST WIN to have any chance at CFP
- • Finish 9-2 and hope for favorable committee rankings
- • Achieve 6th consecutive Iron Bowl win
- • Avoid devastating 8-3 finish that would end playoff dreams
Auburn: Bowl Eligibility on the Line
Auburn enters with everything to gain in hunt for bowl eligibility:
- • Must win to reach 6 wins and bowl eligibility
- • Spoil Alabama's playoff hopes in primetime
- • Build momentum for coaching search
- • End Alabama's 5-game Iron Bowl winning streak
Auburn's Coaching Search Impact
Auburn's firing of Hugh Freeze places them in a crowded pool of programs seeking new coaches this cycle. The Tigers join LSU, Florida, Arkansas, Penn State, Virginia Tech and others in the market, making their search particularly challenging.
Top Candidates Mentioned: Jon Sumrall (Tulane), Kenny Dillingham (Arizona State), James Franklin (Penn State), Brent Key (Georgia Tech), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt)
How Auburn performs under Durkin against Alabama could impact both their recruiting momentum and the attractiveness of the position to prospective candidates. A competitive showing—even in defeat—could demonstrate the program's underlying talent and potential.
Prediction & Analysis
The Pick: Alabama 31, Auburn 13
Despite the pressure from the Oklahoma loss, Alabama enters as strong favorites:
- 🏆 Talent Disparity: Alabama's roster talent far exceeds Auburn's struggling program
- 🎯 Desperation Factor: Alabama's playoff survival instincts will be sharp
- 🏈 Coaching Stability: DeBoer vs interim Durkin creates major mismatch
- 📊 Defense: Auburn's 17.7 PPG allowed is good, but not enough
Auburn's solid defense (17.7 PPG allowed) should keep them competitive early, but Alabama's must-win situation will create urgency that overwhelms Auburn's interim coaching transition. Alabama will establish dominance in the second half and extend their Iron Bowl winning streak to six consecutive games, clinching a 9-2 record and keeping playoff hopes alive.
The Broader Context
This Iron Bowl represents the stark reality of the two programs' current trajectories. Alabama, under DeBoer, has established themselves as legitimate championship contenders, with a clear identity and upward trajectory.
Meanwhile, Auburn faces an uncertain future with their third coaching change in five years. The program that once challenged Alabama for SEC supremacy now finds itself in a period of rebuilding and soul-searching.
As Alabama looks toward the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff, Auburn's focus turns to finding the right leader who can restore pride and competitiveness to the program. The contrast between these programs has rarely been more stark than it will be on November 29, 2025, in Jordan-Hare Stadium.