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1980 Iron Bowl

1980-11-29
Birmingham, AL (Legion Field)
ALABAMA
Ranked #1
34
WINNER
VS
AUBURN
0
18

Game Summary

The 1980 Iron Bowl was business as usual for the Crimson Tide during their decade of dominance. Alabama defeated Auburn 34-18 at Legion Field, securing their eighth straight win in the series. Alabama's wishbone offense was humming. They controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage, wearing down the Auburn defense. The victory capped a 9-2 regular season and sent Alabama to the Cotton Bowl. For Auburn, it was another year of frustration. Despite playing hard, they were simply outmatched by the depth and discipline of Bryant's machine. The loss kept the pressure mounting on the Auburn program to find a way to compete, a search that would eventually lead to the hiring of Pat Dye.

Series Snapshot

#45
Meeting of 90
27-17-1
Series after game
1-0-0
Record in the 1980s through this game
#37
Widest-margin rank

Before this meeting, the archive record stood at Alabama 26, Auburn 17, with 1 tie. The 1980 result moved it to Alabama 27, Auburn 17, with 1 tie.

This was the 1st listed Iron Bowl of the 1980s. Through this game, Alabama had 1 win, Auburn had 0, and the decade included 0 ties.

The teams combined for 52 points, ranking #17 in total scoring among the 90 meetings in the current archive. The 16-point margin ranks #37 by size, shared by 2 games.

This archive page combines verified game data with available rivalry context for the modern series record. In the surrounding chronology, the previous listed meeting was 1979 and the next was 1981.

Decisive Moment

Alabama's relentless wishbone attack wore down Auburn in the second half.

Key Players

Major Ogilvie (Alabama)
Don Jacobs (Alabama)
James Brooks (Auburn)
E.J. Junior (Alabama)
📜

Historical Deep Dive

The 1980 Iron Bowl was business as usual for the Crimson Tide during their decade of dominance. Alabama defeated Auburn 34-18 at Legion Field, securing their eighth straight win in the series.

Offensive Efficiency

Alabama’s wishbone offense was humming. They controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage, wearing down the Auburn defense. The victory capped a 9-2 regular season and sent Alabama to the Cotton Bowl.

Auburn’s Frustration

For Auburn, it was another year of frustration. Despite playing hard, they were simply outmatched by the depth and discipline of Bryant’s machine. The loss kept the pressure mounting on the Auburn program to find a way to compete, a search that would eventually lead to the hiring of Pat Dye.

← Previous Game
1979
Alabama 25 - Auburn 18
Next Game →
1981
Alabama 28 - Auburn 17
Editorial note

Iron Bowl History separates verified game data from editorial interpretation. Scores, dates, and rivalry records are maintained from official records, media guides, game books, and contemporary accounts when available. See our sources and methodology page for correction standards.