The 2025 Iron Bowl proved that while faces change, the hierarchy of college football in the state of Alabama remains Crimson. In a fiercely contested battle at Jordan-Hare Stadium—a venue where Alabama dreams famously go to die—the Crimson Tide emerged with a 27-20 victory, extending their winning streak over Auburn to six games.
The Rise of Ty Simpson
With Jalen Milroe having moved on to the NFL, the 2025 season belonged to junior quarterback Ty Simpson. His first Iron Bowl start was a masterclass in composure. Playing in one of the loudest environments in sports, Simpson didn’t flinch. He threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, displaying a connection with receiver Isaiah Horton that Auburn simply couldn’t disrupt. Horton’s three touchdown catches tied an Iron Bowl record, as he consistently won 1-on-1 battles on the perimeter.
Auburn’s Fight
Credit is due to Auburn and interim head coach DJ Durkin. Following the mid-season dismissal of Hugh Freeze, the Tigers rallied to play their most inspired football of the year. Their defense, ranked top-10 nationally against the run, forced Alabama into a one-dimensional passing attack. Rookie playmakers Ashton Daniels and Malcolm Simmons provided sparks for the Auburn offense, keeping the game within one score deep into the fourth quarter.
The Final Stand
The game came down to the final minute. Auburn, trailing 27-20, drove to the Alabama 35-yard line with momentum. But fittingly, it was the Alabama defense—the backbone of the program—that closed the door. A strip-sack on Daniels with 33 seconds remaining recovered by the Tide sealed the win. The victory was gritty, ugly, and hard-earned—exactly how an Iron Bowl win at Jordan-Hare is supposed to be.