Minkah Fitzpatrick

The 2015 Iron Bowl was less about schematic brilliance and more about the unstoppable force of one man: Derrick Henry. In a 29-13 victory, the Alabama running back put the team on his back, carrying the ball a staggering 46 times for 271 yards and a touchdown, cementing his Heisman Trophy campaign. The game was tight for three quarters. Auburn's defense, coordinated by Will Muschamp, frustrated Alabama early, and the Tigers managed to stay within striking distance thanks to a gritty effort. Jason Smith's miraculous tipped-catch touchdown kept Auburn alive, but the offense couldn't sustain momentum against Alabama's elite front seven. In the fourth quarter, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin kept it simple: hand the ball to Henry. On the final drive alone, Henry carried the ball 14 consecutive times, draining the clock and the will of the Auburn defense.

The 2017 Iron Bowl was the climax of Auburn's late-season resurgence. Facing #1 Alabama with the SEC West title on the line, the #6 Tigers delivered their most complete performance of the Gus Malzahn era, dominating the Crimson Tide 26-14 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The hero for Auburn was running back Kerryon Johnson. Despite battling injuries, Johnson was a workhorse, carrying the ball 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown. He also threw a touchdown pass on a trick play jump-pass to Nate Craig-Myers. Defensively, Auburn won the game. Led by Jeff Holland and a fierce pass rush, Auburn hounded Jalen Hurts all night, limiting the dangerous dual-threat quarterback to just 112 passing yards. Alabama converted only 3 of 11 third downs. The signature moment came when Auburn forced two bad snaps from Alabama's center, stalling drives and killing the Tide's momentum.