Rolando McClain

The 2008 Iron Bowl was a exorcism for Alabama fans. After losing six consecutive games to their arch-rival—a streak famously dubbed "Fear the Thumb"—top-ranked Alabama arrived in Tuscaloosa determined to restore order. They did so with a level of dominance that signaled a permanent shift in the rivalry's power dynamics. Nick Saban's first Iron Bowl victory was a masterclass in defense. Alabama shut out Auburn 36-0, the first shutout in the series in 35 years. Auburn mustered only 170 total yards and never threatened the end zone. On offense, Alabama bludgeoned Auburn on the ground. Glen Coffee rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown, while freshman sensation Mark Ingram added 64 yards and two scores. The game was essentially over by halftime, but Saban's squad kept the pressure on, turning the fourth quarter into a celebration for the Bryant-Denny crowd.

The 2009 Iron Bowl was the hurdle Alabama had to clear to reach perfection. At 11-0, the #2 Crimson Tide entered Jordan-Hare Stadium facing a 7-4 Auburn team that played its best game of the season. The result was a classic that came down to a legendary final possession. Trailing 21-20 with under eight minutes to play, Alabama took over at their own 21-yard line. What followed was "The Drive." Quarterback Greg McElroy engineered a methodical, 15-play, 79-yard march that consumed over seven minutes of clock. Facing intense pressure, McElroy made clutch throws, including a key third-down conversion to Julio Jones. With 1:24 remaining, McElroy found Roy Upchurch in the flat for a 4-yard touchdown. The 26-21 victory preserved the perfect season, leading to an SEC Championship win over Florida and Alabama's first national title under Nick Saban.