Fans of Auburn football often claim that the iconic moments that take place during the Tigers’ games are caused by “magic” or “voodoo” within Jordan-Hare Stadium.
From moments such as the “Kick Six” of the 2013 Iron Bowl and the “Prayer in Jordan-Hare” from the 2013 Auburn-Georgia game, viewers have attributed these “magical” moments of college football to something greater than the game.
Not only has Auburn benefitted from the so-called magic, but Alabama has had some iconic moments as well.
The 2023 “Gravedigger” — a touchdown pass from 4th down and 31 yards — is the most recent example of this.
“Seventeen years going to Auburn and playing at Jordan-Hare, that place is haunted,” former Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. “I guarantee it. The way we lost games and the way we won games there, it’s unbelievable.”
With a 5-7 record on the Plains, Jordan-Hare is the only stadium in the country where Saban had a losing record. Four of those losses came while coaching the Crimson Tide and the other three while coaching the LSU Tigers.
Some of Jordan-Hare’s most iconic and voodoo-filled Iron Bowl moments have happened in scenarios where the Tigers have little to lose, but the Crimson Tide has everything on the line.
In both the 2013 and 2019 seasons, Auburn walked away with a home win and ultimately eliminated the Crimson Tide from championship contention.
This season’s game, yet again, comes with the highest stakes for the Crimson Tide. A win in the Iron Bowl paves the way for Alabama to make the SEC Championship and, ultimately, the College Football Playoff. However, a loss would eliminate it from playoff contention entirely.
“I think every game is its own game,” current Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer told Crimson Tide Sports Network. “I understand what the history of this rivalry is — home, away — doesn’t matter. It’s about this one game. Pouring everything into it you’ve got. Our guys will do that.”
Rivalry games tend to bring about unprecedented results; Alabama is listed as only a 5.5 favorite in the matchup despite having a record of 9-2 this season compared to Auburn’s of 5-6.
“We’re gonna be going into an SEC environment. It is our rival. It’s got, again, a lot of history to it. We’re just gonna focus on our preparation,” DeBoer said.
Former SEC on CBS commentator Gary Danielson expressed his concern for the Crimson Tide facing the Tigers with stakes this high.
“I think Alabama is a very good team,” Danielson said. “I think Auburn is a little better than they’ve played this year. I will say, that stadium seems to spook Alabama.”
Fans can watch the Crimson Tide take on the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC.
