2010 BCS Rankings: Why No. 1 Auburn-Alabama Will Be Greatest Iron Bowl Ever
With the Iron Bowl only four weeks away, the Auburn Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide are heading toward one of the biggest regular-season games in the history of the SEC.
Auburn is the BCS' No. 1 team in the country and Alabama was the prohibitive favorite to win it all before the season began.
As these teams prepare to meet on November 26, if it all plays out like they plan, it will pit two of the top five teams in the country with the SEC West title on the line.
Here are 10 reasons why Auburn vs. Alabama will be the greatest Iron Bowl ever.
10. The Rivalry
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As one of the best rivalries not only in college football, but in all of sports, the Iron Bowl originated in the late 19th century.
These in-state rivals have had a storied history of big-time battles and this one has the potential to rank right near the top.
Simply put, these two teams have a strong dislike for each other and, with what will be on the line heading into next month's matchup, this Iron Bowl will be the most intense of them all.
9. Nick Saban vs. Gene Chizik
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Many college football pundits questioned Auburn's decision to hire Gene Chizik, but so far Chizik has proved those critics wrong.
Nick Saban has been in his fair share of big games and clearly knows how to handle these situations.
Could the young Chizik be able to beat the experienced Saban on this his second time around in the Iron Bowl?
8. Potential BCS Shakeup
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With Alabama almost certain to enter the game with one loss, a Crimson Tide win en route to an SEC Championship could start one of the biggest controversies in college football history.
Does a one-loss Alabama get in over an undefeated Boise State or an undefeated TCU? That question would certainly arise if Alabama can run the table and finish 12-1.
Auburn might have something to say about that.
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7. Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson
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Rarely in college football does a team possess as talented and dynamic of a backfield duo as the Alabama Crimson Tide have.
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Mark Ingram, is joined in the backfield by the talented Trent Richardson.
Ingram has over 600 yards and averages 7.0 yards a carry while Richardson is right behind him at 544 yards and 6.4 yards a run.
Watching these two split carries is a sight to be seen and Auburn will have to control the running game to have a shot in this one.
6. Auburn Offense vs. Alabama Defense
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The Auburn offense is ranked No. 11 in the country in total points while the young but talented Alabama defense is second in the country, allowing only 12.5 points per game.
The Tigers do it both on the ground and in the air, and the Crimson Tide have been consistent all season in holding their opponents to 10 or fewer points five times this season.
Can the young Crimson Tide defense come through in the biggest game of the season? Or will the potent Auburn offense be too much for the young Tide to handle?
5. Cameron Newton
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As the clear front-runner to take home the Heisman Trophy, Cameron Newton has dazzled the college football world for the first half of the season.
With 27 touchdowns in only eight games, Newton is the biggest stat-stuffer in college football. He has already rushed for well over 1,000 yards—an SEC single-season record for a quarterback—and passed for nearly 1,400.
So far, nobody has been able to slow this guy down, but the Crimson Tide will have their chance to derail Newton's Heisman hopes.
4. Spot in SEC Championship (national semifinal)
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The Crimson Tide are no strangers to SEC title games in recent years, but for the Auburn Tigers, they might be.
An Iron Bowl victory could ensure them a spot in the SEC final in a game that in past seasons has been called the national semifinal.
The SEC has been represented well in recent years with four straight BCS National Championships. This year may be some of the same if these two teams have their way.
3. SEC in the Spotlight
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No college football fans love their teams more than those of the SEC. They love being in the spotlight and being the center of attention.
With this year's Iron Bowl shaping up to be the biggest game of the college football season, the SEC will have its chance to shine on the national spotlight.
The SEC fans would have it no other way.
2. Potential Recruits
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Separated by only some 250 miles, these two schools consistently engage in intense recruiting battles and the winner of the Iron Bowl will have an extra tool to use on the recruiting trails.
Alabama is a state with good high school football, and there is plenty of talent to be had.
Winning the Iron Bowl is very important when it comes to recruiting for both of these schools.
1. Bragging Rights
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Not many college football fans love their schools as much as these two teams.
With no major professional sports in the state of Alabama, this is the game that stops the state for a day every year.
While Alabama holds the slight edge in this series, bragging rights always go to the team who won the last matchup.
Who will hold bragging rights for the rest of this year and into the offseason? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the 2010 Iron Bowl has the potential to go down as the best in the storied history of these two programs.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
