Iron Bowl 2011: Reliving Last Year's Thrilling Auburn Win

Ah, the Iron Bowl—one of college football's greatest rivalries and arguably the best rivalry in the SEC. All-time, Alabama leads 40-34-1, but Auburn is 8-3 against the Tide since the turn of the century.

2010 was perhaps the most dramatic and intense Iron Bowl in recent memory, as the Tigers needed a win to keep their SEC-title hopes alive for the first time since 2004, as well as their first national-title hopes since 1957.

The Crimson Tide were looking to spoil everything, but in what is now known as "The Camback," the Tigers weren't going down without a fight, despite being on the road in Tuscaloosa.

Tide Go Up 14-0 Early, Build 24-0 Lead

The Crimson Tide jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter and, by the look of it, a dominating route was on the way.

Auburn's secondary looked baffled and Cam Newton was being shut down more than he ever had over the course of the season. By halftime, the Tigers did reach the end zone, but the lead was still 24-7 Alabama.

Momentum-Changing Hit

It was a good thing that the Tigers received the second-half kickoff, or otherwise the Tide may have gone up 27- or 31-7. Instead, Auburn scored on its opening possession in the second half, cutting Alabama's lead to 24-14.

However, the Tigers' defense still needed to prove that they could stop Alabama after giving up 24 first-half points. No matter how effective Auburn's offense began to move the ball, it wasn't going to do any good if the defense didn't step up.

On the Tide's following possession, Alabama was facing a third-and-five near midfield, but Auburn's Mike McNeil delivered a momentum-changing hit that really ignited the Tigers thereafter.

And although Alabama got the first down on fourth-and-one, they punted the next set of downs.

Tigers Gain the Lead, Hold on for the Win

Alabama failed to reach the end zone after the first quarter. It may have been 21-0 early, but all that meant was enough time for Cam Newton to make a comeback.

From the beginning of the second quarter and thereafter, Auburn outscored the Crimson Tide 28-6 and held Alabama to just three points in the second half.

The game's final score came with just under 12 minutes to play on a third-and-four for Auburn.

Learn how to Lutzie, then teach it.

Quick Highlights

A game filled with big hits, great plays, turnovers and a comeback—can't ask for much more, especially when the implications are insanely big.

Even if you're not a fan of Alabama or Auburn, you have to be a fan of the Iron Bowl because it encompasses what we all want college football to be about.

Therefore, enjoy a quick highlight reel from the 2010 Iron Bowl.

Follow John Rozum on Twitter @ Sportswriter27