While many rivalry nicknames are born from iconic moments or clever writers, others trace back to a place that shaped the matchup. Alabama and Auburn seem to fall into that second group, while their annual clash first kicked off in Birmingham back in 1893.

Why is the matchup called the Iron Bowl?

The term originates from Birmingham’s past as a major center for iron production, which is where the contest was originally held.

By 1964, Auburn sat at 6-4 and out of bowl contention, but coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan didn’t let that dull the season. When asked why his team wasn’t heading to a postseason game, he delivered a line that would echo for decades.

“We’ve got our bowl game. We have it every year. It’s the Iron Bowl in Birmingham,” said Jordan.

Since that moment, the Iron Bowl has come to define the rivalry itself.

This is a developing story…