Best Iron Bowl performances from Alabama and Auburn football players

The Iron Bowl between Alabama football and Auburn football is defined by clutch moments.

When Alabama football takes on Auburn football in the Iron Bowl, seemingly anything is possible.

There is a reason this is viewed as the best rivalry in the SEC and among the very best in college football. It gives us two college football blue-bloods within the same state. Factor in the southeastern component of where it just means more and this rivalry series is a big reason why this sport is so great. The best part of the Iron Bowl has been all its clutch moments historically.

Best Iron Bowl performances by Alabama-Auburn football players

Despite it being one of the least competitive games in recent memory, freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper first made a name for himself in this rivalry series. He hauled in five catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns from star quarterback A.J. McCarron in Alabama’s blowout victory of Auburn. Alabama won the 2012 Iron Bowl 49-0 before going on to win the national championship.

It is almost unfathomable that 2018 was the only Iron Bowl Tua Tagovailoa started under center for the Crimson Tide. Alabama would defeat Auburn at Bryant-Denny 52-21 en route to an SEC Championship and a national title bout appearance. Tagovailoa completed 25-of-32 passes for 324 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions, taking in another by himself on the ground.

In Derrick Henry‘s 2015 Heisman Trophy season, he was the ultimate bell-cow back for the Crimson Tide. His insane workload made him a modern college football legend. Henry’s 2015 performance in the Iron Bowl was no different. He rushed the ball a mind-blowing 46 times for 271 yards and a touchdown. Alabama went onto won the SEC and its first College Football Playoff.

Anybody who saw Kick Six live will forever remember where they were when it happened. Auburn cornerback Chris Davis‘ immaculate 100-plus missed field return the other way is widely considered to be the greatest moment in 150-plus years of college football history. He had 10 combined tackles in that game, too. Auburn won the SEC in 2013 and played for a national title.

In Cam Newton‘s 2010 Heisman Trophy season, his definitive moment came in the Iron Bowl. Auburn was undefeated and had to hold off the reigning national champions in their place. Don’t call it a comeback, call it “The Cam-back”. Newton completed 13-of-20 passes for 216 yards, three touchdowns and carried the ball 22 times for 39 yards and a touchdown to win 24-23 at Alabama.

Regardless of if you grew up in the Southeastern part of the United States or not, or are even a fan of SEC football to begin with, it is hard to argue against how perfect the Iron Bowl is as a rivalry. Alabama may be the big brother school of the two, but the little brother Auburn is always just good enough every year or so to make this one a must-watch game every Thanksgiving weekend.

Who will have the most clutch performance in this year’s Iron Bowl?

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