The University of Alabama faces Georgia for a Southeastern Conference Championship opportunity on Dec. 2, but it has a significant rivalry game before heading to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Alabama travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium this week to battle the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. It is one of the greatest rivalries in college football as the Tigers have one goal: spoil the Crimson Tide's season. The Tigers are 6-5 after an embarrassing loss at home to New Mexico State. Alabama is 10-1 following a victory over Chattanooga at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and its College Football Playoff hopes remain alive. The Tide must handle business against Auburn and get some help to make the CFP.

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Several former Alabama players understand the intensity of the Iron Bowl. 

Auburn has had moments where it prevented the Crimson Tide from its primary goals, especially in 2017 and 2019. Alabama lost to the Tigers at Jordan-Hare in 2017 and missed out on competing for an SEC Championship. A missed field goal in the 2019 Iron Bowl relegated the Tide to the Citrus Bowl versus Michigan instead of competing for a conference championship and a CFP opportunity. Auburn has not had a great season; however, records don't matter in the Iron Bowl. The Tigers will use its recent defeat to have it playing on fire against its in-state rival. Chris Owens, Marquis Maze, and Jesse Williams all won a national championship under Nick Saban at Alabama. The trio set the tone on social media for the importance of the Iron Bowl.

And they’ll still find a way to play like the 1972 Dolphins for the first 7 minutes next week in the Iron Bowl https://t.co/5RBlS536fH

— Chris Owens (@BGChrisOwens) November 19, 2023

Y’all talk about Harvey Updyke killing trees but don’t say shit about these companies that kill trees daily is wild, y’all muthafuckers hunt deer but y’all crying bout some damn trees is funny to me Rip Harvey and Roll Tide. Bama by 30 Saturday fuck Auburn 🤣

— Marquis Maze (@Mazeboy4) November 20, 2023

IRON BOWL WEEK! pic.twitter.com/BDablX6yCK

— Jesse Williams (@ThaMonstar) November 19, 2023

Alabama kicks off against Auburn on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS.

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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine.  You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith