By the numbers: A quick look at the history of the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa

While the Alabama-Auburn rivalry was first played in 1893, this Saturday will mark just the 15th time the Iron Bowl is played in Tuscaloosa.

The game was played in Birmingham from 1904 to 1988 before both schools started expanding their current home stadiums. The rivalry finally put its days in Birmingham in the past in 1999 and the teams have alternated as hosts every year since.

This Saturday, the two will meet on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. And you may be surprised by some of the facts and figures from the rivalry’s time in T-Town.

7 – Wins for each team

The fans in blue and orange have often had a reason to celebrate during their trips to Tuscaloosa. Auburn has just as many wins as the Crimson Tide in the previous 14 meetings in the city.

The Tigers won with shutouts in 1895 and 1901 then again when the game returned to Tuscaloosa in 2000. Alabama did not score a point against Auburn in Tuscaloosa until 2002 and did not win a game at home until 2008.

While Auburn won the first six games in Tuscaloosa, Alabama has won seven of the last eight matchups at Bryant-Denny Stadium, leveling the series at 7 wins apiece in Tuscaloosa. The Tide leads the all-time series 50-37-1.

21 – Average margin of victory

We all know the excitement around the Iron Bowl goes beyond the final score but sometimes it’s still extra exciting to get a competitive game. That hasn’t always been the case for this rivalry in Tuscaloosa.

In 14 meetings, the average margin of victory is 21.2 points. During Alabama’s five-game winning streak, the Tide has won by an average of 32 points.

The last time the Iron Bowl was decided by one possession in Tuscaloosa was 2010 when Cam Newton led an Auburn comeback from down 24 to win by one.

1 – Alabama coach to beat Auburn

Auburn’s dominance in Tuscaloosa was well known when Nick Saban arrived on campus but, as you’d expect, he was at the helm when the Tide turned.

In 17 games against Auburn, Saban won 12 times including all seven of Alabama’s wins in Tuscaloosa.

Every other coach in Alabama history is 0-7 against the Tigers in Tuscaloosa. Can Kalen DeBoer break that trend?

13 – Consecutive matchups with at least one ranked team

Every time the two teams have met in Tuscaloosa during the AP Poll era, at least one of them was ranked in the top 25.

That streak will continue this weekend as Alabama enters the game at No. 13 in the latest rankings.

10 of the matchups in Tuscaloosa have featured at least one top-10 team with eight of those featuring at least one top-5 team. Those totals would have likely climbed this week if Alabama had not lost in Norman last weekend.

$197 – Cheapest ticket on StubHub

You may not have a top-10 team in the mix this year but the Iron Bowl is still the Iron Bowl. And it shows in the ticket resale market.

As expected, the game has been sold out for months but there are some tickets still on the market through different resale sites. Here’s some of the lowest prices available as of Nov. 26:

• StubHub: $197
• TickPick: $189
• SeatGeek: $203

You’ll see those prices vary a good bit in the days leading up to kickoff with some likely getting much lower Saturday morning. But it’s safe to say this Iron Bowl still holds plenty of value to fans of both teams.

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