Iron Bowl set for first nighttime kickoff since 2014
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The biggest college footballs game of the season is almost here and now, we officially know what time kick off will be.
The Southeastern Conference has announced this year’s Iron Bowl is scheduled to kick off at 6:30PM at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.
It’s the first evening kickoff between the two teams since 2014, which resulted in the highest-scoring Iron Bowl of all-time.
It’s the first time Auburn has hosted an Iron Bowl with a nighttime kickoff since 2007.
A rare primetime Iron Bowl
When the SEC had its partnership with CBS, the Iron Bowl was almost always a 2:30PM kickoff as the network would choose the conference’s biggest rivalry for its main event each year.
It got to the point where some fans just assumed the game would be played in the afternoon every season.
But ABC and the conference gave the rivalry a twist this season, one that is certainly welcomed by Auburn fans as a night game often leads to a rowdier crowd + stronger homefield advantage.
Late kickoffs are rare for the Iron Bowl. The first nighttime Iron Bowl was played in 1996 with seven total being played during the rivalry series:
- 2014: Alabama 55, Auburn 44 (Tuscaloosa)
- 2007: Auburn 17, Alabama 10 (Auburn)
- 2003: Auburn 28, Alabama 23 (Auburn)
- 1999: Alabama 28, Auburn 17 (Auburn)
- 1998: Alabama 31, Auburn 17 (Birmingham – final Iron Bowl at Legion Field)
- 1997: Auburn 18, Alabama 17 (Auburn)
- 1996: Alabama 24, Auburn 23 (Birmingham)
What’s on the line?
Assuming Alabama and Auburn both take care of business against their FCS opponents this weekend, there will be more than just bragging rights on the line for both teams.
After Oklahoma’s upset win in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide will likely be playing for their SEC Championship + College Football Playoff lives when they travel to The Plains.
Alabama has won five consecutive games against Auburn, its longest streak in the series since Bear Bryant was the coach.
Auburn has just won three games over Alabama since 2011, all of those victories coming at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The Tigers still hold a 10-7 lead in games played at Auburn.
Who do you think wins the 2025 Iron Bowl? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
