Why is it called the Iron Bowl?

The Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Auburn Tigers game next Saturday is one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football.

The 100-year-old rivalry between Alabama and Auburn has featured some high-profile matchups in the rivalry’s history, with many encounters involving stakes that had both SEC and national championship implications.

Alabama vs. Auburn also featured many great college football players and coaches on the field throughout the rivalry’s history, including Hall of Famers, Heisman Trophy winners and more.

But what is the name of the rivalry game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers and why?

The Alabama-Auburn rivalry is known throughout college football as “The Iron Bowl” and has had that name since the mid-20th century, when former Tigers coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan coined the term that endures to this day .

Iron also plays a role in the name, as Birmingham, Alabama, where the game was originally played at Legion Field in the early days of the rivalry, is famous for its production of iron and steel.

The Iron Bowl is scheduled to be played again on Saturday, November 30, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.