Known as the Iron Bowl, the in-state rivalry between Saban's Crimson Tide and the Tigers often produced chaotic and memorable finishes. Alabama went 12–5 in the Iron Bowl during Saban's 17 years on the sidelines but just 5–4 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC) enters Week 13 with everything on the line, as the Aggies will take on the Auburn Tigers (4-6, 1-5 SEC) in a must-win road test before hosting the No. 3-ranked Texas Longhorns