Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer dishes out his approach to uphold Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide legacy in the Iron Bowl against Auburn | Sporting News

If there is one thing more catastrophic than not getting into the College Football Playoff in Tuscaloosa, it’d be losing to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Kalen DeBoer knows how important and dear the Iron Bowl is for the Crimson Tide fanbase; precisely why he locked in his philosophy to win it in his mind before winning on the field.

“That’s going to be a game that the whole state, us, Auburn, pour everything into,” DeBoer said (h/t Colin Gay of Tuscaloosa News). “Just such great history over the many years. It’s a big game. Big game for a lot of reasons. Big focus for us will be hopefully that we’re playing for something.”

Alabama has not lost a single Iron Bowl in the past four years under Nick Saban, a streak that DeBoer needs to continue to establish himself as a worthy Saban successor.

“And that’s obviously going to be impacted by this weekend. That’s really what I’ve always tried to focus rivalry games on is where we’re at in the season, what it means for our team. But you certainly understand the atmosphere and environment for the fans and everyone surrounding the game, and how important it is to them with a rivalry game,” DeBoer added, making a fair point that he knows a thing or two about tackling a steaming rivalry.

The real question here is can the Crimson Tide head coach win this rivalry? Alabama has not lost to the Tigers in Tuscaloosa since 2010. They last lost to Auburn in 2019 on the road. This Saturday, Alabama faces the Tigers on their home ground, making it even more important for DeBoer to win.

Auburn issues challenge to Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer ahead of 2024 Iron Bowl

The Auburn Tigers are brimming with confidence coming fresh off a four-overtime 43-41 win against Texas A&M in their previous game. Even though they’re 5-6 this season, Hugh Freeze and Co. are hoping to catch Alabama off guard, partially since it’s DeBoer’s first Iron Bowl as Crimson Tide head coach.

AU Family posted an indirect challenge to DeBoer and Co. on X, reminding them, “DYK: A non-Saban coached Alabama team has never beaten Auburn in Tuscaloosa?” with a “Beat Bama” banner attached.

Alabama has opened up as a multi-score favorite over Auburn. Unfortunately, losing a game like this would be on-brand for DeBoer.