Question: In what years were Alabama and Auburn both ranked in the top ten for the Iron Bowl?

[Tide&True]

Sorry if this has been asked...just curious.

 

[Alasippi]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

 

[Tide&True]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

As I recall Musso had over 200 yards in that game! Musso will always be my favorite Bama player.

 

[Alasippi]

As I recall Musso had over 200 yards in that game! Musso will always be my favorite Bama player.

He was the ultimate football player. In my opinion he was the best "all around" football player we ever had. He could run like crazy, incredible blocker, could catch, and was a leader on and off the field.

 

[FitToBeTide]

Johnny and I were at the University at the same time. Had the pleasure of watching him in his first freshman football contest, back in the day when they played their own schedule every year. He was the total package. Best tackle-breaker I've ever seen.

 

[Hoot30]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

Wasn't that the reason the Downtown Athletic Club decided to wait until after the regular season was over to award the Heisman.

 

[rickvox79]

1994 comes to mind right away for me. We were 10-0 and AU was 9-0-1 I believe. I believe we were both in the top 10 but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[crimsonaudio]

1994 comes to mind right away for me. We were 10-0 and AU was 9-0-1 I believe. I believe we were both in the top 10 but someone correct me if I'm wrong.

No, you're right. We were #3, the cows were #6.

 

[CrimsonPride25]

2010. #9 Bama and #2 Fighting Cams. My first Iron Bowl ever, and man did it hurt to watch that comeback. 28-27

 

[92tide]

I was thinking 1989, but I checked and the barn was #11. We were #2, but our coach was rocking an awesome sweater

 

[rickvox79]

I was thinking 1989, but I checked and the barn was #11. We were #2, but our coach was rocking an awesome sweater

Ugh don't remind me of that debacle, both the sweater and the game.

 

[tide96]

No, you're right. We were #3, the cows were #6.

I've got to assume that this was a "winner take all, winner goes to the SEC game". All of the national writers are acting like that has never happened before.

Was Auburn still prohibited from going to the SEC/a bowl that year? EDIT: I guess so, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Auburn_Tigers_football_team

 

[TIDEnGA]

I've got to assume that this was a "winner take all, winner goes to the SEC game". All of the national writers are acting like that has never happened before.

Was Auburn still prohibited from going to the SEC/a bowl that year? EDIT: I guess so, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Auburn_Tigers_football_team

yes auburn was on probation in bowdens first year. They weren't eligible for SECCG.

 

[theballguy]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

Wow... even Colorado. Man they stink on ice now. Neb and OK not anything to write home about either. Football certainly has changed.

 

[BigBama76]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

Actually that was 1971. The bowl game was in 1972, (01/01/72). 1972 was the punt-bama-punt game.

I think the only other time both teams were in the top 10 on game day was 1994. There have been several others where one or both teams were pretty highly ranked.

 

[TIDEnGA]

Ugh don't remind me of that debacle, both the sweater and the game.

And the coach

 

[mhiggy45]

I'm really not sure, but I believe the last time both teams went into the game with a chance to win the national championship was 1972.
Both teams were undefeated, we were ranked 3rd and AU 4th. We beat them 31-7 behind Musso. Pat Sullivan had just been announced as the Heisman Winner and we ate his lunch.
That same week #1 Nebraska beat undefeated #2 Oklahoma setting up Bama-Nebraska for the National title in the Orange Bowl.
Nebraska totally kicked our butt in every way possible 38-6. Coach Bryant said it was the best team he ever saw.
Auburn got whipped badly by Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl.
The Big 8 ruled that year. The final poll was Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Colorado.

That was 1971. In 1972 that was the year Agbarn blocked two punts in the 4th qtr. 17-16 game

 

[Bama1985]

Sorry if this has been asked...just curious.

1971 --Both Bama and Auburn were undefeated going into the 1971 Iron Bowl--Bama was #3 and Auburn was #5 in Coaches poll. Nebraska was 1 and beat Number 2 Oklahoma a few days earlier. Bama would move to number 2 after the 31-7 win and play number 1 Nebraska.

http://www.totalfootballstats.com/Team_College.asp?id=58&Season=1971

http://www.totalfootballstats.com/Team_College.asp?id=52&Season=1971

1972--Blocked punts game. Bama was 2 and Auburn was ranked 9

1989--Bama #2 and Auburn #11

1994--Bama #4 and Auburn #6

2010--Bama #9 and Auburn #2

 

[Tide&True]

1971 --Both Bama and Auburn were undefeated going into the 1971 Iron Bowl--Bama was #3 and Auburn was #5 in Coaches poll. Nebraska was 1 and beat Number 2 Oklahoma a few days earlier. Bama would move to number 2 after the 31-7 win and play number 1 Nebraska.

http://www.totalfootballstats.com/Team_College.asp?id=58&Season=1971

http://www.totalfootballstats.com/Team_College.asp?id=52&Season=1971

1972--Blocked punts game. Bama was 2 and Auburn was ranked 9

1989--Bama #2 and Auburn #11

1994

2010

Thank you Bama1985. So, it has only happened a handful of times.

 

[Bama1985]

Thank you Bama1985. So, it has only happened a handful of times.

As successful as both teams are historically you would have thought there would be more of these high profile games.