If you walk into a Toomer's Corner coffee shop and ask a local about the Iron Bowl, you’ll likely see a flinch. It’s been a while. A long while. For a rivalry that literally defines the state of Alabama, the recent drought for the Tigers has been nothing short of grueling.
When was the last time Auburn beat Alabama?
The short answer is November 30, 2019.
That day, the Tigers pulled off a chaotic, 48-45 thriller at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It was a game of "Pick Sixes," missed kicks, and a 100-yard interception return that left the college football world spinning. Since then? It’s been a sea of crimson. Alabama has reeled off six consecutive wins, including the most recent heartbreak—a 27-20 loss in November 2025 where Auburn blew a 17-point lead.
The Day the Goalposts Shook: November 30, 2019
The 2019 Iron Bowl wasn't just a game; it was a fever dream. Honestly, if you were there, you probably still haven't gotten your hearing back. Gus Malzahn was the head coach, and Bo Nix was a true freshman trying to keep his head above water against a Nick Saban-led juggernaut.
Alabama was ranked No. 5. Auburn was No. 15. On paper, it was Bama's to lose. But Jordan-Hare is where logic goes to die.
The Chaos of the Pick-Six Twins
We usually talk about the Kick Six, but 2019 was the year of the Pick Six. Auburn’s defense did something nearly impossible: they scored twice on Mac Jones.
- Smoke Monday took an interception 29 yards to the house in the second quarter.
- Zakoby McClain then topped it with a 100-yard interception return in the third.
Think about that. Alabama outgained Auburn in total yardage, but the Tigers' defense was opportunistic in ways that felt almost supernatural. Jaylen Waddle was doing Jaylen Waddle things for the Tide, returning kicks and catching touchdowns, but Auburn just wouldn't go away.
The Ending Nobody Saw Coming
With 8:08 left in the fourth, Shaun Shivers—a diminutive but powerful back—trucked an Alabama defender so hard his helmet flew off as he crossed the goal line. That score put Auburn up 48-45.
But Bama had a chance. They always have a chance. They drove down to the 10-yard line with two minutes left. Joseph Bulovas stepped up for a 30-yard field goal to tie it.
Clink.
The ball hit the left upright. The stadium exploded. Then, in a final act of Malzahn wizardry, Auburn tricked Alabama into an illegal substitution penalty on 4th-and-4 by lining up their punter at wide receiver. The penalty gave Auburn the first down they needed to kneel it out.
Why the Drought Since 2019 Feels So Heavy
Since that November evening, the rivalry has tilted heavily toward Tuscaloosa. It’s not just that Auburn is losing; it’s how they are losing.
In 2021, the Tigers had Alabama dead to rights. They led 10-0 late in the fourth quarter. Bryce Young had to lead a 97-yard drive with no timeouts just to tie it. Bama eventually won in four overtimes.
Then came 2023. "4th and 31." The "Grave Digger" pass. Jalen Milroe to Isaiah Bond. It was a play that shouldn't happen in a video game, let alone a real-life rivalry. Auburn fans have had to endure a specific kind of psychological torture where the win is right there, touching their fingertips, before being snatched away.
The 2025 Heartbreak: A New Era of Pain
Fast forward to the most recent meeting on November 29, 2025. This was supposed to be the year. Playing at home, Auburn jumped out to a massive lead, leading 17-0 at one point. The atmosphere was, as quarterback Ashton Daniels put it, "electric."
But the "Bama standard" is a real thing. Under Kalen DeBoer, the Tide stayed composed. Ty Simpson—who has taken the mantle as a leader for Alabama—threw three touchdown passes to Isaiah Horton.
Auburn had a chance late, trailing 27-20. They drove down to the 20-yard line, but a late fumble sealed their fate. It marked the sixth straight loss for the Tigers, the longest streak since the Bear Bryant era when Alabama won nine in a row from 1973 to 1981.
Breaking Down the All-Time Series
While Bama fans love to point at the current six-game winning streak, the history of the Iron Bowl is actually more balanced than you’d think.
- Total Meetings: 90
- Alabama Leads: 52–37–1
- Auburn's Longest Streak: 6 wins (2002–2007)
- Alabama's Longest Streak: 9 wins (1973–1981)
The most fascinating part? Home-field advantage isn't a guarantee. In the 32 games played at Bryant-Denny or Jordan-Hare, the home team has won only 18 times. That’s a 56% win rate—hardly a lock.
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What Auburn Needs to Change
To get back into the win column, Auburn has to fix their late-game execution. In 2025, they were penalized 10 times for 84 yards. You can’t beat a top-10 team when you're constantly moving backward.
The defense has been solid—allowing the fewest rushing yards since 2003—but the offense has been streaky. Finding a consistent rhythm in the fourth quarter is the only way the Tigers will ever stop the bleeding.
Your Iron Bowl Checklist
If you're heading to the next matchup or just arguing with a Bama fan at the grocery store, keep these facts in your back pocket:
- Last Auburn Win: Nov 30, 2019 (48-45)
- Current Streak: Alabama has won 6 in a row (2020-2025)
- Next Meeting: November 28, 2026
- Key Stat: Auburn has lost its last three Iron Bowls by a combined total of just 17 points.
The talent gap is closing, but the mental hurdle remains. Until Auburn can finish a game without a "miracle" happening for the other side, the 2019 highlights will continue to be the last bit of joy Tiger fans can cling to.
To prepare for the next chapter of this rivalry, keep a close eye on Auburn's recruiting trail this spring. They are heavily targeting offensive linemen, which has been their Achilles' heel in recent fourth-quarter collapses against the Tide's pass rush.