The SEC has no shortage of great rivalries, but there’s a reason why the Iron Bowl is among the conference’s best matchups. Auburn and Alabama fans always keep things heated, and the football is equally watchable.
This year’s edition looks wildly different from what anyone expected. Alabama (9–2) enters the game fighting for its playoff life under second-year coach Kalen DeBoer. After a stunning upset loss to Oklahoma threatened to derail their season, the Crimson Tide needs a win in Auburn to keep their SEC Championship and College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Meanwhile, Auburn (5–6) has found a new spark amidst the chaos. Following the firing of Hugh Freeze earlier this month, interim coach D.J. Durkin has rallied the team behind true freshman quarterback Deuce Knight. With bowl eligibility on the line, the Tigers would love nothing more than to play spoiler at home. Here’s what you need to know about how to watch the Iron Bowl and catch every snap of the 2025 showdown.
What time is the Iron Bowl?
Alabama has had some uncharacteristic dips in Kalen DeBoer’s second season, and they’re entering the Iron Bowl on a bumpy trajectory. The momentum from big wins earlier in the year was sapped after a stunning upset loss to Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide’s thin playoff hopes now depend entirely on their ability to come out hot against Auburn.
As for the Tigers, nothing screams ‘chaos’ quite like a mid-season head coach firing. But Auburn has found new life under interim coach D.J. Durkin, and after a massive win last week, the only thing standing between them and bowl eligibility is the Crimson Tide.
Alabama vs. Auburn will be on Saturday, November 29. The 2025 Iron Bowl will air on ABC at 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET) live from Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.
How To Watch the 2025 Iron Bowl
vs. 
Date: Saturday, Nov. 29
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Location: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala.
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Auburn vs. Alabama Iron Bowl 2025 preview
The stakes for this year’s Iron Bowl go far beyond bragging rights. Auburn needs a win to clinch bowl eligibility, while Alabama’s thin playoff odds depend on a win over a re-energized Tigers squad.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the key stats and storylines about Alabama vs. Auburn as we head into the 2025 Iron Bowl.
Auburn vs. Alabama by the stats
| Stat | Auburn | Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN FPI | 24th | 5th |
| Passing yards per game | 191.5 | 292.5 |
| Rushing yards per game | 179.1 | 123.3 |
| Points scored per game | 27.4 | 33.8 |
| Rushing defense | 94.0 | 121.8 |
| Passing defense | 239.6 | 148.6 |
| Points allowed per game | 20.1 | 16.2 |
Can the Auburn freshman phenom do it again?
Auburn’s season was on life support until quarterback Deuce Knight injected some serious electricity into the offense last week. In his first career start against Mercer, Knight looked like a custom-built video game character, accounting for a ridiculous six total touchdowns (four rushing, two passing) and 401 total yards. He’s got the Tigers playing loose and fast, finally giving this offense the dual-threat identity it’s been missing all year.
The big question is whether Knight can replicate that magic against an SEC defense that actually tackles. While Knight stole the show, running back Jeremiah Cobb has been the quiet engine of this offense, racking up 936 rushing yards at a solid 5.7 yards per clip this season. Auburn’s ground game is its best asset, ranking 41st nationally with 179.1 yards per game. If they can establish the run early, they might just keep Alabama’s offense on the sideline long enough to make things interesting.
Alabama needs a bounce-back from Ty Simpson
The story of Alabama’s season has been dominance punctuated by baffling mistakes. That was on full display in November 15’s 23–21 loss to Oklahoma. The Tide actually outgained the Sooners 406 to 212, but three brutal turnovers completely torpedoed their chances. Quarterback Ty Simpson put up 326 yards through the air, but his costly interception and the team’s two lost fumbles were the difference.
Despite the hiccups, Alabama’s roster is still loaded. Simpson has quietly put together a stellar campaign (2,934 yards, 22 TDs), and sophomore wideout Ryan Williams continues to be a walking highlight reel. The real mismatch here is Alabama’s defense, which is allowing just 16.2 points per game (10th in the nation). If they can force the freshman Knight into a few rookie missteps, the Tide should be able to suffocate Auburn’s attack and add another tally to the win column.
How to watch Iron Bowl FAQ
When is the Iron Bowl?
The 2025 edition of Auburn vs. Alabama will be on Saturday, Nov. 29 and air at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
What channel is Auburn vs. Alabama on?
The 2025 Iron Bowl will air on ABC. This will be the second consecutive year the matchup will appear on the Disney-owned network.
Where can I watch the Iron Bowl for free?
With the 2025 Iron Bowl on ABC, you can watch it for free over the air using a digital antenna. You can also stream it for free by signing up for a Fubo free trial, which includes your local ABC station in most markets.
What radio station is the Iron Bowl on?
You can listen to the Alabama broadcast on the Crimson Tide Sports Network (Chris Stewart on play-by-play) or the Auburn call on the Auburn Sports Network (featuring Andy Burcham). Both feeds are typically available to stream for free via dedicated app partners and TuneIn. If you have SiriusXM, look for the game on SEC Radio (ch. 374) or the dedicated team channels.
Why you should trust us
To create this guide, CableTV.com senior writer Eric Chiu reviewed the official broadcast schedule for the Iron Bowl to determine the best ways to watch Alabama vs. Auburn. He cross-referenced the matchup’s kickoff time and channel assignment with official SEC announcements and press releases. Finally, he applied his first-person analysis to the on-field matchup, giving you an in-depth preview ahead of game day.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
