It’s Iron Bowl week in Alabama as the Auburn Tigers prepare to head to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a yearly tradition that just might be the most anticipated day of the year in the state.

Crimson Tide defensive lineman Tim Keenan III put in perspective just how much the game and the rivalry means to the fans and the players, likening it to ‘gang violence’ in an interview with ABC 33/40 News on Tuesday.

“I feel like the Iron Bowl is the pivotal moment for college football, especially down here in Alabama,” Keenan III said. “This is bigger than what they kind of call ‘gang violence,’ pretty much because football is a religion down here in the South, especially in Alabama, so Alabama-Auburn brings so umph to it when it’s presented to the table.”

Alabama DL Tim Keenan III on how important the Iron Bowl is @abc3340

"This is bigger than what they kind of call gang violence pretty much because football is a religion down here in the South." pic.twitter.com/izfQzIBfwA

— Chris McCulley (@ChrisMcCulleyTV) November 26, 2024

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The Tigers are trying to salvage their season and gain bowl eligibility while the Tide are trying to finish the regular season on a high note after being embarrassed in Norman last week. Auburn has not won in Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2010, but they will have the opportunity to do just that on Saturday afternoon.