It's that time of year again - turkeys are cooking, families are reuniting and the Alabama Crimson Tide is preparing to serve a crushing defeat to the Auburn Tigers this Saturday in the annual Iron Bowl.

The long-standing rivalry between the two football teams gets millions of people excited every year.

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"As you well know, the Iron Bowl is one of the best rivalries in the country. There's a lot of people in this state and all over the nation that have great interest in this game," said Bama Head Coach Nick Saban at his weekly Monday press conference. "A lot of people have a lot of passion for their schools, which is what makes this rivalry what it is."I

The investment even extends to the two cities' most public figures. This year, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox will once again join Auburn Mayor Ron Anders in an annual Iron Bowl wager.

The bet is simple: the losing team's mayor has to make a monetary donation to the other mayor's local charity of choice.

This tradition started in 2005, when Maddox first placed the bet with former Auburn Mayor Bill Hamm. Since then, the two city's mayors have maintained their wager, only changing their charity of choice as they see fit.

Since the wager started, Tuscaloosa has taken home the win nine times to Auburn's seven. Since 2017, the winner has flipped each year, with the Crimson Tide dominating 42-13 in 2020.

If the Tide rolls over Auburn, Mayor Anders will make a $100 donation to the Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative. If the Tigers pull a surprise victory, Mayor Maddox will make a $100 donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County.

“This friendly Iron Bowl wager is one of my favorite traditions, because it makes the outcome of the matchup a win-win for Tuscaloosa and Auburn,” Mayor Maddox said. “The Tuscaloosa Pre-K Initiative and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County are both important causes, and I’m glad to help bring them some recognition. Roll Tide!”

The Alabama Crimson Tide will face the Auburn Tigers in Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday. Alabama Crimson Tide coverage can be heard on Tide 100.9 FM and 95.3 The Bear beginning at 9:30 a.m. The Tide is currently favored by 19.5 points by many popular gambling platforms.

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