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The Iron Bowl will be the Texas A&M football team’s biggest game of 2021

By Jack Williams

Nov 30, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Players look on after a collision between Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Trevon Diggs (7) and Auburn Tigers wide receiver Seth Williams (18) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2019; Auburn, AL, USA; Players look on after a collision between Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Trevon Diggs (7) and Auburn Tigers wide receiver Seth Williams (18) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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I know what you’re thinking — the Texas A&M football team doesn’t play in the Iron Bowl. Though the Aggies look like they’re on their way to creating one of the best rivalries in sports with the Alabama Crimson Tide, there is no name for the yearly contest between these two teams.

Still, the Iron Bowl, which features Auburn and Alabama, might be the most important game of the season for the Texas A&M football team. Here’s why.

To make a long story short, the Aggies are no longer in control of their own destiny. In reality, they haven’t been since their first SEC matchup against Arkansas, where they lost in excruciating fashion. Thankfully, they’ve got as good of a bet as you can get to knock off the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The Texas A&M football team needs the Auburn Tigers to defeat the Alabama Crimson Tide to make it to Atlanta

Technically speaking, Jimbo Fisher does not need Alabama to lose to Auburn specifically in order for his team to make it to the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Heck, if LSU or Arkansas beat ‘Bama, that would actually be better for the Aggies, who have not yet secured the second-place tiebreaker.

But let’s be honest here — in their heart, does anybody believe that LSU or Arkansas can knock off Alabama. Granted, the Razorbacks have been a sneaky team, knocking off a top ten ranked Texas A&M team earlier this year. Even LSU could pose a big threat, as his contest against Alabama will be one of his last big games as head coach in Baton Rouge.

Still, Auburn is the only squad among this list — scratch that — the only squad in the SEC who has consistently given Alabama trouble in recent years. Heck, they’re the only team in the entire country who seemingly has the blueprint to knock off the Tide on any given year.

The last four contests between these teams have flip-flopped, with Alabama taking last year’s contest. If the pattern continues, the Tigers will beat Nick Saban and hand the Tide their second loss of the season.

Last year, Auburn didn’t just get beat though — they were completely throttled in Tuscaloosa, losing as a ranked team by 29 points. This year, however, Auburn will get the game on their home turn, which could open the door for a more interesting matchup.

That said, there’s no other path to the SEC Championship Game for the Texas A&M football team. Alabama needs to lose if Texas A&M wants a chance and this is their best shot.

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Time will tell, but Texas A&M’s SEC Championship chances, College Football Playoff chances, and National Championship chances all rely on this game.