AUBURN, Ala.- The Iron Bowl has gotten more important for both the Auburn Tigers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Auburn is fighting for a bowl berth, and Alabama will be fighting for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Alabama football's 23-21 loss to Oklahoma places high stakes on the upcoming Iron Bowl, much like the Crimson Tide's last trip to Auburn in 2023.

The Alabama Crimson Tide has to take a long look in the mirror following Saturday's loss against the Oklahoma Sooners, and Alabama can still achieve everything it set out to do back in August. But the last two games of the season are now must-win games.

Eli Bowen returned an interception 87 yards for a touchdown, Kip Lewis had two sacks and Oklahoma snapped ’Bama’s 17-game home winning streak while handing its second-year coach, Kalen DeBoer, his first loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama had won eight in a row overall since getting blown out at Florida State in its opener.

The journey of Alabama's season didn't change much with loss to Oklahoma, but vibes were harpooned and perception polluted.

Freeze is one of three full-time head coaches since 1948 to finish a tenure without a win against Auburn, joining Bryan Harsin and Doug Barfield. Cadillac Williams also led Auburn to a loss to Alabama as interim coach in 2022 as did Bill Oliver in 1998.

College Football Enquirer co-hosts Andy Staples, Steven Godfrey and Ross Dellenger discuss how Alabama's recent loss to Oklahoma will now set up a massive showdown against Auburn. Will Alabama be able to keep their College Football Playoff dreams alive?

Cups are available on every Monday leading up to the Iron Bowl via the Chick-fil-A. Auburn cups will be available on Nov. 10, Alabama on Nov. 17 and finally an Iron Bowl-themed cup on Nov. 24. To get one, Chick-fil-A One members just need to place a mobile order on the Chick-fil-A app.

Should Texas A&M and Alabama meet, the Aggies would have locked in a top-4 seed and opening-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Texas A&M could even overtake top-ranked Ohio State with 13-0 finish given the strength of schedule.

The new SEC Power Rankings are here after a chaotic week. Oklahoma's huge win over Bama has completely shaken up the top 10, while Kentucky continues to climb.