Steve Sarkisian admits bringing Alabama into Jordan-Hare Stadium is 'probably the toughest place to play in the country'

Steve Sarkisian is one of the few people in college football to give an opinion on what the best rivalry in college football is. He has coached in two of the best, Texas–Oklahoma and the Iron Bowl. Now the head coach for Texas, Sarkisian was previously the Alabama offensive coordinator.

Just one trip to the Plains took place during his time with the Crimson Tide. And Sarkisian still has memories of the Auburn crowd back in 2019. He believes when the Iron Bowl is inside Jordan-Hare Stadium, nothing is tougher.

“When you’re at Alabama and you go to Auburn, probably the toughest place to play in the country,” Sarkisian said Tuesday at SEC Media Days. “That game, in particular, as an opponent, going into Jordan-Hare Stadium — it’s one of the loudest things I’ve ever heard.”

Jordan-Hare Stadium was certainly loud when Sarkisian was calling plays in 2019. Alabama was still technically alive for the College Football Playoff at the time, entering the game at No. 5 in the CFP rankings. A win against Auburn could have put Nick Saban‘s squad into the field despite not even playing in the SEC Championship game.

Sarkisian was dealing with a backup quarterback as well. While Mac Jones turned into a star the following year, struggles took place in the 2019 Iron Bowl, playing for an injured Tua Tagovailoa. Jones threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns but two interceptions, both of which were pick-sixes, ignited the crowd to a new level.

Auburn wound up winning the game in dramatic fashion, another historic moment for the program. Fans rushed the field to celebrate and the party ensued. Rivalry wins always mean a little extra but ending the regular season with an Iron Bowl win just hits a little bit different.

Sarkisian did get his revenge a year later, just in a quieter setting. He was the acting head coach for Saban due to COVID-19, leading Alabama into a lightly filled Bryant-Denny Stadium. A victory that Alabama used to eventually win the national championship with Jones as the quarterback.

Texas has yet to make the trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium as a member of the SEC. Auburn was not on the 2024 schedule and will not be in 2025 due to opponents being the same, just flipped venues. The potential is certainly there whenever the SEC decides to release the 2026 schedule. If things come together, Sarkisian knows his team will be walking into an incredible atmosphere.