From today’s Daily Tailgate:

There are many “must watch!” games this holiday season, and shoving another one down your throat may cause you to explode like Mr. Creosote. But (there’s always a “but” here at the Tailgate…) this week’s Iron Bowl could turn the BCS on its nose.

First question! What’s the Iron Bowl? The name’s only been around since 1980, so it’s not like we’re spitting on tradition. In 2009, it’s not “The Iron Bowl” as much as it’s “Alabama’s last real chance to slip up.” Bama is currently second in the BCS; Auburn is barely receiving votes in the AP and USA Today polls. But there are some signs that Auburn can pull this off. The game between these two intra-state rivals dates back to 1893, and although the Crimson Tide lead the all-time series 39-33-1, Auburn has absolutely dominated the recent meetings, losing only twice (2001, 2008) since the decade began. In honor of this game, which airs on Black Friday, here are some fun numbers to keep in mind as you wish you were dead:

11  The total number of votes Auburn has in the AP and Coaches polls

2,816 The total number of votes Alabama has in same

11 The number of player and coach names that have their own Wikipedia page links in the “Notable Moments” section of the Iron Bowl’s Wikipedia page

2 The number of times Bo Jackson is mentioned in the Notable Moments

45 How many years ago the game was first broadcast on TV. Joe Namath led Alabama to a 21-14 win

1.5 The number of votes legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant received for the party’s nomination at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. 

5 The number of years John Heisman—the man whom the Heisman Trophy is named after—coached at Auburn (1895-1899)

2 The number All-Americans in the last five years with the last name “Irons” who played for Auburn (Kenny and David)

32,000,000 What Bama is paying Nick Saban in an eight-year deal. 

40,000,000 The amount former Alabama coach Mike Price sued the school ($20M) and Sports Illustrated ($20M) for after being wrongfully dismissed due to an SI story alleging he had sex in a hotel room with strippers after spending a drunken night at a Pensacola topless bar.