This Saturday afternoon, all eyes in the college basketball community will be on Tuscaloosa as top-ranked Auburn takes on No. 2 Alabama in what promises to be one of the season’s most significant clashes, with potential implications for the NCAA Tournament looming large.

According to ESPN’s Joe Lunardi, the Tigers hold the top overall seed in his latest Bracketology forecast, while the Crimson Tide sit comfortably as the No. 2 team in the projected 68-team field. The stakes for Saturday’s highly anticipated matchup, dubbed the Iron Bowl of Basketball, couldn’t be higher.

If Alabama emerges victorious, Lunardi predicts they will swap places with Auburn for the No. 1 seed—marking the first time since before Thanksgiving that the top position has changed hands.

“It’s a showdown between the top two teams in the nation, and Alabama has narrowed the gap considerably,” Lunardi remarked during halftime of the Loyola Chicago vs. Saint Louis game on ESPN2 Friday night. “If they can defend their home court and win this game, they will secure the No. 1 seed in our next bracket, a position that hasn’t changed since Auburn won the Maui Invitational earlier in the season. Such stability at the top is rare in today’s college basketball landscape.”

“A lot is at stake for both teams. Looking at Alabama, I honestly believe their bench could make a run in the tournament. They’re exceptionally deep.”

Examining Alabama and Auburn’s Records Ahead of Saturday’s Game

As they head into this pivotal matchup, Auburn boasts an impressive 22-2 overall record, with a strong 10-1 record in SEC play. Their only two losses have come at the hands of Duke in December and Florida just last week. Between those setbacks, they maintained a robust 14-game winning streak.

Alabama closely trails in their record, arriving at Saturday’s game with a 21-3 record, also featuring a 10-1 mark in conference play. Their losses include a challenging away game against Purdue and two home defeats to Oregon and Ole Miss. Since their home loss to Ole Miss, Alabama has been on a hot streak, winning their last seven games.

This thrilling rivalry game sets the stage for an exciting showdown, with the two squads scheduled to meet again at the conclusion of the regular season on March 8 at Neville Arena. Depending on the outcomes leading up to that date, that match could also carry significant seeding implications.