The Iron Bowl won't be televised on CBS this year.
The annual showdown between Alabama and Auburn has been a CBS fixture, but the network faced a programming dilemma this season, thanks to some fine print in its contract with the SEC.
The contract gives CBS first pick at which SEC game it wants to televise each week.
This week CBS opted for a matchup that will have a big impact on deciding which teams make the college football playoff: No. 1 Mississippi State at No. 5 Alabama.
But by selecting Mississippi State-Alabama, CBS cannot take Auburn-Alabama on Nov. 29.
A provision in the CBS contract says that each SEC team is capped at five appearances on the network during the regular season. CBS has already aired Alabama games this season against Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and LSU.
The Iron Bowl will still be televised. ESPN will carry the game. CBS will show the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss that day.
Last season's Iron Bowl featured the one of the most dramatic finishes as Auburn's Chris Davis ran 109 yards for a touchdown after Alabama's field goal attempt fell short on the final play of the game. It gave No. 5 Auburn a 34-28 win against No. 1 Alabama, and the Tigers went on to play in the SEC championship game and the BCS national championship game.
