Why Alabama football is taking '24-hour rule' before Iron Bowl vs Auburn

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Geno VanDeMark didn’t want to talk about what’s next.

The Alabama football offensive lineman’s day was done early in the Crimson Tide’s 56-0 win against Eastern Illinois at Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, Nov. 22. But once he exited, VanDeMark’s mind didn’t wander to Auburn, to an Iron Bowl that carried significant SEC championship or College Football Playoff implications.

“I wasn’t thinking about Auburn at all,” VanDeMark said.

And he won’t, at least for the next 24 hours. Too many good things happened. Teammates like Graham Roten got a chance to play. Alabama secured a dominant win at home on Senior Day, one where VanDeMark was surrounded by friends and family.

“You can ask me tomorrow,” VanDeMark said of the Iron Bowl rivalry.

But the message behind the Iron Bowl was left in the Alabama locker room before the Crimson Tide could leave.

Looking ahead, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said, the excitement lies in what’s ahead against Auburn. It’s where the Crimson Tide’s opportunities lie. It’s what separates Alabama from everything it has focused on for months. It’s the finish line before a new race.

“A lot of the things we have goals for are all there,” DeBoer said. “The things we set out to do at the beginning of the season or even way back in January (are) right in front of us. So go attack it, and I know we’re going to do that.”

VanDeMark heard that same message from DeBoer post game. Alabama is one game way from competing for everything it hopes for, has worked for.

“Guys got hyped up,” VanDeMark said. “And we were like, ‘Yeah, of course we would take that. Any day of the week.’”

The focus had not turned entirely.

Jam Miller is focused on the Eastern Illinois win. He’s in the midst of the 24-hour period.

But Alabama is looking forward.

“Let’s just keep going,” Miller said.

Alabama will take on Auburn at 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday Nov. 29, at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Why Alabama is taking ’24-hour rule’ before Iron Bowl vs Auburn

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