Since Nick Saban took over at Alabama, the Iron Bowl has become even bigger because the stakes have become bigger.

Saturday will mark the fifth time in the past 10 seasons that this yearly rivalry has featured two ranked teams. From 2009-13, the winner of the Iron Bowl went on to play in the BCS National Championship Game.

As with any good college football rivalry, this series has featured its share of memorable moments. A few of those moments have spurred upsets, but we decided to dig a little deeper.

Beginning with Saban’s start at Alabama, we are going to look at how often the Iron Bowl favorite covered the betting line and how that game played out. With this year’s line favoring the Crimson Tide by 17.5-20 points depending on when and where you bet, this will hopefully provide some meaningful information.

Let’s get to it.

2007 betting line: Auburn -4.5

Outcome: Auburn 17, Alabama 10 (Covered)

Saban didn’t get off to a blistering start in his first season with the Crimson Tide. Like most first-year coaches, his team underwent a few growing pains as it became accustomed to new expectations. Alabama finished 7-6 in 2007 and fell to No. 25 Auburn 17-10 in the Iron Bowl.

The Tigers scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with just under four minutes remaining to take the lead. They held on for their sixth consecutive victory over the Crimson Tide, their longest streak in the series. As the home favorite, Auburn covered the betting line.

2008 betting line: Alabama -14.5

Outcome: Alabama 36, Auburn 0 (Covered)

In 2008, Alabama was favored by the game’s largest margin in more than 15 years. It was the Crimson Tide’s first victory over Auburn in Tuscaloosa in series history (they lost the first four at Bryant-Denny after moving their Iron Bowl home game from Birmingham), and helped reassert the team’s claim as the nation’s top team.

Alabama scored three touchdowns in the third quarter, including two by a freshman running back named Mark Ingram, to seal the victory and keep Auburn out of a bowl game for the first time in nine years. Despite the large betting line, Alabama covered with ease, winning by the biggest margin since 1962.

2009 betting line: Alabama -10

Outcome: Alabama 26, Auburn 21 (Won, but bid not cover)

Alabama continued its march toward its first national championship under Saban with a 5-point victory over Auburn, which entered unranked and 7-4. The game wasn’t nearly as clean a performance as those we’ve come to expect from the Crimson Tide, but a win is all that mattered.

Trailing by one in the fourth quarter, Alabama orchestrated a final drive that lasted nearly seven minutes and covered 79 yards. The Crimson Tide took the lead on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy to Roy Upchurch. It won but did not cover the 10-point spread.

2010 betting line: Alabama -3.5

Outcome: Auburn 28, Alabama 27 (Lost, did not cover)

For the first time under Saban, Alabama lost to Auburn at home. The Crimson Tide had already lost twice that season and entered the game ranked No. 11, while the Tigers were the nation’s No. 2 team.

One of the most entertaining games in this rivalry, Auburn stormed back from a 24-point deficit behind a memorable performance from Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and preserved its national championship season. Although the Tigers were the higher-ranked team, Alabama was favored by Vegas.

2011 betting line: Alabama -21

Outcome: Alabama 42, Auburn 14 (Covered)

The lone blemish on Alabama’s record entering this matchup was the 9-6 loss to LSU in “The Game of the Century.” Auburn entered ranked No. 24 and with a 14-game winning streak at home, but that wasn’t enough to slow down the Tide, who were on their way to winning a second national title under Saban.

Alabama jumped out to a 24-7 lead before halftime and cruised to victory behind a career day from Trent Richardson and a big game from AJ McCarron. The Crimson Tide entered this matchup as heavy favorites but easily covered.

2012 betting line: Alabama -34

Outcome: Alabama 49, Auburn 0 (Covered)

Alabama entered as the biggest favorite in Iron Bowl history. The defending national champions were ranked No. 2 and faced an Auburn team that was 3-8 and winless in conference play.

AJ McCarron led the way, throwing for four touchdowns and helping lead Alabama to the biggest margin of victory in the Iron Bowl in 64 years. The Crimson Tide were heavy favorites, but they easily surpassed those expectations.

2013 betting line: Alabama -10

Outcome: Auburn 34, Alabama 28 (Lost, did not cover)

After a string of down years, No. 4 Auburn entered with only one loss and plenty of confidence against the No. 1-ranked Tide. Boasting a powerful running attack and a sense of destiny after a slew of close wins over talented teams, the Tigers were ready to topple Alabama.

This game is easily one of the most memorable Iron Bowls in history. Chris Davis’ famous (or infamous, depending on the color of your jersey) Kick-Six is one of college football’s wildest game-winning plays. It helped propel Auburn to its second national championship appearance in four seasons.

2014 betting line: Alabama -9.5

Outcome: Alabama 55, Auburn 44 (Covered)

Another back and forth Iron Bowl, this game was the highest scoring in series history. Alabama overcame as 12-point second half deficit, scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter to reclaim bragging rights in this rivalry.

This offensive showing helped Alabama earn a berth in the first College Football Playoff, which ended in a semifinal loss to Ohio State.

2015 betting line: Alabama -14.5

Outcome: Alabama 29, Auburn 13 (Covered)

Last year’s Iron Bowl didn’t have the same stakes as in the previous years, but it was still a one-possession game entering the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Alabama prevailed in a game in which it kicked five field goals.

The Crimson Tide’s victory did cover the spread, but only by a very narrow margin. Alabama was the more talented team, but the Tigers stuck with them.

2016 betting line: Alabama -17.5

After Auburn’s loss to Georgia, this game lost the significance of deciding the SEC West winner. Alabama is No. 1 and once again looks unbeatable, but Auburn has the talent to spoil the Crimson Tide’s march toward an undefeated season.

The favorite has covered the spread in six out of the nine contests since Saban became the Crimson Tide’s head coach. But Alabama has twice lost the game despite being favored, and it failed to cover one other time as a favorite.

Saturday’s Iron Bowl carries another big line. History suggests anything can happen.