And maybe the most lucrative. The coffers of bars and restaurants that are typically dormant until spring will be filled like on a fall afternoon, too. In late December, Auburn and Purdue met at Legacy Arena in Birmingham and created an estimated $1.5 million impact, according to the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Saturday cannot come soon enough. No. 2 Alabama basketball's next game is at home against No. 1 Auburn, in perhaps the most anticipated Iron Bowl of Basketball

Auburn and Alabama will take perhaps the biggest step in the basketball rivalry on Saturday, when they’ll make Southeastern Conference history as the first No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup in league history.

Who has the edge in the looming No. 1 vs. 2 college basketball showdown between Nate Oats Alabama and Bruce Pearl Auburn? ESPN gives its game odds.

The first ever No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in SEC history will take place in the state of Alabama. Watch a cinematic trailer for Auburn vs Alabama