The 1993 Sports Illustrated Special Collector’s Edition featured Auburn Tigers’ perfect season, with Ace Atkins standing over Danny Wuerffel.

In the world of college football, certain seasons stand out not only because of their on-field achievements but also because of the images, stories, and moments that define them. One such season that still lingers in the memories of many college football fans is the 1993 Auburn Tigers football season. Known for their incredible undefeated record, the Tigers’ journey to an unblemished season was immortalized in a special issue of Sports Illustrated that year. The cover, featuring an unforgettable image of Auburn linebacker Ace Atkins standing over Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, became a symbol of the fierce competition and dramatic clashes that defined college football in the 1990s.

The Auburn Tigers’ 1993 Perfect Season

The 1993 Auburn Tigers football team, under the leadership of head coach Terry Bowden, produced one of the most remarkable seasons in the program’s history. Their record for the season was 11-0, a stunning achievement in the rugged Southeastern Conference (SEC), which at the time was home to some of the toughest teams in college football. The Tigers’ undefeated season was even more impressive when considering the caliber of opponents they faced, and the high level of play required to navigate a schedule that featured conference rivals, ranked teams, and national contenders.

Despite the remarkable record, Auburn was notably left out of the inaugural BCS Championship game, due in part to the system’s failure to adequately reward teams with perfect records from strong conferences that didn’t win the SEC title. The BCS system was still in its infancy, and debates over how the college football postseason should be determined were at a high point. However, even with the national championship game out of reach, the Tigers’ performance that season was undeniable.