Iron Bowl thoughts and the national title game
Published 1:23 pm Monday, November 29, 2010
Good afternoon Brewton area sports fans! I hope your Thanksgiving and your weekend was a great one.
It has been awhile since I have posted a blog but today I thought I would discuss the biggest sporting event from the state that happened this Friday—the Iron Bowl.
What another classic this game was in the storied history of the Iron Bowl.
In the first half it was the Tide’s game. Alabama was hitting on all cylinders and seemed like it was on a mission as they led 24-7 at the half.
In the second half, it was just the opposite as Auburn outscored Alabama 21-3 to get the win by one point and keep their national title hopes alive.
The game was almost similar to last year as Alabama was the No. 2-ranked team playing at Auburn and the Tigers built the early lead only to see the Tide comeback at the end and get the win en route to their 13th National Championship.
Last year, Bama’s win was nicknamed “The Drive” as the Tide, trailing 21–10 with 8:27 remaining, marched down the field on a 15-play, 79-yard drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown pass from Greg McElroy to Roy Upchurch. Alabama took the lead 26–21 with 1:27 remaining and held on for the win.
This year, Auburn’s comeback win has been tabbed as “The Cam-back” as the win was led by quarterback Cam Newton. The Tigers came back from a 24–0 second quarter deficit to win 28–27.
It was both the largest comeback in the history of Auburn football and the largest comeback ever allowed in Alabama football history.
Since 1893, the Crimson Tide and Tigers have played 75 times. Alabama leads the all-time series, with 40 wins to Auburn’s 34, with one tie. The game has been played in four cities: Auburn, Birmingham, Montgomery, and Tuscaloosa. Alabama leads the series in Birmingham (34–18–1). Auburn leads the series in Tuscaloosa (7–1–0) and Auburn (7–3–0). The series is tied in Montgomery (2–2–0).
I am Alabama fan. Although I was frustrated at the way Alabama let the win slip away Friday, I am not ashamed to admit that.
I might get in trouble for saying this but I am pulling for Auburn to now win the SEC championship game Saturday over South Carolina and to go on to win the national championship game against the Ducks of Oregon (unless they slip up this week against Oregon State).
How awesome would it be to have back-to-back national champions from the state of Alabama and possibly back-to-back Heisman winners from the state?
With that, the state of Alabama could stake its claim of being the best football state in the nation.
The last time Auburn went undefeated and was this close to playing in the title game was 2004. Although they were shafted and not allowed to play in the title game, I pulled for them.
Yes, I was pulling for Bama to get the win Saturday and hand the Tigers their first defeat, but since they defeated my Tide, I think it would only be right for them to win it all now.
In the current BCS title game format, this will be the 13th game with the SEC having won six titles and currently the last four. With an Auburn win, the SEC can claim its seventh title and its fifth straight. How about the Tigers winning to not only give the state of Alabama its recent dominance but the SEC to continue its?
Well, I hope your Monday has went good for you so far and that Alabama fans and Auburn fans are back talking to each other.
Until we meet again here or out in the world of sports, God bless.