College football. It brings friends together and tears families apart. It brings grown men to tears. Maybe tears of joy. Maybe tears of defeat.
Either way, there will be tears. It's Ohio State vs. Michigan. It's Army vs. Navy. It's weekend tailgating. It's the Rose Bowl. The inevitable BCS controversy. The Heisman trophy. The freshman phenoms. The senior breakouts. It's Appalachian State 34, Michigan 32. And, of course, it's the Iron Bowl.
Well my friends, it's about that time. Everyone is undefeated. This year is every team's year to go to the next level. The feeling is in the air. Soon, fans will be cursing Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso for their College Gameday predictions.
Not to mention, cursing Lou Holtz because, though we can't understand a word he says, it is bound to be wrong. There are many questions that hang over our heads.
Will this be the year Auburn ends their offensive woes and makes a BCS splash? Will Tony Franklin's offense flop against SEC defenses that are undoubtedly faster and more athletic than their Sun Belt counterparts?
Will Ohio State end their SEC slump and take home the BCS Championship? Will Nick Saban's "process" start to show results? Can the highly touted Alabama recruiting class put them over the top, or will Tide fans have to be patient? Who is this year's Kansas? Can BYU crash the BCS party?
There are infinite opinions about these questions. Who are we kidding? Even the "experts" don't know these answers. Let's be honest. No matter what your opinion is, you're probably wrong. So why bother arguing, when what we really should be doing at this point in the season is appreciating.
I pose a challenge. Let us reflect on why we love this game. Let this be a place to not be Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, or Georgia fans. Let's not talk about the Pac-10, SEC, Big 10, etc. If only for a few minutes, let us be football fans.
I invite fans of all teams and conferences to give us your best memories of football, and moments that will live forever in your heart. Allow me to begin.
Now, I haven't been around as long as most. I wasn't around for Punt Bama Punt or Bo Over the Top, though these games have a special place in my heart. There are certain games that I feel blessed to have witnessed, though.
2006 Florida @ Auburn: My brother and I had seats on the 50-yard line. These were the best seats I had ever had. When Jerraud Powers and Tristan Davis blocked Eric Wilbur's punt and Tre Smith grabbed it and flipped into the endzone to spark Auburn's comeback over the eventual National Champions, the stadium literally shook. I had trouble hearing for days!
2006 LSU @ Auburn: When the clock struck 0:00, and Auburn squeaked by with a victory, so much emotion had been poured into that game that I turned and looked at a complete stranger. And with tears flowing from both of our eyes, we must have hugged for five minutes.
2007 Chik-Fil-A Bowl - Auburn vs. Clemson: When Kodi Burns scored that game-winning fourth down touchdown, I caught a glimpse of the future. All of a sudden, Auburn football was electrifying again. What a game. It gives hope. If we can have an offense like that this year, what a year it will be.
The anticipation is killing me.
Is it opening day yet??????
5 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ebenezer Barnes 10 months ago
The second best game I ever saw was Auburn's 14-13 win over Miami in 1954. After 3 quarters the Hurricanes led 13-0. Fullback Joe Childress scored two TDs in the 4th, on his way to a 39-carry, 160-yard game. It was a case of Auburn's conditioning and perseverance overcoming Miami's skill and arrogance.
The best game on my list was played at the same place as the game mentioned above, Legion Field in Birmingham. In 1985 Alabama won over Auburn 25-23 with a 52-yd FG on the game's final play. But it was the back-and-forth offensive fireworks of that fourth quarter which stand out for me.
After 3 quarters Bama led 16-10. Auburn scored to go up 17-16, a memorable score. Bama took the lead back, 22-17. Led by Bo, Auburn scored again to go up 23-22, another memorable score. That set the stage for Shula's miracle drive leading to the winning FG.
The Iron Bowl doesn't have many one-point or two-point victories. More typical are Bama's 55-0 win in 1948 and Auburn's 40-0 win in 1957. Among the close games, Bama won 24-23 in 1996, and Auburn won 14-13 in 1949, and 17-16 in 1972. But 1985 was in my opinion the most equally matched, highly competitive game in the series, and the most impressive college football game among the hundreds I have been present for.
Ebenezer
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Nic Gulas 10 months ago
Good article.
I would have to say Alabama 31, Florida 3 in 2005 tops my list. Nothing like sitting by smug Gator fans in jorts just to watch them leave in the 3rd quarter cause they can't score a TD.
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Cameon Shiflett 10 months ago
I have been around about as long as you Chris and I would have to say they would rank as followed:
"The Catch." I know most people are going to say this but it really was the most remarkable thing I have seen in a WHILE from ANY Tide player at least.
Alabama 41, Arkansas 38. That was the SCARIEST minute of my life! Being there with all the fans and helping to cheer our team on to victory was the best experience and one I will never forget.
Iron Bowl 2007. We didn't win but some of the memories made during that game were some of the best I think I will ever have.
Auburn vs. Clemson in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. I'm not an Auburn fan but DANG THAT WAS EXCITING! Getting to scream and shout with everyone in that house on New Year's was the best!
Great read and
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Clayton 10 months ago
I couple corrections.
Jerrod Powers and Tristin Davis Blocked the punt in the florida.
And in the Chick Bowl, kodi scored in over time to win.
and you dont hug complete strangers in Jordan-Hare. We are all family.
war eagle.
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Chris Mizerany 10 months ago
My fault about the blocked punt. Tre Smith did score though. He just didn't block it. And I said fourth down touchdown, not fourth quarter. And you're right. We are family.
War Eagle.
See y'all this Saturday!
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