Somehow, Alabama Beating Auburn Feels Different to Me

I have been waiting for this game all year, all Alabama fans have. Any of the NCAA advantages that Auburn has had were now in the past, and I wanted Tommy Tuberville and the Auburn Nation to feel what it is like to play a full strength Alabama team.

You see, I am a firm believer that it has not been Auburn beating Alabama these last six years, it was the NCAA. 

Anyone who thinks losing 21 scholarships over a three-year period doesn't affect a football program's ability to compete just has to look at Alabama over the last six years!

It affects it not only for the three years you serve the penalty, its effects are felt for several years after, as the inferior recruiting classes work their way through your football program.

For the last six years, while Alabama worked its way back from NCAA purgatory, Auburn and its fans have had it easy. Beating up on a helpless and handicapped Alabama team must have been fun for them. I knew that fun would end Nov. 29, 2008.

Believe me it did! The Tide dominated every phase of the 2008 Iron Bowl. The final score (36-0) did not come close to reflecting what happened Saturday, as Alabama dominated Auburn completely.

I will have to admit I took great joy in watching Alabama shred Auburn in a shutout, and I also took great joy in watching Alabama's players celebrate. It was they that suffered most during this time.

But for myself, I came away from the game with a feeling I just wasn't expecting. I just felt normal.

I think most older Alabama fans would tell you the same thing; it feels normal to be beating Auburn again.

There was no charging out on the field by the fans, there was no finger wagging by our coach or players. Just people shaking hands and congratulating each other, and yelling Rammer Jammer and Roll Tide! 

Yes, things are back to normal at Alabama, and now Alabama and its fans can focus on what Alabama is really all about: Championships!

Now that all the demons are exercised, let's head to Atlanta and win another SEC Championship, and if we are successful there, lets go to Miami and bring home our 13th National Championship!

Roll Tide!

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