It's All About The Fans!!! Alabama Vs. Auburn

Ahhh, finally...my first article. I am as thrilled to put it out there as I am scared of the comments I may receive behind the woodshed.

First things first, a little insight into my background to make sure that everyone can fully appreciate where these observations are coming from. I was born in Alabama, raised an Alabama fan, graduated from Auburn University, and I'm currently live in the Auburn area. I am still a huge Alabama fan, but through my experiences of dealing with both sets of fans, I feel we need a voice of reason to help along the same tired arguments that Alabama and Auburn fans have been having for decades.

I will start off by lecturing my own brethren first. Roll Tide faithful, I love your passion and exuberance for Alabama football, but I am tired of hearing the same old "12 national championships", "Bear Bryant", etc. as a response to any argument from anybody who is not an Alabama fan. 

I am very proud of the things I just listed, However,  there comes a time when we at least need to move into the most recent decade, and into the future. I am not saying don't be proud of these things, or don't talk about them, but when used as a bragging tool or a response to an argument they are simply absurd. If you truly believe that Alabama has been, is now, and will forever be a nationally relevant team, then you should realize that everybody is well aware of the 12 national championships and The Bear, and you don't need to remind them. 

Also, can we get a reality check of the Alabama fans who claim that they actually pull for Auburn when they play outside of the conference? Please, I can honestly say that as far back as I can remember I haven't seen Auburn lose a single game that didn't result in a huge grinch-like smile on my face. 

Next thing,  please use a little common sense or do some research before you start spouting off at the mouth about how we are going to win every single week, destroy every opponent, and every year we are going to win number 13. Again, I love the excitement, the passion, and the never-breaking spirit. However, I think a little humble-pie from time to time wouldn't hurt. 

Cow College, it's your turn!!! Are you mad yet? Why? I have yet to figure out why Auburn fans don't embrace the Cow College label from Alabama fans. Auburn has one hell of an agricultural college as well as a "tops" large (and small) veterinary schools. Hell, If I were a wise enough businessman I would turn "cow college" into a huge marketing campaign. 

First things first for all of you Aubbies. I love the fact that you are enthusiastic and have high hopes heading into every single season, no matter what has transpired. However, the "Auburn Family" needs quit taking their marching orders from Bobby Lowder and Pat Dye. It was ridiculous to hear everyone flip flop on how great a coach Tuberville was, to how terrible a coach he was, simply based on whether Auburn won or lost the previous week. I never had such a complex when it came to Mike Shula. Anyways, Tuberville's gone so hopefully that won't happen again with Chizik (assuming he doesn't get fired after six games).

The biggest problem I have with Auburn fans is the statement that Alabama fans are a bunch of toothless rednecks that never even went to school there. Here is the main question that you must ask yourself... "Do I honestly believe that more Auburn alumnus attend Auburn football games than Alabama alumnus attend Alabama games?" I am sure that the percentage is fairly close. 

Now, I do believe that there are more Alabama fans that didn't go to school there, or anywhere, than there are Auburn fans who didn't go to school at Auburn. However, your premise is completely absurd, and if you don't believe me, then tell all of your kids or grand kids that are of high school age or younger that they can't be Auburn fans or cheer for Auburn since they haven't gone to school there.

Now, do you still have a problem with Alabama fans who didn't attend the University of Alabama? I do have to say though that Auburn fans do a much better job at approaching each game individually and giving the opposing team a realistic look, and that is something i do appreciate. I do have one huge problem with Auburn fans. When I hear an Auburn fan say, "I would be satisfied with 7-8 wins each year as long as we beat Alabama." It drives me insane to think that there is a fan out there who would settle for nothing better than mediocrity as long as they beat their rival.

Overall,  I like the people in and around Auburn (more so in the off-season). That is why I chose to go to school here, and why I still reside in the area. I believe that both sides    (for the most part) suffer from major complexes. Alabama fans seem to pretend that the last ten years were a dream that never occurred, and that one blow-out win in the iron bowl magically erases six straight losses. Auburn fans need to quit worrying about whether or not Alabama's fans attended school there, and start figuring out a way to even get back to bowl game. 

Both teams have fans that are an embarrassment, however, both teams also have fans that have gone on to do extraordinary things that you and I could only dream about (i.e. walking on the moon, serving in a presidential cabinet) Look, we are mostly all from Alabama,  and we were instilled with a lot of the same down-home values. Honestly, if we all got together during the off-season and could talk about anything but football, I am pretty sure that we would all get along.