Alabama has "9" Auburn Looking For "7th" In 2008

For the school down the road the Iron Bowl has been a wonderful feeling as of late, culminating from six straight victory's over their cross state rival.  As for the Alabama Crimson Tide its been a bitter pill to swallow.  That was not always the case however.  Alabama and Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, had enjoyed to their fullest a rein of supremacy over Auburn for nearly a decade from 1973 - 1981. A nine game win streak that had begun two years before the retirement in 1975 of Legendary head coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan, for which his name adorns the stadium.  The streak continued under the leadership of Doug Barfield (1976 - 1981).  Coach Barfield at times had very competitive teams, but like former Bama Coach Bill Curry, he could not beat his arch rival ('87 to '89).

Auburn will kick off the 2008 season August 30th hosting UL Monroe, a team that traveled to T-town and dismantled the hype of Bama head honcho Nick Saban, and his  Crimson Tide during home coming in '07.  No disrespect to Monroe, but this will not happen on Pat Dye field in Jordan Hare Stadium.  For Auburn it will be one game at a time like always; however you can bet this years version of the Iron Bowl will be in the back of the coaches and the players minds after each game.  Like it or not this game is played in the hearts and minds of fans in the State of Alabama 365 days year.  The players and coaches understand this on both sides and accept it.  Tuberville and his Tigers will do everything possible to take another Iron Bowl victory in order to continue righting the ship.  Why is so much riding on one game?  It's simple, lets take a small look back into some more history shall we? 

Once upon a time this game had begun a little more gentlemanly than the way it's realized today. It was like two friends competing for the same prom date until push comes to shove.  Then in 1907 an argument about gate receipts ended the annual game until it's continuance in 1949, only after the two university presidents agreed to resume the game.   Auburn had begun their program in 1893 playing teams like Georgia, the oldest deep south football game, GA Tech its second oldest rivalry and Clemson among other traditional powers. Auburn had undefeated seasons winning back to back titles in 1913 and 1914 then again in 1957.  While Alabama had begun with teams like Birmingham High School,  record versus BHS? 1-1-0, but had moved on to some great years winning their first national title in 1961 coached by none other than Bear Bryant. Bama will claim many more national titles but that untruth will be exposed another day. Both Auburn and Bama celebrated good years, both suffered bad ones.  But it was'nt until 1976 that the Crimson Tide began to separate itself from Auburn and take advantage of the absence of Shug Jordan.  By the time the nine games had past and a new statesman of college football  was about to emerge on the plains of Auburn.  The damage to Auburn's reputation as a football power in the state had all but consumed the Auburn mindset.  Many believed including Bear Bryant himself; Auburn was no longer capable of beating Alabama; however, that did not deter Pat Dye from believing that he could and would change the Auburn Tiger football program back to perinial power and prominence.  In 1981 Coach Dye and Auburn once again would take to the field in Birmingham's Legion Field.  Dye a former assistant coach under Bear Bryant gave his former boss a warning.  "Coach I love and respect ya, but Auburn people are not scared of you or Alabama anymore".  Even though Auburn lost a hard fought game, bama fans and the Bear new the complection of Auburn football was changing.  The 1982 season brought even more promise of Auburn's future.  Pat's men beat Bear's boy's 23-22 in the Iron Bowl.  Two weeks later Bryant announced his retirement, one month after the Tides Liberty Bowl victory of Illinois the Bear was dead.  But not the name calling the Bama fans and coaches had become so accustomed to. Which had begun out of the mouth of the Bear, such as "The school down the road."  He so hated Auburn he would not dare say the name in public.  "Cow college" continues to be used today.  Heck, I thought everyone liked steak? 

 I believe it's worth noting that prior to Bear Bryant and after the hiring of Pat Dye Auburn leads the series. Now that Tommy Tuberville and Auburn is the dominant power of the state concerning college football, Auburn has closed the win - loss gap to five, hoping to someday reclaim the advantage.  Will 2008 bring another victory for Auburn, or will Bama once again stick a finger in the eye of the Tiger's? No one really knows for now, but as Tuberville stated in an interview earlier this year. "Its fun for the Auburn people.  We will enjoy it while it last's.  The streak won't last forever but that's what makes this game so special." Here's to you Tommy and the Tiger nation, enjoy this blessing to the fullest but do it with class and humility as you always have.  Remember the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, just ask Bama.

In the words of former Auburn play by play announcer the late Jim Fyff;          

 "My time is up and I thank you for yours, War Eagle everybody!!"