What is Wrong With the Alabama Fans?

I can remember it now. "No dad, I don't want to watch football with you. I want to go outside and play. Oh! The Iron Bowl? I'll be right there!"

For you see...it was the boys in class that sparked an interest inside of me. The boy named Trey who sat in the desk beside me who wore that ugly orange hat with the dark blue AU on it. I didn't know what it meant exactly , but I knew (was taught from birth) that it was bad. The sign of evil.

It was in this period of my life that I found the greatest joy a true Alabama native could enjoy. The one thing that brought pure bliss to the heart. The look in the eye as you exclaim to them, "We beat you guys!"

The brow would always close in creating a crease in the skin from hair to nose. "Just wait until next year!" This would normally be shouted at you as the Auburn fan walked away. Even more reason to smile.

Then of course, a couple of years later, the reverse was true. Standing on the playground the chant would start again. "We beat you guys!" Only this time, I was the one who had to hear these words.

Gathering my dignity, I would yell with all the strength I could muster in my shattered soul, "Wait until next year!"

I am a lot older now, and I have come to learn the truth about Alabama football. It is my religion. Second to none. If the game were played on Sundays, I would bribe the minister to finish early so I could get home in time to see it. I have also realized the true meaning of the Iron Bowl. It is not a religion, it is a simple matter of life and death.

When Alabama beats Auburn, all is right in the universe. The planets align and the Bama fans are reassured that the Tide is and forever will be the dominant program in the state. We have been robbed of this reassurance as of late. Almost as if Zeus himself has cast thunderbolts onto the field in damnation of our false religion.

It has been a long and painful period. Six years is almost too much to bear. You would think that many would lose hope, and a handful have. The universe is tilted, the Tide has been losing to its nemesis. The true believers however always knew that the past streak would and should come to an end.

Now the time is upon us. Vengeance is at hand. It is within a week. I can smell it, I can taste it.  I can feel the steel against my teeth as I bite at the bit.

If you raise your hand at sunrise to block the rays of light, for just a moment you can see beyond the horizon this week. You can see the promised land. A land flowing with milk and tiger blood. A land called victory. It is, of course, next door to Sabanation.

But what is this I see? A cloud moving in? A dark cloud that is overshadowing the tiny glimpse I can just barely make out. What is it?

Alabama Fans!

So quick to jump the gun. So anxious to get to the SEC championship. So nervous about Florida's potent offense. They are dimming the light. Blocking the sun from illuminating an eagle's carcass. Curse you!

What is wrong with these fans? Have they forgotten winning games is what has earned the national repect Alabama is basking in? The number one ranking did not appear because we decided to look a game ahead and count out our current opponent. It was earned. Every single yard of it.

By the sweat of our brow and the concentration on that which lay before us. Not next week. Now! Finish the play, finish the game.

If Alabama loses to Auburn this week, I will blame the fans.

Florida will wait. Auburn is now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G3yIIJPGFM