Letting out a little steam after the Iron Bowl...
... though I'm not a huge football fan, I sometimes can be. Hard to explain. I don't practice it like a religion, but it's nice to "root root root for the hometeam" (yes, I know, borrowing from another sport). And the University of Alabama has always been the hometeam, as long as I can remember. I even had one of those little cheerleading outfits when I was 3 or 4 I believe, though my parents are hardly hardcore either. My dad (visibly winces) has been known to root for Auburn at the Iron Bowl when they stand a chance of heading to the SEC championship... which mildly irritates me as it's something I'd never do.
And while I know it's been rough these past few years (at least for the last five that the game's been held at Bryant-Denny), I do want to reflect on some simple facts:
- Alabama has 12 National Championships;
- 21 SEC Championships;
- and the legacy of the winningest coach in college football history.
For amusement, here are a few of Auburn facts, in comparison. Just... for the record:
What is Auburn Football?
- It is the 1/2 national championship in 113 years of playing football
- It is the hope that one day, Auburn will win a national title without sharing it or being on probation
- It is believing 2 Heisman Trophies = 2 National Championships
- It is knowing that only one other school in the NCAA has been put on probation more times
- It is having the same amount of SEC championships as Georgia Tech, who left the SEC 40 years ago
- It is watching Bama blow your team out the day after your quarterback wins the Heisman.
- It is winning your only national championship during a probation year.
- It is holding up four fingers at the end of the 4th quarter because Bama does it.
- It is having 5 SEC Championships in 107 years.
- It is having more NCAA investigations than National Championships.
- It's calling Bama UAT because that is the best they can come up with.
And let me just say, there was nothing more offensive than hearing resounding a "War Damn Eagle" from Bryant-Denny long after we'd sung the Alma Mater and retreated. Then again, perhaps it could be seconded only by their rendition of "Rammer Jammer" with the oh-so-clever insertion of "Go to hell, Alabama!" No need to wish it, I thought. Just hearing their 3,000 or so fans in the stadium somehow taking over in volume, color, and that cheer (what's that song they play, sounds like "I've Been Working on the Railroad"?) made me feel as though I were already there!
It's nice to have a healthy little rivalry. And I know we've had a rough patch of years. But... in the end, the tradition is solid. And I'm convinced Bama will be back, someday soon :). (And I do not care if that sounds pathetic, not in the least....)
Rooooll Tide! :)
And while I know it's been rough these past few years (at least for the last five that the game's been held at Bryant-Denny), I do want to reflect on some simple facts:
- Alabama has 12 National Championships;
- 21 SEC Championships;
- and the legacy of the winningest coach in college football history.
For amusement, here are a few of Auburn facts, in comparison. Just... for the record:
What is Auburn Football?
- It is the 1/2 national championship in 113 years of playing football
- It is the hope that one day, Auburn will win a national title without sharing it or being on probation
- It is believing 2 Heisman Trophies = 2 National Championships
- It is knowing that only one other school in the NCAA has been put on probation more times
- It is having the same amount of SEC championships as Georgia Tech, who left the SEC 40 years ago
- It is watching Bama blow your team out the day after your quarterback wins the Heisman.
- It is winning your only national championship during a probation year.
- It is holding up four fingers at the end of the 4th quarter because Bama does it.
- It is having 5 SEC Championships in 107 years.
- It is having more NCAA investigations than National Championships.
- It's calling Bama UAT because that is the best they can come up with.
And let me just say, there was nothing more offensive than hearing resounding a "War Damn Eagle" from Bryant-Denny long after we'd sung the Alma Mater and retreated. Then again, perhaps it could be seconded only by their rendition of "Rammer Jammer" with the oh-so-clever insertion of "Go to hell, Alabama!" No need to wish it, I thought. Just hearing their 3,000 or so fans in the stadium somehow taking over in volume, color, and that cheer (what's that song they play, sounds like "I've Been Working on the Railroad"?) made me feel as though I were already there!
It's nice to have a healthy little rivalry. And I know we've had a rough patch of years. But... in the end, the tradition is solid. And I'm convinced Bama will be back, someday soon :). (And I do not care if that sounds pathetic, not in the least....)
Rooooll Tide! :)