College Football's Greatest Rivalry

College Football's Greatest Rivalry

College Football's Greatest Rivalry

As I watched the 2010 Iron Bowl classic from my seat in Bryant-Denny stadium, I experienced many "highs and too many lows." As an UA fan, I wanted nothing more than to walk out of that stadium on a cold November afternoon with a Win. However, that was not in the cards on the day after Thanksgiving. It was the year of the Tiger. There was no way the Alabama defense was going to be able to stop their QB phenom, Cameron Newton. Auburn rallied from a 24-7 deficit at the half to overcome UA 28-27 as the final score.

Even though my team lost (and it was a gut wrenching loss) I woke up the next day and realized that I had witnessed one of the best Iron Bowls ever. I have heard so many people say, "It's just a game, get over it." Uh... It is not just a game to any AU/UA fan. It is a way of life. Children are taught from a very young age to pick a team and despise the other one. I personally went against my entire family (except my younger brother) in picking my allegiance.

Needless to say, I haven't watched an Iron Bowl with anyone in my family other than him since I was 8 or 9. OK.... I am off my soapbox, but my point is that elements and emotions such as this make this an absolute great football event for everyone involved and is the best rivalry in football. Please allow me to elaborate.

Ask yourself this question: How many times in the last twenty years has the Iron Bowl disappointed you as a viewer? Forget who won or lost; I mean from an entertainment aspect. Even in Alabama's 2008 36-0 victory there was a sense of relief as the Tide had finally won in Tuscaloosa and snapped a six game losing streak in the series. If there was ever a moment for others to catch on to the Iron Bowl's significance, though, it was this years game. The defending national champ takes a commanding 24 point lead only to see Auburn's Heisman trophy winner lead a comeback of epic proportions. Can Hollywood dream of a script like this?

Alabama and Auburn feed off of each other like starving cannibals with an "anything you can do, I can do better" mentality that oozes from each campus. As much as each school wants to be different from the other, it is the similarities that make the game special. For example, Alabama runs to an unprecedented 14-0 record in 2009 and wins the SEC and BCS championships. What does Auburn do in 2010? They win the SEC and more than likely will win the BCS championship. See a similarity? Both schools in 2009 and 2010 had to overcome double digit deficits to defeat their arch-rivals as a visitor. Weird isn't it? When was the last time Ohio State won the national title the year after Michigan? Actually, when was the last time Michigan was in a bowl game? Do USC/Notre Dame, Texas/Texas Tech, or Army/Navy provide this kind of drama each year? Sure, those games all have their certain charms and I enjoy watching them. I am not so much trying to disparage other rivalries here as I am attempting to heap praise on the Iron Bowl.

Every series has its ups and downs. Teams aren't always on equal footing at the same time and the pendulum of power swings often. But no matter the record and no matter the national consequences, the Iron Bowl always seems to keep you on the edge of your seat. 2010 was a perfect example. It is that type of tension that makes this game the best in any sport.

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