This article is the first of an eight-part series about the Iron Bowl. For the next week, there will be a new article covering one of the best rivalries in all of college football.
When the Iron Bowl is in Tuscaloosa, I make haste to my parent's house for Thanksgiving week. It is there my dad, my brother, and I watch the Iron Bowl the following Saturday.
But this time around, things will change.
Stop, you're going the wrong way. You need to get to Tuscaloosa.
In the middle of a typical Atlanta traffic jam, I received a phone call. I answered of course, only to have my jaw drop to the floor. I was blessed (or possibly cursed) to be informed that there were three Iron Bowl tickets being sent my way.
Now this will be a first, dear readers. I have not yet experienced an Alabama game, much less an Iron Bowl, in Bryant-Denny Stadium. I am aware of what I will be getting into once I step foot upon campus.
Half of the Bama Nation is going to be there, and you want to go to Tuscaloosa? Into the lion's den?
It will be very strange seeing the streets lined with crimson and white, instead of the familiar orange and blue. Shouts of "Roll Tide!" will echo from most parts of the land.
There will be no flying of Nova or Spirit, Tiger Walk will not reside at that familiar corner of Samford and Donahue, and Toomer's Corner will be much further away.
One can be sure it could be somewhat intimidating from this standpoint. Alabama is undefeated, is hell-bent on revenge, and wants to re-emerge as the top program in the state. Auburn has had a roller-coaster season comparable to a teenage girl's emotions. It could set up to be ugly.
The only thing that matters is the Iron Bowl.
You can count on one thing. Both teams will be ready for this game. For Auburn, it is a matter of continuing a streak set forth by their former brothers in the orange and blue back in 2002. It also means bowl eligibility, but nothing would be sweeter than to upset Alabama.
For Alabama, beating Auburn will be the closing of one chapter, and the opening of another. The SEC Championship awaits, and a possible berth in the BCS Championship game is within reach.
This game means everything to both parties.
So to all the Alabama fans here on the B/R who will be able to attend the rivalry to end all rivalries, I look forward to attending this 73rd edition of the Iron Bowl.
Those wearing crimson and white may see us Auburn fans as invaders to your holy sanctum of football.
Make no mistake, we will feel quite the opposite.
As my father put it bluntly: "We will be pilgrims in unholy land."
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about 1 month ago
Welcome to my world Tiger. I have been to Auburn twice now ( 97 & 99 ) and I felt the same way you are going to feel in Tuscaloosa. WAY too much orange and blue for me.
But the Auburn fans treated us quite well. There was the few who blasted out remarks to us as we passed, but for the most part we all got along and had a wonderful time.
Enjoy the experience, after all you will be at the Greatest Rivilry in college football !!
Go Bama & Roll Tide
from about 1 month ago
Well, I have been going to Auburn home football games for a while now, including every Iron Bowl in Jordan-Hare since '95. It will be fun I'm sure.
about 1 month ago
I'm looking forward to the "rest of the story". I enjoyed the read. Tiger, I hope you will find Tuscaloosa hospitable. Normally, Bama fans treat the opposing fans courteously, with of course the few exceptions that always occur when 20-somethings have a bit too much to drink...sorry, but they are everywhere. I sincerely hope the streak ends here...I've been saying that for a while now. I hope you enjoy the game, but not the final score. Roll Tide!
from about 1 month ago
Yea, I know a thing or two about those 20-somethings (considering I am still one of them!) I'll enjoy the game regardless. The final score has yet to be determined.
WAR EAGLE!
about 1 month ago
I am quite sure you will enjoy the game! Just remember the ones who seem not to enjoy a trip to the Capstone/BD, [including the ever-present venom spewing DRUNK], are the ones that have trouble keeping their mouth from going into overdrive and therefore becoming overloaded!
I have been to three games at Jordan/Hare in the little village. Basically we were treated well, that is to say better than at ls-who? I have seen obnoxious/arrogant UT fans treated with respect at BD, so I see no reason you and other TIGGER fans should not ENJOY the atmosphere, not to say there aren't UA kids that somehow, (?), manage to get a little to drunk and let their mouths go into overload!
Throw out the records and just enjoy the GREATEST RIVALRY in college football, as long as the SEC officials can keep their laundry in their pockets!
from about 1 month ago
Oh don't get me started on the SEC officials. Still bitter over them somewhat giving the Georgia game to the damn Dawgs.
Looking forward to it!
WAR EAGLE!
about 1 month ago
Has Alabama ever beat us at Bryant Denny?
from about 1 month ago
As of right now, the answer is no. And it has been like that for over 100 years. Granted not many Iron Bowls have been played in Tuscaloosa.
about 1 month ago
Nice read but one statement is REALLY bad,,, Bryant Denny Stadium couldn't hold one percent of the Bama nation, much less half... You underestimate our numbers badly!
from about 1 month ago
I was alluding this article to quotes from the movie Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. I know how big Bama's fan base is.
about 1 month ago
Or half of one half of one percent. Alabama Football has fams from all over the nation, and in other parts of the world. In the millions, my friend, ROLL TIDE ROLL.
about 1 month ago
Alabama has football fans in many galaxies and other stretches of their collective delirium. Down the hole, 'round the bowl...
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