By Shane from Centerpoint
I’ve got to give the Auburn “family†a great deal of credit. The coaches, the players, and the fans invested every ounce of their hearts trying to upset their ultimate rival Alabama. I have no doubt that Pat Dye – Auburn’s former head coach and current top spokesman – is proud of his boys.
For roughly three and a half quarters Auburn hung with one of the very best football teams in America – had them on the ropes. However, the last half of the final stanza (when it really counted) was a disaster of titanic proportions for all that wear the orange and blue.
Chizik and his staff opened the game pulling a “Franchione†by scripting the first fifteen plays and even used Fran’s “on-side kick†maneuver on the Crimson Tide. Both plans worked well, allowing Auburn to jump out by fourteen on Bama.
This is the point where most good football teams (in their house) put the opponent away. It didn’t happen.
The Alabama team, in my opinion, was playing like it had overlooked Auburn. Anyway, it returned to form in the second quarter and tied the game before the half.
Auburn magic struck again early in the third act. The Tiger offense lit up the scoreboard with a long touchdown pass. The Auburn nation was on fire. Pandemonium reigned! Big brother Bama was just burned by the Malzahn machine and there would definitely be more to come.
No so fast my friends! After that play Alabama remembered that it does have the best defense in the nation. I don’t think Auburn came close to scoring for the last twenty-six minutes of the game.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide answered the Tiger touchdown with a couple of decent field–goal drives and time ticked away into the fourth quarter.
Amazingly, with ten minutes left, Auburn found itself with the advantage of having a one-point lead and possession of the ball in Alabama territory.
But by now, the Malzahn machine had lost its pilot. Senior quarterback Chris Todd had already pulled a “John Parker Wilson†by fumbling while taking a sack. He also lofted a pass directly to Tide safety Mark Barron. The results of Todd’s two turnovers were catastrophic.
With the ball sitting on Alabama’s forty-five yard line, Chizik had the world in front of his eyes. If only the offense could’ve pulled off another trick play, or maybe gotten close enough to kick a three-pointer, it would have forced the Tide to score six to win (which, by the way, Bama did).
That’s about when the Tigers’â€storybook†got slammed shut by Saban and his Crimson elephants. The defense was in championship form, driving Auburn back sixteen yards in three plays. Auburn punted and the rest is history.
Then, it was gut-check time on the Plains. Auburn had the mighty Crimson Tide trapped, with seventy-nine yards of turf to protect. The collective roar of eighty-five thousand fans was pumping-up the Tiger defense for the kill.
In comes Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy. There wasn’t much pressure on him – just his team’s hopes for a national title and state bragging-rights. He also knew the game was on his back because the Tide’s running game had been shut down all day.
Would McElroy, who has never lost a game, finally taste defeat? Fifteen plays, seven minutes, and seventy-nine yards later, everybody had their answer.
McElroy completed seven-of-eight (four to a single-covered Julio) passes in route to firing a game-winning touchdown toss to Roy Upchurch with about one minute left in the game – a play that Upchurch called himself.
Auburn had one more shot at glory, but was ineffective — seemingly shell-shocked by Alabama’s last drive.
I’m not sure which was worse – Chizik’s clock-management before Alabama scored or after his offense got the ball back for the last time. Does Chizik own a watch? Bad clock-management by Chizik cheated the Auburn players and fans out of a fair shot. The entire episode reminded me of watching Les Miles coach.
In the end, most of the Auburn faithful seemed proud of the fact that their team “showed up†for the fight this time around. Normally, moral victories aren’t worth writing about. But, outsiders need to understand that the Auburn program measures its success largely on beating their obsession – the legendary Crimson Tide.
Regrettably, for Auburn fans at least, the Crimson Tide has a higher mission ahead. I don’t think the “Iron Bowl†had nearly as much impact on the Tide players this year. Truthfully, the Alabama program has been focused on Florida since the end of the fourth quarter in last year’s SEC championship.
Yes, beating Auburn helped Alabama complete its second undefeated (12-0) regular season in a row, but Tim Tebow and his Gators now dominate the Bama players’ minds. Last week’s contest with the Tigers isn’t even on their radar. “It is what it is.â€
Where does Auburn go now, capping-off a late season collapse by losing to Alabama? I can’t see Tiger fans being happy with Chizik when they come down from their “Iron Bowl†high and realize that Chizik lost five of his last six SEC games. He went down to Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Georgia, and Alabama down the stretch, while only beating Ole Miss.
I can’t compare Chizik to Saban or Meyer, but I do know that he’d better thank the scheduler at Auburn for Louisiana Tech, Ball St., and Furman. Without those cupcakes on his dish, he might’ve finished his first (transition) year with a four-and-eight record.
—Shane writes a weekly column for the Call News and the Capstone Report.
Oh, and RTR, I was hating y’all when bama could barely win 5 games a year. Ain’t got shit to do with y’all finally returning to respectability…..on the field that is.
I got an Iron Bowl 2009 T-shirt.
We’re 12-0 and playing for the National Championship aka the SEC Championship for the 2nd straight year. We’ve won 24/26. It’s only gonna get worse. Ya’ll better hope the world ends in 2012, because Bama is at the beginning of a dynasty, and maybe their best ever. I love being a Bama fan and CNS. We will beat Florida this time. They have too many distractions, Bama has the revenge factor, and we are the better team RTR
Reality Check,
Did you find an excuse for the upcoming Florida loss? We have been without our most talented linebacker since the Arkansas game.
Have you heard any excuses from BAMA on Donta’s absence?
Go get real with yourself, or find some other excuse for the Florida loss.
Before the game is played, Really?
It sux to be an aubarn tiger!
Can I get a damn hell yeah? Tide is gonna roll. We will be dancing in the streets. Why even worry about Auburn. They were dealt with last week it’s time for Bear Bryant an the funky bunch university to do their thang cousins. the crusade will continue. Next victim Little Timmy Teabag. Hell yes! RMFknTR!
to uat053
the reason people hate the criminal tide
is because you have cheated for the last 51 years. every championship that has been won by the terds since 1958 is bogus. they were bought and paid for. BTW when you uat come into the 21st century and get some decent looking uniforms.those uniforms went out of style
right after WW11.ROTFFLMFAO
Zion, we have the best uni’s in ALL of sports. Alabama isn’t cheating anymore than everybody else. I’ll take all those “bogus” championships and the one’s we’re gonna win this year. Both of those #1 recruiting classes started their careers at Bama 12-0. Better get used to it or just quit watching. ROLL TIDE BEEEEEEEEEEEEYAAAAAAAAAAATCH!
“We don’t have a village you idiot!”
That is because the entire Bammer Moron Nation is made up of idiots!
Again, the reason people dislike Bama is not the team. Its the fans.
Your right for once Shane,
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
Bama was exposed at the AU game and lucky to get out with an win. I wouldn,t be making any hotel reservations for the Natl Championship game, as won,t happen this year.
Can I get a he’ll yeah out there? Rtr!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
You awebeen suxs and that sux vol need your own comedy show.
ROLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!
Walk of Champions or Tiger Walk? You decide. Is that place still called the Jungle? Can I get a HELL yeah boyz?
Yeah Shane… Brilliant dramatics there. Bama won the football game, but Auburn kicked Bama’s ass everywhere except the scoreboard. Unfortunately, that is what counts. I really thought that the SEC championship game would be close, but not after the Iron Bowl. Auburn exposed Alabama. We shut down your running game, but our depth in the secondary is what sealed our fate. Neiko Thorpe, who played basically the entire game, was covering Julio and Julio was catching everything. You will not be so fortunate against Florida. Ingram couldn’t sniff 50 yards on our front 7 and Florida’s front 7 is much better than ours, even without Carlos Dunlap. Florida also has MUCH more depth in the secondary. It’s going to be a long day for the Tide and I am going to enjoy every minute of it.
Also, I hope that you Bammers have enjoyed this year because you are losing everything off of your defense. The rest of the SEC being down has definitely benefitted you too. But the rest of the league won’t be down forever so enjoy it while you can…
WAR DAMN EAGLE.
BamaBorn you say “get real” or “find some other excuse for the Florida loss”?
Did they play the game already and I missed it? Florida hasn’t lost anything yet. You’re an idiot just like RTR053, counting your victory before it happens!
RTR053 what are you back on top of? Just like last year, Alabama hasn’t won anything yet. Alabama is in the same place it was last year before it crashed and burned. You would think you Bamers would learn your lessons about mouthing off before you actually accomplish anything. Go find the archives and read your comments before last years SEC championship game.
It’s amazing that these bammers were stating before the UA-AU game that bama would win by 30 and when they squeak by it doesn’t matter.I got news for you boys: Charlie Strong saw what Auburn did and you can expect another 30 yard showing by Ingram and you won’t have Richardson picking up the slack. Also Julio will look like her did in the 1st 4 games against this secondary
Shane, IT IS WHAT IT IS.
BAMA,s a pretender,
not a contender.
GO GATORS
How is Auburn gonna fair this week? Oh yeah, THET DON’T FUCKING PLAY! They got 80% of their offense on 3 plays, had a week off, and Bama had the biggest game in college football this season the next week, and we got lucky? Outside of 3 plays, they didn’t do shit and we scored on 5/11 posessions and missed a fg. When the game had to be won, we won it. Auburn didn’t have the balls to stop us. Face it, we were looking ahead and we still beat you. Now, sit back and watch us beat Florida this weekend and just keep telling yourselves that you beat that teams ass for 3 1/2 qtrs, but you couldn,t finish. You people are so pathetic. ROLL FUCKING TIDE
Very well said Mr. Gallagher. Us Butterworth’s are true Bammer haters and I am not ashamed of it. We totally shut down their asses and they are scared to death of Lord Tebow and the Gators. Little Napoleon will not take this battle. Those boyz are gonna go home in body bags. War eagle fly down the field, Alabama sux and they can kcil ym tun kcas!
Ok EStomp,that’s the sign of bad coaching when you can’t get your team to focus on the game at hand. So is not getting a team ready to play after a losing a big game LIKE LAST YEARS SUGAR BOWL. Your teams playing this week, but if and it was a big if, they got that ass beat last week all this weekend would be so anticlimatic JUST LIKE LAST YEARS SUGAR BOWL, you’d probably play JUST LIKE LAST YEARS SUGAR BOWL. Look just admit that you couldn’t have driven a nail up your ass until they iron bowl was over, cause you were gripping all damn day. WE ALL KNOW THAT’S THE CASE, NOW JUST ADMIT IT TO YOURSELF AND IT WILL CALM YOU DOWN. JEEZ… I hate to see your post here after you take that beat down Saturday, you’ll be spewing venom everywhere.
And another thing, I’m not an Auburn fan, but I do hate bama. I’d probably pull for the Taliban if they were playing UA@T
Hey Carl (aka THE CRIMSON TURD MORON),
UP YOURS!
Mike G.
You sound like a real classy person.
And again I will point out, it’s even more obvious now that all the haters are trying to blow up the Bama site, I LOVE BEING HATED! It means we are doing it right.
Mike are you kidding? Estomp wont be posting on here if they take a beat down Saturday. Just like last year, Bamers like her (I’m assuming Estomp’s a female based on the knowledge level of his posts) like to brag a lot before they actually accomplish anything. If they lose like they did last year you wont see them saying much next week just like last year. Then they will sulk all the way through the bowl game and then according to the great little CNS that will be the cause for Alabamer losing the bowl game, because it couldn’t possibly be his fault for not getting his team ready to play.
Reality check- I’m an idiot? Ok, I can live with that, I’ve been called worse by much better people. But just to let you know, I’m not counting victories before they happen, Florida will be our toughest game of the year, but I like our team’s chances this week better than your team’s chances this week.
Hey RTR053, At least I don’t hide behind some lame nom de plume, that’s a fake name for you bammer’s. I also am an avid college football fan and read varoius websites. I never said that Bama wasn’t good, I just stated that they were lucky yes lucky to get out of Auburn with a win.I have disliked bama since I was a kid and will always, I hate Kentucky basketball also so you’re not exclusive.You bama fans act like you invented college football and seem to have amnesia regarding where your program was a short 3 years ago.Saban has pulled your ass out of the fire and now you just need to be realistic and realize that the sun doesn’t rise and set on your team or your coach.Everything in college football is cyclic so when the worm turns just be prepared.By the way, I could careless if some twatbucket thinks I’m not classy. If I worry about some travel trailer living, backwoods hooch brewing sister dating guy who goes by RTR of all things opinion of me I should just hang myself now
Can I get a hell yeah out there inthe place to be?! Hell yeH. Go bama meAt!!
I can’t wait for the Crimson nation wide meltdown on Saturday after the beatdown. The state troopers better have every bridge covered cuz folks will be trying to jump off in droves
Hey Tab, You’re just spinning you wheels trying to get that junk. By the way, you weren’t named for a soft drink were you?
RTR053 Bama is hated because of delusional fans like you who make comments like you did earlier – “When your on top, everyone hates you. Alabama has taken thier rightful place again.”
What “rightfull” place have you taken exactly? You STILL haven’t won an SEC Championship in over 10 years much less a National Championship! You’ve never won a BCS bowl game. I will give you credit you have won an Independence bowl since CNS has taken over the program. So again tell us what “rightfull” place have you taken. And why is it “rightfull”? You haven’t beaten the undefeated Current SEC Champion Florida Gators yet (except in you dreams)! So as of your postings they are still on top of the SEC and College football, and your comment just makes you look like a jelous pompas ass.
So when you say “When your on top, everyone hates you”, We can only guess you mean your boyfriends or anything else that will let you on top of them.
Reality check, great post, couldn’t say it better
Wow, such angst. Been a while since you got layed or something? I mean, geez, just cause a man is happy about the state of the program he pulls for. Anyway, I love pissing you off, just makes me so happy that people think they can hurt me, make me cry, make me run and hide by making homosexual referances, or making redneck jokes. Maybe I should just come out of the closet, then shut myself in my single-wide trailer, and end it all with my huntin rifle. Give me a break, you pethetic bitches.
And I go by a “screen name” because that is what people do, how do I know for sure you are who you say you are? But if it makes you feel better, you can call me Jeff, instead of RTR.
Other than that, go fuck yourselves.
Well Jeff or RTR, you say “I’m not counting victories before they happen, Florida will be our toughest game of the year” yet you also say “When your on top, everyone hates you. Alabama has taken thier rightful place again” well if your not counting victories before they happen what are you on top of that is your rightfull place?
Reality chick,
You made an excuse for a Florida loss. No one claimed victory.
What is real about an excuse for something that might happen?
As for all you BAMA haters, we LOVE what we own!
As for all you barneys, to make you feel better, I admit the following:
I thought we would stomp a mud hole in your butt.
I hoped you would not score, but I thought you most likely would be able to because of all the razzle dazzle. It is confusing and players will get lost .
The only time I thought you had a chance
was when we jumped off twice inside our own five. That was a critical time in the game for a mistake, and our offense appeared shaken.
You do not admit or understand the following:
The barn scored twice from outside 65 yards, and once from a short drive after an on side kick.
The aubarn offense is confusing to itself. An offense of this type will always be inconsistent which makes it a perfect match for the barn.
The barn had a all or nothing plan and it worked for the first quarter. Well almost. BAMA started a drive at end of the first that ended with 7 in the second. Other than the 72 yard pass, BAMA’s will was imposed.
It was great effort from the aubarn football team, but
it sux to be aubarn tiger!
Not that I would have to explain this to most people, but since you are obviously a bit slow, I will try, I will also try to not use big words, as that will only confuse you further.
1st We are west champs for the second year in a row.
2nd We just finished our second undefeted regular season in a row.
3rd We have one of the best defences in the nation.
4th We have two of the best running backs in the nation.
5th We have one of the greatest recievers in the nation (even when his catches are not up to par, everything else he brings is top notch).
6th We have one of the best coaches in the nation.
7th Our recruiting is tops in the nation (top classes mean things will only get better).
GMAC is cool and collected, he is not been rattled all season. I would not trade him for anyone, not even St. Timmy, would have loved for him to be at Bama, but he is not. Now he is the enemy.
We are tough, physical, and determined.
You hate us, we love it.
We are back where we belong, with the elite, on top of college football.
I really didn’t feel the need to defend myself to you, but you asked. So now I ask you to tell me how we are not back. And don’t say the same crap about how we haven’t beatin the almighty fighting tebows, I know that, do you realize that the game hasn’t been played yet? You all act like we have a snowballs chance in hell against them, but if you look, all season we have been right there with them in almost every way.
I say we have as good a shot as any to come away with a win, but win or lose, face it, we are back as a top program in the nation.
I had faith the whole time on Friday. I knew we would win that game, just like I had faith we would block another UT field goal. CNS is playing for his 2nd championship in 3 years and has won 29 games in the same time. I’ll be here after the game, no matter what, but you people really must not be a fan of anyone, just Bama haters. You have to bring up last years bowl game to talk about our last loss. You’re not gonna piss me off by doing that. we’re 12-0 AGAIN and will win this game, so suck my big ol elephant balls and enjoy! RTR
Yea Elephantstomp-ed on, and CUM is playing for his 3rd SEC championship in 3 years of which he has won TWO and will more than likely, according to the pros in Vegas who make a living on picking who is going to win the game, be playing for a 3rd National Championship in 3 years. So why don’t you shut up until ALABAMA’s have actually won ONE with CNS, THEN YOU CAN BRAG. Until then your just last years losers.
National Rankings
FL BAMA
12th Total Offense 40th
1st Total Defense 3rd
10th Scoring Offense 25th
1st Scoring Defense 2nd
6th Rushing Offense 13th
8th Run Defense 2nd
64th Passing Offense 89th
1st Passing Defense 5th
17th Turnover Margin 5th
CFN Prediction: Florida 23
Alabama 16
Line: Florida -5.5
What will happen: Tebow will struggle. Conventional wisdom dictates that Florida will win because Tebow is better than McElroy, but watch out for the Tide to get to him and beat him up before he can deliver punishment of his own. But the defense will bail him out. McElroy will have problems with the warp-speed of the Gator back seven, will make a few costly early mistakes, won’t take any big chances over the last 40 minutes, and the Tide offense will sputter. And yes, Tebow will be a bit better than McElroy, while the Florida D will be a bit better than the Bama D
Hunter-If you are going to spew facts, atleast get all you info right. This will be his third in FOUR years on both sec and national champs. Look it up, LSU won in 2007. So if you are going to give Florida the game due to what has happened in the past, at least get your info right dumbass. Other than that, if you want stats, look up common team they played. It’s in favor of Bama, but still just as useless as the stats you gave.
And the “pros” in Vegas get games wrong all the time. How many ‘dogs have won games this year that the “pros” had the line wrong on? More than you can name or count if you were allowed to use your fingers and toes. The line in Vegas serves only one purpose, to get an equal number of people betting on each team so that the house can take the money from the losers and pay the winners, that’s it. That is why the line moves during the week, if more people are betting on Florida, the line goes up to try and make more people bet on Alabama. Since the line on this game has not moved much, that means that equal numbers of people are betting in both teams, not that Florida is going to win by 5.5 or more. Now stop being a dumbass.
I have a nc ring bitches. So give me a old fashioned hell yeah! Inthink our D is suspect at times. Offense always. But cns will take care of it. Coaching will take care of it. Cns will get TeabAg. Hell yes. Oh hell yes.
RTR your right they get games wrong all the time, because there so damn many of them, but they get a lot more right than they get wrong. And you contradict your self in your own post. You say the pros get games wrong all the time the you say the line in Vegas serves only one purpose, to get an equal number of people betting on each team so that the house can take the money from the losers and pay the winners, well if thats the case they never get it wrong. But just because they move the line to get more people to bet Alabama it does not mean an equal number of people are betting that Alabama is going to win, a lot of those people that are putting money on Alabama are still betting that Florida may win, but just that they will win by less than 5 1/2 points. Now whos the dumbass you dumbass!
Ok RTR I stand corrected its 3 out of 4 for CUM instead of 3 out of 3, but the point I was trying to make to Elephantstomp is that Florida and CUM have won two recently so they have a right to brag. Alabama hasn’t won anything yet so his boasting that “CNS is playing for his 2nd championship in 3 years and has won 29 games” is meaningless and that maybe he and other Bamer fans like him should wait until CNS and Alabama have actually won something more meaningfull than the western division or the independence bowl before they shoot off at the mouth about being back on top. Florida is the defending champion and HAVE been on top ranked No. 1 all year long. So just like last year until Alabama beats Florida they are just another want-a-be like several other teams that finished ahead of Alabamer at the end of last season.
And since you took the time to correct me let me take the time to technically correct Elephantstomp, CNS is playing for his 1st championship in 3 years. Unlike CUM, CNS played for one last year and lost. So technically this year he and his Alabama team are playing for their 1st championship in three years if they win.
ELEPHANTCHIT,EGGHEAD WHITE,UAT053 AND ALL YOU BAMMERS OUT THERE PLEASE DON’T BEAT YOUR WIVES/GIRLFRIENDS AFTER THE GATORS BEAT THE CRIMINAL TIDE SATURDAY. DON’T SHOOT YOUR KIDS BECAUSE LEROY MCELROY,LEROY JONES,LEROY INGRAM LOSE BY 14 POINTS. THE GATORS WILL WIN BY THE SCORE OF 31-16. leprechaun saban loses once again to a better coach. lil leprechaun saban had a special stool made for him to stand up high enough to see the game on the field. that 4ft ladder got to be to much trouble. the stool is 2ft high.ROTFFLMFAO
I love the hypocracy of bammer’s; when Auburn or anyone claimed a “west division championship” the bammers ridiculed them, but now since the thugs from t town have done it, it becomes legit. Just like all those Nat’l Championships from 2 guys and a truck, dunkin doughnuts etc…Go to the NCAA books and look up recognized championships, you’ll see the true ones. By the way how many BCS/Conference titles has bama won this decade?
By the way, Ingrim was pounded and took himself out of the game last week, and by doing so he took himself out of the Heisman also. Oh well maybe next year.
The sux vol, aka indiana vol, Who shook your chain dip shit? Get your head back in that toilet boy, you don’t have time to be on a Bama site.
And no you can’t put it up mine, i never knew you were that kind of guy, a man lover? Boy smelling all those toilet bowls has really got you messed up.
Hope you enjoy the game on Saturday, or do you get tv coverage where you’re at?
Oh that’s right y’all don’t play on Saturday do you? And I know you wouldn’t be able to watch the tebow have his ass handed to him.
Congrats on the great season your sux vols just had, you can look forward to many more just like it.
Another great year for Bama while your sux vols wallow around in lame kidding world. Y’all have got exactly what you deserve.
Now go stick it up yours or put your head back in the toilet, I don’t have time for jerks like you, I have a possible National Championship Team to keep up with.
ROLLLLLLLL TIDE ROLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!
Carl whats with all the sexual refrences, can’t you talk football without all of that? Are you that perverted, or frustrated or is that your only points of refrence. Can you post anything intellectual on a sports blog without perverted sexual comments or is that just how your mama raised you?