I have been holding off on writing this blog because I am very superstitious, but the Alabama Auburn game is now officially in the books for 2008 and I feel it is a perfect time to write it. I recently read an article on how Auburn will never measure up to Alabama. Although I don't know if I totally agree with that, because I do think things can change, I have to agree with that right now. The article's main point was how Auburn fans measure their teams success compared to how Alabama fans measure theirs.
Auburn fans consider it a successful season if they beat Alabama. For Alabama, this is a big measuring stick, but it is not the only one. We measure our success by how we compare nationally. See at Alabama we don't consider it a successful season unless we are winning SEC western division championships, SEC Championships, or even National Championships. For the last 6 years Auburn, to their credit, has had a strangle hold on us. However, this was in a down period for Alabama. Until the last few years Alabama has been on major probation, and until this past year Alabama has not had the full slate of scholarship player allowed by the NCAA. during this period Auburn has beat us and beat us bad while we were down. But the tide is turning and Auburn is still measuring their success on how they compete against us.
To prove this point I pose a question to Auburn fans, since Coach Tubs has been at Auburn how many SEC West Championships have you won, how many SEC Championships have you won, and how many National Championships have you won. While it is always good to beat an instate rival, is it really that rewarding to beat an instate rival while they are down, and to continue to praise your coach even though he has accomplished so little for you Nationally. At Alabama we get made fun of for living in the past. I believe this is because we have a past, and past that includes 12 National Championships. We don't ask if we will win another, we just ask when. See when the new addition was put on Bryant Denny, we added a plaza in the front. In this plaza we recognize all our past coaches who have won national championships, and we have a spot with no coach in it where we will place the next coach who leads us to glory. And while we get made fun us this, by many Auburn fans, Auburn fans for the last 6 years have loved bring up the 6 years of defeating Alabama. Now is this living in the past? The point is if you have a glories past don't live in it, but do remember it and enjoy it, you deserve to.
Why would any school enjoy keeping a coach that has gotten them so little nationally? Is it just because they have gotten them so much instate the last several years? This is my point with Auburn, until they start realizing that it doesn't matter if you beat an instate rival while they are down, and that it does matter when they start competing nationally, they will never be on the same level as Alabama. I am one of the biggest Alabama fans there ever was, but I know when we beat a good Auburn team it helps us out, and when they beat a good Alabama team it will help them out. Auburn fans, do you really won't to measure yourself on how you compete against your instate rival or do you won't to be nationally known and start measuring up to national competition. I believe the answer is in what the Auburn administration does in the next few weeks. Keeping Coach Tubs, will signal that you will continue to measure your seasons on how you compete against Alabama.
As for now all is well in the State of Alabama with Bama Nation back on top. Hopefully we will win this Sat. and compete for our 13 National Championship, but if we don't, what an amazing season it has been with only 9 Seniors and 16 freshman seeing action with 14 contributing immensely. Congratulations Alabama on winning the SEC WEST and for your all but announced birth in a BCS bowl whether it's the Sugar or the National Championship Game. Roll Tide!
Quote of the blog.
"When you make a mistake, there are only three things you should ever do about it: 1. Admit it. 2. Learn from it, and 3. Don't repeat it.”
Paul Bear Bryant
Monday, December 1, 2008
ALABAMA FOOTBALL!
Posted by MJS at 7:55 PM
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5 comments:
Excuses Excuses. That is What AL fans are about. At least my blog was original and I didn't cop it off some article form a random obsessed fan. I will say that I do not measure Auburn's sucess if we beat AL. Of course we ALL love it every time that it does happen. And then those few times we have lost, we do so gracefully. We don't make excuses like...oh, we were on probation....blah blah blah. you are full of s#&$ along with every other Bamer I know. The reason you have been so quiet and not gloating all year is because you were scared S$#%less about the game this weekend. At least I am loyal...
love you too matt smith.
Blaire Wood sounds like an imbred Barner. With the slew of two-stars that Ears is bringing to the Plains, I'm sure they with be competing with "Bammer's" five-stars in no time. I'm not scared Barn. Bring it. I hope we have enough space under Saban's statue to write all the BCS National Championship years over the next several seasons. RMFT!
Oh Matt-
I just read the blog and it made me smile. I can just picture the way you swaggered into your classes yesterday, as though you had scored a few touchdowns yourself! It makes me miss you, but I can't say I wish I'd been there. There is no doubt there would have been a bet or two, and I'd probably have been forced to wear an Alabama T-shirt.
(*disclaimer: Matt and I have made bets since grade school over AU v. AL)
However, I'm going to have to defend Auburn fans. Auburn fans are loyal. We do not give up on our coaches for having one bad season, like some other schools I know who have been through about ten! Everyone knows AL lets go of their coaches once they realize that they don't have the "Bear"necessities. I realize that Coach Tuberville doesn't have any National Championships under his belt, although he rightfully should have one. He is, however, consistent. Auburn has consistently had winning seasons, until this year. I realize that all football programs eventually need a change, but I highly doubt that one bad season is worth upending an entire football program. We'll see, I'm not on the board down there--so you never know and it's not my decision to make.
Still, I think it is important that Alabama fans not flatter themselves to think that Auburn only measures themselves by how bad or well that Alabama is doing. How easily AL fans forget that they have not had a strong program in YEARS. I would expect more gratefulness and humbleness from AL fans instead of the brash and obnoxious attitudes I have seen lately. I am GLAD that you guys are better--it certainly makes football a bit more exciting!
I fully believe that every team has it's year in the spotlight, you can't win them all, and you guys had the better season. It is ignorant on Alabama fans' part to think that Auburn doesn't view or consider its reputation on the national state, because we all know that it comes down to the BCS. And Auburn fans know that fact a little too well.
So do not get too comfortable, Matt, yall have a big game this weekend and I'll bet Tim Tebow already has a speech ready.
WAR EAGLE AND GO GATORS!!!!
Love,
Lacey
national stage, not state. Excuse the typo
I will have to say AMEN to Ms. Shaffer's comment. I couldn't have said it better. I will have to throw a little jam to "Anonymous." It sure is easy to talk s#%t "anonymously." Shame shame. You must not believe in your "comment" enough to show your face. And I still love you Matt Smith.
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