TIDE READIES ITSELF FOR AUBURN...

   

 When Alabama takes the field this Saturday, Nick Saban will not be present; however, I'm not sure anyone can ever avoid the presence of Coach Saban even in his absence.  I suspect Auburn will learn that this weekend. With or without Saban prowling and growling the sidelines, the Crimson Tide has too much firepower for the Tigers to win this game. 

     The Ironbowl, which is no longer about Birmingham's iron and steel laden history, has become a killing field for fans. I'm not sure which college rivalry is the greatest. But, the AU vs. UA game is the most bitterly contested. The winner gloats for a year, and the loser cries. Luckily,  the players contest the game with the utmost respect. Should the fans follow their lead? We should, but I doubt we will. We are all too heavily invested in our support. It is tribal, It is almost primal. We no longer want to just win. It is evisceration we covet. 

    So what happens on Saturday? The Tide will rely on talent. Auburn seems to have the corner on good luck. How many times will Alabama fans have to watch reruns of a pick-six, field goal attempts which go awry, some even returned for touchdowns, and blocked punts. Each of these banalities requires some talent, I'll grant Auburn that, but to Alabama fans, it's as if some god from the underworld arises to allow Auburn to win. Indeed, this season has seen referees (and I use that term lightly) give Auburn two wins they did not earn. In Alabama fans' eyes, the Tigers record should be 3-4 and not 5-2. It hasn't been the best year for officiating, whether it's a fumble called an incomplete pass or an offensive pass interference call so incompetent it has gone viral. When the teams take the field this weekend, the Auburn fans will understand they will likely lose, but Tide fans fear something akin to the Red Sea parting to somehow deliver another fortuitous win for the Tigers.  Be still my beating heart.

I like the Tide by 24.