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What a difference a year can make
Published Saturday, November 1, 2008
Yes, it’s a cliché. Yes, it’s a stomach-turner. But the old adage has been proven once again.
What a difference a year can make. One need not look beyond the borders of this state to see evidence of that statement.
For instance, look around at the local football scene. Meadowview made the state title game last year but missed the playoffs this season. Meanwhile, Keith bounced back from a 3-7 record to earn its first winning season in 11 years, clinching its first playoff appearance since 1997 along the way.
No gambler would’ve bet the house on the change of events.
But moving onto the meat of the story — the SEC — both Alabama and Auburn have witnessed reversals of fortune this season.
Auburn ended 2007 on a high note, winning its sixth straight Iron Bowl and scoring 23 points in a “simplified version” of former offensive coordinator Tony Franklin’s offense en route to a 23-20 Chick-Fil-A Bowl win over Clemson.
Meanwhile, doom and gloom reigned in Tuscaloosa. A four-game losing streak mired a 6-2 start that prompted Sports Illustrated to declare — only one year early it appears — “Bama is back,” and the Tide had to settle for the Independence Bowl again.
Now, only a year later, much maligned Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson actually looks and plays like a quarterback, and the Tide is poised for its first No. 1 ranking since the 1992 team won the national title.
An Alabama win in Baton Rouge clinches the SEC West title. And even if the Tide loses, it can clinch by beating either Mississippi State or Auburn down the road.
And on the Plains — where optimism was high given the positive ending to a season that started disastrously with losses to MSU and South Florida — things look bleaker than they did when Tommy Tuberville took over the program in 1999.
Franklin was fired after six games, and the loss to Ole Miss extended the losing streak to four games. Two more losses — a probability with Georgia and Alabama looming on the schedule — assure the first losing season since 1999, and the streak is doomed.
From the penthouse to the outhouse, and vice versa.
And in the sweetest bit of revenge for Alabama fans — barring catastrophe of course — the Tide will have the opportunity to drive the death knell in the Tigers’ heart in late November.
But both sides need to take heed. What a difference a year can make.
Comments
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
War Eagle...to all of you loyal fans out there. Alabama fans you should know from your past not to count your chickens before they hatch when it comes to the Auburn-Alabama game!!
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Us Bama fans are focusing on LSU this weekend. One game at a time. Maybe Auburn should be focusing on trying to get their game together rather than worrying about Bama. We'll worry about Auburn when it's time.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Get a life eyeonyou.....at least us Auburn fans don't drop our team in bad times like the Alabama fans I know.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 4:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No Alabama fans I know have ever given up on Alabama. Oh I know, Auburn fans will fly those flags and wear those shirts being 4-5 with the quickness. How dare a Bama fan say good things being #1 in the country and unbeaten. You guys are so worried about when Alabama is going to lose, but Auburn will drop 4 in a row and your still talking about Bama.
Posted by Blah_Blah (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how about u get a life, may i remind u Auburn won against virtually nobody and cant even beat Ole Miss, 45-17 is your score
Posted by Blah_Blah (anonymous) on November 3, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eyeonyou your right "Aubies" need to worry about UT-Martin who will make them 4-6 before they think about Bama
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
At the end of the day, Tubs is responsible for this Aubarn team. He pinned the offensive problems on Franklin, yet they are still down and out. Tubs wanted the spread, hired the coach...and it's still not working. Looks like you tried to save yourself Tubs. Your head is in the noose and the chair legs are breaking.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Now the Alabama fans run their mouths.....haven't heard from you in a while...haha...what about 6 years now!! So go ahead and enjoy it because it will not last long because after this year you better believe Auburn will come back with a bang next year!! I'm still a loyal Auburn Fan til death no matter how bad it gets....it's not all about winning to some of us....it's just about the Auburn spirit.
Yes...& I will still fly the flag & wear my shirts all year long because that's what a REAL Auburn fan does.
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 11:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Auburn fans wanted to quit living in the past and stay focused on the present and future? If you want to live in the past tell me how many championships Auburn owns? tell me how many straight times Alabama beat Auburn? I have always flown my flag and worn my shirt no matter how Alabama did, and always will. If Alabama doesn't win another game this year they have already done a lot better than what I thought they would do this year. I hope they go undefeated the rest of the year but if they don't the sun will still rise in the morning, and there will always be maybe next year.
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Auburn, a big SEC powerhouse that still defines themself by beating Alabama for 6 years. When you put it all in perspective, that is kind of sad for Tub and his 10 year tenure. Having a winning record is great, but what do you have in the end? Nothing. I would sure hope a SEC team could beat a team that's been through 5 coaches in 10 years. Imagine getting beat 6 times during this.
"IF" Auburn gets beat this year, wonder what you guys will have to talk about then?
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 4, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One more thing, Tuberville has coached 167 games at Auburn and in spite of a perfect season, was unable to ever get the Tigers ranked No. 1 in the nation. Nick Saban has Alabama No. 1 after only 22 games.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Nick Saban had nothing to do with that!! The boys playing are the team....give them some credit!! A coach is only as good as his team!!
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 8:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It takes a good coach to get his players motivated and to believe in themselves. And for you to say coach Saban had nothing to do with that is about crazy. How could you have a team and not have a coach? So, the reason Auburn isn't doing good this year is because of the boys, is that right?
Posted by 1eyedmule (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Pari1220, Do you think the team can play without coaching? Also, it can be said that a team is only as good as the players that were recruited.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
1eyedmule, of course not but it seems Alabama fans forget who the real winners are & that's the Team. They worked very, very hard for this #1 position but yet everyone is praising Nick and that's not right. And Yes I do think Auburn has a very unorginized team this year..they could not get the quarterbacks straight from the very beginning. You really can't blame a coach when the kid just can't play ball.
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pari1220 do you think if Mike Shula was still at Alabama coaching the team would be where they are now?
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bigbama, DON'T REALLY CARE!! Grow up just enjoy being #1 because iT probably will not last long. Does it make Bama fans feel bigger to push around teams who are not doing so well. BULLIES!!!!
Posted by Bg (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pari you know you started this, right?
Posted by Blah_Blah (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pari if they do get knocked off as #1 its better than not being ranked!!! HAHA
Posted by eyeonyou (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Bama does lose a couple games.....that's way better than ANYONE in this State thought they would be.
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 5, 2008 at 6:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
thats what I say eyeonyou. I'm not even going to comment on Pari's last comment. Grow-up?
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Boo Hoo, bigbama....did I hit a nerve?
WAR EAGLE....all I'm saying is that you don't hear anything out of Alabama fans until you have a winning season. I think the Bama season is great...wish Auburn could have had a season like that......just enjoy Bama fans...don't be so obnoxious!!! This is my last comment because through the years I have learned that Bama fans think their always right anyway.
WARRRRRRR EAGLE
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
pari you are the last one that could hit a nerve with me. I just think you need to take your meds as scheduled. You are the one that started all this anyway. If you can't take it find something else to do like knitting or crossword puzzles. Maybe find-a-word would be easier for you.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You know I couldn't let this rest.....what is up with the "meds" thing....is that how all of you people deal with things.....sounds like you know a lot about it!!! You need to read my comment again, if you really know how to read, and see that I gave your team a compliment!! And yes I hit a nerve or you wouldn't have had so many comments...6 I believe. What do you mean I can't take it.....your right I did start it and now I'm finishing it....I can take just about anything but when you start getting "UGLY" then that's when I back out because that's not what the original comment was meant to start!!
War Eagle
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
you must be a woman, a woman always wants to get the last word in. You need to take one of the red and white pills and leave the orange and blue ones alone they make you a little deranged.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
bigbama needs an "Intervention" people he has a drug problem!! And you must be a man because you can't seem to come up with anything better to write than the last comment-childish!! Call a woman she call tell you what to write!!
Posted by Bg (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow!! Now this is entertainment!
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I knew you couldn't let it rest, you still need to get the last word.
Take one of the RED and WHITE pills, say Roll Tide and you will be cured.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NOPE!!
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
alright pari lets call a truce
Posted by crimson (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
pari 1220 is a typical Auburn fan. They are so jealous of Alabama, and the attention we have received this year. I will admit, Alabama has been extremely fortunate to have not lost a game this season, so why run us down. Auburn in their best years under Tubs have not acheived the ranking that we now hold.
Posted by bigbama (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I said in another post, even if they don't win another game this year they have done far better than I thought they would.
Posted by pari1220 (anonymous) on November 6, 2008 at 2:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Truce bigbama....as for you crimson....I am in now way jealous of Alabama refer back to my comment, I quote "I think the Bama season is great...wish Auburn could have had a season like that......just enjoy Bama fans...don't be so obnoxious!!!" I don't think that's running you down.
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