The biggest rivalry in college football; The University of Alabama and Auburn University. The Crimson Tide versus the Auburn Tigers...or is it the Auburn Eagles? This rivalry out-ranks the “Holy War” between BYU and The University of Utah. Alabama fans and Auburn fans get into debates on a daily basis. Even on a vacation in Mexico, my dad and a man got into an argument about Alabama and Auburn football. Most people know about the greatness of Alabama football but have no clue about Auburn football. Alabama football is a way of life. The phrase “Roll Tide” rings true to every born and raised Alabama football fan. The University of Alabama has a legacy of winning and Auburn University doesn’t have that classy way to play the wonderful game of football. The University of Alabama's football program is far superior to Auburn Universities football program due to the fans, mascots, and pure talent.
Alabama football fans are true fans. They support their team in ups and downs, good seasons and bad seasons. Being a football fan at the University of Alabama is a life long journey while Auburn fans tend to be more fair-weather than loyal. A football team needs their fans to be loyal and support them at all times to be successful. The atmosphere at a game can make a big difference. Teams would rather play a team at home then away because the fans can make or break the game. If the fans are like Alabama fans, and support the team when they are not doing so hot, the team is more likely to improve. Also, the two team’s stadiums show a great deal about the commitment and participation of their fans; Auburn’s stadium, Jordan-Hare Stadium, holds 87,451 people compared to Alabama’s Bryant Denny Stadium which holds 101,821 fans. Even with all of these seats, Bryant Denny still has to turn away season ticket holders and people on A-day; the day of scrimmage between Alabama’s offense and defense. Alabama fans can get a little crazy at the games because of the passion feel for the team and the game of football. There are many special cheers specific to The University of Alabama, such as the “Rammer Jammer” that Alabama fans know and love to chant. If Auburn fans were more enthusiastic during the games, then the team would have a greater sense of hope and would be able to win more of their games.
Auburn University has two mascots. Not one, but two! I have always been taught that teams got to have one mascot to represent their school. Auburn has the tiger and the eagle. The phrase Auburn fans say is “War Eagle.” But why are they called the “Auburn Tigers?” With two different mascots, loyalties can get a little confusing. Some fans will be cheering for the tiger and others for the eagle. The sense of unity would not be there as much as the University of Alabama’s unity. Hence another reason why Alabama has an outstanding football program because the elephant is the one and only mascot for the University and has the entire fan bases devotion.
The heritage of The University of Alabama’s football team is extremely impressive. The school has a great coaching staff along with great players. The head coach at Alabama is Nick Saban. Coach Saban has three national championships behind him. One from LSU, and the other two from Alabama! Since becoming coach in 2007, Saban has led the tide to 55 wins! But, to win games, you have to have great coaches and players. Alabama has fourteen National Championship titles next to Auburn’s measly five. The talent at Alabama far out ways the talent at Auburn. Look at the defenses of the two teams. Alabama’s defense is first in the nation and Auburn’s is sixty fourth; pretty big difference if you ask me. Another impressive statistic of Alabama football is the recruiting class. Alabama’s recruiting class is once again first in the rankings while Auburn is number twelve. In 2011 Auburn had a fantastic quarter-back, Cam Newton. It was highly suspected that this savior of Auburn’s football team was paid to come to the University and play for them. All of the stand-out players at Alabama have not had these accusations! With the number of games won and the great coaching staff at Alabama, players do not have to be paid to play on the team. They are just excited to play on a great football team, and in my opinion, the greatest football program in sport’s history.
I do realize that Auburn University does have some good things to offer at their school; the veterinarian program, the agricultural program, and the scholastics, in general, are fantastic. But, the football program is just not up to par with that of Alabama’s. The University of Alabama has a prestigious football team. Some say it is over-rated; others say that the entire South Eastern Conference is behind on the times and need to change the way they play their football. With fourteen National Championships under their belt, it is well known, that the University of Alabama has a great understanding of the beautiful game of football. Auburn University could defiantly take some pointers from Alabama’s staff. If Auburn could bring in classier fans, stop being indecisive on their mascot choice, and improve their players abilities, the team would begin to bring home as many championships as Alabama. But success like Alabama’s comes from a legacy of success and great football. But hey, if Auburn starts now, one day they might get there!
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