章節 119: Not Worth Mentioning
Auburn University and the University of Alabama, both located in the state of Alabama, are two powerhouse NCAA teams with deeply rooted fanbases, mainly because the state doesn't have an NFL team. These two traditional rivals have long dominated the hearts of Alabama's football fans.
Naturally, the teams meet every year, sometimes more than once. Initially, their matches took place in Birmingham, Alabama—a city once comparable to Pittsburgh as a steel manufacturing hub during the early 20th century. This is the origin of the name "Iron Bowl."
As of 2016, the two teams had clashed 80 times, with Alabama's Crimson Tide holding a narrow lead of 44 wins, 35 losses, and one tie.
Now, the 81st Iron Bowl was about to begin.
The Iron Bowl isn't just steeped in history; it's known for its countless high-stakes battles, controversies, and long-standing grudges.
In recent years, the Iron Bowl has only grown more intense.
—The 2010 Iron Bowl.
The Crimson Tide led 24-0 at home, but Auburn's Heisman-winning quarterback, Cam Newton, led a historic comeback, ultimately winning 28-27 at Bryant-Denny Stadium, securing an undefeated season and the SEC Championship.
After the game, Auburn fans draped Cam Newton's jersey over the statue of legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, located at the entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, infuriating Crimson Tide fans. In retaliation, Alabama fans poisoned Auburn's famous oak tree on campus.
To this day, fans of both teams continue to argue over these infamous actions.
—The 2013 Iron Bowl.
With one second left in regulation, the teams were tied 28-28. Alabama freshman kicker Adam Griffith lined up for a 57-yard field goal to win the game.
The kick fell just short, missing the goal by barely two yards, skimming past the post.
Auburn's cornerback Chris Davis, waiting in the end zone, skillfully positioned himself, caught the ball on the goal line, and began a return.
Davis weaved through the field, completing an improbable 109-yard return for a touchdown.
Auburn won the game, 34-28.
That game later won the ESPY Award for Best Game of the Year—competing against all other sports and games globally.
Following the 2010 Iron Bowl, Alabama won the next two matchups. After the 2013 Iron Bowl, Alabama again won the next two meetings, solidifying their dominance in the Nick Saban era. Despite this, Auburn fans still reveled in their 2010 and 2013 victories, as those two dramatic wins gave them ample material to taunt their rivals.
This year would be no different.
Alabama entered the game as the top-ranked team in the NCAA, chasing a perfect season. Auburn, on the other hand, was ranked 13th. Despite the disparity in rosters, talent, and form, Auburn's players believed they could upset their rivals in this heated grudge match.
Auburn's junior quarterback, Sean White, who redshirted the previous year, was not considered elite within the SEC. But this was the Iron Bowl, and the sight of the Crimson Tide always seemed to light a fire under Auburn players, who couldn't wait to trash talk.
"They're nothing. I'm not exaggerating—their so-called Chinese running back is garbage. We'll show him what real, professional-level defense is."
"Those clowns better get ready. They'll act all tough in the first half, only to collapse after halftime. They'll melt like butter, we'll come back and beat them, and they'll be left crying and making excuses."
"Look at the pattern—it's been three years. It's time again."
White was full of swagger.
2010, 2013, and now 2016.
The cycle was clear: three years apart, Alabama was poised to win, only to be upset by Auburn. The previous two meetings had seen the Crimson Tide in control, only to be shockingly overturned by the Tigers. This year, Alabama was overwhelmingly favored to win, but Auburn believed they were ready for another three-year cycle upset, ready to send Alabama crashing back to earth.
Their rivals' misery was their happiness.
It wasn't just Sean White—Auburn's entire team displayed unshakable confidence, including their head coach, Gus Malzahn.
"Football is a team sport; it's not as simple as one plus one equals two. We've found the key to victory, and the Auburn Tigers will have the last laugh. We are confident, we are capable, and we are prepared."
The team was united in their belief.
Before the game, the air was thick with tension.
Unfortunately, because of Saban's media restrictions, Alabama players weren't giving interviews. They were entirely unaware of Auburn's trash talk, so the war of words never got off the ground. Auburn's smack talk went unanswered, leaving them boasting to an empty room, with their trash talk echoing back to them in awkward silence.
"Stay tuned—we're going to give the Crimson Tide a real shock."
Malzahn's bold words were delivered in pre-game interviews, while Saban remained cool as ever.
"I'll be looking forward to that," Saban said calmly.
By the end of the game, Saban was indeed surprised—but not in the way Auburn had hoped.
Where had Malzahn's pre-game confidence come from? From R. Kelly?
Did he believe he could fly?
The 81st Iron Bowl ended with a resounding final score of 42-6, as the Crimson Tide cruised to an easy victory.
The gap was evident.
Since that fateful 2010 comeback win, Auburn had not won another game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This game also marked the largest margin of victory in the Iron Bowl since 2012.
In fact, if Saban hadn't rested his key players for future championship games—rotating the starters in the third quarter and playing the reserves in the fourth—the score could have been even more lopsided, and Auburn might have been shut out completely.
The game was a one-sided beatdown, with Alabama dominating both offense and defense, leaving their century-old rivals utterly humiliated.
The more boastful Auburn was before the game, the more pitiful they looked during it.
Saban's strategy in the second half revealed his indifference. He didn't even care to humiliate Auburn; his focus had already shifted to more important championship games. Beating Auburn was not even a challenge.
That was the real humiliation.
Sean White, Auburn's quarterback, was practically invisible, completing just 15 of 32 passes for a measly 98 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions—a pitiful stat line.
In stark contrast, Lance looked like he was taking a leisurely stroll in his backyard, rushing for 187 yards and scoring two touchdowns before clocking out early.
Auburn couldn't stop Lance. In fact, they couldn't stop Jacobs or Clark either.
So, in a game that felt as easy as cutting through butter, Alabama sealed the victory in the Iron Bowl, finishing the season undefeated with a 12-0 record and maintaining their number one ranking in the NCAA.
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