Whoa Nelly! (Rivalry Week sextravaganza!) [Archive]

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Charley

Nov 20th, 2003, 04:23:05 PM

We are approaching the greatest week in the year.

Rivalry week, where some of the most venomous and storied rivalries in sports history are played, most on the same day.

In this thread, expound upon your own personal rivalries, drumming up glory for your team, and hatred for your opponent. Tell us why your game is so important, whatever else to show just how badly your team wants to beat the crap out of that "other" team.

For me:

The Church of Bryant is nearly as much religion as a real church. You're born into it, baptised in crimson and white, and almost as soon as your parents give you a name, they determine which team you will pull for, when the state of Alabama tears itself apart every November in a state of civil war.

There is nothing greater in all of my sporting experience than going to an Iron Bowl. It doesn't matter if both teams are on top of the world, or at the bottom of a barrel. You rarely see such a vicious rivalry in sports. I've known families that are divided between Crimson & White and Orange & Blue. They won't speak to each other during rivalry week. Workplaces, schools, friendships, church congregations, everything grinds to a stop and everyone chooses a side during this week.

My first Iron Bowl, I was 10 years old, and stuck in the only place me and my dad could get tickets in Legion Field -- in the midst of the Auburn student section. Lo and behold, the Crimson Tide won the day, and we very nearly got killed singing "Yea Alabama" and "Rammer Jammer", which is our quaint little not-so-polite cheer to those who we play.

My best friend pulls for "That Damn Cow College". He pulls for his as obnoxiously as I pull for mine. It's amazing we're able to remain friends, because the obscenities we throw at each other during that game would peel the paint off the walls and catch nuns on fire.

I've known an Auburn fan who, upon his team losing, took his auburn clothing and paraphenalia he had on, put it on the grill, drowned it in lighter fluid, and torched it in a rage.

This kind of craziness embodies everything sacred and wonderful about the Iron Bowl. That such a singular event can bring an entire state crashing to its knees in a storm of derision and insane competition is a sight to behold.

This weekend, I will be attending my last Iron Bowl as a student at the capstone. It will be in the heart of Tiger country, Jordan Hare stadium. I can't wait for the sea of crimson and white and orange and blue to appear and clash at Toomer's corner. This rivalry of rivalries is in my blood, and above all days of the year, I live for the Iron Bowl.

And now, pictures to go along with my ranting:

<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/salsa.jpg>
Spicy!
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib01.gif>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib01.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib02.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib03.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib04.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib05.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib06.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib07.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib08.jpg>

Charley

Nov 20th, 2003, 04:25:35 PM

Charley

Nov 20th, 2003, 04:26:55 PM

Charley

Nov 20th, 2003, 04:29:47 PM

<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib28.jpg>
<img src=http://www.panic.hopto.org/swf/charley/iron/ib29.jpg>

OK, I'm done, I promise :cool

I leave you now with ESPN's take on this most hallowed occasion:

Alabama and Auburn have faced off in the "Iron Bowl" since 1893.

Alabama leads the series, 38-28-1.

The teams play each other this year on Nov. 22 at Auburn.

When victoryis twice as sweet
Bear Bryant passed Amos Alonzo Stagg as the winningest coach in college football when the Crimson Tide won the 1981 Iron Bowl, 28-17.

Classic Game
Auburn trailed 16-3 with less than six minutes remaining in the 1972 contest. The Tigers came back to win, 17-16. Here's how it happened: Bill Newton blocked two punts. David Langer scooped up the ball both times for touchdowns.

Growling Bear
Bryant underscored the importance of the game when he said he would "rather beat that cow college once than beat Texas 10 times."

You know it's a real rivalry when …
The two schools hate each other so much the game has to be played on neutral ground. That was the case between 1948 and 1989, when the teams played in Birmingham.

Bo knows …
When it's time to take out his "A" game. Jackson rushed for 256 yards in the 1983 Iron Bowl, leading Auburn to a 23-20 win.

How deep does it run?
The rivalry was suspended for about 40 years because the two schools couldn't agree on how many players could suit up, among other things.

When former Auburn star Fob James ran for governor in 1978, Alabama fans ran TV and newspaper ads asking Alabamans to just think about it: did they really want a former Auburn player in the governor's mansion?

Well, sometimes the fans agree …
Pat Dye was an Alabama assistant coach during that 1972 game mentioned above. "We were leading 16-0, and thoroughly dominating, and Auburn finally got close enough to kick a field goal," he recalled. "Everybody in the stadium Legion Field in Birmingham -- 35,000 on one side wearing red, 35,000 on the other wearing orange and blue -- got up and booed Shug (Jordan) for kicking the field goal.

"Our fans were booing because he'd spoiled the shutout, and their fans were booing because they thought he'd given up. As it turned out, that field goal was the winning margin - but it's the only time I've ever seen both teams' fans stand up and boo the same play."
--Jeff Merron

AmazonBabe

Nov 20th, 2003, 04:54:41 PM

I don't think I've ever seen anyone so dedicated to their school's sports team, whether it's football, basketball, volleyball, etc.

And even though I don't know each team, and I certainly don't live over there, I'm still rooting for the crimson and white (besides, I look better in those colors :p)

Charley

Nov 20th, 2003, 05:01:37 PM

Crimson and White. :eek

Otherwise, you're rooting for some other team, like Georgia :x

Here's some fight song and cheer goodness for you:

Yea Alabama

Yea Alabama, drown em Tide!
Ev'ry Bama man's behind you hit your stride!
Go teach the Bulldogs to behave.
Send the Yellowjackets to a watery grave.
And if a man starts to weaken, that's a shame
For Bama's pluck and grit have writ her name in Crimson flame.
Fight on, fight on, fight on men!
Remember the Rose Bowl, we'll win then!
Roll on to vict'ry, hit your stride!
Your Dixie's football pride, Crimson Tide!
Roll Tide! Roll Tide! Roll Tide!

And now my favorite cheer in the universe, Rammer Jammer
(Before the game)
Hey ________! (Insert opponent team name)
Hey ________!
Hey ________!
We're gonna beat the hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer Yellowhammer
Give em Hell, Alabama!

(After game, if we win)
Hey ________! (Insert opponent team name)
Hey ________!
Hey ________!
We just beat the hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer Yellowhammer
Give em Hell, Alabama!

Such a great cheer, it was made "illegal" by the school administration. Too bad we still do it, with or without the support of the stadium PA system >D

Joe Littrell

Nov 20th, 2003, 06:05:48 PM

Auburn's gonna win plan and simple :p

Cept they whear Orange a blue
That generally connontates suckiness (lets go Illini!)

Figrin D'an

Nov 20th, 2003, 09:20:13 PM

Rivalry Week is the best week of the college football season. For teams getting ready for the bowl season, it's a chance to stop down a bitter enemy and make a statement to the bowl committees. For teams not eligible for bowls, it's a chance to finish the season on an up-note and potentially ruin a good season for the opponent. Either way, it's a one-year pass for bragging rights to whomever wins.

Unlike Charley, I didn't grow up with the rivalry with which I'm involved. I grew up in a different state. Sure, I had been a college football (and basketball) fan for a while, and I had heard of the Purdue/Indiana rivalry (more so in basketball at the time), but I didn't have any real feelings on it.

Then, near the end of my junior year of high school, I decided that I was going to Purdue. So, I decided to really find out more about the rivalry, since I would soon find myself firmly surrounded by it. I watched the 1995 football season with a special interest on Purdue. They were projected to be a decent football team, lead by a big brusing "running-back-in-a-fullback's-body" guy by the name of Mike Alstott. They had an up and down year, winning some and losing some. They failed to make bowl eligibility, but with the final game of the season, the Old Oaken Bucket game, looming ahead, things got rather interesting. I found out about the history of the game, of the Bucket trophy itself, and of some of the great games and great players that had been involved in it, on both sides.

I was excited to see it. Fortunately, it was televised in my area, so I was pinned to the TV. Going into the game, Mike Alstott was about 215 yards short of the all-time career school rushing record. He had gone through a couple weeks of sub-par games (for him anyway), and what seemed like a very possible record breaking season early on had faded down the stretch. But, I learned that day to not underestimate the motivation that rivarly games can bring. Alstott had the game of his life, and finished the day with nearly 230 rushing yards and claiming the record, as Purdue routed Indiana. That was the day I became a Boilermaker fan. And, of course, I'm now a Purdue alumnus.

Since that time, I've watching the Purdue football program be revitalized, with 7 straight bowl game appearances, a Big Ten championship during my senior year, and a trip the Rose Bowl. I've gotten to watch some great players and been present for some incredible performances, including several in the Bucket game.

Purdue/Indiana doesn't get the press that some of the larger rivalries do. But that doesn't matter. It's about two bitter rivals, hoards of opposing fans, and 103 years of history, battling it out on the gridiron.

And, as a side note...

Roll Tide!

;)

Umeko Fangorn

Nov 21st, 2003, 08:47:15 AM

Boo Patriots!

That's my HS's horrid team 'name', either that or the Secord.....*shudder* Cows.

*gags and makes a face*

I'm about as Sport crazed as Sejah is an Anime Otaku, and I really don't care.

BUT, there has been cases of vandalism at my school by our rivals, which is every other HS in the city!

Lilaena De'Ville

Nov 21st, 2003, 06:57:51 PM

Tomorrow is the Civil War here in Oregon. Go Ducks!

And Roll Tide! :D I don't have a problem cheering on 'Bama.

Figrin D'an

Nov 22nd, 2003, 04:09:35 PM

Well... it was ugly, but Purdue won, 24-16. They turned the ball over 3 times, and allowed a 100-yard rusher for the first time in 16 games, and just in general played way below par. Methinks they were a bit hung over after losing to Ohio State last week in such a gut-wrenching manner. Fortunately, Indiana is bad enough for them to sleep-walk through part of the game and still get the victory.

At least they got the crappy game out of their system now, instead of on New Year's Day.

Six Bucket game victories in seven years. That's not too shabby. :)

Lilaena De'Ville

Nov 22nd, 2003, 08:54:33 PM

HA HA Oregon over Oregon State, 34-20. :mneh I

Ace McCloud

Nov 22nd, 2003, 11:59:43 PM

I have so many friends that go to aurburn lol. I also have a few that go to alabama infact. Too bad I didn't get to watch it, I had the Championship game for my highschool this weekend...and we lost. But thats another story. Bah, too bad. Theres so much football I wanted to watch today =(