The Iron Bowl is a week out and the big question is who will triumph.
For those who are totally unaware of the intense rivalry that is southern football and The Iron Bowl: It is the rivalry game between Auburn University and The University of Alabama. Other schools have rivalry games, but this game and these fans take it to a new level.
TUSCALOOSA - The players on the University of Alabama sideline began to head for the locker room before the clock struck 00:00. Most exited without a handshake for the opponent, and all exited with their chins hanging in the dirt.
When the Crimson Tide’s humbling 21-14 loss to Louisiana-Monroe became official on Saturday, when the 92,138 at Bryant-Denny Stadium finished booing their team as it fled the field, even those who participated couldn’t believe the result.
“Just looking at the scoreboard, seeing Louisiana-Monroe 21, University of Alabama 14 … Kind of crazy. Real crazy,” said Alabama receiver Matt Caddell.
Coach Nick Saban went a little further.
“I apologize to the people who support this program,” said Saban
It used to be said that MSU was worst in the SEC…even by their own fans in their own stadium. (I know, because it was said to me by some drunk student complaining about Auburn beating them.) It is possible that title is slipping to another team.
Is UA the worst in the SEC? Probably not. Lately the SEC is so unpredictable that from week to week the title could be traded from team to team. Coming off an embarrassing loss UA may rally and give AU a good game. Djembe says UA will have a HUMONGOUS chip on their shoulder and I have to agree. It may be the chip that pushes them to the goal line. AU’s defense isn’t bad so they will give the UA chip a good obstacle to overcome. AU has their own obstacles to overcome. Brandon Cox is unpredictable and his game is seriously hindered when things aren’t going great. Against UGA Brandon Cox and the rest of the team just gave up the last quarter. Home field advantage can be given to AU, but does it really matter? AU had an off week, hopefully they used it wisely and it will be an advantage come Saturday. UA has a statistical advantage. After being beaten 5x in a row the odds are on their side to pull out a win.
Ultimately, the Iron Bowl is currently a toss up. I would love to see AU make it an even 6 and I do believe it is possible. They are playing better than they were first half of the season. Consistency is an issue. UA stands a good chance of overcompensating for their embarrassment and making mistakes. We’ll see what happens. Regardless…War Eagle!
September 2nd, 2007 -- Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
Time for a big WAR EAGLE! Football season has kicked off with a bang. Sage details a BIG upset, Appalachian St over Michigan, at his spot on the web. No one saw that one coming, but it gives Ap State serious bragging rights for a while. Bone welcomes in the season with a description of game day in Tuscaloosa:
They’ll strike up the band and the players will run onto the field, a sea of crimson spreading across the lush green. Both occurrences will elicit cheers from the crowd while at the same time bringing chill bumps to many in attendance.
There will be sons and daughters attending their very first game, and others who haven’t missed a game in years. They’ll sit next to each other, young and young at heart, decked out in their crimson, gray, and white, donning their houndstooth caps.
Further south at “The Loveliest Village On The Plains” it was a sea of orange where Auburn took on Kansas State. We decided it would be loads of fun to take in the first game so plans were made, the explorer packed, and off we went for family day on the grounds of Auburn University. We left Saturday morning with plans to arrive in Auburn around lunch. Not a bad drive and we made good time. Arriving we were fortunate to park and have a great spot to sit back and eat our picnic. Making our way to the stadium the girls were amazed at all the Auburn fans. Living in MS for years they felt somewhat alone with their War Eagle cries. It was very exciting for them to take in. The weather was perfect. Overcast and cool! With the bouncy games set up the girls were easily amused until it was time to secure our tickets from will call. They were able to toss the football around and just enjoy the game day atmosphere. When the time came to enter the stadium they were excited about our seats…upper deck- WAY up high! If you notice the top pic…we were at eye level with the flag! LOL!!! Reaching our seats was an adventure for them and I was truly surprised that they handled it so well. Once up top the view was amazing. Just before pre-game it started to rain. We simply moved to the wall and sat, managing to keep rather dry. The showers quickly blew over and stayed away for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, because of the rain the eagle was not released to fly the stadium, but fighter jets still did their flyover. This was amazing to our oldest and terrifying for our youngest. Looking back we should have prepared them better. We told them it was going to happen, but didn’t realize explanation on how sound travels would be needed. You can see them and it is really cool, THEN the noise hits. Lil bit calmed down fast though and got caught up in the spirit of the game.
It was a great game to watch, but a little too stressful for AU fans. WAY too many mistakes being made on the field. First game jitters are expected, but Auburn has some work to do if they hope to achieve a great season. Even with the struggle it was a great game and Auburn pulled it out with a 23-13 win over Kansas State. Below you’ll find the picasa pics of our game day adventure…
Auburn 22 - Alabama 15!!! War Eagle! Auburn comes out on top today during the biggest rivalry of the season. This is the fifth year in a row that Auburn beat Bama. The last time that happened was 1958. Exciting game to watch. Auburn made several turnovers that really saved the day for them. Alabama helped out by throwing interceptions and dropping the ball.
On another note…the rest of the day was pretty good too. I went for a haircut this morning. OMG…it’s short! I like short, but I have gotten so used to variations on the bob cut that I’m not sure how much I like the new style.
I also had my first taste of yoga today. Loved it! Very relaxing and I was surprised at how much you truly work out.
It’s the start of another week. For some reason I am flat out exhausted. I came home Friday and fell asleep for about two hours. Yesterday I drifted off in the late afternoon. Today I refuse to give my body the opportunity to nap…even though this couch looks very inviting. There is too much to do! It’s time for a break I guess. Just a few more days and we get one. Lots to do before and during that time. My cousin said he would help me get the house in order. Minimize stuff and decorate. I would love to be on the market by December, but I don’t think it is going to happen. OK, I know it is not. That’s ok. All will work out in time. I have faith in that. I know we are doing the right thing. Scary though. I still haven’t filled you in have I? Another day. Tweety’s bedroom is calling for organization.
Here’s my football mention for the weekend…
Auburn was dominated by Georgia. Every member of the team needs to run the fan gauntlet and get beat with a wet noodle…the swimming pool kind, not the spaghetti kind! All is not lost though…at least Bama was beaten by LSU. There’s sunshine for the day.
Next game…The big one. The Iron Bowl. Auburn vs. Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After a terrible loss to Georgia, maybe Auburn will whip into shape and dominate Alabama. I’ll take a win…even if it isn’t domination.
We had a great time in Auburn this past weekend. It was alumni band day so Djembe took me to meet all of his Auburn buddies. It was the first time our girls attended a college football game. I have heard so much about so many of his friends, but it has never been where I could travel with him for alumni band. I am so glad this time was possible. Really neat people and a great family trip. The game was a blow out, Auburn (27) against Arkansas State (0). Have to give big Congrats to Mississippi State Bulldogs for their win 24-16 over Alabama. WOOHOO! I’m glad for MSU, they needed the win. Totally unexpected though. Found this interesting tidbit in an article about Alabama’s loss- Alabama lost to a team that had not won in an SEC venue outside Starkville, Miss., in the last six years to the day.
It was “family fun day” Saturday. Froggy’s class team hosts these every month and we had the opportunity to participate this month. It was off to the pumpkin patch where they got to ride a “train”, play on a remarkable playground, pet barnyard animals, and pick a pumpkin.
I’m not too into the whole pumpkin/halloween thing. I do enjoy this time of year though. It’s a great break from the summer heat.
To top off a good day with the girls I was able to curl up with Djembe and watch Auburn defeat Florida 27-14!!!
Really great game to watch!!!
We spent most of today at church, but took time to visit Lowe’s. It’s getting time to freshen up before we put the house on the market. At the moment the plan is to rip the carpet and put down a cement stain. I really think this will be a great look, and it is the cheapest option. We’ve talked to several about this type of flooring and most have nothing but positives to say. I don’t think it is over our ability and I’m looking forward to the project…I just think it offers a simple elegance.
September 23rd, 2006 -- Posted in Ramblings | Comments Off
What a great day around Kontan’s place! First a big WAR EAGLE! Auburn pulls out another win over Buffalo, 38-7. As great as that is, this is just as awesome…Arkansas squeaks out over Alabama 24-23. Hey, a win is a win! WTG Razorbacks!
Djembe took us to a preview premier of Facing the Giants this morning, the movie opens this weekend.
From their website:
From the award-winning producers of FLYWHEEL comes a new, action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.
In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.
However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.
With God, all things are possible …
Check out the teaser trailer…
I went into this movie not expecting much- a six week filming schedule, amateur filmographers and an all volunteer cast from Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. I can not stress enough that this is worth the ticket. Even though the acting is not top notch the writing is great and the story line powerful. About the acting, it isn’t Hollywood, but it isn’t your local playhouse either. It is pretty decent and you can certainly tell when the characters were “totally into” their role. At no time during this showing was I bored. It’s rated PG, and I really don’t know why. 100% family friendly. The struggles portrayed are struggles that any of us could face in our lives. So many times we go through life thinking are struggles are insignificant and we try to face them alone, only to realize when we finally turn them over to God that we would have been better off if we hadn’t used Him as a last resort. Now for those who think it’s just a preachy film and you don’t want to hear about God…fine, I understand…but you will be missing out on a really good movie if you don’t take the opportunity to see it. It doesn’t take Hollywood to make a good movie, it takes a purpose and a desire.
OK, so maybe you guys didn’t find “Think before you speak” as funny as I did. Maybe I just needed the laugh so badly that I found it hilariously, ROFLH funny. Sorry for any offense…but it still makes me laugh.
Now, let me ask you. If your child asked to take money to a book fair you are to assume it is for the purchase of books, correct? Well, Froggy asked to take $5 to the book fair. No problem, I think this is a great way to spend your money. She comes home with a $21 wireless headset microphone. WHAT! First of all, she did not have permission to take that much of her money. Second, B-O-O-K F-A-I-R! Books! We are not happy with her purchase. It was a nine year old decision, understandable. I object to it being an option for her to purchase. She will have to take it back, and they better have a refund policy. In the event that they do not someone will have to pitch a fit and fit pitching grown man is not pretty. Yes, I will likely leave this “fit” to Djembe.
Am I wrong for feeling like my nine year old was ripped off at school today?
WTG Auburn Tigers! Auburn is now ranked #2 after their 7-3 victory over the LSU Tigers. Great game to watch. So far-so good. WAR EAGLE!!!
We spent the weekend at church helping host a conference. Djembe had to play, I volunteered to serve snacks, lunch, and clean up, and the girls performed with the children’s praise team. Check out the video clips on my video page. The clips were taken with our digital camera in the children’s group room so the lighting isn’t that awesome.
So much is going on I just can’t seem to relax. Grade graphs were due today. Documentation of student interventions is due tomorrow. Poverty presentation is Wednesday. I spent today working on a powerpoint for that. Accreditation teams are at our school right now. The girls have their stuff that has to be done too. Froggy has some strings meeting tomorrow. (She is starting violin.) She has to be at Thursday’s PTA meeting for student council recognition. Tweety started her homework a little after 5 this afternoon. She is still working. I just made her stop for dinner break. I’m too tense to eat so here I am. How long is too long for a first grader to spend on homework? Spelling/Math/handwriting/reading every night except Wednesday. Here’s another gripe. We have been asked to send money (or solicit from friends and neighbors) every single week that we’ve been in school. USUALLY multiple times! It started the very first day! HELLO! What is UP?!?!
OK, this is not helping my tension. Time to go encourage magnificent reading and spelling.
September 9th, 2006 -- Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
War Eagle, fly down the field.
Ever to conquer, never to yield.
War Eagle, fearless and true,
Fight on you orange and blue.
Go! Go! Go!
On to vict’ry, strike up the band.
Give ‘em hell, Give ‘em hell,
Stand up and yell, Hey!
War Eagle, win for Auburn,
Power of Dixie Land!
Auburn 34, Mississippi State 0
Great game! I was able to go to the game with Djembe and had a great time. Auburn gave up more than they should but still played a great game. MSU is a weak team. Everyone knew it going in. A frustrated, and likely intoxicated, MSU student around us decided the only way to defend MSU’s pathetic showing was to insult Auburn’s success at putting down the worst offense in the nation. Sorry that your team sucks kid, but it shows zero class to point this out in an attempt to insult your opponent. Almost amusing. Next week, LSU
VS
In other football news…The “university” of Alabama gave up ten points to Vanderbilt, but was able to pull out a 13-10 win. Next week they take on another slightly better than high school team, Louisiana-Monroe.
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I would cheer for the warhawks, but so far cheering for Hawaii and Vanderbilt didn’t help them gain a win over AL. Scored more than I thought they would though.
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