War Eagle, Everyone!!

My last visit to AU (for a football event), prior to yesterday, was November 15, 2008. This day lived in infamy for me, until yesterday. You see, it was that game against UGA that left me with a sinking feeling. It was not the loss so much as it was knowing that the face of Auburn football, as I knew it, would be forever changed. Everyone leaving that game that night, wearing our colors of orange and blue, was in dismay. There were either no words or extreme words of anger coming from the AU family.

The entire 2008 season had been a disaster, and on that night I think we all knew that something BIG was coming. As my husband and I made our drive back to Baldwin County on I-65, I knew in my heart that I had seen (in person) Coach Tuberville lead our Tigers for the last time.

I began to cry. I love my Tigers, regardless of wins or losses, but dang it...I wanted them to be RELEVANT. I was sick to death of hearing Saban's name and about how uat "was back". I know it is silly, and that AU was as relevant then as they had always been, but it did not feel that way that night or any other night in 2008. We ended that season 5-7 with a shut out loss to uat in Bryant-Denny (none the less). Something was about to break....

In December of 2008, Tommy Tuberville was fired and/or resigned as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers, either way he was gone. Now what? On December 13, 2008 Auburn University and Jay Jacobs hired Gene Chizik to be the next head coach of The Auburn Tigers football team...wait WHO?

I'll spare you all the recap of Chizik's term at Iowa State, we all know it and we all discussed it. Chizik definitely was not the "sexy hire", but as it turns out Gene Chizik was EXACTLY what this university, team, and fan base needed. Coach Gene Chizik immediately began rebuilding, complete with the hires of Gus Malzahn, Ted Roof, Trooper Taylor, Tracey Rocker, Curtis Luper, and well you all know the rest. Chizik and Co. led us to an 8-5 (3-5 SEC) record in 2009 and had us all hopeful for the 2010 season and feeling like a bunch of hypocrites (for the most part).

September 04, 2010, our season began with Arkansas State. 52-26, a win that would light the spark to the bomb that was about to explode college football. This season had everything...highs that were higher than any of us could have ever hoped; lows that had us all defending one player, one team, and one university. We finished 14-0, SEC West Champions, SEC Champions, A Heisman Trophy winner, a Lombardi Trophy winner, and on January 10, 2011  National Champions. Yes, the AUBURN UNIVERSITY TIGERS FOOTBALL TEAM is your 2010 National Champions.

Cause for celebration? You are darn right, and celebrate we did!! I have read accounts of 78,000 in Auburn yesterday for our championship celebration. I was there and I would bet my right arm there was every bit of 80,000 plus in the stadium. This is not counting the people who never actually made it in the stadium.

Inside the stadium as we waited for the team we all watched the replay of the Championship game. We all cheered and booed as if it was a live game. As the team and coaching staff were announced, you would have thought AU just scored a TD against uat. The trophies were re-awarded and fans were on their feet. Kodi Burns and Pat Dye were given standing ovations.

I was in awe at what I was participating in. Standing outside, waiting for the players, for the reverse Tiger Walk...many commented that the atmosphere was better than any Iron Bowl they had attended...I agree! Everyone...fans, players, coaches, security, EVERYONE was all smiles, all day. We, young and old, were there to celebrate an accomplishment that NO ONE thought could have ever been possible, but yet here we were!

As we walked back to the car, I teared up yet again. Why? Because for me, my journey as an Auburn fan came full circle in two years. From my lowest low, leaving that game in 2008 to my highest high, leaving the National Championship celebration, but I was watching an elderly man holding his elderly wife's hand as they waited for Tiger Transit, and I know that their journey has taken them...53 years.

This year has been like a fairy tale and Coach Gene Chizik has started writing our "Happily Ever After..." bringing us "All In".  Guys, I was there and let me tell you...we are just at the beginning and this is going to be one heck of a story!

War Eagle!!!

Plays from this AUsome 2010 season.  Whether it is just one or you have a dozen favorites, I want to know.  A few of mine are as follows and are in no particular order...

AU @ KY - Cam's completed pass to Kodi as he is falling out of bounds.

AU @ Ole Miss - Kodi's completed pass to Cam for a TD.

LSU @ AU - Fairley's "suplex" of Jefferson, and Cam dragging Peterson into the endzone for a TD.

AU @ uat - This one may be frowned upon, but Bell's sack on McElroy in the 4th qtr. made me smile.

Okay...now it is your turn!

War Eagle!

Good Morning and War Eagle, Everyone!

My family and I will be unable to attend the BCSNCG in Glendale this year...the travel time and expenses are just a little much.  With that, I had an idea that I am sure many other AU fans in my position have had. 

How about AU opening up Jordan-Hare and airing the BCNCG LIVE!  They can sell tickets at a reasonable rate...the school makes money and it becomes ONE big party for the AU family.  Think about it...it is the next best thing to actaully being there.  And when we win...goodness, it will be like none other in Toomer's Corner.  Just a thought...

If any of you guys out there have connections with the Athletic Dept...please share this with them!

The article below was written by Rachel Morand an AuburnSports.com Staff Writer.  The article details not only how the Staff at Wrights Mill Road Elementary feel about Cam, but the impact that this young man has had on the lives of the children at Wrights Mill.  Enjoy the read...

I will also post a video about Cam's role at Wrights Mill this past year.

War Eagle!

Article after the jump.

Continue reading this post »

A place to post your comments as our guys are honored throughout the evening!

Continue reading this post »

This is how I feel about this team...

This 2010 Tiger Team IS something special.  Cam Newton IS the best college football player on the field, Nick Fairley IS a force to be reckoned with, and Gene Chizik IS a spectacular coach.  Auburn has the best offensive line, hands down, in the SEC.  And though they have went unnoticed for the most part, we have some pretty fantastic running backs in Dyer and McAllebb and wide receivers; as well.  Now I know ALL of this because I have witnessed it with my own eyes, week end and week out.  Whatever has been thrown at this team...they brush it off and well  they keep WINNING!  We have the SEC West already, and I have no doubt that we will win in Tuscaloosa and Atlanta and be on our way to Glendale in January.  Not to mention the possibility of bringing home the Outland, Lombabrdi, and Heisman trophies.

It is easy, as an Auburn fan, to be angry with all the naysayers...from ESPN to Bama Fans, but I have taken a step back and looked at the big picture.  The hatred that has been portrayed towards this team speaks VOLUMES...to how GREAT we are.  No one picked us to be on top...it was Bama's year to win a 2nd NC in two years...remember that?  I do, but guess what WE are on TOP!  WE control our own destiny!  Isn't it a beautiful thing to see??  The disgust towards Newton and Fairley isn't much different from they way I feel about Satan Saban, so I do get it.  No one likes being WRONG, but they were ALL WRONG!  Except for maybe Herbstreit, I think he may have given us a chance in the beginning. 

So, to my fellow AU family,  don't fall prey to display that has been laid before us.  Revel in it!  Because I must admit, the view from the TOP is quite nice.

War Eagle!!