Iron Bowl 2009

The day after Thanksgiving (yes, I know I'm way behind), we got up bright and early. No, we weren't heading out to shop with the rest of the Black Friday crowd. It was time for the big Iron Bowl game. If you're not from the South, and especially from Alabama, you may not have an idea of how HUGE this game really is. And you most likely do not realize the amount of emotional investment that goes into this football game. In Alabama, one of the first things you find out when you're getting to know someone is whether they are an Alabama fan or an Auburn fan. Regardless of how well one team or the other plays, the winner still gets bragging rights for 364 days. It doesn't matter if we were to lose 9 other games in a year, if we beat Auburn, it would be a successful season. That being said...

My dad, my cousin McShan, my sister, my brother-in-law (who happens to be an Auburn grad, gasp!), Cullen, and me were armed with hot coffee and warm (homemade by my sister) pumpkin bread as we headed down the road to Auburn.

When we got there, we stopped by (and were provided with a great parking spot by) Jay's uncle's tailgating spot. I think we were the only Alabama fans there! But they were nice to us anyway. :-)


Love that the AU on the tent behind us is upside down.


Favorite!


There were a TON of people there. And I think every single one was anxiously tentatively nervously cautiously excited (remember that whole emotional investment thing?). Regardless of how the teams are ranked during the year you NEVER know how this game is going to turn out. It's just one of those rivalries.


We had seats in the front row of the upper deck! It was a pretty great view. But man was it chilly up there!! For a few years there we didn't have too many really cold football games that required gloves, scarves, etc. But for this one we had earmuffs, coats, scarves, AND hand warmers (thanks Mom for sending those!).


Do you see someone that looks a little funny?


The final score in all its glory. And, like I said, regardless of how the teams are ranked, you just never know. We almost lost... and we were ranked #2 in the nation at the time and Auburn wasn't ranked. It was a nail-biter and everyone stayed til the very last second (notice the stands are still completely full).




Finally we get to enjoy leaving another Iron Bowl as victors! We lost for 6 straight years and finally won again last year. Might I just add that 4 of those 6 years were while I was in college at Alabama. :-( So I think we deserve to enjoy every minute of our win. Roll Tide!