Punch to the gut

It'a now been a full day since Alabama looked like a pee-wee team against Auburn and I'm still getting over it. Heck, I've had since five minutes into the game to reconcile with the fact that for the fourth straight year the football team I've followed since I was a kid lost to the in-state rival.

I realized something from this game. Alabama -- fans, team, coaches, everyone -- has reached a point where we are owned by Auburn. It's been the same for other teams and their fans. At one point it didn't matter how succesful a season the Red Sox had, everyone knew the Yankees would get them in the playoffs, when it counted. For a number of years Ohio State would go undefeated or maybe have one loss ... until they faced Michigan, who always beat them. That's how it has become with Alabama and Auburn.

I'm still clinging to some things when Auburn fans get on me: We have 12 national titles; we still lead the overall series; you can't match our tradition; etc. However, I'm ready to get back to the point where each year I expect us to win this game. Right now I'm in the boat with everyone else rooting for the Crimson Tide: We merely hope to win this game each year. Auburn knows they will.