The Iron Bowl

The Iron Bowl is the game for Alabama. With no professional sports teams within their border, this intrastate slug fest has become the biggest party for sports fans in the state. And for many, religion. I have seen first hand the tears of both joy and sorrow of local football fans in this state. My son is an Auburn graduate and I was fortunate enough to be able to see a few games in person during his tenure there. To say the place is rabid is an understatement. People live and die on this rivalry. Marriages breakup, families divide and businesses rise and fall on the results. And it is a zoo on game day. Here is all you need to know to get a picture of what it is going to be like today at game time in Jordan-Hare Stadium. About 55,000 people live in Auburn. The stadium holds almost 90,000 when it is maxed out, and today it will be. Outside the place will be another group, probably 10,000 strong who couldn't get tickets, or are too drunk to know where they are. Are you tracking with me here? That means bare minimum, this small city with a normal population of 55,000, will swell to over 100,000 at game time. Auburn University versus The University of Alabama. War Eagle versus Roll Tide. I think the infidels of Tuscaloosa will win, but of course I am rooting for the Tigers of Auburn. War Eagle.