Iron Bowl 2011: A rivalry renewed
By Ethan Bernal

The Auburn Tigers face the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, Nov. 26, for the 76th edition of the Iron Bowl. A matchup between the last two BCS National Champions, kickoff will be at 2:30 p.m. at Jordan-Hare Stadium and will be televised on CBS.

The Iron Bowl rivalry dates back to the teams’ first meeting in February 1893, with Alabama leading the all-time series 38-33-1. The lone tie, a 6-6 battle in 1907, resulted in a quarrel between the teams and the rivalry was suspended until 1948.

In the last 20 years, Auburn has the series advantage 11-9, and the teams have split the last four games.

While the rivalry’s rich history adds excitement to the game atmosphere, head coach Gene Chizik knows that the past means nothing once both teams hit the field on Saturday.

"We will have to unequivocally play without a doubt the best game of football that we have played on offense, defense and special teams,” Chizik said. “No question about it.”

A big key on defense will be to shut down Alabama’s Heisman candidate Trent Richardson. The junior running back leads the SEC in rushing with 125 yards a game and 20 touchdowns.

In his two games against Auburn, Richardson has 75 yards rushing and a touchdown on 25 carries and six catches for 40 yards in limited time, playing behind current New Orleans Saint Mark Ingram.

Offensively, the Tigers have their hands full taking on the nation’s No. 1 defense. The Crimson Tide are the only team in the country holding opponents under 200 yards a game, allowing 195. LSU, the No. 2 defense in the country allows 247 yards a game.

Junior tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen caught the game-tying touchdown, with the extra point taking the 28-27 lead, in the fourth quarter against Alabama last year. This year he is ready to protect his home turf.

"You don't like losing to Alabama at all, and you don't like losing at home," Lutzenkirchen said. "We got a great win streak going here, and we're going to try to keep it going."

Auburn is riding a 14-game winning streak at Jordan-Hare, their last loss coming in its 26-21 loss to Alabama in 2009.

Both teams are coming off of wins against non-conference opponents. The Crimson Tide had its worst game of the season defensively, allowing 341 total yards and 21 points to Georgia Southern.
The Tigers defeated Samford 35-16 after honoring Samford head coach, and Auburn’s first Heisman Trophy winner, Pat Sullivan in pregame.

Against the Bulldogs, quarterback Clint Moseley went 13 for 20 passing for 167 yards and a touchdown. Moseley added a 22 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Sophomore running back Michael Dyer, who is tied for second in the SEC with 10 rushing touchdowns on the year, gained 157 yards and a touchdown on the ground on 30 carries.

In the wake of Thanksgiving celebrations, the state of Alabama will come to a standstill as the fans of their respective teams celebrate a holiday that both sides have been talking about for the last 364 days.

Come Saturday, 87, 451 fans will file into Jordan-Hare to enjoy another exciting chapter in one of college football’s most intense rivalries.



Toomer's Memory Page

Playing the first game against Alabama since the poisoning of Toomer’s trees may make this year harder for many Auburn fans. So, The Corner spoke to a few Auburn students to get their thoughts on rolling Toomer’s now, the future of the trees and more.

Ashley Richards

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? It’s extremely sad. Surprisingly I’m a lot more upset than I thought I would be.

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? Rolling Toomer’s now is bitter sweet. You know it won’t be happening too much longer.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? It’s comparable to a scar. The mark may be there forever, but it’s also not going to kill the person.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? I like the idea of replacing the trees with a bronze replica. Definitely easier up keep when it comes to cleaning them off. Oh, and Updyke’s punishment should be to pay for the whole thing.

Caitlin Selman

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? It still makes me mad.

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? I think a lot of us are afraid we will hurt the trees even more.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? It makes us sad, but we are “the best fans in the nation” according to Chizik, so I think we will continue to be strong and move past this.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? I think it would be cool to make a bronze replica of the trees and we could hang pictures that we have taken at Toomer’s on the bronze statue in addition to rolling it.

Ike deJong

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? Disappointed how low Bama fans will really go.

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? You really appreciate it knowing that it won’t always be there.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? It hasn’t. We have a strong, tight family so it takes a lot to challenge us.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? Make some awesome tree sculptures to roll in honor of the oaks.

Matthew Gilleran

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? Still the same. It was wrong and it crossed the line.

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? It almost lost its steam compared to what it once was.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? It has hurt everyone. It was a very detrimental blow to the Auburn family.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? Create exact bronze replicas of the oaks that we can continue to roll.

Chris Colby

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? That guy will get what he deserves one day, but at the same time nothing will ever stop the tradition!

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? I don’t think it’s different at all. It will never stop.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? Being that we are a family, we help each other to roll the trees better than ever before.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? If possible, I think we could still roll Toomer’s corner. Instead of the trees though, I say we take it up a notch and roll everything in sight – respectfully of course.

Matt Henderson

How do you feel about the poisoning of Toomer’s oaks now? It is awful. This is not what our rivalry is about.

How is rolling Toomer’s Corner different now than before the trees were poisoned? I don’t fee it has changed until we cannot roll the trees.

How do you think the challenge of continuing to roll Toomer’s Corner has affected the Auburn family? I think the students really have decided to make sure to come out and roll them.

What do you think it a good alternative tradition? Rolling the whole campus, every tree on campus.

Iron Bowl Throughout the Years
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Iron Bowl Event Guide:

November 25th:

- BLUE Friday will take place in Downtown Auburn from 2-6 p.m. The community is invited to downtown Auburn to kick-off Iron Bowl weekend and celebrate the biggest shopping day of the year with a family-friendly day of music by DJ Ozz, children’s activities, an Iron Bowl ticket giveaway, special events, sales and a pep rally.
Magnolia Avenue will be closed from 1 to 7 p.m. and the festivities will begin at 2 p.m., but shoppers are invited to come early and take advantage of sales. This event is sponsored by the Auburn Downtown Merchants Association, Auburn Chamber, Auburn University Athletics, City of Auburn, Auburn Alumni, Opelika-Auburn News and the Auburn-Opelika Tourism Bureau.

- Auburn Men's Basketball vs. Nicholls State at 7 p.m. at the Auburn Arena.

- The Supper Club will host its annual Beat Bama Bash. Doors open at 4 p.m. with Sports Call. Help Auburn win the Annual Beat Bama Food Drive by bringing five cans of food or $5 for five whacks at a bammer jalopy/minivan.