Am I happy about the College Football National Championship Game?
The answer for every Auburn fan like me is a firm “yes” and “no.”
For the second time in five years and since the Tigers defeated both of them being ranked No. 1 at the time in November 2017, Auburn fans have had to endure seeing two SEC Championship Games and two CFP National Championship games with their two biggest rivals.
When I’ve been asked who I was rooting for, I honestly didn’t know how to respond. Here’s the dilemma.
The case for rooting for Alabama is that they are an in-state and intra-division rival. By them winning, Bama could have maintained the banner of the state and the SEC West. And they could defeat a thorn in Auburn’s side over the last 16 seasons.
However, those same Alabama fans though will tease Auburn about only having two national championships (although they could do like Alabama and recognized up to four additional championships including the undefeated seasons of 1993 and 2004). Alabama also passed Auburn for the number of Heismans, the only thing Auburn could hold over Alabama’s head until the last two seasons.
Then, there’s the case Georgia. Legendary Georgia coach Vince Dooley is an Auburn alumnus. Auburn coach Pat Dye was from Georgia. The two schools play in one of the oldest rivalries in college football. And they could beat a hated rival.
However, Georgia winning means Auburn loses its hold over Georgia for not winning a championship since 1980. Georgia fans in recent years have ratcheted up the rivalry in recent years, especially as many fans like to bark at their opponents.
So am I happy about the national championship result? I am happy that Alabama lost. I’m happy for Dooley and Georgia. I’m also somewhat happy for Kirby Smart too, as he got the monkey off his back.
I guess it is the lesser of two evils right now. I just hope Auburn finds itself in this spot before the other two can do it again.
Contact Brent at bmaze@-newtoncountyappeal.com.
