Auburn on the field

November 29, 2008

By Jon Johnson

The Auburn players have just come out for their walk through on the field before going into the lockerroom to dress out.
The fans, in no surprise, are booing.
Several of the Auburn players are clowning around, dancing to the music blaring out over the P.A. system. One keeps standing on the big “A” at midfield.
One player is now taunting the fans.Not a smart move for a team that is 5-6.
The chants of “Roll Tide, Roll Tide, Roll Tide” now ring out.
One hour and a half before kickoff.

Saban in the house

By Jon Johnson

Nick Saban walks the field at 12:41 and the Alabama student section lets out a big cheer.
The Alabama coach makes a short walk, just to midfield as if checking out the surface, and turns to go back through the tunnel into the lockerroom
As usual, Saban is all business - hardly taking time to look up into the stands.
Fans are now starting to come into the stadium with game time just two hours away.
Highlights from Alabama’s season are being shown on the jumbotron with some rock music blaring.

I’m at Bryant-Denny

By Jon Johnson

Just got set up in the press box at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 12:10 p.m.
The rain has stopped here, but it’s kind of dreary and foggy. The field below looks fine. I really don’t believe the weather will have much affect on things.
They’ve started letting the Alabama students into the stadium, and they’re already filing into their seats in the student section. It will be a little while longer before they start letting the rest of the folks in.
The ony action going on right now on the field is some managers from both teams tossing around footballs.
Traffic was kind of slow getting into Tuscaloosa from Birmingham. I stayed in Gadsden last night and drove over this morning, meeting staff writer Ken Rogers next door to an IHOP to ride over to the stadium.
I plan to blog often before the game, will do some during the game, and then some after the game once my writing duties for the print and on-line edition are complete.
There are already plenty of media in the press box getting set for the big day.
The Auburn band just cranked up the school fight song outside of the stadium, and some of the Alabama students inside the stadium let out some boos.
I’ll check back with you in just a little while for another update on what’s going on.
Thanks for taking time to read.
Jon

Iron Bowl eve

November 28, 2008

By Jon Johnson

It’s the night before the Iron Bowl and I’m starting to get hyped up for the big game.
As I write tonight, I sit in my mother’s home in Gadsden and watch the newscasts out of Birmingham feature Alabama and Auburn football.
Looks like the weather may be a bit messy early in the day, but shouldn’t be too bad come game time.
Obviously Auburn is a big underdog going into this one, and I’m among those believing it will be mighty hard for the Tigers to make it seven in a row.
Alabama has stayed focused week after week, and has certainly shown worthy of a No. 1 national ranking.
No doubt the Tide will get the Tigers best shot, but it will take Auburn playing its most complete game of the season to have a chance in this one.
Still, no matter the circumstances, if you live in this state you’ve got to be excited about these two going at it tomorrow at Bryant-Denny - whether you’re there, watching on TV, listening on radio or following things through the Internet.
There’s nothing quite like the Iron Bowl.
I plan to get up around 8 in the morning and head to Tuscaloosa. The plan is to meet staff writer Ken Rogers in T-Town and ride together to the game. He’s got the all important parking pass, which puts us right next to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
If all goes well with the Internet, and with the trip up, I hope to begin blogging around noon to give you an idea of what the atmosphere is around the stadium.
I hope you take the time to check out the blog leading up to kickoff. I’ll share my thoughts during the game and afterwards as well.
Looking forward to it.

My AP Top 25 Week 14

November 23, 2008

By Jon Johnson

Much tougher chore this week. Of course the biggest challenge was whether to move Texas into the No. 3 slot, or move Oklahoma up past the Longhorns. I went with Texas, since the Longhorns did beat Oklahoma by 10 earlier this season. Yes, I know Oklahoma was awesome against Texas Tech, but I still believe Texas deserves to be ahead of them.

1. Alabama
2. Florida
3. Texas
4. Oklahoma
5. Southern Cal
6. Penn State
7. Texas Tech
8. Utah
9. Boise State
10. Ohio State
11. Oklahoma State
12. Missouri
13. Georgia
14. Ball State
15. TCU
16. Cincinnati
17. Oregon State
18. Michigan State
19. BYU
20. Boston College
21. Northwestern
22. Oregon
23. Georgia Tech
24. Florida State
25. Pittsburgh