Tide's Ingram respects Tate, Auburn

TUSCALOOSA — Alabama running back Mark Ingram is bullishly strong, lightning fast, can cut on a dime and relentlessly competitive.

But he’s no fun.

Asked about Auburn standout Ben Tate’s declaration that Tate is the state’s best collegiate running back, Ingram fired back with pleasantries.

“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Ingram said after second-ranked Alabama dispatched Chattanooga 45-0 on Saturday. “He’s a great back. I respect his game. He’s a great runner. I appreciate the way he runs the ball.

“I’m not going to talk about anything. I’m just going to let the way I play talk for me.”

That’s it? This, as we open bulletin board week, er, Iron Bowl week?

Ingram, who carried 11 times for 102 yards and touchdown runs of 25 and 40 yards, may be from Flint, Mich., but the sophomore understands the significance of the Iron Bowl. He also understands the axiom that talk is cheap.

“I’m looking forward to it a lot. Big game. In-state rivalry,” Ingram said. “Everybody knows how important the game is. They’re a good team. They have good players. We’re going to have to go out and practice hard all week.”

Cory Reamer, the senior linebacker from Hoover, grew up with the Iron Bowl. He was an Auburn fan when he was little. His perspective, of course, has changed. But not his passion for this rivalry.

“Last time I get to play Auburn,” Reamer said. “It’s at their place. For a lot of people in the state, this is what makes or breaks a season. It’s a one-game season from here on out. It’s going to be tough. It always is.”

That’s a lesson that several of Alabama’s out-of-state players don’t understand until they experience it first-hand.

Terrence Cody said last year’s 36-0 victory in Tuscaloosa meant so much to last year’s seniors since they had never defeated Auburn.

“During the week, I started seeing how much hatred there is between the two schools,” Cody said, before amending his observation. “It’s not bad hatred, it’s just competing.”

Cornerback and return specialist Javier Arenas, like Cody a Floridian, talked about not fully appreciating the rivalry when he arrived on campus.

“It took a while for it to sink in for me to get the concept of the game and how important this game is,” Arenas said. “When I was a freshman I didn’t think it was that important. I was more hooked on the Florida State-Florida rivalry.

“So, I didn’t think this game meant that much. Stepped out of the tunnel and there were guys in 20-degree weather with their shirts off, with profanity on their chests. Over the years, I’ve learned how important this rivalry is. It’s more important to me now. It’s four times as important to me now, this being my fourth year.”

Of course, Greg McElroy did appreciate the game, despite his Texas roots. He said he can’t wait to experience it as a starter.

“I think it’s the greatest rivalry in college football and it’ll be a good experience,” McElroy said. “They’re playing well and it’s at their place, which is always exciting.”

Alabama has not won at Auburn since 2001.

“I can’t really forget the taste in our mouths walking out of there a couple of years ago as losers, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity,” McElroy said. “We have got a long week of preparation ahead.”