I have seen a couple of posts on the IB and wanted to share some thoughts...

First off, I am not a 'geezer' but I am old enough to have actually attended a game that included Coach Bryant on the sidelines.

I distinctly remember BAMA losing to MSU in 1980 and thinking... WTF! the radio must be frickin broken... (that should make the bullies smile)
My years in Tuscaloosa were great (from what I remember)

The Iron Bowl has always been a true completely intense and sometimes bitter rivalry.

Many teams claim 'rivals'... but IMHO, a true 'bitter rival' consists of two basic principles:
When the dread of losing is greater than the anticipation of winning
When you almost get as much joy out of seeing your 'rival' lose to someone else as you do having your own team win

With that being said - I think that two rivals of BAMA fall into this category: UT and Auburn

Auburn is special for the obvious - it is INSTATE. We all know that SEC football is heads-and-shoulders above the rest, both in quality and intensity. In all of the SEC there is only ONE true in-state BITTER RIVALRY - the iron bowl.
UGA-AU - great traditional rivalry, but not instate
3rd Sat in Oct (can we fix that?) - INTENSE, but not instate
Coctail Party - see above (but LOVE that the 50/50 split is still intact)
BAMA/LSU - seems bigger for LSU
Egg Bowl - I guess you can make the argument... but COME ON, there are still tickets available!

The Iron Bowl is almost too important and intense for the state.

I must say that I was fortunate to attend the LAST IB at Legion Field that was split 50/50. Imagine, if you can, the intensity of this rivalry, with the stadium full 2 hours before the game and both sides screaming at each other. It was truly an amazing sight to see. Something was lost when we stopped doing that. Once the ticket split was changed - it might as well have gone to home stadiums - and that has been tremendous for the game.

Here's to the best rivalry in college sports, a respectful game and fanbases (hopefully), no injuries and a prayer for low blood pressure.