re: What will be tide fans' excuses if their team loses the sugar bowl?

There probably won't be an excuse, well not for some days, as the Rant will burn to the ground in a combination of SEC fans putting the boots to Bama and righteous indignation that Bama lost to tOSU.

Losing in the first round of the first college football playoffs (for the FBS level) against the Buckeyes would make Auburn losing to FSU and snapping the streak seem like casual conversation at a Tupperware party.