Saturday: The most highly anticipated Iron Bowl of my lifetime

1989 was more anticipated. We had two losses, Bama was undefeated, but it was the day Bama finally played us home. Changed the rivalry forever, it was a spiritual experience for everyone there.

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1989 was more anticipated. We had two losses, Bama was undefeated, but it was the day Bama finally played us home. Changed the rivalry forever, it was a spiritual experience for everyone there.

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I was there. Just a little kid, but present. Still have my ticket stub, Section 9, Row 48, Seat 11.

Not much different from other Iron Bowls as far as fans are concerned, just more media attention. The better team ALMOST always wins. Bama had a lot riding on the 1989 team, but lost, because AU was the better team. Bama was smoke and mirrors that year. Sure, they were 10-0, BUT, they had beaten UK by 12, Vandy by 6, SOUTHWESTERN LOUISIANA by 7, and a miracle blocked chip shot FG on the last play of the game to beat PSU by 1. Pat Dye's teams were tough and physical. Bill Curry's were not.

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Not much different from other Iron Bowls as far as fans are concerned

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maybe I'm just moist with anticipation because they are a top 5 team and I feel very confident we'll take care of business.

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AU is 10-1 and think they have a real shot to win. They don't but they think they do and want it BAD.

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History repeats itself.

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Gumps wanted that one SUPER bad. Not just due to the NC shot on the line, but AU fans had called gumps cowards for years for not coming to AU. Gumps wanted VERY badly to prove they could beat AU at home. Bama had not beaten AU in years and were called cowards for years.

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good point

The Iron Bowl lost a lot it's meaning when they moved it out of Birmingham. It's the city's fault for not getting a stadium deal done so it was probably inevitable. However, AUs' s insistence to moving it to JH was just an attempt to gain an advantage. They didn't want to play Bama on a neutral site. Bama should have had the balls to call their bluff to quit and take their ball and go home. I would have been fine with it they need the game more than we did.

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Bama should have had the balls to call their bluff to quit and take their ball and go home. I would have been fine with it they need the game more than we did.

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Birmingham forced Bama's hand on that. Legion Field and the surrounding area were really no longer suitable for this game. I would love to see another 50/50 split Iron Bowl again in Bham, just not at Legion Field.

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The Iron Bowl lost a lot it's meaning when they moved it out of Birmingham. It's the city's fault for not getting a stadium deal done so it was probably inevitable. However, AUs' s insistence to moving it to JH was just an attempt to gain an advantage. They didn't want to play Bama on a neutral site. Bama should have had the balls to call their bluff to quit and take their ball and go home. I would have been fine with it they need the game more than we did.

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Pat Dye was going to move the IB to Auburn regardless. For a number of reasons. 1. Recruiting. 2. Revenue 3. national prominence.

Same reason we no longer played Georgia in Columbus or Tennessee in Birmingham etc. Bama was the last bastion of resistence.

The fact that Bham couldnt/wouldnt do a stadium deal had as much to do with Bama wanting to play more games in T-Town as the IB. Birmingham has long had incompetent city government. This was a classic example.

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Birmingham forced Bama's hand on that. Legion Field and the surrounding area were really no longer suitable for this game. I would love to see another 50/50 split Iron Bowl again in Bham, just not at Legion Field.

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No way. I was at every IB from 1986-2000. Those IBs at legion field pale in comparison to the on campus games. Not to mention the fact it was not a neutral field and it was a shithole by the late 80's where you had to bribe people not to frick up or steal your car.

Most people on both sides agree the move to campus was HUGE for both schools and benefitted both schools significantly.

Now a truly even split in Atl would be nice as a novelty throw back, but it would quickly pale in comparison to the on campus atmosphere. The only reason I could think a gump would not want the on campus games is because AU has a better home crowd and greater home field advantage. But that is bama's problem, not AU's.