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Why is this Iron Bowl considered bigger than 2013?
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:24 am
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:24 am
I just heard it on WJOX’s Roundtable show. Not the first time I’ve heard it. Think I heard Finebaum say it.
2013 featured an undefeated Bama team with a senior quarterback on track for a 3-peat. Gus was in his first season and was apparently on track to put together a dominant program that could challenge Saban’s reign of terror.
Winner went to the SECCG. Bama winning put them in the BCSCG. Auburn needed a little help.
This year has Bama in a similar spot without the chance at making history but Auburn has two losses. Might need a little help to get into the playoff.
What’s bigger this year?
2013 featured an undefeated Bama team with a senior quarterback on track for a 3-peat. Gus was in his first season and was apparently on track to put together a dominant program that could challenge Saban’s reign of terror.
Winner went to the SECCG. Bama winning put them in the BCSCG. Auburn needed a little help.
This year has Bama in a similar spot without the chance at making history but Auburn has two losses. Might need a little help to get into the playoff.
What’s bigger this year?
This post was edited on 11/21/17 at 10:25 am
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Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:25 am to StringedInstruments
Because its the next one.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:26 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
Why is this Iron Bowl considered bigger than 2013?
It's not....
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:26 am to StringedInstruments
Probably because this is expected to be a very close game. 2013 may have been bigger in hindsight, but going in it was expected Bama would win easily.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:34 am to StringedInstruments
quote:
What’s bigger this year?
Because the game is in 5 days, not 4 years ago.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:38 am to StringedInstruments
I don't think it is, but it could be bigger considering Auburn fans would have been okay with losing in '13 with the surprise season they were having. Gus will catch a lot of flack this year if he loses.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:42 am to Gary Busey
quote:I'm not sure this is true
Gus will catch a lot of flack this year if he loses.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:44 am to StringedInstruments
Because it is a tacit first round of the CFP. Win out you are in.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:45 am to Crimson Legend
quote:I think it is very much this.
Probably because this is expected to be a very close game.
Storyline of UA injuries, weaker than expected line play vs a very strong AU team playing well on both sides of the ball took full steam in Nov after the UA-MSU game and AU-UGA game.
I do not recall a similar scenario in the IB with similar stakes and where the favorite has been treated almost as an underdog.
The CFP have assisted the buildup to this game as well. Under BCS 2013, this game would almost be the same, save the above mentioned narrative built by media. A 2 loss Auburn could only hope to play spoiler of a UA championship run and steal an SEC title. They'd need complete chaos for a "2007 LSU 2 losses and you are in" scenario. Where in 2013, they needed some help from tOSU but hardly chaos.
As it stands, AU has a very clear path to the CFP final 4 if they win out, which changes the stakes somewhat.
So, 2013 vs 2017 IB
-unique favorite-underdog narrative being built, be it justified or not
- stakes going into the game are different as both seem to control their own destiny
My thought/hope is that the latter makes Gus and AU play a bit tighter than they would if solely playing the part of 2 loss spoiler with chance of SEC title only
This post was edited on 11/21/17 at 10:47 am
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:46 am to XenScott
bc kevin scarbinsky and tony kurre need people to listen to them.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:48 am to StringedInstruments
The Law of Probability?
Posted on 11/21/17 at 10:49 am to Che Boludo
Even though 2013 AU was steamrolling teams on the ground by the time of the IB, perception was AU was having a nice bounce back season but still recovering from 2012. Alabama was in full Saban domination mode.
The blowout of UGA and Bama looking beatable has the public interested. The public, as a whole, are tired of Bama just wrecking everyone and want to see someone take down the Giant.
The blowout of UGA and Bama looking beatable has the public interested. The public, as a whole, are tired of Bama just wrecking everyone and want to see someone take down the Giant.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 11:23 am to Crimson Legend
quote:
Probably because this is expected to be a very close game. 2013 may have been bigger in hindsight, but going in it was expected Bama would win easily.
This. Also because everybody always gets caught up in the moment.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 11:25 am to StringedInstruments
I will say this...
The 2017 Iron Bowl winner has a direct path to the College Football Playoff if they can beat Georgia. Both teams still by all accounts control their own destiny.
If I remember correctly, the 2013 game was the last year of the BCS, and going into that game, Auburn not only had to win and then go win in Atlanta... but they had to hope either Florida State or Ohio State also lost a game in order for Auburn to get into that National Title Game. Ohio State was ultimately upset by Michigan State, so it worked out.
The 2017 Iron Bowl winner has a direct path to the College Football Playoff if they can beat Georgia. Both teams still by all accounts control their own destiny.
If I remember correctly, the 2013 game was the last year of the BCS, and going into that game, Auburn not only had to win and then go win in Atlanta... but they had to hope either Florida State or Ohio State also lost a game in order for Auburn to get into that National Title Game. Ohio State was ultimately upset by Michigan State, so it worked out.
Posted on 11/21/17 at 11:33 am to BHMKyle
Exactly. 2013 wasn't a clear path for Auburn until Ohio State lost
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