Christmas Countdown: Football Edition?

I know that this post is nearly 2 days late on the Christmas countdown, but it's been a crazy and wonderful 2 days! So we're now within 4 weeks of Christmas and this isn't really a Christmas countdown, but there's really no better time than Iron Bowl weekend to reflect on the past 5 years of football.

I'd just like to say that  I really can't rank these because I remember each of these being amazing!!

Best Games 2006-2010

2006:

• AU vs. LSU - we won 7-3 and I got sick from sitting out in the sun that day but it was so worth it!
• AU vs. Florida - We beat the #3 team at the time 27-17. For those who don't remember, that was the game that Powers blocked the Florida punt at the end of the game to seal the victory! Although they went on the win the National Championship that year, we still beat the champs.
• AU vs. Alabama - The Iron Bowl is always a big game but beating Bama in Bryant-Denny 22-15 was amazing! Even though I didn't actually get to go to this game because it was my brother's year for the ticket. Also that year was 5 in row that we beat them!

2007:

• AU vs. Florida - This was the first time I ever traveled to the swamp and I hope to go again in 2 years. That year we won 20-17 (again they were #3). Byrum gave us the game winning field goal in the last seconds of the game TWICE!! Nice try Meyer, but you still lost. Also if no one noticed, Tebow never beat Auburn! 
• AU vs. Alabama - That year, for the sixth straight year, we beat Bama. And winning the Iron Bowl at home is so so sweet! Although we were ranked pretty low and Bama wasn't ranked at all, that game is always played with so much heart. Oh and the score was 17-10.

2009: [yes, 2008 was that rough!]

• Last year was kind of a rough year, but I don't think anyone who was there will ever forget September 19, 2009, the night Auburn saw the rain! AU vs. West Virginia - We won 41-30 but the spirit of that night in the Auburn fans went far beyond that game. First we wanted to win really bad because in 2008 at WVU we were up 17-0 at the half and they came back to beat us 34-17, just embarrassing. But when the monsoon hit Jordan-Hare no one could have predicted the response it got. I can't even find words for it, so below is a link so you can see for yourself. Well, I have one word, heart. We have a lot of heart at Auburn. 

The Rain Game 

2010: The Undefeated Season
I still can't believe this incredible year, which I will post on tomorrow, along with pictures of the weekend.
Also I'd like to list each game here, but I won't.

• AU vs. Clemson - So we had ESPN Gameday on the Plains that weekend and it was nuts! I really didn't think we'd win, which I actually think a lot of the time (by now it's good luck!) This game was the first week we had the "All Auburn All In" slogan going and we also had the 'True Blue' that week since Clemson is orange. And it actually worked! (We had a failed attempt last year). We came from behind in this game to tie it up and win by a field goal in overtime. Nerve wracking? Yes! The final was 27-24. 
• AU vs. South Carolina - I'd just like to note that I was sitting by a freshman SC cheerleader who wasn't on the away squad at that game. He told me at one point that his was so impressed at our achievements that were displayed around the stadium because they had never so much as won an SEC title. I told him they were a good team and I'm sure they would soon. I'd now like to retract that statement, not this year buddy!! Anyway this game was the battle of the freshmen, Dyer vs. Lattimore. I know the re-match will be just as good as the first. Oh by the way we won that game 35-27.
• AU vs. Arkansas - I'll keep this short. We thought we were going to lose but by some miracle got 2 turnovers in a row right after a touchdown in the fourth quarter and won 65-43. It was insane!
• AU vs. LSU - With 5 minutes left in this game McCalebb sealed the win with a 70-yard touchdown run! It was awesome, especially after how they whooped us last year. We won it this year though, 24-17.
• AU vs. Georgia - I already posted a good bit about Georgia when it happened, but that game was so incredible. I'm just happy our seniors this year get to walk away finally beating Georgia. It ended up 49-31, and there were so many special moments in that game I can't say enough about it so I urge you to read my earlier post on that game.
• AU vs. Alabama - Again this will be short because my next post will be a detailed description of the weekend. It was incredible though. It was the biggest comeback in the history of Auburn football and will certainly go down in the record books next to the 1972 Iron Bowl. For those who don't remember that was "Punt, Bama, Punt" (yes, that's a formal title) Also known for the infamous score 17-16, like the bar. Ha ha. This whole weekend was a dream though, and by the way I'm marking the undefeated season and Iron Bowl win off of my list. Thank you Auburn! Also in case you haven't heard, the score was 28-27. :)

Now separately, I'd like to recognize the 2009 Iron Bowl. I know we lost, but we were expected to get blown out in that game by the soon to be national champs. If you remember though, we were ahead for all but the last couple of minutes of that game and just knowing that my team showed up that day to play with all that they could makes me remember why I'm so proud to be a part of this family. Because no matter the outcome of the game I'm always an Auburn Tiger!


So thank you Auburn for 5 wonderful years, even when they weren't winning. As the saying goes...the worst day on the Plains is still better than the best day in Tuscaloosa. :) War Damn Eagle!!