Randy Kennedy's Column

[DKW 86 7,440]

http://www.al.com/sports/press-register/rk....xml&coll=3

In six years of changes, outcome remains the same

Sunday, November 25, 2007

AUBURN -- Auburn reached the end zone on its first possession Saturday night, forcing Alabama to play catch-up all night. It was only fitting considering the Tide has been trying for six years to catch up with the Auburn program.

It still hasn't happened.

Change coaches, Auburn wins.

Change venues, Auburn wins.

Face strong rumors that Tommy Tuberville will be fired (2003) or be pursued by another school (2007), Auburn wins.

Let Alabama pay more for its coaching staff than the GDP of Haiti, Auburn wins.

Face the prospect of Alabama building some momentum with the start of a great recruiting class, Auburn wins.

Tuberville's first comment to the press Saturday night was probably intended to sum up the hard-hitting play on the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium a few minutes earlier. But it was just as accurate in describing the trend in this series.

"This was," Tuberville said, "a typical Iron Bowl."

If ever an Iron Bowl win could be just another day at the office, this was it. Auburn played hard and found a way to win. Alabama played just well enough to lose by a respectable score to a superior program.

But it doesn't matter that Alabama is one of only two SEC teams to not lose a game by more than seven points this season or that the Tide has not lost by more than 10 points to Auburn since 1969.

What does matter in this state is that Auburn's series domination has reached historic levels. It's been more than 1,800 days since Alabama fans have enjoyed bragging rights over Auburn.

But at this point, you have to wonder what might be different one, two or five years from now.

This 6-6 Alabama team (which could be left out of the bowl picture) is not one bit better than the 6-6 team that got Mike Shula fired last year.

Help may be on the way, but until the Class of 2008 arrives on campus -- or at least signs to play with Alabama -- that argument to explain how Alabama is closing the gap on Auburn is woefully hollow.

Auburn's senior class is going to leave the Plains as the most successful in the program's history. Yet this class has precious few all-time Auburn greats. Quentin Groves will leave his name in the AU record books, but he will be replaced next year by a more productive player.

Brandon Cox will always have a place in the hearts of Auburn fans, but not for any particular play. His Auburn career will be remembered as the period when Auburn completely dominated Alabama.

A few years ago, that would have been considered a remarkable achievement. In 2007, it's just another predictable statistic in this one-sided series.