Saban on gameday

[ConantheVolbarian]

I was just watching Gameday and Saban said that Tennessee was always considered the biggest rivalry game for Alabama when he coached there. I found that interesting because everybody in the media has been trying to make the Iron Bowl their biggest rival.

 

[TheGoodStuff]

Yeah he said it matter of fact. Someone needs to post that up so we can watch it again

 

[Jackcrevol]

I was just watching Gameday and Saban said that Tennessee was always considered the biggest rivalry game for Alabama when he coached there. I found that interesting because everybody in the media has been trying to make the Iron Bowl their biggest rival.

Probably an underhanded shot at Auburn.

 

[Ernie McCracken]

Scripted...Playing to the media and fans. That puppet will say the same thing with LSU and Auburn coming up.

GBO

 

[Flipdaddy]

Probably an underhanded shot at Auburn.

I believe you’re right because Tennessee was horrible while he was at Alabama. Auburn beat him every few years.

 

[bigorangecrush89]

I was just watching Gameday and Saban said that Tennessee was always considered the biggest rivalry game for Alabama when he coached there. I found that interesting because everybody in the media has been trying to make the Iron Bowl their biggest rival.

I just dont see it. Theyve won something like 16 of 17. At some point the lopsidedness starts to matter. He was saying it to get at Barners.

 

[Czarcasm]

Yeah he said it matter of fact. Someone needs to post that up so we can watch it again

 

[Chaplain_Vol]

Scripted...Playing to the media and fans. That puppet will say the same thing with LSU and Auburn coming up.

GBO

No it's not. He actually said this in an interview a long time ago, but it never got recognition. Saban has thought this for a long time.

 

[ATC_VOL]

I’ve heard several Bama people say this. Media has run with the Iron Bowl the past decade or so.

 

[VolPack22]

Saban was born in 1951. Tennessee was 10-6-3 vs Alabama from 1952-1970. Tennessee was the more dominant team in the rivalry whenever he was growing up so he has seen what this game really means.

 

[901 Orange]

I just dont see it. Theyve won something like 16 of 17. At some point the lopsidedness starts to matter. He was saying it to get at Barners.

I think when there is 60-70yrs prior to that where the game means everything, is a big deal. Bama may not like Auburn but they're still both from Alabama. We're their biggest out of state matchup and always will be because nobody beat them more times than us. When that changes they'll have a new rival

 

[GoVols9800]

Saban was born in 1951. Tennessee was 10-6-3 vs Alabama from 1952-1970. Tennessee was the more dominant team in the rivalry whenever he was growing up so he has seen what this game really means.

Correct about the records. But I doubt a kid growing up in West Virginia cared at all about following the Bama/Vol rivalry. Just a thought. Go Vols!!

 

[Voltopia]

The Iron Bowl is family vs family hate.

Third Saturday in October is pure unadulterated burn-the-stadium-and-raze-the-rubble hatred. It's just been backburnered because Tennessee's been historically uncompetive the past fifteen years prior to Heupel.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I saw that too. He doubled down and said he had trouble getting his guys up for Auburn but never for Tennessee. Which could be true because they seem to struggle against Auburn in years when they shouldn’t

 

[UTblood4life]

Who they all pick to win? Nm just saw they chose us

 

[volbound1700]

I went to graduate school in Birmingham (Samford University) and had tons of Alabama and Auburn graduates in my class. I lived there 3 years. I was also there a little before pre-Saban.

Auburn is Alabama's top rival. The way it was explained is Tennessee is Alabama's "respected" rival while they just flat out hate Auburn. I will say that old school Alabama fans still remember Fulmer and Tennessee beating up on them.

The issue is the bandwagon Alabama fans in Tennessee (I have relatives that fit this bill). They aren't real Alabama fans and just cheer for them because they win. They hate Tennessee and consider them the top rival.

 

[volbound1700]

I saw that too. He doubled down and said he had trouble getting his guys up for Auburn but never for Tennessee. Which could be true because they seem to struggle against Auburn in years when they shouldn’t

That has hurt Tennessee as well because Florida, Georgia, and Alabama all get up for Tennessee, even when Tennessee sucks. This helps explain why there hasn't been many "upsets" by Tennessee over these 3 during Dooley, Pruitt, Jones era.

 

[yoyoyoyo]

He’s consistently said this

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

The Iron Bowl is family vs family hate.

Third Saturday in October is pure unadulterated burn-the-stadium-and-raze-the-rubble hatred. It's just been backburnered because Tennessee's been historically uncompetive the past fifteen years prior to Heupel.

We ain't never took out any trees on the plains though. That's some family craziness there

It seems like in the 70s they desecrated The Rock with some ugly Crimson paint, though I might have the wrong decade.

Maybe we seeded the clouds and caused the tornado in Tuscaloosa? /craycray talk

 

[NATHAN05]

Saban was born in 1951. Tennessee was 10-6-3 vs Alabama from 1952-1970. Tennessee was the more dominant team in the rivalry whenever he was growing up so he has seen what this game really means.

This is the point I'll agree with. As an example, I was born In 81' and went to almost every Neyland game with my dad from about 88' thru 2003. I actually hate the Gators MORE than I hate a close 2nd Bama and want to win against the Gators above all games we play each year. This is because to me I watched the Spurrier/Fulmer rivalry, and during the mid 90s to early 00's we dominated Bama with 10 wins in a row. So I agree with your point that Saban grew up in an era where the Bama/Tenn game was massive. I feel like if we magically go on to run off a 10+ streak against the Gators, I'd still hate them the most based on my era of football.....just my 2 cents.

 

[superdave1984]

I hate errybody.
But if we were to win only one game all year, I would want it to be bama.

 

[onthehill71]

The Iron Bowl is family vs family hate.

Third Saturday in October is pure unadulterated burn-the-stadium-and-raze-the-rubble hatred. It's just been backburnered because Tennessee's been historically uncompetive the past fifteen years prior to Heupel.

Some years ago my wife was talking to a Bama mom. The lady said they hated Auburn because they were supposed to. They hated us because they want to.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

I’ve heard several Bama people say this. Media has run with the Iron Bowl the past decade or so.

Yes I have posed this question to several Bama fans here and their answer was: We intently dislike Auburn and we see them as a Bama wannabe. We hate TN.
I think its very clear.

For their older fans, the hatred of Fulmer runs deep.

 

[volbound1700]

This is the point I'll agree with. As an example, I was born In 81' and went to almost every Neyland game with my dad from about 88' thru 2003. I actually hate the Gators MORE than I hate a close 2nd Bama and want to win against the Gators above all games we play each year. This is because to me I watched the Spurrier/Fulmer rivalry, and during the mid 90s to early 00's we dominated Bama with 10 wins in a row. So I agree with your point that Saban grew up in an era where the Bama/Tenn game was massive. I feel like if we magically go on to run off a 10+ streak against the Gators, I'd still hate them the most based on my era of football.....just my 2 cents.

A lot of old school Alabama and Georgia fans realize that if Tennessee can get momentum and get the program back, they are a threat. Alabama and Tennessee often recruit some of the same players as well.

Heupel has Tennessee making noise again and that is why they are getting so much focus from these fan bases.

 

[orchidvol]

Yes I have posed this question to several Bama fans here and their answer was: We intently dislike Auburn and we see them as a Bama wannabe. We hate TN.
I think its very clear.

For their older fans, the hatred of Fulmer runs deep.

They can't believe Fulmer would report them for cheating since they consider it a tradition.