Auburn Wants To Beat Alabama; Vols Want A National Championship
By Zach Ragan
Jan 8, 2013; Fort Lauderdale FL, USA; The coaches trophy which was awarded to the Alabama Crimson Tide was on display during head coach Nick Saban winning coach press conference at Harbor Beach Marriott Resort
Auburn’s Nick Ruffin Tweeted a picture recently of the Tiger’s defensive meeting room, which had a notable two word phrase pictured.
Walked Into the defensive meeting rooms and saw this pic.twitter.com/BKDSIeT6Nm
— nick ruffin (@nickruffin20) June 9, 2013
The tweet was first pointed out by Saturday Down South
While I love the intense rivalries that the SEC brings to college football (who among us doesn’t), it’s a bit disheartening to see a team three years removed from a national championship, focusing on Alabama.
When Nick Saban was hired at Alabama, the team was in the midst of a five game losing streak to Auburn, but I can assure you that’s not what Saban focused on that season, or any season since.
The pageantry that comes along with SEC football is great, but slogans like “Beat Bama” should be reserved for the week of the Iron Bowl.
I believe it sends the wrong message to the Auburn players about their overall goal. If anything, it just bolsters the status of Alabama and places them on a pedestal.
It reminds me of when smaller schools, playing a big time opponent, refer to the game against the favored team as their “Super Bowl”.
I don’t think any SEC team should look at a conference opponent in that light, not even Kentucky.
This isn’t something Vol fans have to worry about.
Butch Jones has made it no secret that his vision is to restore Tennessee to national prominence and to compete for national championships.
Even with the Volunteer’s losing streaks to Alabama and Florida, there’s no way that Jones would put either of those teams on a pedestal.
Butch Jones is all about sending a message, there’s little doubt he’s sending the right message in the right way.
Even though Jones hasn’t led the Vols through the T yet, he’s been perfect this off-season.
Let’s see how long he can keep that undefeated record going.
For more on the Vols follow along on Twitter @AllforTennesse