Auburn, Alabama face intriguing season openers this weekend
In the words of former boxing referee and TV personality Mills Lane, “Let’s get it on!”
Is there a better weekend to start the college football season than Labor Day weekend? Games begin Thursday and extend all the way through Monday.
It’s about time. There has been enough talk. It’s time for action. This week, expectations will run headlong into reality.
Fans in this state can appreciate that Alabama and Auburn are swapping opponents from last season. Alabama is taking on Clemson, a team the Tigers beat in overtime in the Chick-fil-A Bowl, while Auburn faces Louisiana-Monroe, a team that upset the Tide in Tuscaloosa late last season. It’s an interesting quirk in the schedules.
The Alabama-Clemson matchup is the most intriguing. Clemson carries a top 10 preseason national ranking and high hopes into its game against Alabama in the Georgia Dome. It also carries a recent history of greatness or regret in such high-profile games. On paper, Clemson is favored based on its depth and quality of talent, but that hasn’t always been enough for the Tigers.
al.com
8/25/08
