SZVETITZ COLUMN: Iron Bowl I & II ... oh, what a day

Raise your hand if you’ve hit the mall, Walmart or another department already today.

You gotta love Black Friday.

Keep your hands raised if you’re now preparing for the Iron Bowl?

Naturally.

OK, here’s where you can really separate yourself from the pack. Raise both hands if you’re going to make the trip down Glenn Avenue to University after that game to check out the Auburn High-Prattville AHSAA Class 6A semifinal game as soon as the Auburn-Alabama game ends.

You are!?!?

You should.

It’ll be worth it.

What a day. What a 16-hour time period. What memories. What a story to tell your grandkids. You know you will.

I will. That’s for sure.

What a day for the city of Auburn. The Loveliest Village on the Plains will be extra lovely and extra packed all day today. And it’ll be awesome.

Seriously. This has got to be the biggest day in the history of Auburn — the city that never sleeps ... on football.

Sure, you’ve got Black Friday, which for the towns of Opelika and Auburn, is a huge day in and of itself. Millions of dollars will be spent today, as most people begin their Christmas shopping. Throw in the cash spent on meals in area restaurants and lodging for hotel rooms, and you’re looking
at an Alex Rodriguez-sized payoff.

But, for a second, forget about that 46-inch plasma flat screen on sale for $1.25 or whatever ridiculous price you saw in the newspaper flyer, and let’s focus on what’s important: Football.

And not just any football. The Iron Bowl(s).

Yes, you’ve got Iron Bowl I, kicking off today at 1:30 p.m., when Auburn hosts No. 2 and undefeated Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It’s the 20th anniversary of the first Iron Bowl played in Auburn, where the Crimson Tide came in undefeated and the Tigers pulled the upset, 30-20.

Can Auburn repeat history today, pulling off the improbable upset? Well, 87,541 people will cram into Jordan-Hare to find out. Thousands of others will be crowded around restaurant TVs or gas grills outside their RVs, watching.

That right there is enough reason to declare today a state-wide holiday.

But, we’ve got more. A lot more.

About three hours after the Iron Bowl ends, the second-biggest game in the state will kickoff when No. 1 Auburn High host

No. 2, and three-time defending state champ, Prattville at 8 p.m. at Duck Samford Stadium.

Let’s call it Iron Bowl II.

Let’s get ready to rumble!

It’s so big, Auburn mayor Bill Ham has declared today Tiger Day.

And he’s right. The two biggest games of the season on the biggest day of the year.

Who’s got goose bumps? Wait, who doesn’t?

What a day. The biggest ever. Turkey Day followed by Tiger Day. It doesn’t get any better.

Are you ready? You better be.

MIKE SZVETITZ is sports editor of the Opelika-Auburn News. He may be reached at or 737-2513.