Kind of like sitting next to Mildred Snitchenfurfur at the movies, the Iron Bowl 2009 was just too close for comfort. Seriously, being stuck in a dark room that close to Mildred is, no doubt, the same feeling the No. 2 Tide had, trailing the Tigers with under a minute to go on Saturday. It was a situation you just don’t want to be in, and the quicker you could get out of it, the better.

This was something no one expected.

Sure it is the Iron Bowl, and so goes the cliché “When these two teams get together you can throw the record books out the window.”

But Bama has been dominating all season, and Auburn, while much more improved from their 2008 campaign, just doesn’t have the depth that Alabama enjoys.

Before kickoff, Alabama was a 10 point favorite, but by the time the first quarter was completed, many Bama fans were wondering “What the….?”

From a sports fan point of view, you couldn’t have asked for a better game.  It was a relatively clean contest, minus a couple of Tiger personal foul penalties. The officiating was fair, fans, for the most part, behaved themselves, and both teams literally laid it all on the line. It was truly one of the most enjoyable Iron Bowls that I have ever witnessed.

It has been interesting to hear comments from fans saying that Alabama was holding some cards, that they didn’t bring everything they had to win the game, and that they have something “saved” for the Gators.

I don’t buy it.

This was the Iron Bowl. Everyone in the state, including the coaches, knows the importance of this game, the greatest rivalry in the country. (Just ask Bill Curry) To think that either team was holding anything back would be ludicrous.

Saban seemed to insinuate that Alabama did not play their best football, and while I tend to agree, I also think the Tigers deserve kudos for playing above their head.

Statistics were as close as the score.  

Auburn had 15 first downs to Bama’s 17. Auburn had 181 rushing yards, and somehow held the Tide and Ingram to 73.  Chris Todd was 15-25 for 181 yards and 2 TD’s.  McElroy was 21-31 for 218 yards and 2 TD’s.

If anything, this game, while proving to be an impressive come-from-behind victory for the Tide in their continued quest for a national championship, could prove to be more beneficial to the Tigers when it comes to recruiting.

Saban is no doubt one of the best recruiters in the nation, but some athletes who might still be straddling the fence, had to be impressed by the sell out crowd, the non-traditional game plan, and the Tigers ability to hang with Bama until the very end.

While a win over Florida and a shot at the title could change all of that, for right now, don’t be surprised to see some big names sign with Auburn.

Come Saturday, all eyes will be on the SEC championship game.  When the final whistle sounds, there will be one less undefeated team with no hope for a national championship.

The Tide has the talent.  They have the ability. They have the coaching.

They just better hope it’s not another date with Mildred. Getting away from her twice without being ‘kissed’ is virtually impossible.

-Hit ‘em straight

Dale Jones is a staff writer for The Islander.