War Eagle

Auburn University is the only public university I know that has its own creed. It sounds exactly like the sort of creed that would have been written by small farmers trying to carve out a very difficult living in the unhelpful soil of South Alabama. Here is how it begins:

"I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn. Therefore, I believe in work, hard work."

I can count only on what I earn. It is a sad commentary on mankind that small farmers, living in a free country, looked back on thousands of years of human history and concluded that they couldn't count on anyone else. Not the politicians, not the preachers, not the businessmen, not the philanthropists, not the intellectuals -- no one. You are on your own.

But that is the Auburn creed, and after a lifetime of watching Auburn football, I can see their point. They are the poorer school in one of the poorer states in the whole country. ESPN isn't going to help them, because they don't bring "good demographics." The AP isn't going to be fair to them -- sportswriters generally prefer more glamorous teams. Auburn can't even catch a break in its own state -- where the University of Alabama has always had the upper hand in terms of money and influence.

Under these circumstances, Auburn could easily make its excuses and go away. Certainly the the other big schools in the SEC would be perfectly happy to see Auburn accept a lesser status, down with the Mississippi's and Kentucky's of the league. But Auburn refuses. Despite all obstacles, despite all difficulties, they persevere.

This year has epitomized Auburn's history. As usual, Auburn entered the season overshadowed by its more famous rivals in Tuscaloosa, who had just won their seventh AP national title (compared to one for Auburn). Most folks figured the Tigers would go 8-4 or 7-5. But led by a transfer quarterback named Cam Newton, Auburn just kept winning. It wasn't easy. They beat Mississippi State 17-14. They came from behind to beat Clemson 27-24 in overtime. They came from behind to beat South Carolina 35-27. They pulled out a 37-34 win over Kentucky. No one paid much attention because the games were so close. Surely Auburn would lose as their schedule got tougher. However, when the Tigers beat LSU to take over first place in the SEC West, it became clear that Auburn was a serious contender for the national title, and that Newton would likely win the Heisman. A miracle season, right?

Well, it's never that simple for Auburn. In 1993, they went undefeated -- but no one saw them because they were on probation. In 2004, they went undefeated again -- but finished the year ranked behind Oklahoma and USC, making them ineligible to play for the national title. This year, their dream season was interrupted by allegations that Cam Newton's family demanded money from Mississippi State when State was recruiting Newton. I have no idea whether these allegations are true, or where the whole thing will end. But I do know that Auburn's fans -- who have supported this team through thick and thin, and who have experienced more bad breaks than any fan base should be asked to experience -- deserve better than this. I really hope that Newton is vindicated and that Auburn's fate is decided on the field, rather than by the "suits" that Auburn fans hate so passionately.

Anyway, today Auburn played their last home game of the year against their hated rivals from Georgia. (Of course, all of Auburn's rivals are "hated" rivals, but you get the point.) The whole thing was a tribute to Auburn stubbornness. On ESPN Radio, one of the commentators said that the game wouldn't be Auburn against Georgia, but Auburn against the World. With the eyes of the nation on them, the Auburn fans came out in vast numbers to cheer for Newton. Their coach, apparently heedless of the allegations, let Newton play. As usual, Auburn fell behind -- this time 21-7. And as usual, they fought back and won, 49-31. Newton was transcendent.

Of course, there is still a lot of football to be played, and a very complicated investigation to resolve. But Auburn's last home game of the year ended with Cam Newton standing on the edge of the stadium, waving his arms, and with 90,000 Tiger fans screaming their heads off and letting the country know that whatever happens, they are proud to be for Auburn. I'm very happy they had this moment. They certainly deserve it.