Dominate the Super Bowl

Auburn University and the University of Alabama, both located in the state of Alabama, have garnered the undivided affection of football fans due to the absence of NFL teams in the state. The two traditional powerhouses are undoubtedly the most important presences with the broadest fan base and the most enduring history in the state.

Naturally, the two teams meet each year, more than once. Initially, their games were held in Birmingham, Alabama, which for a long time at the turn of the 20th century, was a steel city that could rival Pittsburgh. This is the origin of the name "Iron Bowl."

As of 2016, the two teams have faced each other a total of eighty times, with the Alabama Crimson Tide Storm leading with a record of forty-four wins, thirty-five losses, and one tie.

And now, the eighty-first Iron Bowl is about to unfold.

The Iron Bowl is not only steeped in history but also features countless iconic matchups that are worthy of entering the history books, sparking controversies, entanglement, and hatred that have persisted for a long time.

Aside from history, the recent Iron Bowls have also continued to intensify.

— The 2010 Iron Bowl.

The Crimson Tide Storm once led "24:0" at home, but Cam Newton, Auburn Tigers' Heisman Trophy recipient, led his team to the greatest comeback in the history of the Southeastern Conference. They won "28:27" at Bryant Denny Stadium, maintaining an undefeated season and claiming the Southeastern Conference championship.

After the game, Auburn Tigers fans put a Cam Newton jersey on the statue of the legendary Crimson Tide Storm coach Bryant at the entrance of Bryant Denny Stadium, thoroughly infuriating the Crimson Tide Storm fans; subsequently, Crimson Tide Storm fans went to Auburn and poisoned a famous old oak tree in the town.

Even now, fans on both sides continue to argue endlessly about the other's controversial actions.

— The 2013 Iron Bowl.

With only one second left in the game, the two teams were tied "28:28." Adam Griffith, a freshman kicker for the Crimson Tide Storm, was ready to attempt a fifty-seven-yard field goal for a game-winning kick.

Unfortunately, the field goal fell short by just a few yards, nearly grazing past the post.

At that moment, Chris Davis, a cornerback for Auburn University, cleverly positioned himself in the end zone and caught Griffith's field-goal attempt just inside the baseline, then launched a counterattack.

Davis fought through all obstacles and ultimately completed an inconceivable 109-yard return touchdown—

A game-winning play.

"34:28".

Auburn Tigers claimed that year's Iron Bowl victory.

The match won the ESPY Award for the Best Game of the following year—a competition that encompasses all sports and games worldwide.

In fact, after the 2010 Iron Bowl, the Crimson Tide Storm beat the Tigers two years in a row; and after the 2013 Iron Bowl, they again defeated the Tigers for two consecutive years. Overall, Saban's Crimson Tide Storm holds the upper hand; nevertheless, Auburn remains defiantly proud.

The reason is none other than the thrilling victories in 2010 and 2013, which were etched in the memories, sufficient for Auburn University fans to mock their arch-rivals without restraint.

This year is no exception.

At present, the Crimson Tide Storm is ranked first in the NCAA, vying for an undefeated season; the Auburn Tigers, however, are ranked thirteenth in the NCAA and from the roster to the strength and the state of play, the Tigers seem unlikely to halt the Crimson Tide Storm's victorious march this season. But an arch-rival is an arch-rival, and the Auburn Tigers don't see it that way.

Sean White, the quarterback for the Auburn Tigers, is a junior this year and redshirted a year ago. He's not exactly top-tier in the Southeastern Conference, but this is the Iron Bowl, and when the players from the Tigers just see the Crimson Tide Storm, they get fired up instantly and start to boast.

"They're really not worth mentioning. I'm not exaggerating, that so-called Chinese running back is just trash. We'll show him what a real professional-level defense is like."

"Let those clowns prepare their mindset quickly. Don't just surrender early again, pretending to be strong in the first half and then getting soft legs, collapsing disastrously in the second half and getting annihilated by us, then sniveling around looking for excuses to cry."

"Come on, let's see the historical pattern, the three-year cyclical time has come again."

White, extraordinarily arrogant—

2010, 2013, 2016.

Just like that, a three-year cycle repeats itself.

The previous two times were the same, with the Crimson Tide Storm holding the initiative for victory, only to be turned over by the Auburn Tigers—a shame indeed that went down in history; this year was no different, the Crimson Tide Storm was overwhelmingly favored to win, but the Auburn Tigers were well-prepared for their triennial ritual of sending the Crimson Tide Storm to hell.

The pain of their arch-rivals was their joy.

Not just White, but the entire Auburn Tigers team top to bottom exuded high spirits and exceptional confidence, including head coach Gus Malzahn.

"Football is a team sport, it's not as simple as one plus one equals two, we've already grasped the key to victory, the Auburn Tigers will surely have the last laugh, we're confident, we're powerful, and we're ready."

Unity is strength!n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Before the game, there was a haze of gunpowder in the air.

Unfortunately, due to Saban's ban, no Crimson Tide Storm players were allowed to give interviews; they didn't even know where the Auburn Tigers players were talking big, so a war of words never materialized, leaving the Auburn Tigers alone in their swagger, spewing trash talk to no avail, a somewhat lonely affair.

"Please look forward to it, we will give the Crimson Tide Storm quite the scare."

Malzahn made harsh statements in a pre-game interview, while Saban responded with a face of calm.

"I'll be looking forward to that."

By the end of the game, Saban indeed got quite a scare—and not a minor one at that—

Where on earth did that guy's pre-game confidence come from?

R-Kelly?

"I believe I can fly?"

The 80th Iron Bowl has ended, and the final score settled above "42:6", with the Crimson Tide Storm claiming an easy victory.

The gap was obvious.

Since that incredible comeback in 2010, the Auburn Tigers had not again managed a victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium; this match also set the largest score difference in the Iron Bowl since 2012.

Actually, if it hadn't been for Saban resting his main players for the series of championship games that followed, starting rotations in the third quarter and having substitutes play in the fourth, the score difference could've been even larger, and the Auburn Tigers might've faced a shutout.

The entire game was basically a one-sided crushing, with the Crimson Tide Storm displaying absolute power, tightly suppressing the opponent on both offense and defense, covering their century-old arch-rival in dust and dirt.

The more arrogant they were before the game, the more deflated they appeared during it.

From Saban's movements in the second half, it was clear that he did not deign to humiliate the Auburn Tigers.

While the Auburn Tigers were hopping around, Saban's gaze was already fixed on more important games; humiliating the Auburn Tigers held no value.

This was the real humiliation.

Auburn Tigers' quarterback White was nearly invisible the whole game, with 32 passes and only 15 completions, advancing just 98 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions—truly pitiful statistics.

In stark contrast was Li Wei, who strolled through the game as if walking in his own backyard, advancing 187 yards on the run, scoring twice, and clocking off work early.

The Auburn Tigers simply could not stop Li Wei; not to mention Li Wei, even Jacobs and Clark ran through them as if through empty space.

Thus.

After a slicing through defenses like cutting vegetables, the Crimson Tide Storm comfortably won the Iron Bowl, ending the season with a victory, undefeated through twelve games, continuing their position at the top of the NCAA.