Tide, Tigers enter Iron Bowl on sour notes

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Posted 6:07AM on Monday, November 17, 2003

AUBURN, ALABAMA - The key number going into Saturday's Iron Bowl is 12, and not because that's how many national championships Alabama claims. Between them, that's the number of losses for Auburn (6-5) and Alabama (4-7), the most ever collectively heading into the Iron Bowl. The dismal seasons have set the stage for a game that will likely be greeted with a yawn by most college football fans outside the state, even if the intensity is unlikely to wane within Alabama's borders. No wonder both coaches trotted out the old rivalry cliche Sunday. Throw out the records? They'd love to. ``I don't think it's a lot different from last year, both of us playing for pride,'' said Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, whose job might be in jeopardy. ``But when it comes down to this game, you don't worry about whether you're 10-0 or 1-9. ``You've got to show up and play and it means a lot to a lot of people, and it's one that we circle year round.'' Alabama's Mike Shula echoed that sentiment. ``It doesn't matter what your record is going into this game,'' Shula said. ``With a lot of players growing up together and playing with each other, playing against each other, and what football means to this whole state, the magnitude of the game just kind of changes.'' Both teams are stumbling into the Iron Bowl. Auburn is coming off a 26-7 loss at No. 6 Georgia while No. 3 LSU pounded the Crimson Tide 27-3. The Tigers' season-long troubles have Tuberville's job security a hot topic in Auburn. Asked if he was concerned about his job or if any university representatives had discussed his future status with him, he twice responded with a terse, ``No.'' ``We plan on being here and going recruiting next week and coaching the bowl game and finishing up on a good recruiting year and have a spring practice,'' said Tuberville, who signed a new five-year contract after last season with a hefty buyout. ``That's how you have to look at it.'' Alabama's situation was more predictable, with two offseason coaching changes and a roster depleted by NCAA sanctions. The teams did have 11 combined losses going into the 1998 game, which Alabama won 31-17. But Tide players know the Iron Bowl score is the one that their fans will remember most vividly. Quarterback Brodie Croyle said bouncing back won't be a problem. ``How do we regroup? It's Alabama-Auburn,'' Croyle said. ``It's always our biggest game of the year. If we win this game, nobody will remember 27-3.'' Pride may be the only thing on the line for teams with combined league records of 6-8. Auburn tackle Mark Pera said that's enough. ``It's more important this year because we're playing for pride,'' Pera said. ``That's all we have left. We have to go out there and play great. ``Auburn-Alabama is a season in itself. I want to go out beating Alabama and having the bragging rights.'' The Tigers' postseason trip also isn't settled, with the Music City Bowl in Nashville and the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La., the most likely destinations. So much for the preseason talk of a BCS bowl game. ``I can't speak for Alabama,'' Tuberville said, ``but we're surprised and disappointed.'' Rest assured, the Tide isn't too pleased with its record or the latest outing. LSU dominated throughout, outgaining Alabama 470-219 in total yards. ``It's a tough one to swallow, but it's something we're going have to swallow in a hurry and get past it,'' Shula said. ``We've got Auburn this week, and we all know what that means.'' It means you don't want to lose 27-3 or 26-7.