When Chris Davis streaked through the Plains and into the history books, it was one of those effulgently perfect moments that crystalize the absurdity, contradictions, and euphoria that is college football.
Absurdity
A year removed from finishing winless in the SEC, the Auburn Tigers hired back coordinator Gus Malzahn to replicate his 2010 offensive magic.
Malzahn's first order of business was converting Nick Marshall from defensive back into running the offense as a running quarterback. Marshall is the lighting to former Malzahn disciple Cam Newton's thunder.
In a year with too many close wins, people (myself included) believed there was no way the Tigers could withstand the Tide dreadnaught.
But after the Miracle at Jordan Hare, it wasn’t completely ridiculous to believe a rested Tigers, at home, could pull the upset over a wounded Alabama.
Contradictions
Malzahn directed the 2010 national champion Auburn team. Thanks to a booster exploiting a technicality in the rules, that team was able to Newton’s services for a title.
Nick Saban is a huge fan of over-signing and grey-shirting, which has Saban recruiting players he can't offer scholarships, and having said players pay their own way through school. Nick Saban earns $5.5 million a year.
Yes, Bama only tumbled down two spots in the BCS to land at number four. If the Ohio State loses Saturday, the Tide could possibly make the title game for the third straight time if the Auburn Tigers also lose to Missouri Tigers in the SEC Championship Game despite Missouri's impressive resume. The Tide rolls ratings.
Euphoria
There is no such feeling as that experienced at a college football game when alcohol and pyrotechnics on field bind 75,000 people into one Megazord of emotion.
Everything was perfect: Auburn ad-libbing a broken zone-read into a last minute TD. Nick Saban arguing for one last second on the clock. Gus Malzahn sticking his punt returner to field the short field goal.
College foobtall is ridiculous and unpredictable and practically obscene.
It thrives when fans become turncoats.
And get what's coming to them.
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War Damn Eagle.