Each week throughout the college football season, we have taken a closer look at a marquee college football matchup through the eyes of Team USA athletes, and, with the season drawing soon to a close, we feature one of the nation's most heated rivalries: the Iron Bowl. Auburn-Alabama dates back to the 1800s, and, to prepare for the 2014 edition, we asked Auburn alums Rowdy Gaines and Eric Shanteau, and Alabama alum Terin Humphrey about the rivalry and who they like in Saturday's game.
 @RowdyGaines |
Rowdy Gaines
Sport: Swimming
College: Auburn University
What does this rivalry mean to alums?
For better or worse, football means a lot to the state of Alabama and nothing is bigger than Auburn-Alabama -- even to the alums. Some take it a bit too far. After all, it's just a football game, but it is exciting for us all to be a part of the pageantry every year.
What is your favorite college football memory?
That’s an easy one. Last year's Iron Bowl game when a missed field goal by Alabama was run back for a touchdown to win the game for Auburn. Nothing will ever top that.
What is your favorite tailgate food?
Anything BBQ is good for me.
Best tailgate memory?
To tailgate in any SEC game is almost a religious experience so there are so many its hard to remember a specific one standing out but again the AU-AL is always one for the ages.
Final score prediction?
Auburn 31, Alabama 27
Why do you think Auburn will win?
Because it's my school!
 Courtesy: Terin Humphrey |
Terin Humphrey
Sport: Gymnastics
College: University of Alabama
Graduation Year: 2008
What is the atmosphere like in Tuscaloosa on the day of Auburn-Alabama?
Auburn ... one of our top rivals ... I could tell Auburn was coming in town probably a week before they got there. Everyone around town would talk about the game vs. Auburn. I would see the football guys training extra hard and leaving practice late the week they played Auburn. As a gymnast, The U of Alabama had won 30-some executive competitions against Auburn. We trained hard because we didn't want to be the first team to be beat by Auburn!
What does this rivalry mean to alums?
To me, it seems as if all the alumni want to prove that they went to a better school than the person next to them. For me, from all the past national championships won, it proves I went to the best school! I had a blast at Alabama! Alabama made me a football fan! Kansas City is my home, but I grew up in Alabama!
What is your favorite college football memory?
Being away from the U of A has made me miss every game day. There is no other campus like the U of A on game day. I miss walking around on the quad before every game, buying University of Alabama memorabilia. As an athlete, we sat on the first row of the stadium, and I loved watching our guys run onto the field like they are a million bucks. The atmosphere was like nothing I had ever experienced before attending school there.
Who is your favorite college football player?
My favorite player from University of Alabama would have to be D.J. Hall! I loved watching him as an athlete and loved him even more as a person. He was so outgoing and made everyone laugh and smile when he was around them. Also, I have to give a big shout-out to one of my best friends when I was at campus ... Roman Harper! He was like my big brother watching out after me. Love his personality and love that he has been very successful in the NFL since he has left the U of A.
What is your favorite tailgate food?
I am sorry to be plain, but you can't beat a good ol' fashion hot dog and nachos at games!
Best tailgate memory?
The gymnastics team would sign autographs on the quad at the first games. I loved going to the quad to sign autographs before the games. Seeing the pride and smiling faces of true Alabama fans for all the Tide sports was amazing.
Final score prediction?
I don't do final game predictions! I would never want to jinx my 'Bama players. But you know Alabama will end up on top! Alabama is one of the top schools in the nation and, at many different times, THE BEST school in the nation. We have always been the team to beat.
 @Shanteau |
Eric Shanteau
Sport: Swimming
College/University: Auburn University
Graduation Year: 2006
What does this rivalry mean to alums?
People always talk about “storied rivalries,” and, honestly most of them pale in comparison to Auburn / Alabama. First and foremost, people have to understand that football in the south is like religion. Most people can’t comprehend this unless they actually experience it. When there is this kind of passion around a rivalry, you will always get fierce competition. The longer you are involved with the competition, the more passionate you become about it. Hence the reason alumni, like myself, get kind of crazy for this rivalry.
What is your favorite college football memory?
Not losing to Alabama for my entire college career. That was during Auburn football’s longest winning streak against Alabama (2002 – 2007).
What is your favorite tailgate food?
Give me a good ol’ fashion burger any day! When it is at a tailgate, it is that much better.
Best tailgate memory?
Simply getting to the tailgate because that meant I was done with the hellacious Saturday morning workout. Tailgating was so much fun, because that was when my weekend officially began. Being a swimmer at Auburn meant we always had very challenging workouts on Saturday. Tailgates were a great way to unwind from the week and get ready for the game.
Final score prediction?
31-14, Auburn wins.
Why do you think Auburn will win?
Unfortunately, Auburn has nothing to lose at this point (we are out of the playoff), whereas Alabama has everything on the line. Hopefully, Auburn will take an aggressive play-calling stance and lay it all out there.
