Call me a bad sport...

... if you want, but Saturdays in the South are proving very hard on me for some reason.

Well, 'some reason' is a bit misleading as I know precisely what the reason is. Namely, Alabama fans.

I don't know why I'm so fiercely protective of Auburn. It's really not just my football team, coaching staff, or adorable mascot, although those things all factor in quite a bit by now.

High school was not a fun time for me. I'll never be one of those people that dreams of going back to high school. I was uncomfortable with growing up-- anyone that smoked or cursed or drank was on my black list immediately. I witnessed more bullying than I experienced, but it was enough to make my skin crawl. I never really fit into one clique or another at my dear alma mater, as I was neither star athlete or beauty queen. I was average at best, and quite resentful of those who got to the top as they seemed to embody all the things I deemed intolerable.

So when it came time to graduate, I was hardly shedding tears and reminiscing about the Golden Days. I was packed and ready to go by the last day of my senior year, with a whole summer to wait on my big move. When the time finally came, I didn't just walk onto Auburn's campus-- I bounded.

And for the first time since kindergarten, when I ruled the playground as the Pink Power Ranger, I felt accepted. I quickly made friends and sorority sisters that have been with me ever since, and I can't say that my college memories had to fight for space among my high school memories. I went to a church pastored by the Godliest man I've ever met. Between my church family and my Auburn family, I learned an infinite amount about relationships and quite a bit about myself.

So to me, Auburn is very, very personal. It is family, no matter how hokey those outside the family think that may be. And when Bama fans attack my family for no other reason than that they're an Alabama fan, it especially gets under my skin. Especially those that don't know enough about football to actually criticize the team, and instead go for things like Gene Chizik's outfit or the shape of our stadium. It's one thing to say our defense is garbage-- I'll give you that; it's not our best year. But let's leave it at that, can we?

I don't trash talk-- ever. And later today, I won't magically morph into a Penn State fan. That's ridiculous. I'm an Auburn fan, and that's it.

So get a grip. I'm thrilled to death that you guys have had a good team for the past couple of years, but I'm old enough to remember the Shula years and so are you. And that's what makes our rivalry the best in the nation-- there is no consistent victor. Both teams have had dynasties, and both teams have had the lost years. So let's play nice. Here's a novel idea: what if Auburn fans focus their energy on cheering for Auburn instead of against Alabama (with the Iron Bowl being the obvious exception), and Bama fans do the same. I know, that'd be pretty crazy.

I'm sorry I'm not sorry for this rant. I never thought I'd be this fan, but... when you insult Auburn, you insult me. Today I came close to cussing a little group of Bama fans, but instead I wrote this passive aggressive blog instead. You're welcome.