November will reveal the winners of many major college football battles around the country. We call them rivalries, and they can drastically affect the social atmosphere in this region of the

country

yearround.

This year, there is another fight that will be resolved in Nov., the Presidential Election. It will further shape the landscape our society. You may be surprised to learn that winners of this race actually indicate who will win a legendary southern football rivalry game - The Iron Bowl.

In the state of Alabama, the annual Alabama vs. Auburn football game is headline news 12 months of the year.

Lately, the headlines have favored the Tigers, who, as you know, have won the last six Iron Bowls. They are also 6-0 all-time vs. Alabama in Tuscaloosa. You probably didn't know, however, that this year, Bama might have a sixwin streak of its own to defend.

In years that a Democrat has won the Presidency, beginning in 1948, the Crimson Tide is 6-0 against Auburn. As we near Election Day, it appears that Barack Obama (D) will be the winner. He may have already won or lost by the time you read this article, as it will be in circulation for the entire month.

The bottom line is that amidst all the Auburn fans proudly showing off their ability to count on their fingers, Bama fans could have a streak of their own to boast in '08.

So which team will hit the lucky number seven on Nov. 29? Alabama or Auburn?

At this point, if I were a bettin' man, I'd put my money on red! I've got Seven Reasons Why Bama will win this year's Iron Bowl (in no particular order):

1. Barack O(BAMA) - How ironic that his name actually spells out who the winner will be. Easy enough!

2. Zero Tolerance - That's how many times Bama has beaten Auburn in Tuscaloosa. A program that proud must beat its in-state rival at home at some point.

3. Hard Times - Much like our nation's economy, the Auburn football program seems to be heading for a depression. Too bad their bailout plan got fired a couple of weeks ago.

4. Kool-Aid - Bama fans are constantly criticized for "drinking the Kool-Aid," or claiming themselves national champs after a 3-0 or 4-0 start. Sometimes, however, the Kool-Aid tastes good for a reason.

5. Nick Saban's Birthday - Saban was born on Halloween, or "All Saints' Day." Ole' Saint Nick seems to be the guy that can lead Bama back to the promised land and deliver an early Christmas present.

6. Jim Fyffe - With the untimely passing of long-time Auburn radio announcer Jim Fyffe, the phrase "Touchdown Auburn" was also laid to rest. Contrary to the belief of this year's Auburn team, it doesn't actually mean that Auburn CAN'T score touchdowns anymore.

7. Player Names - Glen Coffee (RB), Tyler Love (OT), Wesley Neighbors (S), Brandon Fanney (DL) and Preston Dial (TE): Who can deny Bama fans the joy of waking up on Sunday morning to drink their Coffee and Love every second of reading about how the Crimson Tide spanked their Neighbors' Fanneys and washed six years of trash talk from Auburn fans' mouths with Dial!