I've engaged in a fruitless attempt to discuss Auburn and Alabama football history with some Bama fan on another board.
I wanted to come here to the bama fans I know best and ask if the concession I was seeking was reasonable.
He was talking about cheating and said how funny it was to him that Auburn fans thought Alabama ever needed to cheat to get players since they have such superior facilities, coaches, history, fan base size, finances, etc.
I made the mistake of saying that aside from overall history and fan base size, that the programs were actually pretty equal these days, and have been for about 30 years.
I was very clear to acknowledge Alabama's superior OVERALL history as a program. I even listed about 12 other programs I consider more prominent than Auburn, and that the last 30 years doesn't make us a "blue blood" of the sport.
He mocked that idea. So in an attempt to take some of the "opinion" out of the discussion, I listed the following....
National Titles since 1981
Auburn: 1 (2010)
Alabama: 2 (1992, 2009)
SEC Titles since 1981
Auburn: 6 (1983, 1987, 1988, 1989, 2004, 2010)
Alabama: 5 (1981, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2009)
Undefeated Seasons
Auburn: 3 (1993, 2004, 2010)
Alabama: 2 (1992, 2009)
Iron Bowl Wins
Auburn: 17 (1982, 1983 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010)
Alabama: 13 (1981, 1984, 1985, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2009)
Wins since 1981
Auburn: 254 (11 nationally)
Alabama: 226 (22nd nationally)
SEC Wins Since 1981
Auburn: 141
Alabama: 129
Bowls Since 1981
Auburn: 22 (15-6-1)
Alabama: 19 (12-7)
Heisman Trophy Winners since 1981
Auburn: 2
Alabama: 1
NCAA Probations since 1981
Auburn: 1
Alabama: 3
Top 25 Appearances in final poll:
1. 21 : Florida
2. 19 : Auburn
2. 19 : Georgia
2. 19 : Tennessee
5. 17 : Alabama
6. 17 : LSU
Top 15 Appearances in final poll:
1. 20 : Florida
2. 16 : Alabama
2. 16 : Auburn
2. 16 : Tennessee
5. 14 : Georgia
6. 12 : LSU
Top 10 Appearances in the final poll:
1. 16 : Florida
2. 11 : Alabama
3. 10 : Auburn
4. 9 : Tennessee
5. 8 : Georgia
5. 8 : LSU
Top 5 Appearances in the final poll:
1. 11 : Florida
2. 5 : Tennessee
3. 4: Alabama
3. 4 : Auburn
3. 4 : Georgia
3. 4 : LSU
He scoffed at the convenient 30 year time frame. I told him it's because 30 years ago there was a change in the direction of both programs. In the 30 years from 1951 to 1980 Alabama won 13 SEC titles. In the next 30 years they won 5. Auburn won 1 SEC title from 51 to 80, then 6 in the last 30 years. I wasn't hiding my agenda....it's the last 30 years that I'm talking about.
So I contended that Alabama has a superior history based on their success up until 30 years ago, but that since that time, the programs have been at least on equal footing. Bear Bryant is the difference. Auburn was 12-9-1 vs Alabama before Bryant, and 16-12 since Bryant.
He absolutely couldn't bring himself to admit it. He went with "delusional" and "dumb ass" while avoiding any substantive responses to the facts.
So....for the last 30 years the two programs have been equal? Reasonable statement?