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The state of Alabama knows football. It’s a fact that’s only been confirmed with the past four BCS National Championships being won by a team from Alabama. But what happens when a team from the good old Dixieland goes the distance, only to fail at the last second? What does it feel like to be a fan of a program that dropped the ball and returned home second best?
Well, I certainly wouldn’t know. My team won the national championship.
When I learned that the Florida State Seminoles would be playing the Auburn Tigers, I immediately did what I’d always dreamed of doing since I was a young seminole; I heckled any Auburn fan unfortunate enough to be within close proximity to me. They’ve been living on a prayer this whole season, and it would take more than just luck to match Florida State in the Rose Bowl.
To be fair, though, I’m very familiar with this type of playful, back-and-forth chiding that goes on between the fans of both teams. After all, I am a Florida State fan, and I’m no stranger to losing.
For the first time in longer than I can remember, I kept my mouth open and taunts flying. The victory was in the bag, and I didn’t care to hear their argument.
“You won’t be able to defend our team’s offense,” said every Auburn fan ever. “Jameis Winston can’t do anything against an SEC defense, and y’all don’t have a schedule.”
I’ll be the first to admit, beating teams like Idaho 80-14 doesn’t take all the skill in the world, or, for that matter, most of a starting roster, but would you like to know another team we beat?
Auburn. In the national championship.
Jokes aside, I would like to share my perspective of the national championship game from the view of a Florida State fan, something that’s very lacking in the state of Alabama.
First off, the game was nerve wracking. I found myself sweating more than Governor Chris Christie in a non air-conditioned setting. We were losing bad when we entered half-time, and things were looking very skeptical.
It became clear that I might have to wear a paper bag on my head at school for a few days. After all, I had built up a lot of tension between certain friends of mine, and, seeing as though they had already begun sending the “gloating texts,” I was in for a doozy.
The teams broke off into the locker rooms with a score of 21-10 Auburn. Things had definitely looked better for the Seminoles.
I’d never thought of the 2013 Seminoles as a “comeback” team considering the way we won all of our games, but sometimes people have a tendency to surprise.
In the fourth quarter, the Noles were fortunate enough intercept the ball, and a short time after, score a touchdown. This would simply be the spark to what turned out to be one of the most heart-breaking moments for some, and the climax to a decade long struggle to reaffirm dominance to others
I can proudly say that my team brought home the crystal trophy.
It’s no secret that Florida State was heavily favored to win, and, in a way, our Auburn-like scramble into the winner’s circle may have lost a bit of luster.
Auburn wasn’t the only team to leave Pasadena with something to think about. In a way, the Seminoles lost something as well.
Never underestimate an opponent, no matter who they are or what they look like. Despite most people claiming that the SEC is the king of all conferences, all Division One athletes are exceptional, as well as the coaching. I think we sometimes overestimate the teams like Alabama and underestimate programs like Pittsburgh and Central Florida. We tend to forget about the boys inside of the helmet and see them instead as a bunch of jerseys with numbers. They’re young guys, and speaking from the perspective of a young man and a former football player, all that attention and expectation is difficult.
Which is exactly why I voice my opinion so loudly. I’m proud to be a fan of the team that managed to bring it all together and win. Sorry, Auburn, you’re going to have to deal with me for at least a year. I’m too proud of my team to be quiet.
And I may put down Auburn for what they didn’t manage to do, but in all honesty, I understand that the game could have gone either way. It was the difference of a few seconds and a single pass.
The Auburn fans that are mourning over their loss can just be sad and cry about it, or they can choose to be proud of what their team of young men accomplished and how far they came.
I know I am.
In the end, though, being a Florida State fan for all the years we were sub-par paid off. And I can tell you exactly what we were all thinking after we squeezed our way to victory.
Thank god we didn’t play Alabama.
