There were several key moments that led to Alabama’s 36-0 whitewashing of Auburn last Saturday. Whether you believe it was Glen Coffee’s touchdown, Auburn’s blocked field goal, or Brad Lester’s fumble, I think you are way off in what actually spurred the Tide’s victory. This game was actually won way back in Jordan Hare Stadium as the clock ticked down to zero during the 2007 Iron Bowl.

John Parker Wilson, Javier Arenas and Mark Ingram played their roles on the field Saturday night, but it was the months after the previous meeting with Auburn that set the stage. The moment Tommy Tuberville sported six fingers while sashaying around Pat Dye Field, Nick Saban made beating Auburn priority number one for the off season.