Roll freakin' tide

There is nothing like going from the possible worst outcome of a situation to the best outcome in a matter of seconds.

It was my first Alabama game. Ever. And with less than a minute in the game to go, it felt like it might have been one of the most disappointing experiences of my life. After Mark Ingram fumbled for the first time in his career, after Tennessee drove the ball down the field and scored the only touchdown of the game, and after they recovered their onside kick, here we were about to see our undefeated season be taken away from us. And by the freakin' Tennessee Volunteers at that, the team I hate more than any other with the head coach that I already hate more than any other.

Then, after that snap and after the ball was kicked, I watched as the ball was knocked down. I heard the thud with my own ears, and watched as the ball sailed off in the other direction. And then maybe one of the best feelings of my life, a feeling that was part disbelief, part joy, and part adrenaline rush that no combination of energy drinks could ever match, hit me and the rest of the Crimson Tide fans as we went nuts in the stands. It was a swell of emotion that is rarely matched. We were still undefeated, still in the NCAA title race, and best of all, we didn't give Volunteer nation the satisfaction of tarnishing our undefeated record in our house.

I am so glad I was there (thank you Kevin and Aimee!), and I'm so glad that I got to be part of the yelling, the clapping, the Rammer Jammer-ing. I'm glad I got to give out hugs and high fives after the game, and enjoy the heart-pounding ending that made a mediocre game one that will be remembered for a long time. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.

Yep, today was a good day.