Crimson Red Sports

AUBURN, Ala. -- The only unknown now after Alabama whipped Auburn 42-14 is: will the LSU-Alabama sequel be as entertaining as Godfather: Part II or as dreadful as Caddyshack II?

That won't be determined until the teams meet again on Jan. 9 in New Orleans for the BCS title game -- and yes, SEC haters, I'm sorry to say they will meet again. That's because never again is now never before.

Never again was the battle cry for Alabama every single day for the last 365 days since the Crimson Tide's epic collapse to Auburn in last year's Iron Bowl.

Saturday, the Crimson Tide took out a year's worth of frustration in a defensive domination rarely seen in Iron Bowl history. Last year Alabama led Auburn 21-0 in the first quarter and 24-7 at halftime only to lose 28-27.

"We've been in a bad mood for a year," Alabama left tackle Barrett Jones said.

This time Alabama crushed Auburn by four touchdowns and, yes, it wasn't even that close. To put it in perspective Alabama's domination, early in the fourth quarter Auburn had 44 yards, Alabama had 35 points.

Because of Alabama's impressive showing, the Crimson Tide's never again motto can be replaced with never before. As in never before has two teams from the same conference played in the BCS national title game.

That will change on Jan. 9.

Alabama sophomore right tackle D.J. Fluker said the Crimson Tide deserve a rematch with LSU.

"Yes sir, yes sir we do," Fluker said. "We worked too hard. We deserve it.

"We didn't think about it [before playing Auburn]. But now, yes sir, now we do."

Way back on Oct. 4 -- a month before their first meeting -- I wrote that "it's a very real possibility that LSU and Alabama could play for a second time for the BCS title game in New Orleans."