Anyone who goes to Auburn University will say, no matter what, we are better than the University of Alabama, but this time we have some extra facts to back up that statement. While the Iron Bowl rivalry is the source of the competition between our universities, it isn't all about football.
In recent publications from the Princeton Review and Forbes, Auburn has gained some major ground on Alabama in all fields, not just the football field. In Forbes' 2014 list of America's best colleges, Auburn finished 131 spots above Alabama. Auburn was ranked at 204 of 650 universities in the U.S. and Alabama checked in at 335 on that list. Not only does this give us bragging rights over Alabama, but in the Princeton Review "Best 379 Colleges," we also finished above Alabama. On top of that, Princeton Review ranks the top 20 colleges in 67 different categories that range from top party schools to happiest students. In those 67 different categories, we finished in the top 20 on nine different lists and finished as the top "Jock School" in America, based on popularity of intercollegiate and intramural sports.
Also finishing in the top 10 in different categories like most conservative students and students who pack the stadiums, Auburn continues to build a culture that makes us that much better than Alabama. While some of these categories are not important in the grand scheme of our school's rivalry, it doesn't hurt to see that we are getting more praise than Alabama. Maybe it is because of our success last football season, that we have gained an upper hand on Alabama, but if you visit the two schools, it isn't hard to see the appeal of Auburn over Alabama. Walking to class, it is hard not to appreciate the beauty and history of our campus, and that is exactly why I know that we will continue to be better than Alabama.
It is impossible to avoid mention of the Iron Bowl when talking about these two universities. The Iron Bowl is at an all-time high and that will only heighten the competition on and off the field. While this year may not have the same level of magnitude as last year's Iron Bowl, I can safely say that both Auburn and Alabama will be competing to represent the SEC West in the championship come Nov. 29.
WAR EAGLE!
