As we trudge through the remaining summer months in anticipation of college football season, I will offer one man's opinion on the five biggest controversies in the modern era of Auburn and Alabama gridiron exploits. Today, Auburn's travails. Thursday, Alabama's.

    1. DOUG BARFIELD HIRE -- The Tiger Nation was split in 1975 over who to bring in to replace the legendary Ralph "Shug" Jordan, who had been at the helm 25 years. One camp wanted defensive genius Paul Davis, the other wanted the consummate "nice guy" in Barfield. The latter, as we all know, was the pick. Davis subsequently joined the enemy (Alabama) and Barfield never got the full, unwavering support of the Auburn family. From 1976-80, Barfield's teams went a combined 29-25-1, capped by an 0-6 record in SEC play that featured an embarrassing 42-0 home loss at the hands of rival Tennessee.

    2. ERIC RAMSEY SAGA -- The mere mention of the ex-defensive back's name makes Auburn people cringe. Ramsey secretly taped conversations with coaches allegedly funneling him illegal benefits, some of which CBS aired on the most-watched television show in America at the time, "60 Minutes." The NCAA ultimately relied heavily on Ramsey's testimony in doling out severe sanctions against the program and leading to Pat Dye being forced out as coach after four SEC championships in 12 years.

    3. FOILED COUP ATTEMPT -- Auburn fans were up in arms over the state of the program following five years under Tommy Tuberville that saw the Tigers lose 23 games, some by shocking margins. When his club limped to a mediocre 8-5 campaign in '03, athletics director David Housel, president William Walker and board member Byron Franklin boarded a plane to secretly meet with former offensive coordinator and Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino about supplanting Tuberville. The grass-roots sector was incensed, as were some members of the board of trustees and when all was said and done, Housel and Walker were ousted and Tuberville went undefeated the following year.

    4. TERRY BOWDEN EXIT -- Just a season removed and a single point away from an SEC championship game victory, Bowden's '98 team started slowly and when he sensed his job might be in peril, he went to then AD Housel to ask for a vote of confidence. When Terry didn't get it, he walked out on his ballclub, leaving Brother Oliver to coach the team the final five games of the season. After winning his first 20 games as the Auburn mentor, Bowden departed a defeated, defrocked coach who has yet to prowl the sidelines again.

    5. UNDEFEATED, UNCROWNED -- The Tigers gained national sympathy in 2004 when they ran roughshod through their schedule, determining the outcome of several games by halftime. After a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech, they sat 13-0, but didn't get a chance to play Southern Cal for the national title. Oklahoma did, and got routed. In 1993, Bowden's first year, Auburn was the only undefeated team in the country, but because the nation's pollsters never saw them play thanks to NCAA television sanctions, Florida State took its first national crown despite falling to Notre Dame during the regular season.

    Phil Paramore's column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in The Dothan Eagle. He can be heard weekday mornings from 7 until 9 on AM 560 WOOF. He can be reached at www.woofradio.com.