Orange and Blue was everywhere on Monday. Cashiers at Walmart, tellers at banks, waiters and waitresses, all decked out in Auburn colors, getting ready for the big game.

I showed up early at The Gulf Shores Steamer at SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach, and found a perfect spot to hang out with friends to watch the Auburn Tigers complete what has been a dream season against a very fast and feisty Oregon Ducks team.

At the end of the game that included several interceptions, a fake extra point, a fake field goal, a safety, and several big plays, the Auburn Tigers did what they have been waiting more than a half century to do. They won the National Championship.

It should have happened in 1983. Auburn was ranked No. 3 going into the bowl season. The Tigers won the Sugar Bowl beating No. 8 Michigan 9-7. No 1 Nebraska lost the Orange Bowl, No. 2 Texas lost the Cotton Bowl and No. 4 Illinois lost the Rose Bowl. What happened?

Miami, who was ranked No. 5, jumped past Bo Jackson and the Auburn Tigers to win the trophy.

A decade later, the Tigers, under Terry Bowden, went 11-0, but because of probation, they were not eligible for postseason play.

Most recently, the 2004 Tigers under the direction of Coach Tommy Tuberville went 13-0, but were not given a shot at the title against Southern California. Instead, Oklahoma got the nod and was beaten to a pulp 55-19.

Recently, that very same USC team was stripped of its title due to serious NCAA violations.

This time around, Coach Gene Chizik, Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton, and the Auburn Tigers were not to be denied.

All along the Gulf Coast, numerous eateries were filled with football fans watching big screen, high definition televisions to find out if indeed this would be the year of the Tiger.

Auburn held the nations most powerful offense to less than 100 yards rushing. LaMichael James, the Duck’s Heisman Trophy contender, only had 44 yards.

A game that was supposed to be a high scoring affair, turned into a defensive struggle.

Cam was not great, but consistent in running the offense. freshman Michael Dyer gave Auburn fans a sense of excitement for what lies ahead, and senior kicker Wes Byrum put the finishing touch on the perfect, National Championship season.

My take was that the Auburn faithful enjoyed the game. Maybe they won’t have to wait another 53 years for it to come around again.

“War Eagle win for Auburn, power of Dixie Land!”