In the South, especially in the state of Alabama, sweet tea, fried chicken, cowboy boots and trucks reign supreme.
Above all, there is one Alabama tradition to which none can compare: The Iron Bowl.
Football games are a religion in this state, and every resident must decide between Auburn or Alabama.
Lines are drawn.
You must choose.
The days are counted down until that last weekend in August and everyone knows football season has come once again.
Games are watched, attended and tailgated.
Auburn and Tuscaloosa will be filled with their team colors, and stadiums will radiate with the cheers and tears of fans.
Everyone waits in anticipation until that special day. This year it is Nov. 30.
One fan went above and beyond Iron Bowl devotion and wrote a song in tribute, "The Iron Bowl- The Rivalry."
Mobile native Walker Hayes, is a singer, songwriter and recording artist.
He and his family moved to Nashville in 2005 to further his country music career.
Hayes signed with Capitol Nashville and his song, "Pants" debuted in 2010.
Along with fellow Mobile natives Doug Waterman and Robert Clement, a song expressing their love of the Iron Bowl came to fruition.
"We always wanted to write a stadium-rockin' song that was unbiased," Hayes said. "We all live in Tennessee now, so we meet a lot of people who just don't understand (the rivalry), and don't think it's the greatest thing. We just wanted to shut them up and show that our rivalry is without a doubt, the greatest."
Hayes and Waterman are employed as songwriters, and it only took them a couple of weeks to write the single.
As Alabama fans, they needed Auburn fan Robert Clement to bring his opinion to the song.
"The Iron Bowl- The Rivalry" has been on YouTube.com for just three weeks, and is already making its way to students' playlists throughout Alabama.
"The song is very catchy and describes the rivalry of Auburn and Alabama in a fun and upbeat way," said Haylee Howell, sophomore in business at Troy University.
As an Alabama fan, Hayes said he wanted to stand up for his team.
He said he wanted the lyrics to be unbiased and balanced, despite his own allegiance.
Hayes said he hopes to be at the game and hear his song played for all the fans.
"I think the song really shows how big of an impact football and this rivalry has on the state of Alabama," said Cassidy Whisenant, junior in nursing and an Alabama fan. "I think it would be really cool and different if the song was played at the Iron Bowl this year."
The Iron Bowl, first played in 1893, is rich in history and fueled by the unwavering support and passion of the fans.
The Iron Bowl was thus named because it was originally played in Birmingham. The city was built upon land rich in iron ore deposits.
Auburn was named the victor of the first game.
The Iron Bowl was suspended for 40 years, but resumed in 1948.
The annual game is never without excitement and uncertainty, each team hoping and praying for the win and the ability to have bragging rights for the rest of the year.
The Iron Bowl affects all ages in Alabama, and is something of a common thread for everyone involved.
"You just don't get it until you've lived it," Hayes said.
"Iron Bowl- The Rivalry" is available for download on iTunes.
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