Army devotees stage own rival in Alabama-Texas BCS Championship game

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq — Even here, college football rivalries still exist.

As Alabama and Texas battled in the BCS Championship Series title game last week, Soldiers from the 217th Military Police Company from Pratville, Ala., engaged another battle. They went head-to-head with a devoted Texas fan who isn't just a Longhorn for life: He's the command sergeant major of the 217th's immediate command, the 336th Military Police Battalion.

Keep in mind Command Sgt. Maj. Timothy Spice bleeds Texas orange. He was born and raised a few miles from the Austin, Texas, institution. And since arriving in Iraq in October with the 336th, he's been the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in charge of a half-dozen units.

But on this day, Command Sgt. Maj. Spice was out-numbered. His conference room was reserved for the Alabama-Texas showdown that was viewed on a large-screen projector. A dozen of the 217th Soldiers showed up, most wearing Crimson-colored shirts. Spice, meanwhile, was a lone wolf. There was no other Texas fan.

"For a while it seemed like it was worse than being in the combat zone," laughed the command sergeant major. "There was just too much red in there."

But Command Sgt. Maj. Spice wanted one thing clear: He may be out-manned and out-numbered, but he's not out-ranked.

"I was thinking that maybe if these Alabama boys win, I'll have them doing pushups for life," he said during the pre-game trash talking. "And if I win, oh boy, they will be doing push ups for a long time."

The trash talking actually began the night before the game. Command Sgt. Maj. Spice organized a barbecue where, using a "Cajun microwave," he roasted a pig and turkey. The 217th joined the festivity which some billed as "Texas' last meal."

Most of the 217th's 150-plus Soldiers opted to watch the early morning game in their respective sleeping quarters. But the diehards were up and rumbling, settling into comfortable seats. Command Sgt. Maj. Spice sat center, flanked equally by Alabama faithful.

Then the game began.

Then the trash talking resumed.

"I already got your company beat," Spice bellowed.

"How's that? You're the only fan [for Texas] in the battalion," replied 1st Sgt. Eugene Parker from Mobile, Ala., the 217th's first sergeant.

"That's 100 percent participation," Spice answered.

But Spice got into a quiet zone when the Longhorns fell behind 24-6 at halftime. There was no one to turn for answers, no one to confide for results. As for the 217th Soldiers, they just lingered in their team's advantage.

"Game's over as far as I'm concerned," said Pfc. John-Warren Spears from Hollywood, Ala. "[Texas] doesn't have its quarterback [Colt McCoy] and Alabama isn't going to give up anymore points."

Then the second half started.

Then the trash talking resumed.

And then Command Sgt. Maj. Spice opened up especially after Texas rallied to a 24-21 deficit with plenty of time remaining.

"That Alabama group is awfully quiet over there. What's up with that?" he said, getting no response.

But after Alabama scored two late touchdowns to complete a 37-21 victory, the victorious 217th had the last choice of words.

"It's a great day for the unit. It's a great day for Alabama," said Capt. David A. Worthy, 217th company commander. "This is a good morale booster for the boys here in Iraq. It was all fun and games with the command sergeant major. It was just a great way to show the camaraderie between our units."

"I'm still thinking of having them pull extra duty or something," joked Command Sgt. Maj. Spice. "They're really a great bunch of people. This was something good to share altogether. We had a lot of fun. We'd do it again. But right now I'm going to call [Equal Opportunity]. My feelings are hurt."

The command sergeant major and 217th Soldiers shook hands. They cleared the conference room and went back to work, all remembering there's still a mission to fulfill in Iraq.