Sides are being decided for this weekend's marquee college football game with Texas A&M facing off against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Last year's game in Tuscaloosa featured quarterback Johnny Manziel cementing himself in the Heisman Trophy race as the Aggies went on to hand Alabama their only loss of the season. Now with the game in College State, the Tide are out for revenge. Some have A&M as the underdog while others assume Manziel is coming to play. After an offseason filled with drama, former NBA star Charles Barkley is picking the Tide to win.
Barkley's prediction is a bit controversial not because of his comments towards Manziel, but because he is an Auburn graduate. Barkley has always hated the Crimson Tide, so why the change of heart now? The current TNT NBA analyst cannot stand Manziel and his off-the-field and on-the-field antics.
"Johnny Manziel, he's doing something I never thought was possible," Barkley said, via AL.com. "He's going to make me root for Alabama this weekend. I never thought I would say those words. I am so close to saying 'Roll Tide.' Johnny Manziel is annoying me so much. I'm really close to saying 'Roll Tide.' I just think that Johnny Manziel has done a lot of stupid stuff in the last three or four months."
Barkley understands that the Auburn faithful is not going to be happy with his admission, but he believes the only person worse in the media right now is Miley Cyrus.
"They're not going to be happy," Barkley said. "But let me tell you something. Johnny Manziel, oh my God, the only thing saving Manziel is Miley Cyrus."
Another reason Barkley is going against the Aggies is his belief that quarterback AJ McCarron is a better player than Manziel. The NBA star referred to the Alabama senior as a better leader, which speaks louder than being a better player.
"Manziel is a better player," Barkley said. "McCarron is a better leader. Manziel is a terrific player, but as far as being a leader, AJ McCarron has done a fantastic job. He's under so much pressure. To be the Alabama quarterback, back-to-back national championships, the pressure that comes with that to have a good game every week, he's handled it amazingly."
It takes a lot for an Auburn fan to admit rooting for the Crimson Tide. The autograph scandal and taunting penalties have clearly pushed Barkley over the edge.
