Title Shots for Bama, Auburn Top State’s 2014 Sports Stories

Auburn opened the year the same way Alabama is closing it: Trying to win a national championship.

The two football powers earning bookended championship shots became the state's top sports story of the year as chosen by The Associated Press Alabama staff.

It was an eventful year in Alabama sports. UAB shut down its football program, the No. 2 story. Auburn hired Bruce Pearl as basketball coach for the No. 3 story.

As usual, Auburn and Alabama football were the headline acts. The state that has produced four of the last five national champs continued to churn out contenders.

The top-ranked Tide faces Ohio State on Jan. 1 in New Orleans in a College Football Playoffs matchup. Auburn lost to Florida State in last season's national championship game.

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