People outside of Alabama really do not understand the dedication of the fans in that state. Most kids are labeled as either a Tide or Tiger fan in the first grade. It is like whether you are a Baptist or a Methodist. And there is nothing in between that. If Ford grew up an Auburn fan it will just as difficult to get him as it would be to get a kid who grew up a Bama fan and wanted to go to Bama.
If Auburn wants him, they will get him.
That is also the reason that there are NOT so many bandwagon fans in that state like here the surrounding states. I have never seen a bandwagon area of the country like Middle Tennessee. Those people would pull for the devil if he were winning. Actually, they do (Saban).