Timmy Elliott wasn't backing down much Wednesday morning as he took some good-natured verbal jabs from other customers while looking over Auburn logo T-shirts in Kmart's sporting goods section.

"Go ahead and talk; just remember it come Friday afternoon," Elliott, a teenager from Loretto, Tenn., told a couple of Alabama fans. "You and others might not think we're going to win, but you just wait. We still own you guys."

If there's anything to be read into retail sales in the Shoals, Elliott and other Auburn fans could be in for a long day when the Crimson Tide and Tigers meet Friday afternoon at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Without question, Alabama paraphernalia is being sold at a far greater rate than items carrying the Auburn logo.

"Alabama items usually sell four to one over Auburn items, but it's probably even greater this year," said Jeremy Stowe, store manager at Hibbett Sports Superstore in Florence. "We've run out of some Alabama things and have had to reorder.

"Regardless of whether Alabama is doing good or bad, sales are pretty good. They're just better this year, even better than last year when Alabama was in similar position - undefeated and ranked high. Auburn sales seem to be real trendy. We're certainly not selling as much Auburn stuff as we have in years past."

The same is true at Burney's Sporting Goods in Muscle Shoals. Co-owner Melba Burney said her business typically sells more Alabama items, but the difference is more noticeable this year.

"Auburn is selling good but not as good as in past years," Burney said. "Alabama people are pumped up right now and they're buying a lot of sweatshirts, T-shirts and hats."

Burney said she expects a busy morning Friday as people shop for something to wear to Iron Bowl parties.

Stowe said the same thing.

"It will be busy in the morning, but it will probably slow down quite a bit Friday

afternoon" during the game.

Stowe said the hot-ticket items have been the crimson coaches' Polo shirts as well as Alabama running back Mark Ingram and Tide defensive lineman Terrance Cody's jerseys.

"You can definitely tell Alabama is 11-0 right now and that Ingram and Cody are popular players," Stowe said.

"We have run out of those jerseys and reordered."

Workers at Big Al's Merchandise and Apparel on Huntsville Road in Florence said business has picked up significantly this week. Alabama T-shirts have been the hottest-selling items.

Stowe said most customers tend to say " 'Alabama is the better team this year and Auburn fans are talking about being the spoiler.' But people have a lot of fun with it regardless of how good the teams are."

Mike Goens can be reached mike.goens@TimesDaily.com.