This is an opinion column.

Placekicker Alex McPherson is back to calling his shots just in time for the Iron Bowl.

Advantage: Auburn.

McPherson, who is on the mend from a series of gastro intestinal issues, was limited to short-range kicks at the beginning of the season. The reason is because he was too weak to get the ball very far in the air.

At one point, he only felt confident kicking 32 yarders. Then it was from 35 yards. Then 36. Steadily, strength has returned to his booming leg.

Last week, he hit from 49 yards. Two weeks ago, he was money from 47. For Alabama, he’ll be taking all the kicks no matter the distance.

It was up to McPherson all along to tell coaches how far he could kick it. That’s how much they have trusted him this season.

The Iron Bowl likely will come down to the fourth quarter — maybe even the final kick — and the Tigers, suddenly, are in a much better place with their special teams than Alabama.

People discount kickers all season. That all changes for Rivalry Week, though.

This is the time of year when kickers can become all-time heroes.

For a lot of people, though, McPherson is already there.

McPherson was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease before the season. Before that, he suffered for over a year with ulcerative colitis.

It all took a terrible toll on his health. For a moment in time, his life was pretty much over as he once knew it.

That’s not an exaggeration, according to the people who are closest to him.

Earlier this week, the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club named McPherson this year’s recipient of its Pat Sullivan Impact Award.

Sullivan left us in 2019 after a long battle with cancer. He was a fighter and would be so proud of McPherson.

Sullivan, the former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, also wouldn’t want anyone else with the ball in front of them on Saturday night with the game on the line. McPherson, a former All-American, ranks first in Auburn history connecting on 88.4 percent of his career field goals (38 of 43).

If Auburn is to upset Alabama in the Iron Bowl, then it likely will come down to McPherson performing under immense amounts of pressure.

When it comes to who wins on Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium, I don’t have a rooting interest. If Alabama wins, then it’s a great story. If Auburn wins, then it’s also a great story. Either way, the sports columnist gets to write something fun.

Except here’s the thing. I can’t help but cheer for McPherson. I want him to make every kick. I want him to enjoy the moment. I want as many people as possible to be inspired by his bravery.

If that makes me a biased observer, or a drooling hack, or an unethical claptrap in glasses, then I guess that’s the way it has to be.

Just this once, maybe I want a good guy to win.

After all, McPherson has lost enough.

Back before this season, he only weighed about 110 pounds. That’s nothing. That’s like a bowl of oatmeal bigger than a flyweight.

McPherson was once the No.1 kicker in the country. Then he got sick.

And sicker.

And sicker still.

What’s ulcerative colitis? It’s like your insides are at war with itself at all times.

“It takes you out of life,” said mom Amber McPherson. “It makes your world very small.”

McPherson recovered, but then he got sick again.

He then had to make some serious life choices in the name of Auburn football. To give him a chance at a better life, doctors had to remove his large intestine.

It’s a curious case. McPherson is the courageous kicker who lacks some guts.

Since his diagnosis and recovery, McPherson has been an inspiration to young people with similar GI problems. Children look up to him. He owns his story and he’s not afraid to share it.

For his coaches and teammates, McPherson is the epitome of toughness.

Auburn could have given up on this season long ago. Think a guy like McPherson was going to let that happen? Heck no.

The dude plays football with an ileostomy bag. Try telling that guy it’s over. Good luck.

Some football players like to act tough. Some guys think they’re made of the right stuff. Then there’s McPherson, the little guy on the field with the biggest heart of all.

And his leg is getting stronger again, too.

This Thanksgiving, McPherson can eat whatever he wants. He’s going home to Fort Payne, Ala., for the holiday, and his mom and dad are hosting about 30 people. After dinner, the family will then all crowd around the TV and watch Alex’s older brother play for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Evan McPherson is the kicker for Cincinnati, which plays at Baltimore on Thursday night (7:20 p.m. CT.)

It’s a kicking family and ultra-competitive.

Logan was a punter. Middle brother Evan just kicked a 63-yarder last week. Baby brother Alex is the family’s Auburn Tiger, and it might just be time to one-up them all.

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