Did anyone really expect the SEC to come down hard on Auburn?
Gene Chizik, getting a Gatorade bath from Cam Newton and other AU players, has taken the "friendly" out of the rivalry with UGA. (Associated Press)
Auburn looks like the SEC’s best shot at having a team in this year’s BCS championship game, which also would help the conference’s chances of getting two teams into BCS bowls. And that translates to a lot of dollars for the conference.
Nick Fairley is a big part of Auburn’s success on the field.
So should anyone really be surprised that the SEC chose not to suggest Auburn suspend its defensive headhunter for the blatant spearing in the back that was only the most egregious of several late hits he delivered to Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray?
Instead, the conference is handling the matter “internally with the institution.” That means any disciplinary action is up to Gene Chizik, the same guy who during the fracas at the end of the game with the Dogs was stirring it up on the sideline and allowing Fairley and one of his assistant coaches to dance in celebration on the field.
Asked by The Macon Telegraph what he thought of the conference’s inaction on the matter, UGA athletic director Greg McGarity said, “I probably better not comment on that. I need to stay away from that. I don’t want to get into any type of trouble or conflict with the conference office.”
Which is a diplomatic way of saying he thought the conference blew it.
I’ll say one thing for Chizik: He’s changed a lot of UGA fans’ view of the so-called friendly rivalry between Georgia and Auburn, as Darrell Huckaby notes on the Dawbone site. Said Huckaby: “I think Gene Chizik has taken the friendly out of the rivalry forever — not because he played a player who most of the nation feels will eventually prevent the Tigers from being able to count the victory in their long and storied history, but because of the way he and his team conducted themselves throughout the contest and particularly at the end.”
I’m sure Darrell will be bombarded with AU hate mail for that, as have any of us who’ve questioned any of the actions of Tiger players and coaches.
Speaking of which, has there ever been a more thin-skinned bunch than Auburn fans, who have been all over the blogosphere and talk shows the past few days trying to equate Bulldogs players running out on the field with Fairley’s cheap shots and taunting?
I like the way MrSEC put it: “Auburn fans need to stop trying to defend the indefensible. As if a team dancing on someone’s logo is reason enough to risk injuring someone. How incredibly stupid. … By defending Fairley’s helmet-to-back shot, it makes it appear as though AU fans would defend anything and everything done by someone in navy [and] orange.”
But I guess that’s what comes from being perpetually the second-ranked program in your state thanks to the school over in Tuscaloosa.
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444 comments Add your comment
James G
November 17th, 2010
12:15 pm
Despite the fact the QB is the most questionable considering the current investigation.. I am glad they played him against us so they had no reason to make excuses if they had loss. The cheap shots on Murray however were not justified especially considering he’s done nothing to warrant the shots.. sacking him is one thing but he was clearly hit on purpose more than once after he released the ball.
With that being said.. enjoy your win inbreds.. next time learn to win with class.. you’ll have to leave your barnyard sanctuary next year and show your faces btween the hedges.. and just like GA tech learned in 2009.. and Tennessee learned this year.. them Dawgs don’t forget.. you wanted to turn the heat up on this rivalry.. I actually should thank you.. you just united the Bulldawg nation and our team.. fk allbarn.. and to hell with tech.. see you in 2011 inbreds.. and please leave your livestock behind.. we don’t allow cows in Athens.
and for your last game of the year.. ROLL TIDE ;]
heyberto
November 17th, 2010
12:17 pm
5150, there’s a BIG difference in trying to get to the QB and legitimately tackle him and wear him down from legitimate hits, and hitting a guy after the play is over and other actions after the play.
BigCountry
November 17th, 2010
12:18 pm
Well said James G well said
Dogs Smell
November 17th, 2010
12:20 pm
so really Auburn has won nothing ? They have won 5 more games than GA !
georgiagirl
November 17th, 2010
12:21 pm
DOG SMELL AND 5150 P.O.A.D the only low lifes in the South are you two.
YoungDawg
November 17th, 2010
12:22 pm
YES! Protecting the players should be there first priority!!!
Derek
November 17th, 2010
12:22 pm
No Bill but we did expect Mark and Jeff to come down hard on UGA, Richt, Bobo etc. That is one thing we can always count on is that Mark and Jeff want Richt fired. Not gonna happen though. AD is a lot more visionary than many of the AJC writers. Thanks for keeping an even hand Bill.
how2fish
November 17th, 2010
12:25 pm
5150 P.O.A.D I watched the game and watched the reply where did you see a UGA player throw a punch…EagleEye really when is the last time you saw a player in the SEC put someone out of the game…go to the sideline and dance around acting like he was putting on “the belt” for hurting another player tell me really when and who? I don’t give a rats butt about any of the hits except the late hit in the back I don’t think he intentionally hit Murray in the knee but he sure deserves the “classless” tag and you and the rest of the Barners are going to have to live with it..he is classless and if your defending him you are too.Funny I hear a lot of Baners calling UGA fans whiners well we by and large don’t have a bit&& with losing we played a better team with a great player leading them…we do take offense at Fairley’s actions off the field as much as on….the shame is other Auburn players will pay for that in the future not him.
Lindsey
November 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
Well said Bill!!! Great article!! GO DAWGS!!
Northern Sympathizer
November 17th, 2010
12:26 pm
Disappointed that protecting the QB isn’t a priority for the SEC office. Doing nothing to Fairley is unconscionable.
5150 P.O.A.D
November 17th, 2010
12:27 pm
gaGirl
Did I ever see you complain about Greg Bleu’s hits on defenceless receivers? Did I ever hear you complain when D. Pollack hit a QB in the legs when he was being blocked to the ground? Not just NO , but HELL F>>>G NO. Don’t cry when the KARMA you dawgs speak of comes back on you. That Au v UGA game was UGA’s KARMA coming back since 07.
Dogs Smell
November 17th, 2010
12:27 pm
georgiagirl,
Did dady steal your smokes? Now go clean the kitchen !
ARdawg
November 17th, 2010
12:28 pm
For you AU wannabes (Nerds) and all you actual AU fans to deny Fairley’s repeated late hits and pile drives on Murray wasn’t malicious are only trying to somehow rationalize and defend the indefensible. They were and you know they were. Your coach doesn’t care so you “think” you shouldn’t. That’s okay, live with yourselves and and the fact you’ve sold your souls for cheap shots.
Enjoy your lives on the muck and mire of the bottom feeders. AU beat UGA with the better team without Fairley. Selling yourselves and defending cheap shots was never what AU football was about and we respected that. You AU fans that still defend that play have lost that respect. I look to you now with the same distain as the Florida’s and other bottom feeders.
Fairley tried to take Murray out of the game and that one invarible fact keeps getting lost on you defenders. What’s wrong. You didn’t think Cam could get the job done? Cam, now theres another one you’ve sold yourself for. Good luck AU, you’re going to need it
Supes
November 17th, 2010
12:28 pm
First,
Buck Belue doesn’t speak for ALL GA fans…I respectfully disagree with his opinion, and the Khang has been nothing but AU biased as well. 680thefan blew it…except for Matt Chernoff who said it like it is.
Second,
I’m ready to move on from this Bill…I realize it’s a bye week but come on…we lost, they played dirty…it is what it is. We lost b/c our Defense couldn’t stop AU.
Last…I hope Bama lays the wood on the paper tiger cheating champs Auburn in the Iron Bowl. Never thought I’d be cheering for Bama…but Roll Tide!!! Then I hope the chickens beat them in the SEC champ. game. I will never support Auburn as long as Chizik is there, and the thuggish on field culture he’s fostered is there.
Dogs Smell
November 17th, 2010
12:29 pm
Dogs Smell
I dont think there is any team in the country who cares who Ga circles on their schedule next year ! Circle it highlite it , send fireworks off around it. Georgia will not be any better next year. No A.J Green and several departing early. Funnt to see all of the crying about Fairly coming from one of the MOST penalized teams in the country , not just this year but over the past few. Yes You , Ga fans look it up Ga is one of the top 5 most penalized teams in the country and you are pouting and making excuses for every loss. Any wonder why their fans are some of the most hated?
Sam
November 17th, 2010
12:29 pm
Great article to take the focus off of the fact Georgia is having a horrible year. You have plenty of excuses of why Auburn beat Georgia. What are your excuses for the Bull Pups losing to a mediocre Florida team? Better yet… Colorado. I agree with Lee Corso. Auburn would have won Saturday with or without Cam Newton. Get real.
5150 P.O.A.D
November 17th, 2010
12:30 pm
H2Fish you don’t see the punches from either #60 or #61 on the ground on top of Fairley. You do see the Body jerks as he is holding Fairley. Maybe you have never been in a fright on the “Ground-n-Pound” but it is so obvious the UGA player is throwing gut punches.
Grim Reaper
November 17th, 2010
12:30 pm
Boo hoo, Gawga Dawg fans cring about late hits but its okay for the coach to signal the choke sign to the Gators kicker when all he had to do was turn around and signal it to his own team, who not only choked, they swallowed the gag! Boo hoo Gawga Dawgs, we don’t don’t wanna play in Jacksonville anymore cause all the locals taunt us as we leave town, 3-18 last 21 games, glory glory hallelujah indeed!
BigCountry
November 17th, 2010
12:31 pm
If our Karma is losing one game in 5 yrs to a classless team like Auburn than we are doing good.
how2fish
November 17th, 2010
12:31 pm
5150 P.O.A.D was Pollack ever seen dancing on the sidelines after putting someone out of the game? You talk Karma…really well she’s coming….and the rest of the SEC can’t wait to see it.
Cobb Dawg
November 17th, 2010
12:32 pm
Bill, I couldn’t agree more. I think what’s happened is that we finally see the Tiger’s stripes, and they’re yellow. I never knew before how badly Auburn wanted to win, at any cost, so that they’d be like their big brother Bama. But now it should be clear to anyone (and the NCAA, and the FBI, and SHOULD be to the SEC) what also-ran’s they will always be. You Aubies can continue to pretend to celebrate, but you know it’s coming. And it ain’t gonna be pretty.
5150 P.O.A.D
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
ARDawg
I would be mad if Mt QB was hit like Murry was, but what I am saying is UGA players do it all the time too. You Dawgs crying is a JOKE. When your player does it you are Drunk Screaming and Hive-5ing and talking crap to the other teams fans. You Dawgs act like your player have never done the same. AHHAHAHA. The Liquor is killing your memory for sure.
Deanna
November 17th, 2010
12:34 pm
Just for the record, I know it kind of looked like Auburn’s coach Trooper Taylor was out on the field congratulating Fairley after the brawl, but he was really trying to coax Fairley off the field before he got ejected from the game. Trooper wouldn’t show his butt like that.
Pete
November 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
Five days later and King is still crying. I’ve been around UGA fans for a long time, and can’t remember such hypocritical whining. Man up already.
BigCountry
November 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
Georgia fans lets all calm down and be happy for them. Auburn has finally got something to gloat about. After yrs of being a second rate team ohhhhhhhh wait a minute i am sorry you are still a second rate team, well after yrs of trying they finally beat Georgia.
5150 P.O.A.D
November 17th, 2010
12:36 pm
H2Fish the SEC is seeing it TODAY for all the CRAP the Dawgs have been doing ofr years.
ACCEPT your KARMA. Some other SEC teams fans are turning on Auburn for sure, but many are HAPPY UGA IS GETTING THE KARMA they have earned for a few years now.
Luke
November 17th, 2010
12:37 pm
It makes perfect sense that this article was written by an ignorant uga fan. I understand that Nick Fairley’s hit in the back was dirty, but I don’t blame him at all. The chop-block put on him earlier in the game when 2 linemen went high and another went for his knees was inexcusable and completely exemplifies what uga stands for. Quit crying classless georgia fans
Kevin
November 17th, 2010
12:37 pm
You say AU is “second” school in Alabama huh? AU beat Bama six years in a row. Ranked number 2 in nation, SEC west champs (and have already beaten SEC east champs once this season). I believe that makes AU #1 in the state. As for Georgia. Tech has better record right now, as does Georgia State. That makes UGA #3. You don’t like your QB taking hits? Block him, and for God’s sake stop jumping on the opponents logo before the game….You have done that for years at FLA/GA game and they still own you.
embarrassing dawgs
November 17th, 2010
12:39 pm
TUESDAY CAM NEWTON WAS SEEN IN MONTGOMERY ,AIA. IN A HIGH PRICE MALL SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON CLOTHES. WHERE IS HE GETTING THIS MONEY? I WILL TELL YOU WHERE,FROM AUBURN BOOSTERS. $$$PROBATION IS COMING AUBURN$$$.
Vu Du Huong
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
Auburn loosing to Alabama will knock them off their high horse!
ozzfest
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
Sad that the 2nd post does not understand what 6 in a row is refering to….CSA ia just another Auburn ‘neck. (BTW…it clearly means 5 on the field + 1 to be awarded by the NCAA.)
GetReal
November 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
The truth is that all of these posts are sad. At one point in our country, people operated on a basis of sportsmanship. That idea has disappeared. Keep it in perspective. We are talking about college football here. I, along with many of you, enjoy football and have followed it for nearly 50 years. UGA, Auburn, whichever school you want to insert here, are institutions of higher learning. Unfortunately, our society has blown the actions of their football teams and players completely out of proportion in relation to the true mission of the institution.
BigCountry
November 17th, 2010
12:41 pm
lol When people mention the state of Alabama they remember the University of Alabama no one mention Auburn, So yeah a second rate team you will always be.
hornblowermg
November 17th, 2010
12:42 pm
i don’t know, but someone surely enjoyed chizik’s effeminate dance moves and prissing along the sidelines like he’s a hot little coed. i hate to see grown men acting so girlish.
Montgomery Burns
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
Whine on Dawg fans, whine on….
THE TRUTH
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
WAAAAHHHHH WAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! NICK FAIRLEY IS SO MEAN!!! WAAAAAHHHH!!!! Cry me a river!!!
5150 P.O.A.D
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
First Offence play of the game was a 15 yrd personal foul aginst Rambo. UGA came out of the locker room looking to TRY to punch Auburn in the mouth and intemidate the War Eagles. Fairley listened to his coaches ie “Remember the Titans”—–Shut’m them UP and Sthut’m Hard. Fairley did just that.
THAT is FOOTBALL. If the REFS don’t call it then keep doing it.
UGA Alumnus
November 17th, 2010
12:43 pm
@Dogs Smell
November 17th, 2010
11:18 am
UGA isn’t even close to the most penalized team in college fooball this year. Out of 120 teams they are actually ranked 31st for least penalties.
muddy
November 17th, 2010
12:44 pm
I was there. I had whiskey thrown on me by GEORGIA fans. I had cursing in front of my children that had never heard those words.
Georgia fans set fire to Toomers. There was enough provoking by Georgia on the field to start a war.
Sir, you are an idiot if you think you are beyond and above any kind of controversy.
Joe Chapman
November 17th, 2010
12:44 pm
Good article Bill! You are right on. How Auburn can defend their team’s actions is beyond me. I think it stems from being little brother for the past 100 plus years. If you have to cheat and play questionable people, then is it really worth the world pointing fingers at you?
Jeff
November 17th, 2010
12:45 pm
I pray everyday that the piece of sewage Fineley blows his knee out and never plays a down of football again. As for the coach- lets see if this yellow spineless excuse for a man is jumping up and down when Auburn all of a sudden is 0-12. This coach, his team and all the auburn fans that booed a hurt player deserve anything bad that comes their way. HATE IS TO GOOD OF A WORD FOR ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH AUBURN
Dawgtavius
November 17th, 2010
12:46 pm
Why you speer the Q.B. Fairley? Auburn alum buy clothes for Cam and groceries for you Bro..
quit crying already
November 17th, 2010
12:46 pm
This is a lost season for UGA. LOST. Move on already.
Patrick
November 17th, 2010
12:47 pm
I’m still waiting for someone to justify to me why Fairley got away with the late hit on Murray where he dragged his facemask along his chin causing the cuts that had to be bandaged up. I’m pretty sure that was in the first quarter, and long before the chop blocks, late hit penalties, and ugliness that we saw at the end of the game. No excuse from me regarding the chop blocks, but that incident should have been handled by the refs on the field. When it was ignored by the refs (and now the SEC), things escalated with cheap shots being taken by both teams.
Jeff
November 17th, 2010
12:48 pm
Hey cry me a river….save those tears for when Aubarn is 0-12.
Kevin
November 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
All the Bama and UGA fans on these blogs say things like “AU has the best team money can buy” and they use pro athletes. That is the saddest whiney crap I have ever heard. EVEN IF the NCAA finds that Cecil or even CAM for that matter, asked for money that was at Miss. State. No one has ever said AU payed anyone. This was not even an issue until November. Did LSU or Miss state claim AU were cheating when they got beat? Did Clemson or S.C? no. They licked their wounds and played on. Georgia is focusing its frustration of being not even bowl eligible. It is ok, the Papajohns.com bowl still has a place for you guys if you beat tech. Grow up.
Kyle
November 17th, 2010
12:51 pm
Hopefully, not only will the FBI investigation nail auburn but will also somehow be able to show the SEC covered it up as well. The two deserve each other.
KAW
November 17th, 2010
12:51 pm
And, the little Doggy cried waah, waah, waah….all the way home. Good grief give it a rest already!
Auburn #1
November 17th, 2010
12:52 pm
Ga. fans are sounding like a bunch of punks that you are!
BigCountry
November 17th, 2010
12:52 pm
Really if you look at it Fairley’s impact on the game was very limited. Think about it take Cam out the game and no win. Cam carried Auburn to the win. Fairley’s only impact is to hit a QB when the ball is out of his hands. I guess he was either to slow or to stupid to get to him before than. So really he shut no one up. The only thing he could do was cheap shot a QB and rum like a girl when Georgia started coming after him.