SEC pride: Should Georgia fans pull for Alabama in the BCS?
On this week’s “Bulldog Hotline” call-in show, an interesting discussion came up about whether Georgia fans should be playing the SEC pride card when it comes to the upcoming BCS national championship game.
Program host Neil “Hondo” Williamson was on the SEC bandwagon, noting he’s pulling for Bama to demolish the Irish and win a seventh straight BCS title for the Southeastern Conference.
However, a caller to the show pointed out that while Georgia doesn’t recruit against Notre Dame, it does go up against the Crimson Tide for quite a few players, especially the top-rated ones from our own region.
Another national championship for Alabama certainly won’t help with that. That crystal football trophy and those national championship rings tend to make a big impression on high school kids trying to decide where they want to play.
Indeed, this SEC pride thing can be tricky. A couple of years ago a lot of Georgia fans pulled against Auburn in the BCS game, not just because we didn’t want the Tigers to get a recruiting advantage, but because the manner in which they’d won the SEC, with their rent-a-QB and dirty play, left a lot of bad feelings.
But when it comes to Alabama, I’m not sure another national title is really going to make that much difference in terms of recruiting. This would be the Tide’s third BCS championship in the past four years so it’s not like they don’t already have that advantage.
Plus, Mark Richt’s Bulldogs impressed a lot of people nationally with their down-to-the-wire effort against the Tide in the SEC Championship, the most-watched college football game of the season, and if you’ve got to lose a game like that, it goes down a bit better to have done so to the eventual national champ.
And then there’s all the whining the Big 10 and PAC 12 folks have done about the SEC’s dominance. That’s music to the ears of many Southern football fans.
Of course, there’s another factor that has to figure into this: Bama’s BCS opponent.
Some Auburn fans will go to any extreme to oppose the Crimson Tide.
It’s somewhat understandable that Auburn folks would be pulling for Notre Dame since they hate the Tide every moment of their existence (though I can’t believe AU fans actually would wear one of those WarIrish shirts someone is selling).
But it’s hard to see any true follower of the Red and Black ever pulling for the Fighting Irish, no matter who their opponent is or what the recruiting ramifications are. I even rooted for Steve Spurrier’s Gators when they played Notre Dame in a bowl back in the early ’90s!
What about you? Are you hoping Alabama brings the SEC another national title or would you like to see Nick Saban vanquished by destiny’s darlings, as ESPN touts them?
Got something you want to discuss concerning the 2012 football season, the upcoming Capitol One Bowl or looking ahead to next season? Or maybe a question you want the Junkyard Blawg to tackle? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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339 comments Add your comment
Dum-Bass
December 5th, 2012
1:21 pm
Here’s hoping neither of them win. Hope it ends in a tie. You say that’s impossible? No, it’s not, if neither of them can score. Always a first time for everything. Also, as a lifelong DAWGS fan hope Nebraska puts up about 70 on UGA. Only way something will be done to solve the problem.
FalconUGAFan
December 5th, 2012
1:23 pm
As for me and my house, we shall pull for our Bama brethren.
Ugakicka
December 5th, 2012
1:26 pm
It’s kind of tough. I’m still heartbroken about that loss and the multitude of calls that were called on Georgia, but not Bama (makes me assume the SEC had a hand), but I hate Notre Dame. They are th most overrated team that ESPN just loves to talk about, just like USC. Notre Dame had so many horrible calls go there way, and STILL needed a Pitt player to choke in order to get to the NC. I think I will just root for neither and end my football watching on Jan 1st.
Go Dawgs! Hunker Down!
FalconUGAFan
December 5th, 2012
1:28 pm
You really are a Dum-Bass.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
1:28 pm
Dum-Bass
It wont happen the Moral Victory march will begin on the Bulldawg radio network followed up on these blogs if that actually happened
geodawg55
December 5th, 2012
1:29 pm
I am pulling for ALL SEC schools to win their Bowl Games. Show complete dominance of the SEC in college football. I saw one statement that the PAC12 is saying that they will win all eight of their Bowls this year.
Hairy Dawg
December 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
The only acceptable outcome of the BCS title game is an alien abduction of both teams after kickoff.
I like Irish Stew
December 5th, 2012
1:34 pm
I goin say that no matter i a georgia fan i am in SEC country so i be rootin for alabama crimson tide to wipe out Notre Dame in Jan 13 in Miami and so what Lou Saban wins again Big whoopee hey i may not like alabama only cause i in state where Ga been at see we did are best we could and i sure some Tide Fans would agree…..I may have date wrong in when play championship game so what if whatever Irish fans feel if Notre Dame had played Oregon are Kansas state if they not choked i been rootin for Notre Dame simple….But since alabama is quicker has a QB and coach..Now Notre dame coach not awful okay..But at end Tide will soak the Irish thru the wash cycle at end of cycle load score be alabama 45 Notre dame 10…..Done deal Tide 3rd Title Natl.champions 2013!
Panhandle Dawg
December 5th, 2012
1:35 pm
Not sure I will even be able to watch let alone root. All I would be able to think is how close we were to being in the game…………
TN Dawg
December 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
Testing Blog submission
NCBulldog
December 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
Mike from the Coast – You make more sense than anyone I’ve read on this blog!
Go Georgia Bulldogs!! Roll Tide on ND!!
I like Irish Stew
December 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
First Dum Bass what ever name Ga will not let some cornhushers from Nebraska do that we may score 59 vs them Jan 1 2013 in win as for tie unless they go back to 1970 time could but since new playoff in overtime rule can not be tie period so Tide could win 7-0 in 2 overtimes …But since you hate hear it i tell you …..alabama has more action with tide your clothes get clean and fightin Irish will be cleaned!
dawgfacedboy
December 5th, 2012
1:40 pm
I’d pull for anyone over Notre Lame. Oklahoma was the only team worth a crap they played. No respect for that team. Media darlings. Check Manti Teo (sp?) stats vs. Jarvis Jones’ stats. Teo beats Jones in tackles and ints; Jones leads in every other category a defensive player can have, and it’s not even close.
I like Irish Stew
December 5th, 2012
1:47 pm
Should have a why is Ga Tech at the Sun Bowl for make USC coach happy Glmore after the 70 pts he put on Tech be site see 6-8 tech come home in dark…..Paul Johnson gets fired after game!
FBGuy
December 5th, 2012
1:49 pm
Yeah, I’m a Dawg fan, and I’ll be pulling for Bama. Or anyone else playing ND. I like the SEC and am comfortable pulling for conference teams against outside opponents in bowl games (but not necessarily during the regular season).
Gary
December 5th, 2012
1:50 pm
I’m a Bama fan and if Georgia had won I would be pulling for them!
UGADawg83
December 5th, 2012
1:53 pm
I wish there was a way they could both lose.
1996DawgAlum
December 5th, 2012
1:56 pm
I grew up with Alabama being my second favorite team. When they weren’t playing the Dawgs, I pulled for them. In my two visits to Tuscaloosa, they were some of the nicest fans I had ever been around. I have even got new respect for Coach Saban. I have seen a different side of him as he was very congralutory of the Dawgs, and even went to bat for us publicly about the bowl situation. I respect him and their players and I really can’t stand Notre Dame.
However, the Bama fan base has changed. Listen to call-in shows sometime. There is not a more in your face, obnoxious, arrogant fansbase around right now. Not to mention how the radicals have now become the mainstream of their fanbase. I am gonn try to pull for Bama in this game because of things i mention above but it will be difficult given their fanbase.
Spokesman for the SEC East
December 5th, 2012
1:58 pm
dawgfacedboy, for a Linebacker tackles and inteceptions are the most important. That being said, if it were not for Jones, UF would have beat UGA this year and for that reason alone I would vote for him if I had a Heisman vote.
5 Star Recruit
December 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
I am goig to pull for England in this celtic War.
LawDawg
December 5th, 2012
2:02 pm
Definitely pulling for the Tide. If ND wins, every moron will come out of the woodwork crying “See! The SEC is not that great after all!” Which is incorrect.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2012
2:03 pm
Really don’t care. It should be good T.V. though
Dum Bass
anyone who roots for Georgia to lose is not a Georgia fan
its a simple concept
Moist Dawg
December 5th, 2012
2:04 pm
It’s simple. If you cheer for any other school in the SEC you are a Judas traitor, worse than Benedict Arnold or Jane Fonda. Any person on this board that roots for bama are the worst fans in Bulldawg nation and should be ashamed of yourselves. YOU DONT CHEER FOR OUR RIVALS.
Even asking this question makes me sick to my stomach
Clap Trap Gators
December 5th, 2012
2:05 pm
S Slgator, You could have played in the CECCG if not for a great game in Jacksonville , i’m just saying , bite me loser
Bama
December 5th, 2012
2:06 pm
@ARdawg, you and I talked about it before the game and we both said whoever wins we would pull for them..good to see you pulling for the SEC. and just so everyone knows YES I thought that was a cheap shot on Murray. back to the topic why would you not want to pull for not only your conference but for the team that beat you and say if I have to lose I am glad its to the Natl Champs.
HUGE Dawg fan!
December 5th, 2012
2:07 pm
“Should Georgia fans pull for Alabama in the BCS?”
-Yes, because the SEC sucks and we need to evidence to say otherwise.
Biggdawg33
December 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
Wait a minute? The National Championship has already been played in the Georgia Dome last weekend. The true 1 and 2 teams played and Bama won. Nuff said. Not going to watch that so-called game in January.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2012
2:11 pm
The SEC is the best conference, nobody’s opion will be changed by the outcome of the NCG.
top 3 in the West ranked 1. 8. and 9.
top 3 in the East ranked 7. 3. and 10.
Dawg Whisperer
December 5th, 2012
2:13 pm
Can you say “Rudy, Rudy?” Low Tide fans make it impossible to pull for Bummer. Irish creams the white elephants 45-0.
gordonguy1969
December 5th, 2012
2:13 pm
I’m pulling for Alabama not because of the SEC ties, but just so we can shut Lou Holtz up!
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2012
2:14 pm
@Biggdawg33
probably the truth.
Disagree about watching the game though, Bama-ND: GREAT television
DKNATL
December 5th, 2012
2:16 pm
The SEC, as a conference, gets a huge payout with a BCS championship and the SEC has programs to disperse that money throughout the entire conference for athletics and scholarships. In the end, ALL SEC schools benefit from another SEC team winning, so why would you vote against an opportunity to fund/enrich/improve your school with this “free” money?
well said
December 5th, 2012
2:17 pm
As one friend said, If you go against the Irish, you are going against God. Even though I said, to some “Bear Bryant is God.”
So, while I’m not against the Irish, I can already see the SEC haters talking smack about how the SEC ain’t Sh** if Bama loses. I don’t wanna have to hear that, so Roll Tide!
Just want a great game and not a shut-out.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
2:18 pm
Thank God for Reggie Ball
You obviously dont listen to much college football radio except for the kool-aid bulldawg radio network
secbama
December 5th, 2012
2:21 pm
BLACKOUT 2. ‘We just stepped on their faces with a hob-nail boot and broke their noses off, we just crushed their faces!’
Hey Ogletree and Rambo, had your plastic surgery yet to fix your noses?
papadawg
December 5th, 2012
2:21 pm
I’m a DAWG fan First then SEC fan but I’d almost pull for Ga. Tech against the irish.
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2012
2:24 pm
@Flat Tire
I occasionally catch college football daily or the experts and I think all those folks would agree the NCG is not the deciding factor on if the SEC is the best conference
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
2:25 pm
I would support any Southeast school beating the arrogant liberal north
Thank God for Reggie Ball
December 5th, 2012
2:26 pm
@papadawg
no. never pull for tech. One of the Dawg fan 10 Commandments
Thou Shalt Not Root for Georgia tech. Ever
neverunderstoodbama
December 5th, 2012
2:26 pm
Can someone tell me what alabama football is?
1. Is it just me or is the uniform so bland.
2. How come they have an elephant as their mascot? Shouldnt they be Alabama Elephants?
3. What does Roll Tide have to do with Elephants?
4. What they heck is Roll Tide anyway?
5. What do they not put the A or Elephant on the helmets?
Moist Dawg
December 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
I’ve never been more ashamed and embarrassed of my fellow UGA fans in my whole life. Are you going to take off your UGA shirt and put on a bama or tech jersey, or fly a florida flag from your car? Are you gonna cry if bama loses? No real fan roots for another team we compete against.
I’ll be watching the game with a barf bag next to me and I’ll probably use it 2 or 3 times. At least I can hold my head high knowng I’m not a loser like some of you traitor fans.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
2:28 pm
Thank God for Reggie Ball
You wrote “The SEC is the best conference, nobody’s opion will be changed by the outcome of the NCG”.
You need to get an XM radio and listen to the call in shows on there; almost everyone who doesnt pull for an SEC thinks the SEC isnt that great and have been lucky etc
Rick Neuheisel almost everyday goes on a rant about the SEC playing no one out of conference
Joey
December 5th, 2012
2:29 pm
Well said, Flat Tire (2:25) . . .
Ted Striker
December 5th, 2012
2:31 pm
SEC pride means zilch.
SEC affiliation didn’t help UGA in 2007 when they were the hottest team in the nation, it meant zilch this year when UGA was the eastern conference champs and finished in the polling behind a BCS bowl team they beat.
I’ve never cared much for bowl game winners based on conference and could care even less this year.
MT
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
Alabama won the game fair and square. We just fell five yds short and lost, bad calls against both sides,
even had Murray spiked the ball, we all know Georgia was gonna run a pass play, that pass could have been tipped just like the play that was run. It’s painful but it is, what it is, a loss. I hope Bama beats ND so bad, that even the Pope will say the SEC championship game was the true National Championship.Roll Tide, Go Dawgs, beat the Huskers.
Strat Cat Dawg
December 5th, 2012
2:34 pm
I support a team, the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s nice that the SEC has been dominant as a conference and in some ways that may work to our advantage in the polls; however, the issue of supporting any SEC team against anyone else is bogus. It will be interesting to see whether ND can hold it’s own against the Tide; but, I don’t care all that much who wins because I don’t like either one of them. Some day the SEC streak will be broken and it it’s Bama that loses, so be it.
Dawg_Mike
December 5th, 2012
2:35 pm
Only if it shuts Lou Holtz up. Cannot deal with his bias.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
2:35 pm
Moist Dawg
Obiviously you are younger than 25
You dont remember the days when if there was ever a televised college football game it was Notre Dame; Michigan; Ohio St; or Oklahoma
rarely would a southern school be televised due to the North East arrogance of thinking the South doesnt play football the way we do
You also dont realize who is constantly being investigated by the NCAA yea the South East schools
yet Chicago and Detroit is one of the most corrupt areas in america and you are going to tell me nothing goes on at those institutions on a yearly basis??
Yea right
Just like that garbage pitt Penn St was constantly preaching about winning with class give me a break
neverunderstoodbama
December 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
Guess everyone thinks the same as me lol.
Flat Tire On Hwy 441 in Athens
December 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
Penn St shouldnt be allowed to play football for 10 years
Penn St is a dump program
yet ESPN and the liberal media wants to turn it around and make it into a feel good story about their season this year. Give me a break