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
kingdaddy
December 5th, 2012
8:01 pm
Bill King
your filters are like a Kirby vaccum cleaner, so is your blog…
Bama George
December 5th, 2012
8:16 pm
Some of these Bama fans on here disgust me with their comments, especially “son of Bear”. I am sure Coach Bryant would like to take him behind the woodshed and talk to him about using his name. The Dawgs played a great game and yes, we know we were lucky to get out of the dome with the win. I would be pulling for the Dawgs in BCSCG or any other SEC team. It is hard but got to pull for our conference. We tailgated with the Dawg fans all weekend and had a great time. Good luck and beat the Huskers.
fan
December 5th, 2012
8:18 pm
what has the SEC done about the blindsided, sucker shot the thug from Alabama did to Aaron Murrey, or is Lord Saban going to step in?
Hob Nails
December 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
Hey, St. Mark, how did Bama’s hobnail boots feel grinding into your face?
Bulldawg
December 5th, 2012
8:20 pm
I don’t like Alabama, but I wouldn’t pull for Notre Dame if they were playing the Russians. I hope the Tide demolishes Notre Dame.
Bama George
December 5th, 2012
8:25 pm
@ fan….. Obviously you never played football.. Defensive players look for those opportunities to “light up someone” on a return of any kind. It just happen to be Murray who was coming over in an attempt to make the tackle. I have looked at this tape many times and I am sorry, I just don’t see the problem with the hit. I actually think the finger poking attempt was much worse as the play was over. It’s over. Good luck.
Bama Hater
December 5th, 2012
8:31 pm
Screw Alabama and their red neck fans (Don’t care for ND either).
Go Dawgs!
Bama George
December 5th, 2012
8:34 pm
thanks BullDawg… I feel the same way. Go Dawgs against the Huskers.
georgedawg
December 5th, 2012
8:39 pm
Monger, Seek help.
Go Dawgs. Love Richt – future bright.
Not all Alabama fans jerks, rednecks, trailer trash – just most of the ones we hear from.
ROLL TIDE
Dan
December 5th, 2012
8:41 pm
Have to go with Irish! Alabama and UGA go after the same recruits and Alabama can use the ploy of come to Alabama we are national champions.
Moist Dawg
December 5th, 2012
8:54 pm
If you pull for a team other than Georgia then you are not a Georgia fan. Simple as that. I’ll watch this game with 2 barf bags. One for the disgust that we aren’t there, and the 2nd for you loser fans that call yourselves UGA fans and then stab the team in the back. You are worse than Judas and Benedict Arnold.
Don’t forget, while you are yelling “Roll Tide”, Saban & Muschamp are raiding our fine state for players and badmouthing UGA. You people make me want to throw up.
Jeff
December 5th, 2012
9:02 pm
The assault of and LSU fan that earned a Bama fan a one-way trip to the big house. Poisoning a landmark tree on the plains. That is all anyone needs to know about Bama fans. I cannot stand Notre Dame but I’m sick of that arrogrant crowd from Bama. Pride comes before the fall and no one deserves a fall more than Bama.
UGAinOK
December 5th, 2012
9:56 pm
Only UGA counts. UGA fan not a SEC fan. Pull for UGA any time any place any day. The rest who cares.
UGA75
December 5th, 2012
10:07 pm
Saban and Satan you only have to change a single letter. Hmm, while Saban talked a good game, his players played a very dirty game. They learned how to cheat effectively somewhere, seems likely it was at the hands of Satan, er, Saban, whichever. I admired Coach Bryant, grew up an Alabama fan and couldn’t and can’t stand Auburn. Now I hold Alabama in the same regard I hold Auburn in, which is to say not much. I will not watch the game in question, frankly I wish both teams could lose, but I will never pull for Alabama again until they get rid of Satan/Saban whatever!
Rabun Dawg
December 5th, 2012
10:27 pm
Moist Dawg you are full of CRAP! I am a graduate of UGA and have been a season ticket holder since 1969, and I will always pull for our SEC brethren when they play outside the conference. Do I like UF, UT, AU, USC,etc. H..L no! But I do not hate them , nor do I wish them to lose outside the conference games, so, I will definitely root for the Tide in this game. Why in the world would I want the Irish to win that game? You are a sicko if you pull for ND, as Alabama will continue to get recruits from Georgia or wherever win or lose. They are a National Brand, way ahead of UGA, and because of that, much like Duke and UK in B’ball, they will always draw top talent. So, get over it, and quit name calling the rest of us!!
JRW7
December 5th, 2012
10:30 pm
It’s in UGA ’s best interest for ND to win the NC, that way CMR doesn’t have to recruit against CNS and Alabama as winners of the NC crystal trophy.
Eisendawg
December 5th, 2012
10:33 pm
OK, now lets have an article:
ACC Pride: Should Georgia Pull For Georgia Tech against So CaL In the “Which Team Do We Hate The Most” Bowl?
Rabun Dawg
December 5th, 2012
10:42 pm
Eisendawg, no doubt about that one. Go Trojans!!
Moist Dawg
December 5th, 2012
10:46 pm
Rabun dawg, have you ever considered that you don’t have to root for either of them? I’ll be damned if I’m going to root for a team who’s players were making fun of UGA this afternoon.
You can make all the excuses you want to make yourself feel better about being a no good traitor but that’s exactly what you are. It’s even more of a disgrace that a 40 year season ticket holder would so easily turn on his own school.
I don’t care who you are, if I walk into a bar and see a man, woman, or child wearing a UGA shirt and cheering for the enemy, I’ll slap that mozzarella stick right out of their mouth.
Snoop Dawg
December 5th, 2012
11:05 pm
Snoop will definitely be rooting for the Crimson Tide to beat ND and keep the SEC streak alive.
It is not Alabama’s fault that the Dawgs lost and will be watching instead of playing.
The defense went AWOL inthe second half. To make it worse, the lousy time management by Bobo and Richt doomed the Dawgs. I hold no ill feelings over Alabama. It came down to the fact that Alabama has a superior coaching staff compared to UGA.
That is why the Bulldog Nation will be in Orlando rather than Miami…
Mele Kalikimaka y’all!
Buford Sowega
December 5th, 2012
11:06 pm
Enemy? Moist Dawg says “Enemy?” I tell you what–you go experience what it’s like to make contact with a real enemy and then tell me what you think of your fellow citizens who just happened to have earned their degree at a neighboring state’s school. Don’t forget that for all the excitement and energy, football is just a GAME that is played by a very small number of students. I’d watch that talk about traitors and slapping children.
redandblackdog
December 5th, 2012
11:08 pm
Roll OVER Tide! Not roll tide. That will once again be you calling card. I despise you obnoxious bas—ds! Be careful of the people you meet on the way up, for you will meet them again on the way down. Football runs in cycles, and your turn at the bottom will come again soon enough. Enjoy your four touchdown win over Notre Dame; Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Texas A&M, and LSU could do the same. Again, enjoy it again while you can you verbal diarrhea spouting, disrespectful jerkoffs!!!
Snoop Dawg
December 5th, 2012
11:11 pm
Here’s another thing to ponder:
UGA has better talent on their team this year than Alabama.
So why did they choke and lose the big game?
You tell me… It’s not rocket science folks…
Moist Dawg
December 5th, 2012
11:26 pm
Buford, Ninnies and sissies that support other teams for part of the year ARE the enemy. You don’t like what I said because it exposes the truth. If you are a real Georgia fan then you have nothing to be mad about.
Charlie
December 6th, 2012
12:31 am
I’m a dentist and I say the score in the game will reflect the number of teeth in the average team fan or supporter.
So:
Notre Dame 31 Alabama 10
Whiznot
December 6th, 2012
3:10 am
I have no dog in this hunt but pulling for ND would be futile. They are doomed.
Monroe's First Redcoat
December 6th, 2012
3:11 am
ROLL, TI——- Nope, just can’t do it.
meandog
December 6th, 2012
3:55 am
Yep…Cause if Bama wins it makes the SEC game even more impressive. However, as for the other misstep this season, I WOULDN’T PULL FOR THE S.C. SHAMECROCKS EVEN IF THEY WERE PLAYING TIDDLYWINKS AGAINST THE TALIBAN ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF 9-11. I cannot stand the OLD BALL SACK or his bunch of hoodlums!
doc
December 6th, 2012
5:33 am
Roll-Tide!! Woof Woof Woof!!!!
KeepDreaming
December 6th, 2012
6:18 am
I dont think Alabama will need anyone to pull for them….
This game was over once it was announced. Bama 38 Notre Dame 0
Border dweller
December 6th, 2012
7:02 am
At the rate this conference is watering itself down, ND might BE in the SEC before the end of December.
Korn One
December 6th, 2012
7:33 am
Cornhuskers 42, Dwags 13
Seriously?
December 6th, 2012
7:54 am
Korn One
December 6th, 2012
7:33 am
Cornhuskers 42, Dwags 13
—————————————————————
Give me 29 points and I will bet the house Korny, whadda you say?
In answer to the original question, I will pull for the Tide, I would pull against ND even if they were playing a Steve Spurrier coached Georgia Tech team led by Nick Fairly on defense. That is how bad I hate Notre Dame.
Moist Dawg
December 6th, 2012
8:07 am
So you losers are going to pull for bama even after their players were making fun of UGA, even considering how Saban bad mouths UGA when he raids our state for recruits? Perhaps you jerks should pull for neither team and stop aiding the enemy. You fake UGA fans are sickening and if you want to pull for bama, then why don’t you just move to tuscaloosa and stay there. We don’t need you.
DawginLex
December 6th, 2012
8:15 am
Florida basketball is doing pretty well. I wonder if Donovan would let one of his players play QB for Florida since they actually can throw a pass to one of their own teammates unlike Driskell?
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
8:15 am
I will hold my nose and pull for Bama.
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
8:16 am
Only because I detest Notre Dame and a Bama blow out will make the Dawgs look better with the national media.
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
8:18 am
Notre Dame gets more mileage out of past glory than any team in history. They have been a non factor for decades and the national media still worships them. It’s sick.
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
8:18 am
Had to do 3 posts because my longer posts are being eaten. Sad.
Moist Dawg
December 6th, 2012
8:24 am
Why do 3 posts when it only takes one to say you’re a traitor ncdawg? You’re a disgrace.
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
8:34 am
Moist Dawg… traitor? Really? You really want Notre Dame to win? So we have to listen to years and years of overblown hype? Nah…
Mr. Chill
December 6th, 2012
8:35 am
I will never “cheer” for any team but the ‘Dawgs!! However, I’ll watch that game and I’ll be very happy when ‘Bama whips the Irish. Why? Because the rest of the nation has always said our conference was overrated. It goes WAY back . . . in fact ALL THE WAY BACK. So while I won’t EVER say “Roll Tide”, I WILL be pretty darned smug when, once again, SEC superiority is proven.
Moist Dawg
December 6th, 2012
8:43 am
Traitor: A person who betrays a friend, country, principle.
Yep, ncdawg, you are a traitor, but don’t feel bad. Apparently there are plenty of other Benedict Arnolds here to keep you company.
I will not be rooting for either team because I’m not an unloyal traitor. Enjoy wearing that bama shirt, you won’t be able to wash the stink off and good luck looking in the mirror the next day.
BMOC
December 6th, 2012
8:50 am
I normally pull for the SEC team in the post season, and the reason why is as long as the SEC knocks-off other conference opponents, it makes OUR conference look better, stronger. This means that if you have 3 or 4 teams at the end of the season with 1 or 2 losses, the SEC team will hopefully get the nod for one of the top 2 spots. Bottom line, as long as NC’s keep being won by the SEC, it gives UGA an advantage in future BCS polling’s.
gary
December 6th, 2012
8:56 am
Moist Dawg, get a life. It is a game. Pick a side. I pull for the side that put money in the Dawgs coffers. We share bowl winnings as a conference. Bowl wins for the SEC matter. BCS games bring in major cash. Do me a favor, go grab that pistol you keep under your pillow and shoot yourself in the foot the next time you stub your toe to teach it a lesson.
Moist Dawg
December 6th, 2012
8:58 am
Hey BMOC, how does it feel to sell your soul so that a conference will “look better”? Enjoy wearing jean shorts, a visor, and a houndstooth hat.
Pathetic and sickening,
NCDawg
December 6th, 2012
9:03 am
LOL Moist Dawg! I’ve always said I have 2 favorite teams… The Dawgs and whoever is BEATING Tech. Does that make me a traitor? Pulling for a team to beat Tech? Not so simple is it?
Moist Dawg
December 6th, 2012
9:04 am
Gary, I did pick a side and it’s the Dawgs. You can say whatever you want to make yourself about being a traitor but that’s exactly what you are.
I’m sure you think Hanoi Jane is a fine American too.
Evansdawg
December 6th, 2012
9:06 am
I truly believe that Bama fans would be rooting for us had we won the SEC title game. So, based on that, I will support the Tide.
Richard Judy
December 6th, 2012
9:08 am
Suitcase Saban showed some decent class after our game with him. Except for one play, it was a clean contest between two opponents who were respectful of one another. I say root for the SEC anytime Notre Dame is involved. UGA gets bragging rights that we were one tipped pass away from beating the National Champions.