The SEC’s most obnoxious fans: There’s a new orange No. 1
Our inaugural ranking of the SEC’s most obnoxious fans was presented in 2008, and much has changed over 24 months. Mississippi State has switched coaches. Auburn has switched coaches. (Then again, when doesn’t Auburn switch coaches?) Tennessee has switched coaches twice. Kentucky’s coach quit. Vanderbilt’s coach just quit. Florida’s coach quit and un-quit.
Amid such flux, it’s only fair that our rankings don’t remain static. Indeed, I’m proud — actually, I’m not sure if “proud” is the proper word — to note that our new rankings are completely different. Not one of the 12 positions has gone unchanged, which says … well, I don’t know what it says. But there we are.
A note: I asked for your input the other day, and I have taken your thoughts under the deepest advisement. Indeed, the results of our little poll are included herein. But I must stress that these are my rankings, and I’m a neutral. (Full disclosure: I’m a graduate of Kentucky, which hopes one day to start a football program.)
Oh, and I probably should mention that I attended my first SEC game in 1969, covered my first SEC game in 1976 and have seen a game at every SEC stadium. Meaning: I might be an idiot, but I’m a well-traveled idiot.
And with that, I hereby unveil the 2010 rankings of the SEC’s most obnoxious fans. In honor of our previous champion, fans of the new title-holder are required by executive order to wear jean shorts for the next two years.
12. Tennessee (No. 7 in 2008, No. 4 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Purely a sympathy vote. The formerly Big Orange has seen itself massively devalued from within. It has a lousy AD who hired the brat Lane Kiffin, and now this program is in a world of hurt. (In a display of bravery, the lousy AD just canceled a series with North Carolina) Put simply, I feel sorry for Tennessee fans. They deserve better than ham-handed Mike Hamilton.
11. Vanderbilt (No. 10 in 2008, No. 10 in 2010 AJC.com poll): It’s never a good sign when a coach quits a month before summer camp convenes, but that’s what Bobby Johnson did. He did it because he was tired of losing. Johnson is a fine football man who stands as Vandy’s best coach in the past quarter-century. He went 12-52 in league play. Imagine having to watch that every season, world without end.
10. Kentucky (No. 11 in 2008, No. 11 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Big Blue football rooters didn’t do anything obnoxious these past two seasons. Big Blue rooters save the obnoxious behavior for basketball, a sport for which they have no peers regarding exess. They’ve only moved up — or down, depending on your point of view — to No. 10 because I happened to feel really sorry for Tennessee and Vandy.
9. Mississippi State (No. 12 in 2008, No. 12 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Backers of the maroon Bulldog believe Dan Mullen can win more than his share of games. If so, it would only trigger the scariest words in the English language: More cowbell!
8. Ole Miss (No. 9 in 2008, No. 9 in 2010 AJC.com poll): I can handle Rebel fans most years, but occasionally they’ll get all geeked up and start sounding like Georgia or South Carolina folks. (“This is finally our year! This time for sure!”) For the Rebels, last season was such a time. Naturally, they went 4-4 in SEC play, including an egg-on-the-face loss to Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. And now coach Houston Nutt, who’s nutty, has allowed quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to walk on despite having been kicked off the Oregon squad and having pleaded guilty in separate incidents. Nutt has promised “zero tolerance” regarding Masoli. Me, I anticipate more egg on the Ole Miss face.
7. South Carolina (No. 6 in 2008, No. 7 in 2010 AJC.com poll): I keep thinking the Gamecocks are going to be really good this year. I also keep wondering what will happen with their fans — who have thought the Gamecocks are going to be really good every year since ‘92 (and I mean 1892) — are finally proved right.
6. LSU (No. 8 in 2008, No. 5 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Here’s where you and I disagree the most. I’ve always considered a trip to Tiger Stadium a treat. Then again, I don’t sit in the stands, an experience I’ve been led to believe is most challenging. But I will tell you this: The best scripted moment in all of college football is when the Golden Band from Tigerland and the Golden Girls conduct their pregame march to midfield. Beats Ohio State’s “Script Ohio” six ways to Saturday.
5. Alabama (No. 4 in 2008, No. 3 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Being old enough to have seen Alabama under the Bear, I dreaded the thought of the Tide rising again to eminence. In the ’70s and ’80s, there were no worse fans. (Except maybe Kentucky basketball fans, and even then it was a coin flip.) But I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the relative moderation that has accompanied Bama’s latest national championship. Maybe this has to do with Nick Saban, who never crows and is never satisfied. Whatever the case, I offer this relatively benign ranking as a thank-you.
4. Georgia (No. 3 in 2008, No. 2 in 2010 AJC.com poll): If it’s possible to have sympathy for folks who take pride in trashing their own campus, I have some sympathy for Dawg-lovers. Because I think every Georgia road game this autumn is going to be off the hook. I think this because of Damon Evans and red panties.
3. Arkansas (No. 5 in 2008, No. 7 in 2010 AJC.com poll): It wasn’t enough that Hog fans ran off Houston Nutt and welcomed Bobby Petrino as a conquering hero, not the sinking-ship-deserting rat he was. But now apparently you have to pass a loyalty test to work for an Arkansas radio station. (Reporter Renee Gork was fired after wearing a Florida hat to a press conference; being Petrino, he noticed and objected.) And Hog fans reacted as if her dismissal was a good thing. Where’s Edward R. Murrow when you need him?
2. Florida (No. 1 in 2008, No. 1 in 2010 AJC.com poll): I know, I know. It takes effort not to put the hated Gators — and they’re hated in every SEC outpost, not just Athens, Ga. — at the top of anything involving the word “obnoxious.” But I have to confess: I never understood why everybody hated Tim Tebow. He was a really good player who seemed like a really good guy. If he played for Georgia or Alabama, would those fans have not similarly lionized him? But if you’re asking me to defend jorts … well, that line I will not cross.
1. Auburn (No. 2 in 2008, No. 6 in 2010 AJC.com poll): Because Tiger fans still worship at the tainted feet of Pat Dye. Because they run off coaches on a whim. Because they’ve grown as arrogant as Alabama backers without one-tenth the justification. Because they’re still whining over the national championship they didn’t win in 2004. Because the world’s worst fan — the Montgomery banker Bobby Lowder — is an Auburn man. And because I would pay money (though not a lot) to see Bobby Lowder in jean shorts.
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1,009 comments Add your comment
Jason
August 26th, 2010
4:24 pm
Word on the street is that AU will be holding a press conference to announce the firing of Gene Chizik. Good call on the coaching carousel that is Auburn University, Mark. Did you go to the same journalism school with the Scab in Birmingham?
Back on top
August 26th, 2010
4:25 pm
There’s a simple scientific test to see which fans are the most obnoxious. Go back and read several pages of these responses. Who are the most vocal, annoyed, and obnoxious?
I’ve been a Bama fan all my life. We are easily the most hated team in the SEC. I know this because I heard Mississippi State fans yelling “The Bear is Dead!” when I was a little kid after a game we had won. I had never seen that kind of poor sportsmanship and it almost made my cry. I’ve heard LSU fans screaming in front of old folks and kids alike, “We’ve got Bama by the nuts!” before the game when I was an adult. In fact I don’t see how anyone who knows college football can’t see that the Bayou Bengals have the rowdiest and most obnoxious fans, at least during a game. I have an LSU buddy who goes to all of the games and he says his Bama friend can’t wear anything with an Alabama logo on it or he will get mobbed. But Bama traditionally is the Yankees of the SEC. We have haters everywhere, and now that we’re winning again I fully expect them to come out of the woodwork not just from Lee County or Knoxville. Winning breeds jealousy. Just ask Florida fans.
The fact is every fan base has knuckleheads, drunks, and embarassments pulling for their team. Bama has plenty. While we were in the dark days of probation and constant upheaval I found many Tide faithful completely unapproachable. I couldn’t have a decent conversation with fellow fans without it turning into an argument on some occasions. But since we got back to normal and finally hired a decent coach I am so grateful for the Bama Nation. I don’t think there is a more knowledgeable fanbase on the planet, in football anyway. I married into a Kentucky family and man do they know their basketball.
Also, Auburn fans run the gamut. I’ve had Auburn friends with plenty of perspective, but there are some who live in another universe and can’t go five minutes without bashing Bama for something. Relish that winning streak, Barners. Every good thing must come to an end. And nobody knows that better than Bama fans. I’m going to enjoy this ride as long as it lasts. RTR!
LHardingDawg
August 26th, 2010
4:26 pm
If the Dawg fans were storming the field during the “hose game”, why were the hoses aimed in the stands? Great win for the dogs. As far as church goes, why not go to church in Alabama instead of Georgia?
hagoojw
August 26th, 2010
4:27 pm
Most obnoxious sports writer?
This guy
Brad
August 26th, 2010
4:28 pm
Mark Bradley wrote “Glad to, zach: Tommy Tuberville, Bobby Petrino, Tommy Tuberville again, Gene Chizik.”
Auburn has had two coaches in 12 years. Every other team in the SEC has had as many if not more during that same period(Bama=4,Vandy=3, UT=3,UF=2,UGA=2,LSU=3,MSU=3,UK=4/5,USC=3,OM=4/5,ARK=3). Bobby Petrino was never AU’s coach. Need to check your facts. AU fans are some of the best fans in the world. Go and read fan accounts that visit AU for the first time.
Summary
August 26th, 2010
4:31 pm
UGA sends their rejected applications to the admission office of Au.
Summary-arily-a-retard
August 26th, 2010
4:31 pm
@Summary said “Most Au grads have it out for UGA because they couldn’t get accepted to UGA. FACT.”
You’re doing it wrong.
If anything, most AU fans have it out for GEORGIA TECH because they couldn’t get accepted to GEORGIA TECH. Fact.
Also, I like how some guy is so good at math that AU students + AU alumni + opposing fans = < 7,000 on any given Saturday at JHS. lol.
Little Boy
August 26th, 2010
4:32 pm
I hereby unveil the 2010 rankings of the ‘Washed Up Newpaper Writers Most Desparate To Get Somebody To Read Their Worthless Articles’
10. who cares .. skip a few.. 1. Mark Bradley
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
August 26th, 2010
4:33 pm
No ones fans are more obnoxious than anyone else. Excepting of course, The Georgia Techmites.
Reality
August 26th, 2010
4:33 pm
LawDawg:
Really you think the 2005 SEC Championship is anything? Didn’t UGA basically get beat down by WVU that game too. So as I stated, UGA has won nothing since 1980 of any meaning.
I have done my homework and UGA consistantly is over hyped and always under perform. The only year of excpetion was the year they blew out HI in the Sugar bowl. So LAW DOG honestly what has UGA won other than occasional SEC Championship that has resulted in no NC. For being such a storied program as UGA shouldn’t there be more than one NC and that one not being more than 3 decades ago.
I am a Michigan fan, so go ahead I can hear all that you are going to say now. I know everything trust me. I am a real fan, because I am a realist unlike UGA fans. I can’t talk crap about what my team is going to do because we have been bad the past few years. If I wanted to live in the past as you do, trust me UGA can’t hold a torch to what Michigan has done. So don’t try and go there. You will lose every time, trust me on that.
Please for the greater good of society, find your way back down to earth and realize that UGA is not that sweet and has not done anything that matters in college football since 1980
RTR
August 26th, 2010
4:34 pm
This is the most absurd poll…have you ever been to Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge?!! Where have you been living for the past 20 years…your mother’s basement?!!
AUZambo
August 26th, 2010
4:35 pm
Wow Mark. Bobby Petrino was an AU head coach in the last 10 years? Really? That’s your justification for saying Auburn changes coaches on a whim? Just FYI, Auburn has had a whopping 6 head coaches since 1951. If your math is bad that means Auburn AVERAGES 10 years per coach, and that includes Chizik’s 1 year stint.
I have no problem with opinion articles, but at least base your opinions on facts. This sounds like nothing more than a little kid ranting.
Tuckergirl
August 26th, 2010
4:35 pm
You have GOT to be kidding me! Tennessee at #12? NO WAY! They are some of the most obnoxious fans known to man. Trust me, I know! My in-laws are UT fans (although they are kind enough to keep it in check when I am around). UT fans play “Rocky Top” at the drop of a hat, even at funerals.
Vandy fans shouldn’t even be on this list. They hardly make a sound. Believe me, I lived a few blocks from the stadium from 2003-2005. They’re too busy studying.
Yes, we UGA fans can be obnoxious, too. But no way are we at #5, I must disagree. Maybe #7 but not #5…
Florida is #1, definitely. They’re the absolute worst.
Crimson Crush
August 26th, 2010
4:36 pm
Typical reactions from the whiny Auburn fans . You would think they would be glad to be ranked number one in anything by someone not born in Opelika
Auburn Man
August 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
You gotta excuse Crimson Crush . He just came out of the closet to his parents.
AJC~EDITOR
August 26th, 2010
4:38 pm
Mark – Stop editing my posts and come see me in my office.
Ben Bynum
August 26th, 2010
4:40 pm
WE’RE NUMBER #1…WE’RE NUMBER #1…..
Thanks for the vote. We’ll do our best to live down to it….
War Eagle….
Auburn 35 / Abalama 28
See you at Jordan Hare West this November.
MattS
August 26th, 2010
4:41 pm
SUMMARY — I went to high school in Leesburg, GA (just north of Albany) and could’ve gone to UGA free on the HOPE scholarship. Did I take it? Absolutely not. I went to AUBURN. I was smart enough to get into Georgia, just not stupid enough to go there.
Ben Bynum
August 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
Before you write in….I meant to spell that other’s schools name that way….
Gotta love the little dictator and his 150 % life size statue…..
War Eagle…
We’re NO#1….bad fans…..We’re NO#1
Stormdrane
August 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
War Eagle!
JL
August 26th, 2010
4:43 pm
I realize that as a columnist he has to say/write something, but Bradley gives new meaning to the adage better to be silent and thought to be ignorant than to speak and remove all doubt. You are going to have to work harder to get to Finebaum’s level; he is genius.
Tom D
August 26th, 2010
4:45 pm
Originally I thought that Auburn fans didn’t belong anywhere near the top of the list, but the ones commenting here are making me rethink that.
AJC~EDITOR
August 26th, 2010
4:47 pm
Mark will post an apology prior to his resignation shortly. On behalf of the AJC staff, I offer the a few corrections to prevent some of the confusion and outrage caused by this subject.
First, we all know that Georgia fans (including myself can be very obnoxious as we all can. However, we all know that Tennessee is the Gilbert Godfrey of the SEC. There’s Tennessee and then there’s the rest of us.
Atlanta Sports tonight – Georgia Tech will scrimmage an East Alabama high school tonight 7:30pm at the Georgia Dome. Admission is free for all who donate non-perishable food items for the Pakistani relief efforts.
Beast from the East
August 26th, 2010
4:48 pm
Mark,
I’m sorry but you are just dead wrong on this. You might have my Gators right at number 2 (could make an argument for number 1). But, to have Auburn listed above UGA is just plain silly. UGA should be number 1 or 2. Have you ever attended a game and sat in the stands? Have you ever attended a game and viewed the tailgating atmoshpere? Have you ever read a blog on the AJC? I really think you and Jeff have this good cop/bad cop routine going with UGA and Tech. Jeff kisses up to Tech and tacks shots at UGA while you do the opposite. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the blogs from both of you guys, but it’s pretty easy to see through it.
If grown men drinking until they cannot stand up straight and barking at everyone that gets within a 10 foot radius is not the most obnoxious then I guess I just misunderstand the term. I mean, GROWN MEN! Not just college kids, but GROWN MEN with families and everything. Hell, they’re proud to do it in front of their families. LOL!!!
Anyway, fun topic and it sure seems to have gotten the attention of all fan bases.
Old Dawg
August 26th, 2010
4:48 pm
To answer your question about Tebow, I’ve never disrespected him as a player but a lot folks throughout the South and the remainder of the country have been OVER the lavish praise he hasreceived from the media, primarily ESPN. When Craig James stated that after spending 15 minutes with Tebow his life was changed forever, I all but fell out of my lazy boy. I know hundreds of thousands of people who have done similar things in their lives, and haven’t asked to have their charity broadcast on national TV. I’ve known countless people who’ve dedicated their lives to various charities and are embarrassed by recognition.
Without question Tebow is a great player and leader and I truly admire his sense of mission, though I totally disagree with his theology (that’s another subject). He isn’t a saint. He isn’t perfect. Nor should he be considered such … there are too many other people performing similar or larger tasks for the simple reason that it is the right thing to do.
Mark Bratley
August 26th, 2010
4:49 pm
Bradley’s goal was clearly to see how many blog responses he could incite because the quality of thought in his ranking looks as if it was done a someone completely unfamiliar with the SEC. Very funny or very sad …not sure which.
Tiger Fan
August 26th, 2010
4:49 pm
Mark,
You obviously know nothing about the game day environment. Get out of the suit and go to the games before you call the Auburn fans out.
AdamsHouseCat
August 26th, 2010
4:50 pm
Any Clemson fan’s seeing this?
Will you guys be returning your Auburn tickets now that you have been enlightened as to the probable physical harm that awaits you for our upcoming ESPN night game on September 18th?
Droxside
August 26th, 2010
4:50 pm
You people have to realize that the more hits and replies he gets on his blog, the better justification that he is relevant and people follow him so he keeps his job and gets paid. Anyone with even an inkling of common sense that has been to the various SEC venues know that Auburn belongs in the bottom four and LSU number one. He is not an idiot, just stirring up talk to seem relevant to his bosses…
Beast from the East
August 26th, 2010
4:50 pm
Guys, I have to clarify something about LSU. I do not deem them obnoxious. They are scary, but not obnoxious. Insanity is a condition, not a personality trait. LOL!
anh
August 26th, 2010
4:50 pm
I have a quick question. What in this entire article has anything to do with the fan base at any SEC school? It seems to me that the whole article is about the politics of college football and has nothing to do with the atmosphere on gameday. I don’t believe you can write about the most obnoxious fans in the SEC until you have tailgated alongside them during the biggest rivalry games.
Jason
August 26th, 2010
4:51 pm
Mark,
I have to disagree with you on this one. I am a Bama fan and even though Bama & Auburn fans have deep hate for each other, I have to say that you are way, way, off on this one, I would have to put Auburn at about 8 or 9. LSU & Georgia are 10 times worse than any.
Albany229
August 26th, 2010
4:52 pm
Really Mark???? Auburn? How about UGA or Alabama?????
In defense of Sweet
August 26th, 2010
4:52 pm
Sorry, but I’ve known fans from all of the SEC schools. While all take pride in their schools, Florida is far-and-away home of the most obnoxious fans (and people).
AJC~EDITOR
August 26th, 2010
4:55 pm
Schultz…….you’re next you baboon brained orangutan. Get you’re act together or I’m hiring this gal: http://theladysportswriter.blogspot.com
Atl Auburn Alum
August 26th, 2010
4:57 pm
Tiger Fan, nicely put.
Yes, Auburn fans have trouble forgetting that it’s nearly impossible to go undefeated in the SEC, and how we watched other SEC teams go to the national championship game with losses — even with a loss to AUBURN, and yet, we — in our PERFECT season — were denied.
To that end, I tell you this: Millions of years from now, when the sun burns out its last ember of warmth, and the earth is nothing more than a little frozen rock hurling through space with no direction, THE BCS CAN STILL SUCK IT!
Crimson Crush
August 26th, 2010
4:58 pm
Just wanted to add I was looking up and reading people arguing over AU using a fire hose on Dawg fans after they ran out onto the field . Dawg fans WERE out on the Barner field and MORE were trying to follow after being warned to sit their happy azzes in the stands . The person trying to claim they weren’t is full of it . ( don’t bother arguing about it chuckleheads … you do realize the video still exist right ? )
If you think real hard you still won’t remember any incident like that happening in Tuscaloosa in living memory ( rival fans storming or even trying to storm the field and tear stuff up ) . The reason is fairly simple . You would have to count yourself lucky if all you got hit with is water . I could care less about “defending” the Barners in anything but facts are facts . The Dawgs earned that one .
Mark Bradley
August 26th, 2010
4:58 pm
Apparently my little joke regarding the list of Auburn coaches has gone over some folks’ heads. I am aware Bobby Petrino was never OFFICIALLY Auburn’s head coach. I’m also aware that Auburn officials flew to Sellersburg, Ind., in 2003 in the attempt to hire Petrino — then coaching Louisville, which is just across the river from Sellersburg — as head coach. I’m also aware that most schools tend not to make such overtures if there’s a head coach still in place, which was the case at Auburn.
Big Money Grip
August 26th, 2010
4:58 pm
The only reason UGA mutts aren’t #1 is because they eventually shut up and pass out.
ATL
August 26th, 2010
4:58 pm
Mark Bradley = the new Terence Moore
Really Rival fans???
August 26th, 2010
5:00 pm
The more you post the better we look!!! GO DAWGS!!!!
Doug
August 26th, 2010
5:00 pm
Mark,
I know you have covered college football, but I can’t tell it in this article. You need to spend some time around Alabama to see how they are handling the national championship. They don’t go to church anymore, they just watched the game they recorded on Saturday. Saban is their church. Alabama has become a cult.
John
August 26th, 2010
5:02 pm
Sorry Mark. Anyone who sits in the relative safety of the pressbox instead of having to rub elbows with the unwashed masses in the stands is not fully qualified to make such a list as this.
I also saw my first SEC game in 1969 and have been to a few enemy camps as well. If you want to talk the talk, you must first pass through the gauntlet of bourbon and coke swilling, spit hurling, obscenity spewing and hate mongering that is a visit to a hostile SEC environment.
obnoxaufan
August 26th, 2010
5:05 pm
I would love to see a article with the most obnoxious sports writers. Problem with that is there is no way of distinguishing them. It’s a worthless profession in a dying industry, yet they are some of the most pompous people on earth. Back in the days when they provided a service of delivering news they had a purpose, now any blogger with a computer (see the bammers) is placed on an equal basis as these elitist. To even try to fill a column with this drivel shows that you cannot compete with the “Shanes from Centerpoint” of the world.
Auburn Man
August 26th, 2010
5:07 pm
“Apparently my little joke regarding the list of Auburn coaches has gone over some folks’ heads.”
Mark, I think a lot of things go over your head.
LHardingDawg
August 26th, 2010
5:07 pm
Looking at this objectively, the obnoxious level of most fans (Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, Florida, and yes even Georgia, is determined by the opponent (rival or not), the game time (12:00, 3:30, or 8:00), and what each team has to gain or lose (SEC East or West or conference champions). At most early games, everybody is fine. At the 8:00 games, everybody is not fine. I wonder why!
hirameagle
August 26th, 2010
5:08 pm
You don’t know what most “schools” do behind the scenes, admit it, you’re a nut job! Count the coaches!
Wow
August 26th, 2010
5:08 pm
Dear Mark,
How about writing a column that wasn’t a complete piece horse feces (Sorry about the big words there).
And people wonder why print media is dying a slow death…
Current Tiger
August 26th, 2010
5:09 pm
Did someone pee in your cereal? Who worships Pat Dye, really? No really, I’d like to hear. Since 1951 our coaches have had tenures of 25, 5, 12, 6, and 10 years…I haven’t researched the rest of the league but I doubt we change head coaches the most. All my classes are in the Lowder Business Building so I won’t say anything too bad about him. But good job stirring things up and WDE!
roota4au
August 26th, 2010
5:12 pm
mark you are truly clueless on this one. lsu wins in a landslide, followed closely by uf and uga. Not even close with the AU choice.ctt was at au for 10 seasons. maybe you should check your facts again and then rewrite the article