Who you for, UGA fans? The Evil Genius or Nick UnFairley?
"Good luck, Stevie boy. We're all counting on you." (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Three years ago yours truly paid a midweek visit to Columbia, S.C., for Steve Spurrier’s weekly briefing. Toward the end, I mentioned that a brand new AJC.com poll had just reconfirmed that the Ol’ Ball Coach was — ahead of even Urban Meyer, who was coming off a BCS title — the man Georgia fans most loved to hate.
“Glad they haven’t forgotten me,” said Spurrier, who seemed pleased.
Postscript: Four days later, Spurrier and South Carolina came to Sanford Stadium and beat Georgia 16-12.
The Bulldogs have nothing to do with this year’s SEC championship game, which will be staged Saturday at the Georgia Dome. (Fun fact: Seven different SEC schools have qualified for the title game since last Georgia did in 2005.) But Spurrier will be here, and he might actually be the sentimental favorite. Because here are your choices:
• In one corner, the Evil Genius and his Gamecock minions, who are new to this championship thing.
• In the other, RoboCoach Gene Chizik and Nick UnFairley and, lest we forget, Cam Newton.
Loading ...Auburn fans love their team. Almost nobody else does. Let’s state for the record that Newton is the nation’s best player and Fairley its best defender, but we also must concede that the Tigers lead the world in irrational exuberance.
This isn’t to say South Carolina has been without sin. Tight end Weslye Sanders was kicked off the team without playing a down this season, and several Gamecocks apparently got the William Shatner rate at Columbia’s Whitney Hotel over the summer. And that “2001″ introduction at Williams-Brice Stadium was pretty tired back in … well, 2001.
But Auburn, as we know, has become the new standard in raised eyebrows, what with Fairley’s repeated slams of Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (see YouTube video below) to the series of revelations/allegations that led to Newton being declared ineligible by Auburn. (He was re-instated, after a timeout of one day, by the NCAA.)
Viewed alongside strutting Auburn, the Gamecocks seem rather gentlemanly. So now I’m asking a question I never thought I’d ask: Georgia fans, are you rooting for Spurrier?
Or, put another way, is there really a cold front bearing down on Hades?
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935 comments Add your comment
Chip Kelly
December 3rd, 2010
11:42 am
We want Auburn. Bring on the sacrificial lamb!
RGP
December 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
“Auburn fans love their team. Almost nobody else does.”
Well said Mark. Go Chickens!
DC
December 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
thuggery…haha…
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
@John
You come off has half reasonable. Something few AU fans on these particular blogs do not. Can’t you read the hatred AU fans are projecting? I have to disagree with you and AU being the “most liked” SEC team ever or even remotely close to it. It doesn’t seem that way to me.
Last year I thought Tebow was the best college football player in the long history. As bad as I hated to admit it, there was none better than him and this isn’t just stats but the ability to carry a team and enforce his will. No one I have ever saw had that ability like Tebow. I am near 50 years old.
Then came Cam. Now I see Cam and I admit he is very likely the best ever. I was the first to jump to his defense when the accusations came out. Still do for the most part but this whole thing has become a complete circus and my experience tells me. Something don’t smell right here. In fact it fuggin REEKS. I am honestly astounded some of you AU fans don’t step forward and question Cam, Cecil, Yeller Man, Bobby and the rest.
I always had a healthy respect for AU. But the ability of the AU fans to stick their heads in the sand has baffled me
Just saying?
December 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
John-post @ 11:33
That just made me throw up ! You need to be drug tested dude. You got issue’s.
JdawgT
December 3rd, 2010
11:43 am
I hope they both lose !!!!!!
To Cobb Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
11:45 am
Good to see you have your little finger on the pulse of the “entire country”….
and who cares about bama, auburn has owned them this century.
What year did you graudate from UGA with your degree in Ignorance?
Just saying?
December 3rd, 2010
11:45 am
John,
If you are not a Politician you missed your calling
Casey Matthews
December 3rd, 2010
11:45 am
Bring on Cecil Newton’s ATM!
Richt's Convichts
December 3rd, 2010
11:46 am
It’s hard to believe that UGA is suddenly claiming the moral high ground. You can’t claim the Fulmer Cup going away then suddenly point fingers as if you are lily white. Dawg Nation needs to put aside the sour grapes and stop whining. Take care of your own business first UGA!
hypAUcritical....
December 3rd, 2010
11:46 am
@John….”With the exception of a handful of fans, almost everyone I know loves this Auburn team”
having conversations with yourself in a padded room doesn’t count.
Just saying?
December 3rd, 2010
11:47 am
@To Cobb Dawg,
I though that was the degree Cam and Failey were signed up for?
Pago Pago Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
11:48 am
Steve did more with less….CMR did less with more….sad to be out-coached all the time.
hypAUcritical....
December 3rd, 2010
11:49 am
Go Cocks!! would rather not see an SEC team in the national championship than one with an asterisk by their name.
1eyedJack
December 3rd, 2010
11:49 am
“They get the best TV ratings of any team in tyhe SEC and, in fact, their win over Alabama was the highest rated college football telecast of 2010.”
Morbid curiosity. We all want to see Awbun get their head handed to them.
WarEagle
December 3rd, 2010
11:50 am
So when Auburn has ONE person who was accused of breaking the law a long time ago (stealing laptop at FL) everyone freaks out and says he is such a horrible person. But lets look back at all the “thug” UGA players who have been arrested, suspended, and been kicked off the team in the past 2 years. I think it only fair to call the UGA players “thugs” and not the Auburn players. Only Auburn names that have been mentioned are Cam and Fairley. Auburn is a very talented team, thats a fact. Nothing changes that. Get over it, and War Eagle!!
75-76-DAWG
December 3rd, 2010
11:50 am
I will always pull for Spurrier unless he is playing UGA. Whether you like or dislike that smug, cocky, smirk or attitude or not you have got to appreciate that he is a real coach that only has one thing in mind and that is to win but the win doesn’t mean a thing if you don’t do it in the most sportsmanship, high integrity and ethical way possible.He take two and three star recruits and make them five star team players.And he doesn’t get so close with his coaches that he doesn’t get rid of under performing coaches. He will fire you in a second if you don’t do your job. To be CEO of a major university can be a lonely job but Spurrier is the ultimate example of nobody questioning who is in charge.
75-76-DAWG
December 3rd, 2010
11:51 am
Enter your comments here
DC
December 3rd, 2010
11:51 am
stick heads in sand or back up your player and school when everyone else is against them…I’m sorry but allegations isn’t going to cut it for me…if it comes out as Cam knew and there are facts..I will change my stance on everything..
Just like my opinion of his father…He is a scumbag and I am sad he lives in my town of Newnan GA..
Again, its not having heads in the sand but when everyone in the country is against AU..you have to rally around one another..because if you take away all this crap thats going on..what do you have?
A STINKIN GOOD FOOTBALL TEAM! I feel even if there was no cam scandal and nick fairley still did those things..that UGA fans would still cheer against AU..thoughts?
Cobb Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
11:53 am
ARdawg, I couldn’t agree more. Although I certainly hated to see our team getting whipped by Tebow (3-1), I admired the program, Tebow as a player, and Meyer as a coach. I pointed to that program as one that I would want to emulate. *AU, on the other hand, has lied, cheated, and “thugged” it’s way to an SEC Championship game. And *Aubies, don’t kid yourselves, it’s just like the O.J. thing. *You may have gotten away with it for now, but karma is a real force. Just wait and see.
To ARDawg
December 3rd, 2010
11:53 am
You support your team regardless.
Did Cam know that his dad talked to Kenny Rogers about money, maybe, even probably.
Are Auburn fans now supposed to turn their back completely on the entire team?
Some fans are going to take him at his word, some fans are going to be skeptical; there isnt a “how to be a college football fan” handbook that instructs everyone on how to deal with this type of situation.
But any fan of any team would step up and defend the school from which they graduated against the level of hate that has been spewed in Auburn’s direction this year. So pardon us for being defensive.
OJ
December 3rd, 2010
11:56 am
@Cobb Dawg
Are you really comparing a dad asking for money to a double murder?
CoachDawg 2000
December 3rd, 2010
11:56 am
This is like choosing between having my fingernails pulled out of or my toenails pulled out. I hate ‘em both! But my Brother-in-Law (uber obnoxious) went to the U of Chicken so I’ll pull for the Barn but hope SCam Newton gets piled-rived by Cliff Matthews and can’t play against the Ducks(may seem mean, but you know what they say about Karma).
$cam is a $ham
December 3rd, 2010
11:57 am
This whole topic is so November.
rxdawg79
December 3rd, 2010
11:57 am
I’m one of those guys who likes Spurrier. I like his “damn the torpedos, full speed ahead” manner of public speaking. Says what he thinks and the hell with those who might be offended. The Fairly thing’s got nothing to do with it.
bigdawg88
December 3rd, 2010
11:58 am
Ah, gotta look at the big picture here folks!
5 straight titles for the SEC = STFU to all the other conferences!!
The SEC title game will be called the pre-BCS championship game and the Hosebowl may lose some status and have to get in line with a playoff.
Besides, can you imagine how obnoxious the gameycock fans will be when they actually win something?!?
SEC Stomps Every Conference!!
Gator Mike
December 3rd, 2010
11:58 am
I would normally go for the undefeated SEC team but there is just an odor of deceipt about Newton that makes you pull against him fair or unfair . God knows I was blind in my support of him while he was a Gator. He just constantly pushed the envelope of dishonesty. This is really unfortunate for Auburn as I feel they could run the table without him as their defense continues to get better as the game goes along and their offensive line does not get any credit for their accomplishments. Have to go with Carolina as I just cant pull for Cam.
saban
December 3rd, 2010
12:01 pm
What does South Carolina and Auburn have in commen? Whiny dawgs fans.
Enjoy all the new daddies dawgs.
Farley for president.
That Guy
December 3rd, 2010
12:01 pm
As an AU fan/UGA fan second, I love Spurrier and my family doesn’t like me for that. He’s a great coach with a no holds barred approach to public speaking. If it weren’t AU in it, I’d be pulling for USC in this one.
Spurrier
December 3rd, 2010
12:01 pm
There sure are gonna be alot of disappointed people on this message board saturday evening, sorry in advance for letting you down.
Go Gamecocks !
December 3rd, 2010
12:02 pm
I used to pull for Auburn when they weren’t playing us, but no more … I wouldn’t pull for them if both engines were out on the team plane now.
knows right from wrong
December 3rd, 2010
12:02 pm
South Carolina….at least Spurrier knows and we know he is an a@#hole….he doesnt pretend to be something he isnt. Dont think he would tolerate the arrogance of a player like Newton. GO COCKS!
Mike Slive
December 3rd, 2010
12:03 pm
I’m for the Gamecocks. It will be their 1st SEC Championship for football; and they’ll represent our conference with class. Final score: USC Gamecocks – 42 / AU – 21.
AU-GT Civ Engineer
December 3rd, 2010
12:03 pm
How does Bark Madly, I meant Mark Bradley..pass this stuff off as journalism?
I’ve never seen such blatant jealousy from a fan base in all of my life! If I were the typical sidewalk, Billy Bob Georgia fan that’s venomously posting on here, I’d be much angrier as to why Georgia has had another sub-par season with nothing to offer but more excuses. Auburn’s playing in the SEC championship with a potential national championship game and Cam Newton’s been vindicated by the NCAA against the rumors and innuendos that have been leveled against him by Bradley and his fellow journalistic hacks.
Let’s be realistic Georgia fans, your program peaked under Coach Richt five to seven years ago and despite your supposedly lauded recruiting classes, has continue to slip into a sea of mediocrity. The only thing that really propels the program is that every pre-season so called ‘journalists’ like Bradley predict that UGA will win the national championship, but then they’ll go 6-5 and be fortunate to make it to a toilet bowl.
Just saying?
December 3rd, 2010
12:04 pm
saban,
1-9 in past 10 meetings with the Dawgs!!! We must be your daddy!
MD
December 3rd, 2010
12:05 pm
This is such a biased article. Of course the criminals are going to pick the Cocks. We don’t mind you cheering for them anyway. The tigers have more than enough support from the Auburn Family. You’re STILL whining about Fairley’s hit? You lost, get over it. Keep hating, while we are celebrating!
WAR EAGLE
Just saying?
December 3rd, 2010
12:05 pm
*saban-of course knowing you are a Techie!!!
Michael Slive
December 3rd, 2010
12:06 pm
Gamecocks gets my vote. USC will represent our conference with class. Carolina by 14.
Gern
December 3rd, 2010
12:07 pm
I do not root for anyone but Georgia and would just have everyone else in the conference lose every game.
dawgfacedboy
December 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
I remember that 16-12 game. We had Stafford, Moreno, Mossaquoi, and AJ all on the same offense ane we managed 12 pts. and looked inept and confused the whole day. Great job coaches.
TCU nor Boise deserves to be anywhere close to the NC game. I’d rather see an undefeated Auburn/Oregon.
Kenny Rogers
December 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
I’m pulling for the Gamecock because Auburn hasn’t paid me on our deal for getting them Scam. Carolina by 14. Serves your right Auburn! Where’s my money??
Chris
December 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
I’ll pick a team when Auburn picks a mascot.
DAWG A
December 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
John…….. you honestly think that most people support Auburn? Then you are not paying any attention!!! The ONLY people that are supporting Auburn are Auburn fans! And even some of them realize the truth and are just keeping their mouths shut!
I have always supported my team first then would at least somewhat support the SEC team especially if they were playing in the national championship game. But I WILL NEVER support a team that hss won only because they are playing with a cheater and a bunch of thugs!
Go ahead and be proud of your team “what goes around comes around”
Bulldawgman``
December 3rd, 2010
12:09 pm
Well I have no resepect for # 90 He is a thug So this game I will be a Cock fan maybe that shoulder will get some hits. So Gamecocks remember the shoulder # 90 .
dawgfacedboy
December 3rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Gern- if everyone else lost all their games the would be on par with the teams TCU and Boise play. Do you think UGA would get the credit for beating them like those two do? I don’t either.
@Chris
December 3rd, 2010
12:10 pm
Good one
trey
December 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
The yellow maggots have been WHINING since their highs-man QB got an ankle injury during last year’s butt whipping. They WHINED saying the dawgs deliberately sprained his ankle for him (LMAOOOOO). They WHINED claiming that was why they lost.( LMAOOOO)
Go Gamecocks! Beat the $180K QB and stop the cheap-shot Fairley!
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Cobb Dawg
I relate AU’s fan base obsession with the scandal the same as Monica Lewinski’s blue dress and Clinton snoring or with a smile on his face. It’s there, something is there. call it Yakk or crusty sugar from a Krispy Kreme but, something is definitely there.
Pierce
Loyalty is a good thing however, blind loyalty is a very dangerous thing. Please recognize the difference
Steve
December 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
Fairley could break is leg and not have an NFL career for all I care. I will be pulling for USC……!
LHardingDawg
December 3rd, 2010
12:11 pm
IF the NCAA can’t or will not enforce their rules, they need to give the national championship back to USC and taken off of probation. And then if Cam gets the Heisman, Reggie Bush need to get his Heisman back.