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
South GA Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
1:54 pm
All Dawg fans hate Spurrier but respect him as a coach. Probably the best coach to play the game. AU just plain sux. They are about the most overrated team in college football. I respect alot of teams even FL but have no respect for that whole organization. You cant fix a thief or liar. Their coach, team and organization is both. I hope the old ball coach beats them silly. Go Gamecocks!!!!!!!!!!
bulldog bubba
December 3rd, 2010
1:54 pm
This blog was written to stir the DAWGS up.It is the writers job to cast doubt in the Scam Newton situation.I still believe this situation has been covered up so that fans will spend millions of dollars to support the NCAA.Merry Christmas Auburn fans from the NCAA,eNJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN.This is one time this Dawg cries “GO COCKS!” Deal with it ‘Burners.
Steve Spurrier
December 3rd, 2010
1:55 pm
I MISS FLORIDA !
GA War Eagle
December 3rd, 2010
1:56 pm
I don’t care that bulldog nation is rooting against AU and we are now their most hated rival. How quickly you forget all the arrests at GA this year. Haven’t heard about that from our supposed dirty program down on the plains. As long as Richt is your coach you will continue to turn top rated draft classes into medicore teams. So Hate away while we get our first National Championship since 57. We beat your team of felons and we will beat the felons from SC tomorrow. You had us by 14 and we came back and ripped your hearts out. Get used to it. You have 330+ days to live with it before you get another shot at us. So whine and cry and enjoy your bowl game. Try not to embarass the SEC too much by losing to a 6-6 team from an inferior conference. You will have your day in the sun again when you get a new coach. Merry Xmas you whining bunch of crybabies and we will be ready for your best shot next year in Athens. War Eagle!
Aubbie
December 3rd, 2010
1:58 pm
I just messed my costume.
Boise Dawg
December 3rd, 2010
1:59 pm
Not a tough choice for me. Definitely a S. Carolina fan this weekend. Maybe I have softened on Spurrier a little since he is no longer a Gator and the fact that, this year completely aside, Auburn has always been my most hated UGA rival.
Good post Camenstein… I don’t think Auburn fans have their head in the sand. I am sure it is a tough situation and I don’t wish it on any fan of any school to feel like such a great season could be tainted in any way.
The Ol' Ball Coach
December 3rd, 2010
2:00 pm
Saturday’s menu ….. Fried Cheese Sticks with deep fried tiger meat.
re: Who sucks most?
December 3rd, 2010
2:02 pm
The only answer is Auburn. Crying shame after a fantastic season with a fantastic athlete. Now Auburn is not only an embarrassment to the SEC but to all of college football. Make sure you AU fans read other blogs besides this ATL based one. They are all saying the same thing–and they all can’t be UGA fans. The whole country feels the same–Auburn has cheated and the house of cards will be coming down on them—hard.
re: re: Who sucks most?
December 3rd, 2010
2:05 pm
What did Auburn do again?
ALMA
December 3rd, 2010
2:08 pm
Someone needs to convince the Auburn fans that everyone who dislikes them are not all UGA fans. It seems to me that the only ones who favor or even like Auburn are the Auburn fans themselves. Sad state of affairs they brought upon themselves. Maybe they should read the ESPN blogs and find out that the dislike is nationwide. They are just a dirty team.
ALMA
December 3rd, 2010
2:12 pm
@payscale
We know lots of Georgians apply to Auburn because they know they can’t get into UGA. Even high school counselors tell them this.
Really
December 3rd, 2010
2:13 pm
First, why should Auburn fans care if other fans like their school?
B. The only people that write about Auburn on blogs will be the ones that dont like the school, why should anyone be surprised that is what you read on any blog.
A few hundred people express their distaste and that is representative of how every person in the country feels? Come on Man
Kitis
December 3rd, 2010
2:14 pm
Haters gonna hate.
Big deal, Cecil asked for money from another school and didn’t get any. We all know there are a handful of talented players on every team in the conference every year (well, maybe not Vandy) that are receiving extra benefits. The difference is that one team is undefeated and has the best player in the country, resulting in a witch hunt by the media and the opposition. Either you are a sadist or are not really a fan of the sport if you are pulling for Auburn to be sanctioned. Hoping for the truth to come out is a different story, and it eventually will.
Until then, I’m sure Dawg fans would be screaming War Eagle all weekend had UGA beaten AU earlier this year. Then Georgia could lay claim to being the best team in the SEC pshhhhhawww.
And if your rationale for pulling against the Tigers is based on a vendetta against Nick Fairley, go take a look at what Buck Belue, the biggest homer in Dawg Nation, had to say about Mr. Fairley.
Now I gotta go back to espn.com for real sports stories, like how long LeBron’s shower was after the game last night.
payscale
December 3rd, 2010
2:15 pm
@Alma
So?
They do as well, and apparently better on average coming out of Auburn as they do coming out of UGA.
We rent players Inc
December 3rd, 2010
2:20 pm
Fairley- a cheap shot??? Say it isn’t so Mark. I am stunned- stunned I tell ya!
LHardingDawg
December 3rd, 2010
2:21 pm
Ga War Eagle – I don’t think it has been Georgia who has embarassed the conference.
Poor Alma
December 3rd, 2010
2:22 pm
Bitter much?
Make you feel better about your thUGAs if you can convince yourself that another team is worse?
And the dawg-whining goes on… and on…. and on…. and on
(so sad)
The Game
December 3rd, 2010
2:22 pm
USC doesn’t have a prayer. Slive and his henchmen will make sure the refs are in Auburn’s corner so they can advance to the NCS.
P. Bull Terrier
December 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
I’m joining the NCAA and Auburn and going “all in” on Cam Newton, so even though Auburn is my new least favorite team, I’ll be pulling for them the rest of the season.
The odds are pretty good that the FBI or the IRS will eventually uncover the Newton money and track it back to someone connected with Auburn. When that happens, Auburn will end up having to forfeit all of it’s wins this season, so an Auburn victory over S.Carolina is the best of both worlds – Spurrier loses the game now and Auburn loses the game later.
lawdawg
December 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
Anybody that pulls for a conference and not a certain team is a joke.
Blutto
December 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
I’ve thought about “who sucks the most” Auburn, South Carolina or GT. And I’ve decide it’s a three way tie; however, the reference to sucks and GT being in Midtown could have a entirely different connotation. Enough said.
chickenman
December 3rd, 2010
2:23 pm
AS SEC FANS WE NEED A SEC TEAM IN THE NATIONAL TITLE…CAM IS ELIGIBLE SO I HAVE NO GRUDGE.. war eagle..
We rent players Inc
December 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
Really Grow up and wise up. Why do you think the NCAA did such a quick job of defending it’s decision yesterday after the blow back by the sporting community??? Do they normally go out of their way to defend their erudite decisions that way??? Only AUBurn is for the NCAA ruling – the rest of the sporting community is upset about what the NCAA has done. And Slive should be fired from the SEC- what a useless tool.
Atlanta PD
December 3rd, 2010
2:24 pm
We sure are glad the dawgies aren’t in the big game. Our jail will only hold so many drunks.
wildbill
December 3rd, 2010
2:26 pm
I’m for Spurrier, in the game, and as the next head coach at UGA.
Aubie's Denial
December 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
I did NOT have financial relations with that quarterback, Mr. Newton, nor with the good Rev. Newton. Now, I’m going back to the Barn, and back to work for the AuBarn people.
Blutto
December 3rd, 2010
2:27 pm
Doesn’t Auburn mean RED? Look at the fans, enough said.
FUNNY
December 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
ALMA and others are grasping at anything and everything.
Yep, make sure you examine the perceived national hate towards Auburn. Odd, though, since I travel for a living and really don’t see the Auburn hate nationwide as you claim. People I talk to are generally impressed by what Auburn has done this year. I hear many more *congrats* than I do anything else.
And make sure you bring up the tired old claim that UGA has higher attendance requirements than other schools. That bears a good, close look as well. That should make thUGAs feel soothed just a bit.
Oh, and also point out (for the umpteenth time) that the refs were blind, Auburn played dirty, the weather was bad, the blister on someone’s foot hurt too much, or whatever other excuse you can conjure up. Look closely at ALL the ways you can transfer blame.
But… whatEVER you do, don’t turn the looking glass onto the crummy football program in Athens. No siree. That’s one place you really DON’T want to look!
WDE
AU ‘89
Vince Dooley
December 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
Let’s talk about the 1980 team. Now, there was a real team. Ahh, for the good old days. Barb, you gonna help me plant these flowers?
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
Camenstein
That’s admirable enough. Enjoy your run. You really have no choice but to ride the wave of excitement that goes with a NC team and I hope for your’s and AU’s sake that there is nothing to come out of the allegations and your guys do win the BCS. On the other hand if something is dirty, it will reflect on the entire SEC and more so college football in general.
It’s not like what you think will change anything that has or will be done but, any fan of any team should not (IMO) take and address such allegations with blind loyalty because, the bottom line is unless you were involved, you just don’t know. All of the actors in this particular play, I don’t know that I’d hang the hat of the reputation of the university on, But good luck to you
Cash Newton
December 3rd, 2010
2:29 pm
It’s my Daddy’s’ money and he wants it Now!
CB
December 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
This is all I’m seeing, Blah Blah Blah. UGA is irrelevant this year. Blah Blah Blah. I pull for a losing school so I’ll pull for the loser in the SEC championship game. Blah Blah Blah. Murray could be a star on a flag football team. Auburn cheats that’s why they win. Cam is paid that’s why they win. Fairley is a dirty player that’s why they win. Blah Blah Blah. I’m happy with my coach who gets top 10 if not top 5 recruiting classes every year and still has a 6-6 year. I’m happy with a coach that has NO control over his team. Welcome to tier 3 in the SEC UGA!
ARdawg
December 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
119
Camenstein
That’s admirable enough. Enjoy your run. You really have no choice but to ride the wave of excitement that goes with a NC team and I hope for your’s and AU’s sake that there is nothing to come out of the allegations and your guys do win the BCS. On the other hand if something is dirty, it will reflect on the entire SEC and more so college football in general.
It’s not like what you think will change anything that has or will be done but, any fan of any team should not (IMO) take and address such allegations with blind loyalty because, the bottom line is unless you were involved, you just don’t know. All of the actors in this particular play, I don’t know that I’d hang the hat of the reputation of the university on
Good luck to your guys
Obama
December 3rd, 2010
2:30 pm
Cam, did your daddy get that “stimulus” money I sent him?
Steak Shapiro
December 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Let’s talk about Sophie.
ARdawg118
December 3rd, 2010
2:31 pm
Camenstein
That’s admirable enough. Enjoy your run. You really have no choice but to ride the wave of excitement that goes with a NC team and I hope for your’s and AU’s sake that there is nothing to come out of the allegations and your guys do win the BCS. On the other hand if something is dirty, it will reflect on the entire SEC and more so college football in general.
It’s not like what you think will change anything that has or will be done but, any fan of any team should not (IMO) take and address such allegations with blind loyalty because, the bottom line is unless you were involved, you just don’t know. All of the actors in this particular play, I don’t know that I’d hang the hat of the reputation of the university on, yanno ?
Good luck to you and your guys anyway
to Blutto
December 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
wow, how clever of you
even though there is a town called *Auburn* in just about every state.
sheesh, what a dumb-fluck
Really
December 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
rent
Grow up? Good personal attack.
To the actual point, are you saying that the people that take the time to write on blogs and arent Auburn fans are going to come out and support Auburn?
I would imagine that the NCAA felt the need to explain the decision because its controversial, high profile and complicated. But, I dont work for the NCAA, and Im not an expert on NCAA rules. Im just glad that things are ok at this point.
Feel free to continue to wish the worst on other people.
Aubie's Denial
December 3rd, 2010
2:32 pm
SEC fans everywhere but AU are embarassed by AU’s style of play, as well as the accusations surrounding the program. I’m yet to find one AU fan who has a problem with it, but, throughout the rest of the SEC, people are ashamed. Auburn is a great team with great athletes. The dirty, classless play is not necessary. Newton is awesome, the only question is regarding his amatuer status. Winning is not worth cheating and AU’s black eye embarasses the entire conference.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
2:33 pm
you people act like NCAA cares about people and has feelings…they dont care about people..they would if they could slam Cam and AU in a heartbeat…look at the history of judgements..and again FBI isn’t involved with CAM NEWTON genius haha
A concerned fan
December 3rd, 2010
2:33 pm
Fairley should be in prison…not on a football field. His style of “play” will most certainly permanently injur a player at some point. No way you can root for Auburn as long as such a dirty player is permited to remain on the team.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
I find it weird that everyone says AU is dirty etc etc…when this has NOTHING to do with AU..this was a MSU and Cecil newton deal..nothing with AU
Blutto
December 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
to Blutto….as I said just look at the fans. Enough said.
Camenstein
December 3rd, 2010
2:34 pm
@cash newton
Nice….that one is funny
Wow, Dawgs!!
December 3rd, 2010
2:35 pm
Are you STILL crying on AJC blogs?
Sure thought the tears would have eased up a bit by now.
[~]
Have a Kleenex….
I bet you...
December 3rd, 2010
2:35 pm
Yes, most of these ventors today are either Tech posers or Bama posers?
Camenstein
December 3rd, 2010
2:37 pm
@blutto
Are you seriously referring to hair color descriptions on a college football blog?
Steve Spurrier
December 3rd, 2010
2:37 pm
Auburn fans are PATHETIC !
to DC
December 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Please don’t confuse UGA with the facts.
MSU didn’t thrash the Bulldawgs this year, thus there’s no reason for any hate to be directed in that direction.
Dawgs may CLAIM righteous indignation due to the Cam Newton allegations, but what they’re really p-o’d about is the loss on Nov 13th. Cam Newton is just a way to vent their loss.
Blutto
December 3rd, 2010
2:40 pm
Camenstein…no more beer for you.