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?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
935 comments Add your comment
Joey
December 3rd, 2010
7:44 am
At least the Evil Genius never cheats . . .
AU in ATL
December 3rd, 2010
7:45 am
Nice job Bradley. It was all quiet inside the short bus. You just had to get them stirred up. I’ll admit, it is amusing watching the lunatic fringe take the bait.
dawghuff
December 3rd, 2010
7:47 am
The anger expressed by all AU fans is “reaction formation”, a classic way to respond when someone knows their in for it. Auburn is about to go on probation, possibly the death penalty. Their anger is in response to this knowledge, they are attacking because they know their roll in the sun is about over. So, don’t let it get to you fellow UGA alums, AU won’t beat us again for the next 15 years.. I hope it was worth it Auburn.
Larry
December 3rd, 2010
7:47 am
Neither can I root for, but my conscience says pull for a jerk (Spurrier) over a convicted thief (stolen laptop), a cheater (Florida exams) and an apparent prostitute, as Newton exemplifies.
Simply, I will pull for the the lessor of two “evils” in South Carolina as thieves and cheaters aren’t worthy of a championship in any form.
Disclosure: I didn’t attend an SEC school…I already had my high school diploma!
Calhoundawg
December 3rd, 2010
7:51 am
First of all, the Nick Fairley thing this year makes me sick everytime I think about it. Secondly, Chizik and staff condoned/encouraged it. I have no more respect for Chizik. Thirdly, Cam Newton’s stupid, toothy smile and the whole overly-dramaticized exuberance of the Auburn team and staff are a bit over the top, in my opinion. No humility whatsoever. I’m just not into that, and think it represents the SEC poorly. I just can’t shake the feeling that something’s going to come back and bite them in the ass in the end, and they lose everything they thought they had. Further, I personally like and respect Steve Spurrier (I’d love to play golf with him), and I am proud for SC’s team and program to finally reach this point. However, above all else, I would really, really like to see the SEC win a fifth consecutive national title. It appears at this point that Auburn is our best (only) hope. Especially, since I think they will beat the crap out of whoever they play. Oh well, it should be a great game either way. Where did this season go? As they say at Tennessee, “Wait’ll next year!”
We Still Run This State — Go Dawgs !!!!
BnB
December 3rd, 2010
7:52 am
Funny. I see why people dislike AU and are pulling albeit reluctantly for Spurrier. These same guys used to always talk about Spurrier’s lack of class when he would throw a bomb up by more than 20 points late in the 4th qtr. against some horrible Goff led UGA team. I’ve always liked Spurrier even when he was thrashing us and remarking how it was a shame when the AU library had a fire and “some of the books weren’t even colored in yet.” If you can win at SC you can win anywhere. It has been a coaching coffin corner forever. Hats off to him and it would surprise me not one bit if he comes out of the Dome with a win. Bradley’s seamless transition from “journalist” to blogger is remarkable. Nearly hard to differentiate his stuff from the idiocy of we commenters…except, inexplciably, he draws a check.
As to Cam and Cecil….college football and the Baptist church. Wow, are there two entities in the South you can name that are more corrupt?
NCAACondonesCheating
December 3rd, 2010
7:53 am
Vacated wins will soon be blowing their way across the plains.
Hate to say it but this weekend pulling for the Evil Genius against the cheaters and cheap shot artists from Opelika.
RTR
Jan Kemp
December 3rd, 2010
7:54 am
Remember the UGA-Tech brawl? UGA fans have short memories. How much did UGA pay Herschal? No one remembers the bidding war between Clemson and UGA?
norman
December 3rd, 2010
7:54 am
I’m just going to sit back and hopefully watch a good game. I don’t have a “dawg” in this fight.
tell me again
December 3rd, 2010
7:55 am
That’s ok Aubie’s – Cam and Farley – and a bunch of others off your smug thug team will be gone next year and we will welcome you to Athens with a vengence. We will see how you feel next year when we begin another 4 year stretch against you and trust me – the friendliness is out of this rivalry – your coach and your program are dirty. Live with it. Spurrier may be a smart A** and his sportsmanship may be on the edge but he’s never fielded a dirtbag team like the one you have this year. And as bad as I dislike Meyer he looks like a saint compared to Chizik….like I’ve said many times- the wheel goes round and round. See you in Athens next year.
tell me again
December 3rd, 2010
7:57 am
Spurrier’s an ass but I’ll take ten of him over Chizik any day.
Bippity Boppitty Boo Boo
December 3rd, 2010
7:57 am
Richts 3 losses to South Carolina the Dawgs didnt score a frickin T D . Two of which were at home… Pathetic !!!!
DawgSinceBirth
December 3rd, 2010
7:58 am
There’s not even a question here….G O COCKS!!!! Hope you score late and make it 74-0….AND GO FOR TWO!!!! As I’ve said before, NO team has been on PROBATION in EVERY decade since the 1940’s………oh, EXCEPT AUBURN!!!! And what’s more amusing….is that it arises right after ANY “great” season they have…..hmmmmm…….
Nuff said!
Again, Go Cocks!
cattle dawg
December 3rd, 2010
7:59 am
I have always respected Spurrier, even though I couldnt stand him. I dont respect anything about this years Auburn Victory Land War Eagle Tigers.
MURPHY
December 3rd, 2010
8:03 am
Jan Kemp,
1-9 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laptop Cam
December 3rd, 2010
8:04 am
Honest to God, I didn’t know Daddy was asking for money. And even if I did I wouldn’t have took it– I can get my own laptop.
Paul Johnson's Fat Face
December 3rd, 2010
8:04 am
Neither. I am going to a fish fry and punch a NERD in the face.
The Chokemeister
December 3rd, 2010
8:05 am
Evil is my mentor. I love Evil!
Reader of whiners
December 3rd, 2010
8:05 am
Doesn’t matter; both kill the leg humpers.
Paul Johnson's Fat Face
December 3rd, 2010
8:06 am
tt
MURPHY
December 3rd, 2010
8:06 am
BnB,
This may be the best single game coaching job of 2010. Spurrier over Auburn.Will be better than the coaching job he put on Bama.Dont go to sleep on the Ole Ball Coach,he wants this SEC Championship in a bad way!!!
Tom
December 3rd, 2010
8:06 am
Yeah there is no question this piece is not even journalism. This is basically a blog, with a direct slam to Auburn. The article basically points the reader to hate Auburn, or vote for Auburn. Great objectivty there Bradley. The other poster is right….UGA fans are just babies. The reason they never make it to the big time is because they get made when other teams in the SEC succeed. They use to hate Spurrier…and they have a very very very bad complex with Florida as well. Tennessee too. Auburn is no different. They are just jealous and bitter. Congrats UGA, when Auburn wins the NT next month….UGA will be the only quality program without one in the BCS era. Good job losers. I leave you with my favorite UGA fan…pretty much sums up the UGA region…because you certainly are not a nation. It must suck waking up every day, going to your home newspaper, and all the articles are about AU.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33NGTi6we5A&feature=related
Auburn Man
December 3rd, 2010
8:08 am
@ gadawgs……Uh….not sure why you’re giving me your resume I made no comment about “Classy” . I don’t use the word because those that do rarely have it. Not sure why you need to tell me you went to UGA, as I don’t care. I too played football and was a two time all-state linebacker. 4 year all-county and lettered four years in high school. I graduated from Auburn in 1986 and went on to USC, University of Southern California that is, for my first masters degree then to North Western for my second. I’m still not sure why you’re talking directly to me when I wrote nothing to you. But in any event, you sound pretty obtuse to me considering you obviously have the wrong guy. Anyway, enjoy the bowl that will take a 6 loss team, where ever that is.
suwaneedawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:09 am
Sorry people but, I want to see an SEC team in the BCS Championship and an Aubern win does just that. Farley is a thug but, I for one would not mind if he played on the front for the Falcons one day.
Spike
December 3rd, 2010
8:09 am
It is game on next year for you AU! Paybacks and karma!!
Dave Grantham
December 3rd, 2010
8:09 am
Cam plays poorly after almost choking on a wad of money. Ol Ball Coach puts half a hundred on the Auburn defense.
suwaneedawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:10 am
And yes, I know Auburn is not spelled with an e. No coffee yet.
F-105 Thunderchief
December 3rd, 2010
8:11 am
It’s Head Ball Coach, not Ol’ Ball Coach. Ask Barnhart if you don’t believe me.
F-105 Thunderchief
December 3rd, 2010
8:11 am
Tennessee Ernie Ford was the Ol’ Pea Picker.
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!
December 3rd, 2010
8:12 am
ha ha ha ha! 7 teams in the SEC title game since the irrelevant dawgs. well….at least they make the headlines with recruiting ranksing and arrests!!!
MURPHY
December 3rd, 2010
8:13 am
F-105,
Down here in Florida it;s the Ole Ball Coach.
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!
December 3rd, 2010
8:14 am
good thing you’ve scheduled the dome for a kickoff classic. it’s the only way you’ll play in there. come down to the dome this weekend and enjoy the festivities. maybe fairley will sign an autograph for you murray!
JB
December 3rd, 2010
8:14 am
Just read on here at another AJC article that Auburn is losing 4 senior starters on the OL, along surely with Cam and Fairley…….Can you say 7-5, maybe. You know they will everyone’s ” circled” game next year.
Ted Striker
December 3rd, 2010
8:14 am
Methinks Auburn needs some humility.
innocent bystander
December 3rd, 2010
8:14 am
Normally I root for Auburn when not playing Georgia.I relish the friendship of lots of great Auburn folk.Normally I enjoy Spurrier’s suffering. And normally the chance to have an SEC team in the Championship overshadows all other considerations.But Urban Meyer has made me realize that SS is not such a bad sort after all. And up to now he’s been much more benign in Columbia than in Gainsesville.The clincher, as you’ve well said is Nick Fairley’s treatment of our quarterback. I blame the refs more than Fairley.But I blame Fairley enought to root for the Ole Ball Coach.I expect Auburn to win. But I hope they don’t.
F-105 Thunderchief
December 3rd, 2010
8:15 am
Hey Murph, Spurrier gave himself the nickname. So, I guess down there in Florida you weren’t paying attention either. But, what do you expect from Gators?
Auburn Man
December 3rd, 2010
8:16 am
Yeah, Herschel Walker drove a Pontiac Trans AM like Smokey and the Bandit as a Freshman when everyone knew his parents could never have afforded it. UGA has it’s own dirty laundry that everyone else but them remembers. Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Jeff
December 3rd, 2010
8:16 am
I would cheer for the Taliban before I would cheer for Auburn. I hope and pray Fairley blows a knee out and never plays a down of football again. Nothing that could happen to Auburn, its coaches, its players and its fans is to bad. Hate is much to good of a word to describe anything to do with Auburn.
JB
December 3rd, 2010
8:16 am
Tom…..We haven’t hated AU the last 4 years…You were the only program we were beating every year, and you know how bad we are ?
MURPHY
December 3rd, 2010
8:19 am
F-105,
Not a Gaytor my friend. That’s the name we Dawgs have called him for almost 20 years,but yes your are correct he is known as the Head Ball Coach just like he plays on the Under Armor Commercials
JB
December 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
I still don’t get the NCAA admitting that Cecil Newton shook down MSU ( which the rules state is not allowed, money exchanged hands or not or knowledge of player known) and giving the guy Cam a pass. The kid WANTED to play for Mullen until Daddy got involved
RoswellDawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:20 am
[[Jeff -- the Taliban comment is AWESOME!]]
This game reminds me of the old days when UT – UF meant something. Who am I cheering for? A catastrophic natural disaster where both teams are taken down. Auburn used to be my second-favorite SEC team until this year.
F-105 Thunderchief
December 3rd, 2010
8:21 am
Sorry, Murphy. As a writer, though, it’s Bradley’s job to get it right.
lawdawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:22 am
I hope Spurrier get’s a lead,I hope Richt and Bobo are watching because Spurrier will show you what to do,keep your foot on the petal,I hope the cheating Barner’s get drilled.
Kyle
December 3rd, 2010
8:22 am
War Eagle is your typical barn fan….like they have been some powerhouse in the past. Come to think of it….all aubarn fans are like war eagle….sewage and disgusting….
Dave Grantham
December 3rd, 2010
8:23 am
F-105 Thunderchief, one word for humpers: Domination
RxDawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:23 am
Are you serious? I’ve never seen a team so hated as Auburn right now. No one pulls for that unethical dirtbag of a program anymore.
MURPHY
December 3rd, 2010
8:23 am
I with out a doubt want Spurrier and Carolina to win on Sat.To say you want to see any player injured is showing a severe lack of class on this blog.Even when discussing Mr. Fairley Just because he acted poorly doesnt mean we all need to do the same..And yes Jeff,I would certainly pull for the Taliban over Auburn on Sat.
RxDawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:24 am
“…year’s SEC championship game, which will be staged Saturday at the Georgia Dome….”
Sadly, there may be more truth to those words than you realize
dean
December 3rd, 2010
8:26 am
To the “Haters” on all sides. You do know that it is possible to “Hate” your opponent and respect them at the same time? Anybody who doesn’t understand that has never played a down of football in their life.