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
WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!!!
December 3rd, 2010
8:51 am
DON’T WATCH THE GAME. PULL OUT SOME SOULJA BOY RECORDS AND GET OUT THAT BETAMAX VERSION OF YOUR LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. WE’LL HAVE FUN IN THE DOME!
Tosh.No
December 3rd, 2010
8:51 am
Neither, I’d be happy with a bus crash on the way to the game for both.
dawgfan
December 3rd, 2010
8:51 am
“Ben Jones was chop blocking the entire game.”
This is only an after the fact rationalization made up by Auburn fans. There is absolutely ZERO evidence to support it. Even if true, it wasn’t Aaron Murray chop blocking Fairley. If Fairley had a problem with it he should have taken it up with Ben Jone, not the freshmen QB that was making an absolute mockery of his secondary teammates.
I also take issue with this notion that somehow Fairley had a good game against us. He did not. He was getting his overrated azz blocked the entire game and couldn’t take it like a man.
Go Cocks!!!
Go Ducks!!!
Double Zero Eight
December 3rd, 2010
8:51 am
@ BnB 7:52 post
To answer your question – Nathan Deal is one entity.
Auburn will win. Cameron will rush for over 100 yards and pass for 300.
1eyedJack
December 3rd, 2010
8:51 am
“Who you for, UGA fans? The Evil Genius or Nick UnFairley?”
Would you prefer being burned at the stake or boiled in oil? Darth Visor is just a sm@rt@zz but smart. Nick Fairy is a straight-up T-H-U-G!
Always be an asterisk!
December 3rd, 2010
8:52 am
It is sad, but no matter what accomplishment Auburn has this year, (Sec Champs, National Champs) there will always be an asterisk in every ones mind. (Except Auburn fans) Even the Auburn fans know deep down that they did not deserve what ever they accomplish this season. Very sad for the true Auburn fans
USC GAMEC0CK
December 3rd, 2010
8:53 am
I’ll be in the Dome for this one and will enjoy our first ever SEC Championship!!
Auburn’s luck will dry up…watch and see.
Tigers can't lick those 'Cocks!
December 3rd, 2010
8:54 am
I dislike Spurrier but HATE everything Auburn….from their cheap shot dirty play, to their crummy town on the plain, to their UGA wannabe/ steal our fight song/ can’t settle on a mascot obnoxiousness….so GO Cocks!
USC GAMEC0CK
December 3rd, 2010
8:55 am
No way any college football fan outside of the town of Auburn or maybe the state of Bama pulls for Auburn…It is not even close….EVERYONE I know is pulling for USC…I live in Atlanta btw.
Evansdawg
December 3rd, 2010
8:56 am
I have to go with The Gamecocks. I feel this Auburn/Cam Newton thing isn’t over yet. FBI still investigating and the “at this time” statement. I have a hard time believing Cam knew nothin. That said, if Auburn wins, plays for NC and wins, it would be embarrassing to the entire SEC if they had to forfeit the entire season. I don’t want to gamble with that. Gamecocks need to derail the Cam train. Plus, Cam Newton cares about no one other than Cam Newton. That I can assure you.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
8:57 am
WHY DO YOU PEOPLE yeah you people ALWAYS TRY TO COMPARE THE NCAA WITH THE NFL??? The slamming motion he does is not illegal in the NCAA…it is in the NFL…don’t blame the player b/c the NCAA hasn’t changed the rules…
They will change the rules once the season is over that has already been stated…
Joycee this isn’t a UGA blog..Fail.
Hey Mark Bradley…you’re still not commenting on Auburn fans responses…is there a reason to this? I think its been 4 blogs since you have actually defended your strong statements…Do we all need to go to shultz blog to get comments?
PS always funny hearing UGA fans talk about cheap shots and overaggressive plays…ALWAYS FUNNY!
Vince
December 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
We have a chance for an SEC team to play for the NC. If the chickens win, we lose that opportunity. I’m not against Carolina, but this is too important for the conference–GO WAR EAGLES
jarvis
December 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
That is a “fun” fact especially when you consider that UGA can’t qualify from the West and there have been 5 games since 2005; 4 of the 7 have come from that side.
Schmuck.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
8:58 am
Joe, you would bench the best defensive player in the country?…well I guess you should go coach for Vandy..
UGA 89
December 3rd, 2010
8:59 am
It’s an easy choice for me, GO CAROLINA!
I can’t pull for Auburn in light of the pay for play scandal and Fairley’s actions. Auburn has a long history of cheating and I think this current episode will be the worst when it all comes out.
Katherine
December 3rd, 2010
9:00 am
DC
December 3rd, 2010
8:57 am
WHY DO YOU PEOPLE yeah you people ALWAYS TRY TO COMPARE THE NCAA WITH THE NFL??? The slamming motion he does is not illegal in the NCAA…it is in the NFL…don’t blame the player b/c the NCAA hasn’t changed the rules…
They will change the rules once the season is over that has already been stated…
Joycee this isn’t a UGA blog..Fail.
Hey Mark Bradley…you’re still not commenting on Auburn fans responses…is there a reason to this? I think its been 4 blogs since you have actually defended your strong statements…Do we all need to go to shultz blog to get comments?
PS always funny hearing UGA fans talk about cheap shots and overaggressive plays…ALWAYS FUNNY!
You might want to switch to de caf
juice sourcer
December 3rd, 2010
9:00 am
Awesome Jethro Bodeen
Pluto
December 3rd, 2010
9:01 am
How much is Cecil charging auburn for Cam’s appearance in this one? Go Carolina!!
Not with Saint Mark
December 3rd, 2010
9:01 am
It’s fun knowing that dawgtards will be watching the game, knowing that UGA will never again play in it as long as Mark Richt is in Athens.
So… Eat your hearts out and enjoy the game!
DC
December 3rd, 2010
9:01 am
Katherine you’re so witty. Go cook me breakfast and clean up the kitchen. K thanks!
Katherine
December 3rd, 2010
9:03 am
lol na dc this isnt the 1950’s…but thanks for trying to “put me in my place”.
Double Zero Eight
December 3rd, 2010
9:04 am
Reality will rear its ugly head on Saturday. Auburn will win. Cameron Newton is the best player in the country. Auburn will score 45 points.
dobearsbare
December 3rd, 2010
9:04 am
Say what you want about Spurrier, but he’s always run clean programs. Sucks losing to him and hearing him run off at the mouth about it, but you never came away from it thinking he cheated. Auburn as far as we know has never had a clean program.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
9:04 am
Nobody puts baby in the corner! They put her in laundry room to fold clothes!
Mike Smith
December 3rd, 2010
9:04 am
This is a toss up for me. I cant stand Spurrier. At the same time, I cant root for a dirty player like Fairley. My gut tells me Cam is guilty, but he’s not proven to be yet, so that isnt a factor. What it comes down to, is I cannot stand how Auburn wins ball games. I like seeing good defense and balanced offense. Auburn has neither. They routinely fall behind and then hope Cam can save them. Usually, I would root for Auburn, but Fairley’s BS has this a toss up.
And for Auburn fans trying to say people are whining, I bet you would be doing the same if Newton was the QB Fairley was drilling into the ground after the whistle. There is no cause for it. The SEC said nothing because Auburn is their NCG hopeful. The almighty dollar always wins the day in CFB.
JB
December 3rd, 2010
9:05 am
Auburn is tied as the SECOND MOST PENALIZED PROGRAM IN NCAA HISTORY ( FACT) and the scum that got them there are still lurking around the program. What are we supposed to think…You hire a coach from Iowa St with a 5 -19 record who no one outside of Auburn has ever heard of who wouldn’t get a second interview with ANY SEC school, and land the number one recruiting class in the country year two coming off 7-5 and Bama’s National title…………….1+1 is not three.
tvwatcher
December 3rd, 2010
9:05 am
gotta pull for the evil genius over scam and the “war cheaters.”
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
December 3rd, 2010
9:06 am
This is really easy this year. I’ll definitely be rooting for South Cackalacky. Auburn doesn’t play the game the right way. It’s obvious to me the Barn Boosters run the show over there. Thats got to be why Chizik is there.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
9:06 am
Lets all think back to bama last year…everyone was saying that all their wins were staged as well….way too much conspiracy theory people out there…just saying..
Get a new TV to add to your viewing enjoyment
December 3rd, 2010
9:07 am
UGA needs to get used to watching the game on TV. Unfortunately nothing is going to change until UGA changes its mediocre coaching. That’s where the difference is, and that’s why everyone outside Dawgtard Nation just laughs at Dawg fans getting so excited year after year about what a great recruiting class UGA gets. It doesn’t matter how many blue chip high school players go to UGA, they simply don’t get the coaching they would get at Florida or Alabama, to name two schools whose programs are far ahead of UGA. And that’s not going to change as long as Mark Richt is in Athens.
Get your heads out of the sand and face reality. And mediocrity and irrelevance.
RollingUphillToHitTheKnee
December 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
I gotta go with S. Carolina. I am an Oklahoma fan, so I can CLEARLY see that Nick Fairley takes/took cheap shots (not just against UGA). Maybe he has a waxy build-up in his ears & can’t hear the whistle (get him a Q-tip). Gamecock fans have shown far more class than the AU fans, who are in total denial about any wrongdoing their team has done to get to where they are. Go COCKS!!!
Chris
December 3rd, 2010
9:09 am
I’m hoping for the Dome to fall down and the game can’t be played. Then the Falcons can have a sweet new pad.
tvwatcher
December 3rd, 2010
9:10 am
that’s all well and good. you are still a bunch of redneck, no school, thug loving cheaters.
Dumbo
December 3rd, 2010
9:11 am
I don’t give a squat about either Auburn or SC, I’m a Georgia fan, I could care less what Scratching Cars Garcia or Scam Newton do. I do know this will one of the least money making games for the hotels and bars around town, both schools fans will come into Atlanta Staurday morning and be gone after the is over Saturday night. Help us Harvey.
collegeballfan
December 3rd, 2010
9:11 am
If the SEC reviewed the tapes and found Fairley’s play OK, then what is all the fuss about? UGA fans should direct their venom at the SEC not at Fairley.
Personally I am a big Spurrier fan. The man has been a wonderful college football coach for many years. I would love to see him pick up another conference title.
And a South Carolina win would throw the BCS plans for a battle of unbeaten BCS conference champs into shambles. I would love that!
Nice column Bradley.
Katherine
December 3rd, 2010
9:12 am
Get a new TV to add to your viewing enjoyment
December 3rd, 2010
9:07 am
UGA needs to get used to watching the game on TV. Unfortunately nothing is going to change until UGA changes its mediocre coaching. That’s where the difference is, and that’s why everyone outside Dawgtard Nation just laughs at Dawg fans getting so excited year after year about what a great recruiting class UGA gets. It doesn’t matter how many blue chip high school players go to UGA, they simply don’t get the coaching they would get at Florida or Alabama, to name two schools whose programs are far ahead of UGA. And that’s not going to change as long as Mark Richt is in Athens.
Get your heads out of the sand and face reality. And mediocrity and irrelevance.
So let me get this straight…you are making fun of loyal fans who get excited every year about their team? Interesting……..this coming from someone who calls the fans “dawgtards”.
Pluto
December 3rd, 2010
9:12 am
Does Cecil get a bonus for the SEC championship game? Go Carolina!!
Joe
December 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
War eagle….of the past 5, we are 4-1 who knows how to kick whos butt dude….enjoy your so called up year
Dumbo
December 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
Not with Saint Mark….your school sucks so bad the ACC had to move the championship 3 times and is now in Charlotte, bet that makes all you Techies warm and fuzzy
RxDawg
December 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
gadawgs
December 3rd, 2010
7:30 am
That was a good post. Watching these idot Auburn fans try to justify their blatant dirty play and unethical actions off the field just drives me to more disgust. Your championship year is tainted. The nation is just waiting to watch you fall off your pedestal now.
robodawg
December 3rd, 2010
9:15 am
Rooted for Spurrier against Florida too. (And, duh, against Tennessee in 2007.)
chazzo
December 3rd, 2010
9:17 am
I’ve got mixed emotions. I would like to see the SEC in the BCS championship again. I would also like to see SC when the SEC.
Joe
December 3rd, 2010
9:18 am
DC…you are absolutly correct if I were a coach and one of my players tried to INTENTIONALLY injure another player- I would bench him to get my point across. To do nothing condones it. It might be your son the next time….then would you talk about Vandy??????
foozball
December 3rd, 2010
9:18 am
Me thinks Cam has some swish to his sway. A little light in the loafers.
And remember you can’t spell RAW SEWAGE without WAR EAGLES!
ladyluckjc
December 3rd, 2010
9:19 am
jb, you’re a genius. Chizik was the top DC in the country before he went to Iowa St. Frank Broyles award winner. who the heck was Richt before UGA?
WDE
December 3rd, 2010
9:20 am
The important thing to note is that who gives a flying f*** who UGA fans pull for. Beyond irrelevent. If they want to focus on the different aspects of the man vs child beating they got in Auburn rather than focus why they placed 4th in the abysmal SEC East, then that explains a lot.
WDE
December 3rd, 2010
9:22 am
Nick Fairley has been penalized very few times for personal fouls. All the UGA fans want to do is whine about something other than how crappy their football team is.
Katherine
December 3rd, 2010
9:22 am
WDE
December 3rd, 2010
9:20 am
The important thing to note is that who gives a flying f*** who UGA fans pull for. Beyond irrelevent. If they want to focus on the different aspects of the man vs child beating they got in Auburn rather than focus why they placed 4th in the abysmal SEC East, then that explains a lot.
Well obviously Mark Bradley does…the blog is a question to UGA fans…if you don’t like it then don’t post on it.
DC
December 3rd, 2010
9:23 am
Joe..thing is I don’t believe he is trying to injure the player…is he trying to bring the pain like Clubber lang? yes…and the coaches have talked to him…he wont be doing that legal slam anymore this season..thats a fact…why? b/c he doesn’t want the stupid refs flagging him again for getting excited about making legal emotional sacks…
I understand if you are a fan of the other school and he demolishes the qb left and right..I understand…but if you take a step back and realize that the offensive line needed to do better..that they put their QB in a bad situation..
Fairley proved against bama that he is a Man among boys..
gadawgs
December 3rd, 2010
9:24 am
Auburn Man..Sorry about that. You are right I did have the wrong man. It was Auburn Fan’s post at 7:00 a.m. that I was refering to. As he did make those comments. I should have paid more attention. Did not mean to get you all riled up. Albeit your resume is very impressive. Again, my apologies.