Live from the SEC title game, now a place for Gamecocks
If I knew words to the South Carolina fight song, I'd sing it now. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Not that I have anything against Auburn fans — like I always say, Auburn fans are the best in the world! — but I begin today’s live proceedings with a special shout-out to the folks in garnet and black.
South Carolina, you are here.
I didn’t think your team could make it. Lee Corso didn’t think your team could make it. I’m sure there were times — probably in 2007 and 2008 when he was losing to Vandy — when Steve Spurrier didn’t think his team could make it. But here I sit in Ye Olde Dome, and there it is down below: “Carolina” painted in one end zone. (If you don’t believe, photographic evidence is supplied above.)
Auburn has been here before — three times, winning once. Arkansas has made it twice. Mississippi State has even graced this game, but until today the SEC East has always been represented by Florida, Tennessee or Georgia. (Most often the former, as I’m guessing you’re aware.) South Carolina taking its division isn’t quite like the Mets winning the World Series in 1969, but it’s not far off.
Fun with numbers: In its football, which dates to 1892, South Carolina has won 10 games in a season once — in 1984 under Joe Morrison, when it won at Notre Dame and Clemson but lost at Navy. It has won nine games twice — in 2001 under Lou Holtz and this season. It has won as many bowl games as a program (four) as Jim Donnan won in five seasons as Georgia’s coach. (And Donnan got fired, not long after Quincy Carter threw five interceptions and the Bulldogs lost at, ahem, South Carolina.)
The Gamecocks have won only one league championship — the ACC in 1969 — and they’re on their third league. Even this year they cut it close, nearly squandering a strong start by losing to Kentucky, which is difficult to do in any season, and then to Arkansas at home.
But they made it. The Evil Genius and his minions went to Gainesville and whomped the Urban Crier, and the other USC now finds itself in the A-T-L. And the nicest part about that is that long-suffering Gamecock fans suffer no longer.
It was one of life’s great mysteries, right up there with the riddle of Stonehenge and the popularity of Jay Leno: Why did Gamecock fans keep coming back? Their team was the unchallenged master of the cosmic flop, and yet Williams-Brice Stadium was always full. Any neutral who suggested a given year might actually be different for the garnet and black was met with a sneering dismissal from every SEC outpost save Columbia: “Have you never heard of the Chicken Curse?”
Turns out it took an Evil Genius to override the Chicken Curse. Turns out Spurrier knew what he was doing, even if it did take him a while to do it. Turns out South Carolina is playing today to win the conference that prides itself as the nation’s finest.
The Gamecocks aren’t supposed to win this game — I think they’ll prevail, not that I’m ever right about anything — but I’m guessing they don’t much care about perception. They weren’t supposed to get here at all.
And with that, the floor is again open for questions, comments and nominations for Gene Chizik as quipster of the year. I’ll be here all day, and I’d be obliged if you’d join me. And just so my Auburn pals don’t think I’m ignoring them … here’s a photo of the other end zone. War Eagle!
"War Eagle, fly down the field, ever to conquer, never to yield." (Photo by M. Bradley)
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983 comments Add your comment
5150 P.O.A.D
December 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
Not being funny, but There WAs a COOKOFF using LG Stoves and Ovens. Vince D and Pat D. were doing a cookoff for the SEC Fan Fest. Does anybody know who won or what the cooked. I will bet on Vince. Mrs. Dooleycan lay a SPREAD. She has fed many a UGA player and family. If Vince got Barbara to help they had to kick Pat Dye’s Butt in the Kitchen.
The Blair Miss Project
December 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
Somebody run up to the Denver Bronco sideline and ask Tim Tebow how running a successful Spread Option in college effected his NFL playing time…….
Thats right. Newton will be a TE in the NFL.
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
Tebow who?
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:09 pm
Auburn players do their run-down-the-sideline thing after three quarters.
5150 P.O.A.D
December 4th, 2010
7:10 pm
ARDawg you must not read the BLOGS much.
I drink Jack Daniel’s or Crown Royal.
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:10 pm
cammy cam for president. cammy will be one lucky fella in CP tonight. Papa Cammy will be in church tomorrow. Please donate to the collection plate.
quack quack?
what a game
December 4th, 2010
7:11 pm
I hear cammys money man told him to save his last paychecks for the lockout. Oh wait, auburn still owes him on his deferred payments.
Ramguy
December 4th, 2010
7:12 pm
The Blair Miss Project
December 4th, 2010
7:08 pm
Somebody run up to the Denver Bronco sideline and ask Tim Tebow how running a successful Spread Option in college effected his NFL playing time…….
Thats right. Newton will be a TE in the NFL.
Better yet ask Vince Young how being big and fast translates. But I still think he will be a QB in the Pros. However he won’t dominate like in College. The linebackers are bigger and faster. You won’t see a 205lb LB in the NFL.
todd grantham
December 4th, 2010
7:12 pm
Mark, a flash from the ATL police department reports that Bobby Lowder was arrested outside the Georgia Dome scalping tickets.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:13 pm
Cam lined up at receiver there
A Former Auburn Fan
December 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
Here’s hoping the Ducks beat the living snot of of Pay To Play U and wipes that rediculous smile off $CAM’s face.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
Auburn with 481 yards through three quarters. Newton has 391 of them.
UGA Student
December 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
5150 POAD, at what point do you stop making it clear that you are obsessed with the Dawgs. I promise you Dawg fans are not that upset over seeing Auburn win. Trust me.
Not sure which team you root for, but with the obsession that Tech fans have with Dawg fans, I am backing on Tech…and I’m All In.
At least come up with more clever jokes. You’re killing me
A Former Auburn Fan
December 4th, 2010
7:14 pm
Here’s hoping the Ducks beat the ever loving SN0T out of Pay For Play U.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:15 pm
Cam hands the official’s hat to him.
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
7:16 pm
LADIES and GENTLEMEN: let me intirduce you to the best amatuer team money can buy. REPRESENTING the SEC in the National Championship Game, the Semi-Pro ALLBARN TIGERS, Plainsmen, WarEagles…whatever…MIKE SLIVE you disgrace the SEC
smart dawg
December 4th, 2010
7:16 pm
Fairley has been quiet this half. But, then again, the AU defense hasn’t been on the field this half.
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:16 pm
Cammy cam will tear up the NFL next year. the dude is 7 feet 1 400 lbs he can see over everyone and run over everyone.
This guy is unbeliveable. omg he is just so awesome.
cammy cam for president.
5150 P.O.A.D
December 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
Mark Bradley
Thanks for opening the LIVE blog for the AJC fans. Have a good evening. Are you the LIVE FALCON rep tomorrow?
Nurse Rachet
December 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
Official asking for signed program with hat in hand
Ramguy
December 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
Auburn might want to think about taking Newton out after this series. They don’t want him to get hurt now.
We'll meet again...
December 4th, 2010
7:17 pm
… some sunny day.
Wing Attack Plan R
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:18 pm
Go for two. Get 50!
todd grantham
December 4th, 2010
7:18 pm
WHY is cam newton in the game now??? every football play is a risk. wonder how elder newton would take it if cam blew out a knee here.
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
Auburn thanks CMR for his piss poor in state recruiting
can you say ronnie brown?
The Blair Miss Project
December 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
Georgia Tech is playing Western Kentucky in the Moral Victory Championship Game at 8pm on the home of the Jackets, ESPN3.com.
Who you gotin that one Bradley????
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
I don’t believe Cameron Newton will take part in any more of today’s contest.
5150 P.O.A.D
December 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
DodgerDAWG
You are just mad there was no Hershel Walker to buy this year for UGA. I am sire CROWELL is not getting offered a damn thin to come to UGA. HAHAAAHAAHh yea right.
what a game
December 4th, 2010
7:19 pm
So is he the evil genius OR the old ball coach? No he is JUST OLD now!!!!
Draggin Fly
December 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
There’s some justice in seeing the score get run up on Darth Visor.
Nurse Rachet
December 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
I think Danielson made an atrocious comment to crown him the Heisman winner. That is a disgrace. Not that I am surprised.
todd grantham
December 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
gene schiznick is a dead man if cam gets hurt in this game.
Nurse Rachet
December 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
I didn’t think the love affair with Tebow could be surpassed. I was wrong.
smart dawg
December 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
Miss blare,
put a lid on it
todd grantham
December 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
Mark, just be sure to read him Moranda before the press conference.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
SEC just announced Cam Newton will talk to us media folks today.
DamntheButcher
December 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
Auburn is one win away from becoming the 6th NC in the sec in the 10 years that Mark Richt has been at Georgia. FIRE MARK RICHT…..FIRE MARK RICHT. This actually should be Auburn’s 2nd if you count 2003.
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:21 pm
canmy just wrapped up the heisman trophy. Auburn has more heisman trophy winners than bammer or ugag.
what a great day.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
7:22 pm
Cam Newton won the Heisman a while ago — on merit.
Nova Roars
December 4th, 2010
7:22 pm
Nurse Rachet
December 4th, 2010
7:20 pm
I think Danielson made an atrocious comment to crown him the Heisman winner. That is a disgrace. Not that I am surprised.
**********************
Even Steve Spurrier came out earlier this week and said Cam had his vote. Not bitter or jealous much, are you.
The Blair Miss Project
December 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
<————— WIDE LEFT <—————-
(((((42-34)))))
Bosshog
December 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
Dang it I thought Spurrier was a QB Guru.
He might be a QB killa. quack quack 
Cam Newton
December 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
I assert my right under the fifth amendment not to comment.
TURD FERGUSON
December 4th, 2010
7:23 pm
I see you loser GA fans are still mad cause the pups sucked this year.This is not about GA. they are not,I REPEAT.THEY ARE NOT PLAYING TO NIGHT.By the way,you better take a close look at UCF
what a game
December 4th, 2010
7:24 pm
How much is Cams dad charging ya’ll Mark?
todd grantham
December 4th, 2010
7:24 pm
Mark, they are trusting you will show the proper deference to cam and not ask about anything but the game. kapish
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
7:25 pm
Never thought I would give KUDOS to a DarthVisor team…but Steve good call on letting the younger guys play after the game is out of control…CHEATNIK LEARN
Nurse Rachet
December 4th, 2010
7:25 pm
Nova Roars You aren’t very smart are you. I think Newton is a great player. I think he is better than Tebow. But I don’t think Gary Danielson has any business calling anybody the winner on TV. I think it was a disgrace whomever he called the winner. That vote is yet to be decided.
smart dawg
December 4th, 2010
7:25 pm
Nice to see Shaw in the game. He has potential.
Nova Roars
December 4th, 2010
7:25 pm
So while some of you may be bitter Dawg and Bammer fans, it is time to put aside the anger and support the SEC for the BCS Nat’l Championship AND support Cam for Heisman. If Auburn can beat Oregon, it will be THREE straight years an SEC team won both the National Championship and Heisman in the same year!
SEC!!! SEC!!! SEC!!!