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
What a joke
December 4th, 2010
8:52 pm
There are thousands of GEORGIA car tags with Auburn on them.
Lester the NCAA told UGA to keep Green out 4 games. Check it out……..they didn’t tell Auburn to keep CAM out because they have no proof he knew anything about it. You can’t go rumors, its not fair to other kids. They had proof on Green.
My dad killed a man in car wreck and got 5 years ..thank God they didn’t blame me of something my Dad did .
mcmansion?
December 4th, 2010
8:52 pm
Hey, stupid. Auburn University is NOT in Montgomery.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
8:53 pm
I can quote the postgame show, “There may be, and are, legitimate questions regarding whether or not Newton should have played. But there are no questions regarding who the best player in college football is.” REad ESPN if you don’t believe me, I think you AU people, with your Obama like posters (Yes we Cam) are the ones drinking the koolaid! Why are ya’ll so sensitive and defensive anyway? Because CBS game announcers clearly stated that investigation was NOT over.
I am still in jail
December 4th, 2010
8:53 pm
Aubie’s Denial,
Could you please quit whining about Auburn and come get me out of jail? You are making us Bulldog fans look really childish…..
The Bulldog fan who set fire to Toomer’s Corner.
FLA DAWG
December 4th, 2010
8:53 pm
I don’t know how you could pick SC to win this one unless you’re trying to widen your fan base Mark but clearly you do not know SC Fans. I do.
SC Fans are possibly the MOST loyal SEC Fans. These folks have showed up and cheered their team every season regardless of their record. Though it may have worked to their defeat in the long run I must compliment SC Fans.
Now Auburn! Wow! What a performance!
I switched over to the Oregon / Oregon State Game several times and although Oregon has a good team they cannot play 4 quarters with Auburn.
I guess most Auburn Fans could care less but as a Dawg Aumn and SEC Fan I look forward to watching yet another SEC Team whack another conference for a NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Congrats Tigers!
lester
December 4th, 2010
8:54 pm
Lets lighten up here guys, this is getting chippy. All of this will pass and AU and UGA will go back to being friendly cousins again. I hope that happens, but I fear this year’s game may have created bad blood for years to come. Fairley and Cam Newton…Jeez, this is not your Grandma’s Auburn team.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
8:55 pm
Auburn is going to put up a statue of me
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
8:55 pm
That is a sad (but un-released) perception of the University (sic) of Auburn and the next game against the Ducks. It is a sad day when I will cheer for any team outside the SEC during a bowl season, but after suffering through a year of Auburn and SEC tolerance to a family; that not only violated the laws of the NCAA but those that the SEC imposed (in order to get rid of the perception of a corrupt conference) I cannot support a SEC team that has achieved to the highest levels of amateur sports. In my honest opinion…YES the NEWTON FAMILY is guilty of soliciting their son…Sad to hear from a man from the SOUTH and even more HEARTBREAKING to hear it from a man of the Pentecostal faith. The NCAA and the SEC agree with my honest opinion…Look at the press releases where they declared Cameron Newton ineligible. They (the NCAA and SEC) cannot say that the above violations of NCAA eligibility requirements have been violated. The whole $cam between whether Cam is eligible or non-eligible id definitely defined in the SEC Bylaws (specifically SEC Bylaw 14.01.3.2 states:
“If at any time before or after matriculation in a member institution a student-athlete or any member of his/her family receives or AGREES TO RECEIVE, directly or indirectly, any aid or assistance beyond or in addition to that permitted by the Bylaws of this Conference (except such aid or assistance as such student-athlete may receive from those persons on whom the student is naturally or legally dependent for support), such student- athlete shall be ineligible for competition in any intercollegiate sport within the Conference for the remainder of his/her college career.”
I think that most (outside of the Orange wearing ALLBARN fans) can admit that in public perception this Bylaw was violated. Once Cam’s father admitted that he was shopping his son he admitted to agreeing to receive (contractually agreement can be achieved prior to acceptance of contractual acceptance) aid and assistance beyond or in addition to that permitted by the Bylaws of this Conference. Mike Slive’s (the current and in my (honest opinion) the soon to be released SEC Commissioner)) interpretation of this Bylaw of the SEC is incorrect and once Auburn declared Cam Newton ineligible and the NCAA (in hopes of keeping a BCS buster (TCU) from the NCG) ruled Cam eligible; should have declared Cameron Newton INELIGIBLE for further competition in any intercollegiate sport within the Conference for the remainder of his/her college career as per the Bylaws of the SEC.
Mike Slive you have failed the SEC and you should resign from your multi-million dollar posting.
FROM A 41 YEAR OLD FAN OF THE SEC…..GO DUCKS.
Mr. Slive, If you wish to comment, as with my earlier un-answered letter I WELCOME YOUR REBUTTAL
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
8:56 pm
I tend to agree with you AUBURN MAN, on that Colorado thing! Gotta give you that one . . . . I just know, as a UGA fan, I was glad to see UGA voluntarily back out of both the SEC and NCAA tournaments when the truth about Harrick came out. If you can’t win without cheating, don’t play ball. If you just suck, as we did this year, oh well, you just suck but at least you tried! And, btw, I’ll take the last ten years, I believe we’ve finished in the top ten a few more times than AU.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
8:56 pm
I will be holding 2 moneybags
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
8:57 pm
Here Here FL Dawg….Sad thing for all these UGA fans is I’ll be pulling for them in their bowl.
mcmansion
December 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
Yes, I realize Auburn is not in Montgomery. My point was that the majority of the country with the exception of your fan base, will be rooting for Oregon. Most of the state of Alabama bleeds Crimson. The exception is the area in southern AL stretching from Auburn to Montgomery.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
The Heisman Trust say that the Heisman will be a different pose when Cam wins it. The statue will be holding a bag of money in one hand stiff arming an NCAA investigator with the other hand.
Auburn DVM
December 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
I wish all of you punk A$$ pup fans would go and hump a pig or something. This really shows just how pitiful you are. Auburn is the 2010 SEC Champion. Quit wishing they would lose because you could not beat them!!!!! I was born and raised in Georgia and throughout my life I found pup fans the worst of the worst. Always preaching about how honorable and upright their program is. Kinda funny how Florida continues to sodomize you and you just can’t come up with enough adjectives to describe your third rate program…. Remember the blackout game against Bama????? Whats black on the outside and pink on the inside???????
I am still in jail
December 4th, 2010
8:58 pm
Dodger Dawg.
You are a pathetic example of a Georgia fan.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
8:59 pm
There is a reason the SEC and NCAA offices have been flooded with emails and letters and phone calls, and, btw, they’re not all from UGA or Bama fans. They are protest calls, and letters, and emails, from football fans across the country who know BS when they see it. I hate it, for AU fans, for the SEC, but, especially, for the AU players with the obvious exception of Newton. Hell, if Myer didn’t want him, as great as he is on the field, that should tell you something.
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
8:59 pm
mark it down…the SEC title, Heisman, and possibly the NCAA will be forfeited by season’s end. Enjoy for now. Payback will be hell. It will be an embarrassment beyond epic proportions. Hope it was worth it to let a teenager and his dirty daddy soil your program. Nice diamond encrusted jersey mamma Cam. Wonder how you got that?
This whole thing should make Auburn fans want to take a shower to wash off the dirt!
Ga fans
December 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
Woof Woof Woof = Uga all bark no bite
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
Aubie’s Denial I can’t disagree with your last post……For me it hinges on the fact that all the bad happened at Missy State. If this had involved anyone from AU I would have to take your position. I should also tell you that I was glad to see Cecil Newton NOT in attendance tonight and I think too he should not show next week for the Heisman ceremony.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:00 pm
Somebody get this fool out of jail
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:01 pm
Auburn DVM, I remember that Bama blackout thing, I also remember that AU blackout thing. Teams win, teams lose. The sun doesn’t shine on the same dog’s a$$ every day, but, solicitation of $$$ for pay is a violation of NCAA rules and the truth will eventually come out.
mcmansion
December 4th, 2010
9:01 pm
I find it humorous that Auburn fans keep chanting “But but but we didn’t do anything wrong”. As if the university doesn’t suffer the consequences of its players actions. Would you still use that same argument if a confessed rapist played football at Auburn. Would you just throw your hands up and say “But Auburn didn’t do anything!” What Auburn fans ignore is that Character and Integrity actually matter. When you lets slimeballs represent your program, your program suffers in the long run.
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:01 pm
Hey mcmansion,
Guess what,
Nobody outside of Athens and the red neck Thuga fan base will be watching your pathetic 6 and 6 team get drug up and down the field at the Liberty Bowl. Go ahead and pop in the tape of the Herschel Walker glory days and try to get through the holidays and bowl season sober.
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:02 pm
Uh DodgerDawg….It’s Auburn University not University of Auburn. Just though you might wan to know that for your next rant.
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:03 pm
Hey Aubie’s Denial,
Get ready for another offseason of arrests in Athens. Its the Thuga way. The Fulmer cup will have a permanent place in Athens.
mcmansion
December 4th, 2010
9:04 pm
War Eagle- Actually, I’m just going to pop in a tape of the last 5 UGA/AU games. 4 out of 5 ain’t bad.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:04 pm
Will do War Eagle, the difference is, we kick our thugs off the team. And we don’t pay/recruit thugs kicked off other teams. How’s Jordon-Hare going to look empty, during the death penalty days????
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:04 pm
Hey mcmansion,
What is the latest count of Bulldog arrests? Last I heard it was 11. Also, Wayshon says call him any time if you need a ride. He can hit and run with the best of them.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
Good call mcmansion
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
Auburn Man either way it always ends up with (sic) behind it
Clean House
December 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
Yes the Chickens still are masters of the cosmic flop. Whats more disturbing is Mark Richts 3 losses to the chickens his teams failed to score a fricking T D, two of which were in Sanford Stadium. Pathetic !!!!!!
Aubie's Denial?
December 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
ahhh… ESPN.
NOW I see your problem. You really DO drink the KoolAid if you listen to those guys and read drivel by such writers as Schad. What a joke he is!
ESPN is the MSNBC of sports television.
I’ll bet you get a chill up your leg when you watch SportsCenter.
lol
Think for yourself, son. Check facts. Don’t swallow it hook, line and sinker when some blowhard at ESPN starts an article with “According to a ’source’…..”
ROZEMAN13
December 4th, 2010
9:06 pm
The only reasun Cam was the bowl series didnt Boise or TCU to mess up the bowl series and demands for a playoff system
A Former Auburn Fan
December 4th, 2010
9:06 pm
I just hope the president of Auburn, Mr. Slive of the SEC and everyone else involved thinks putting this stain on a once proud Auburn program was worth it.
tony in marietta
December 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
Are the Auburn fans here from Georgia or Alabama? I assume Alabama. I still can’t believe that people deny that kids from Atlanta only go to Auburn unless they get rejected at UGA. This is common knowledge. My two sons (Sprayberry) both got rejected at UGA and both had AU as “backup” schools. One of my sons was offered a partial scholarship at AU. They both wound up at Furman.
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
That’s right mcmansion live in the past while we revel in the present.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
An honest question War Eagle, Auburn Man, and War Freaking Eagle . . . seriously, and I’m not trying to be smart, but does this bother you at all? I’ve only seen one post from one AU fan that condemned what was going on at Auburn University. I’d be pissed if this were UGA, 13-0 isn’t worth it
BONAIREDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
the tight end comments are getting a little old!!! GO DAWGS
ROZEMAN13
December 4th, 2010
9:07 pm
Man sorry about the spelling and but ive been drinking beer all day but you get the drift
War Freakin Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:08 pm
war eagle, war freakin eagle, war damn eagle must be a kissing cousin thing.
WTF do eagles have to do wih tigers? CAM is dirty and you know it.
Just hoping it will all go away but it won’t.
To win it all and then have it all taken away is going to be FUN TO WATCH.
Bobby Lowder
December 4th, 2010
9:08 pm
Cam, be sure and check your mail box on Monday.
Commisioner Slive
December 4th, 2010
9:10 pm
Well done, Cameron, well done. You do have Lowder’s phone number right, should there be any problem with the transfer of funds?
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:10 pm
Don’t insult ESPN like that . . . “the msnbc of sports”, or whatever you said. Try ESPN, other conference commissioners, journalists everywhere, fans everywhere, with the obvious exception of AU. I can agree with you though on MSNBC being rather pathetic. BTW, its the AU posters of “Yes WE Cam” that show the Obama ties, not ESPN.
RealDawg
December 4th, 2010
9:10 pm
Tracy Wolfson drinks Cammy Cam Juice. Is this the same as drinking the Kool Aid? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=010CF5hE_A0
paul finebaum
December 4th, 2010
9:10 pm
Guys, I need to take a poll to see which school I should support this year on my shotty radio station in Birmingham. Is it cool to root for Auburn now or should I pretend to still like Bama? Please help me out guys, thanks.
to mcmansion, et al:
December 4th, 2010
9:11 pm
here are some more straws for y’all to grasp at.
Keep trying — I’m sure you’ll feel better about your dawgies someday.
\
/
\
/
\
/
(Good Night, Losers)
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:11 pm
funny rozeman, funny
Tracy Wolfson
December 4th, 2010
9:12 pm
You should see what I’ll be sucking on after I finish the Cammny Cam Juice.
NCAA Prez and SEC Commish support Cam and Auburn!!
December 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
56-17!!!
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
TMI Tracy