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
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
Bobby Lowder….. The check better be coming to my house fool. Your dumba$$ is gonna get us caught
For Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
(:::[_]:::)
Here’s another BandAid for that boo-boo y’all got on November 13.
Seems it’s not healing very well.
Sad.
Tracy Wolfson
December 4th, 2010
9:13 pm
Oh Cammy Cam, give it to me honey, give it to me.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:14 pm
NCAA Prez and SEC Commish like $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
How far does a buck eighty go at the good Rev’s church?
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:14 pm
Auburn DVM….you just railed on Georgia fans for being so terrible and then you do the very thing you accuse them of. You are a damn HYPOCRITE!
Your comments are vile and nasty to say the least. If you are a representative of Auburn fans then I am glad I am a Dawg.
Using sexual innuendo is disgusting and uncalled for. Why could you show some class. Don’t blame Georgia people for your choice of words and feelings these words are worth dismissing you from here:
“hump a pig or something”.
“I was born and raised in Georgia and throughout my life I found pup fans the worst of the worst.” Don’t judge all of our fans for a few. I have never even met you as have not several million other UGA fans.
” funny how Florida continues to sodomize you”…disgusting sodomy is a terrible crime you idiot! You couldn’t come up with intelligent criticism. Your vocabulary seems to sexually limited.
“Whats black on the outside and pink on the inside???????” I can’t even begin to describe how vile and disturbing you are after that one.
You must have a short memory. Before this year, the Dawgs had handed it to you 4 years in a row. 2nd rate program. One year doesn’t make you consistent. And the other Blackout? Auburn was embarrassed and even announcers were dancing with us! Wonder how you felt the past 4 years. Get some facts and learn to talk like an adult instead of a smartmouthed, dirty speaking adolescent punk!
HYPOCRITE!!!!!!!!!
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:15 pm
Tracy…. you gonna have to pay for that you know
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:15 pm
Hey Aubie’s Denial,
What are you smoking? Georgia leads the league in thugs who are in jail more than they are on the field. Saint Richt recruits more Thugs than any team in th country.
Aflac
December 4th, 2010
9:15 pm
I’m really hoping my cousins the Oregon Ducks beat the snot out of Pay For Play U.
paul finebaum
December 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
Hey guys, don’t tell anyone but I went to Tennessee. If anyone in Birmingham finds out, I’ll be in deep sh*t. Don’t tell anyone
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
I don’t need a bandaid, not for losing one of the last five. You’re going to need more than a bandaid when the final ruling on this comes down . . . . season, titles, heisman, all will be vacated and the Plainsmen, or Tigers, or Eagles, or whatever you are, will all need bandaids. Or crying towels
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:16 pm
For Aubies Denial:
How are those 5 inch gashes from 4 straight losses in 2006-2009 feel. Seems like you are trying to make one year heal all wounds. Wait till the NCAA takes away everything you paid for!
WhoWantsIn?
December 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
Started a pool to guess the date when UGA fans will stop whining, complaining and making excuses for their crummy season.
Sorry, but all of 2014 dates are already spoken for. I have some dates open in 2013 and a very few openings in 2012.
2011 dates are available.
Any takers?
Place your bets now!
Disgusting
December 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
Feagle The Teegers
Ramguy
December 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
Aubie’s Denial?
December 4th, 2010
9:05 pm
ESPN is the MSNBC of sports television.
Ahhhhh I think you mean ESPN is the Fox New of sports tv…..I wonder what ole Lou is going to say about this game. He picked SC. Of course he always picks OSU, SC and ND.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
I know Eagle, then we have to suspend them, or kick them off the team, and then we have two crappy years. I wish we’d quit recruiting them too.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:17 pm
They dont get the money back , right
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
Aubie’s Denial you kicked one guy off your team, a freshman that was of no consequence. That’s a bit of stretch to say we kick “them” off the team. I’t’s a national story too the UGA has had so many arrests. So much so that while Florida has had just as many the National media gives far more coverage to UGA. Unfortunately college athletics can be a dirty business. Like when Walker had Pontiac Trans Am like Smokey and the Bandit at UGA when his mother didn’t have two dimes to rub together. In closing all I’m saying is EVERY school has had their fair share of shady deals. AU didn’t do this Missy State did. Talked to Cam all the up to him signing with AU then after that they alerted the SEC. Seems a little late to me. Why is no one calling for Missy State to be on the chopping block? Good night and good luck at Bowl time. I’ll be pulling for ya.
TheObvious
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
I’m glad the SEC will be represented in the national championship. The SEC, greatest collegiate athletic conference on earth! War Eagle, pluck the Ducks!
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
Dawg88,
You can’t spell Thuga without UGA! Saint Richt learned from the master, Saint Bobby, about recruiting Thugs. Whats the over and under on the number of arrests of the Thuga players for the off season? Wayshon Ealey finished his Defensive Driving School after his Hit and Run. He’ll be glad to come give you a ride to the Liberty Bowl.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
You’re right about Dr. Lou Ramguy . . . but, to deny that the entirety of the sports media isn’t crying foul (no war eagle pun intended) is to flat out lie, which, at AU, seems to be par for the course.
War SEC champ Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
Auburn dvm,
The pig humping occurred earlier in the season when the Razorbacks humped thuga
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:19 pm
WhoWantsIn, put me down for December of 2015…..
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
REad the blog dawg88, I’m on your side!
Terry Bowdon
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
I caint beleev they’re lettin THIS team play, while I couldn’t. This stiiinks.
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
War Eagle…scooter tickets, drinking beer and not paying a speeding ticket for UGA players….yeah they are thugs…geez. You probably do things like that and so do AU players.
Quit saying things to disparage CMR’s faith like making fun saying “saint Richt”. You or I could learn a thing or two about being more faithful and Better Christians from him…so lay off!
BTW…Any team with Nick Fairley who is the truly a thug on the field should not be the ones throwing stones.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
I wish that yall could see P. Dye and the yellow fellow right now. They Drunk as a bicycle makin it rain at the club. I’m rich b*t*h
Ole Yeller Dawg
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
17/28 335 YDS 4 TD passing 73 YDS 2 TD rushing! Why am I having a hard time seeing a Tight End here? If I were MR I would have never made that statement! Unbelievable,Tight End!!!! lol
PoorWiddleDawgies!!!
December 4th, 2010
9:20 pm
poor, poor mcmansion
poor, poor DodgerDAWG
poor, poor Aubies Denial
poor, poor Dawg88
here’s some more straws for y’all to grasp out, since you seem to be running low:
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Heading to bed now. G’nite losers — Better luck next year!!!
WDE
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:21 pm
Aubies Denial…I know you are on my side. A guy posted against you calling himself For Aubies Denial. It was directed at you. I responded to his assinine post.
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:22 pm
Put me down for December of 2012. I’ll put up $180,000 for that date.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:22 pm
Enjoy WDE, while you still can. And, btw, we know you’re still here!
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
Aubie’s Denial Yes it bothers me, but not as you might think. I could kick his father in the a$$. But I don’t know that Cam knew and I don’t think a kid could do on the field what he did if he was guilty and under that kind of scrutiny. I just don’t know so I have to assume the best. Just like you would if faced with all this. You seem intelligent and well spoken so I know you would want to think the best of a fellow UGA guy.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
My mistake DAWG88.
mcmansion
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
The trailer parks in Alabama are gonna be rockin in January come bowl time.
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
Dawg88,
Yes, Saint Richt is really a class act. Recruits thugs and has them stomp on the logo of opposing teams and yells at the refs and encourages his thugs to leave the field after starting fights.
Have fun at the Liberty Bowl. Wear those Red Panties to stay warm. You can get them at Walmart. One size fits all… They are right next to the Thuga merchandise that has been reduced for quick sale, right next to the VHS tapes of the Herschel Walker glory year……
Dumbo
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
War Eagle…………you are indeed a real man…not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dazed and Confused
December 4th, 2010
9:24 pm
Enter your comments here
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:25 pm
UGA potential lawyers, remember ALLBARN only has a PRE-LAW school…maybe they should look at that before enticing JUCO players where the fathers have soliciated them prior….OUCH
mcmansion
December 4th, 2010
9:26 pm
Auburn Man said “But I don’t know that Cam knew and I don’t think a kid could do on the field what he did if he was guilty and under that kind of scrutiny. I just don’t know so I have to assume the best.
You know what happens when you assume…
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:26 pm
Thanks Auburn Man, for the honesty. I’d be pissed at Newton’s father too. Believe it or not, I hope/wish that Cam didn’t/doesn’t know. I just know that too many people and schools have been punished for less than what Cam’s dad did, and AU should be the first in line to clean it up. It really is a shame, such a great player.
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:26 pm
Poor Widdle Dawgies…How did those 4 beatdown in a row feel. Win that many in a row and then we’ll talk. Until then I’ll take you losing to us 4 of every 5 years. That means I don’t have to listen to your dumb comments only 365 compared to 1460 days.
I LOVE IT!!! Auburn Plainsmen, War Eagles, Tigers, men of schitzos…can’t handle the truth! We are superior to you…one year doesn’t erase the poor 4 year drought. And if you are so great….how in the world did the lousy Dawgs get ahead 21-7. If you are so much better, that should never happen.
Enjoy your paid for and soon to be vacated winning season.
Worst LOSS is SEC Championship history.
December 4th, 2010
9:27 pm
18 years. TN, a joke, GA, a joke, FL, a joke.
Spurrier knew it too. Down 35 with 7 minutes to go and kicking a field goal. Let’s see how the spineless AJC reporters paint him following this debacle. Something to the affect proud of what they accomplished. Palease. SEC east stunk.
BTW, last time Auburn played a PAC ten team 0-23 at home (USC). I hope Oregon crushes them.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:27 pm
Lay off the St. Richt stuff Eagle, or we’ll start discussing the good Rev. Newton again . . .
News Flash: SEC East was bad.
December 4th, 2010
9:28 pm
Why has the media not come out and stated what we all know and was very apparent tonight:
The SEC East was pathetic this year. That is why and only why USC made it to the Championship Game. Look at the teams:
- UF so overrated and bad this year
- Vandy – a powerhouse as usual
- UK – worst than usual
- UT – stunk and stunk as expected
- UGA – average at best
- USC – played well and was the best in this sorry division.
Shame the media never dared to frown on the level of play in the SEC East.
USC is not back. They were the last one standing in a bad group. Next year determines the merit of SOS at USC.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:29 pm
Correction Eagle, the “Bishop” Newton
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:30 pm
War Eagle you have no class and I enjoy your made up stories. As for the red panties comment…when we have someone do something immorally wrong we get rid of his butt.
You bow and love your offenders. Big difference. Glad you couldn’t think of anything intelligent to come back at me. I figured you would make a weak attempt.
How did you feel the past 4 years? Bet you were pissed off! HEH<HEH<HEH! 1 loss to you guys doesn't bother me. I'll take 4 out of every 5. How would you like it to continue? LOL!
Tha' Pride of College Park
December 4th, 2010
9:31 pm
Cecil,
If dat yella fella an’ Corch Dye is drunk, make sho de college park po-leece ain’t in de hood.
Dawg'88
December 4th, 2010
9:32 pm
Hey,
Dawg fans…isn’t it great that Auburn fans came here to celebrate by seeing what we think about it. They envy us still. 4 out of 5 big bad Awbies!
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:32 pm
If LSU hadn’t propped up the West for the last ten years, with the exception of Auburn 04, and Bama last year, what can the WEst really say? This year, of course, the WEst was better, given that LSU, BAMA, and ARK were clearly better than anyone in the East. That TN, GA, and UF went 19-17 is bad, really bad. But, it was one year, so, don’t get too carried away with that West thing.
Ramguy
December 4th, 2010
9:33 pm
Aubie’s Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:18 pm
You’re right about Dr. Lou Ramguy . . . but, to deny that the entirety of the sports media isn’t crying foul (no war eagle pun intended) is to flat out lie, which, at AU, seems to be par for the course.
Funny you mention the word lie because that’s what I meant by Fox News. Actually I think ESPN was trying hard raising the stock of Boise St…until they lost! They were pushing hard for them from the start of the year. ESPN thinks they run college football and it’s getting close to doing just that. They took it upon themselves to keep UGA out of the national championship game a few years ago. I liked what Tommy Tuberville said about Holtz and Corzo a few years ago. One couldn’t win in the SEC and the other couldn’t win anywhere he coached. Their talking heads aren’t hard to figure out. Here’s how I think they will pick the championship game. Holtz: Oregon. Mays: AU. Herbstreet: OU. Corso: OU.