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
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:33 pm
Who does Thuga play in the Liberty bowl? If they lose, will the Thuga Nation blame it on Nick Fairley?
Jim Pierce
December 4th, 2010
9:34 pm
lol at mcmansen: “You’ll always be the little brother for Alabama and also for UGA.”
What was your record?
What was Bama’s record?
Who is undefeated?
One final question… Where is Cam FROM?
WDE
December 4th, 2010
9:34 pm
Why all the pup fans on this blog talking trash? The last time I looked UGA didn’t even have a winning season. Lots of bitter grapes – just let ti go Dawg fans – you’re better than that (or at least used to be).
Nick Fairley
December 4th, 2010
9:35 pm
Man we fried some chicken tonight!!!
Hey, Dawg88???
December 4th, 2010
9:35 pm
Yes, I’d DEFINTELY hang on to those 4 victories. Hug ‘em with pride. CHERISH them, even!
After all, 4 in a row hasn’t happened for you since… oooops, 1948???
Sorry, son. You’re not as good as you think you are. If you consistently outplayed Auburn and beat Auburn in consecutive seasons, then UGA would be ahead in the series, which they simply are not.
And this year start another run of Auburn victories.
So, yep. Enjoy your 4.
Poor, pathetic has-been.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_South’s_Oldest_Rivalry#All-Time_Results
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
Aubie’s Denial..LOL don’t even start me on the Bishop stuff…..And I would be lying if I didn’t say I was as mystified as everyone else at the ruling. Once I knew daddy had asked I though it was going to be at least a suspension from there on out but I did always assume the fact that proof would be the death nail. So without it what could they do? I really don’t think there was ever a clear cut way out for the NCAA. Never happened before, not at same school, no proof. Just a crazy mess to unwind and find very little. A lot more blame should be focused on the “pimps”, I hate to quote Saban but he was correct.
tom
December 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
You are wrong again and in a big way.
Jim Pierce
December 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
I see Bradley quietly left lol
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
Before Obama, Fox was actually pretty good. Seriously, rated by Harvard of all places as the most nuetral source for news. Can’t watch it today, too biased. I agree with your take on ESPN for the most part. Scanning the national media, sports pages, other coaches, from all over though, most think this AU things smells a bit. I don’t see how OU can beat Auburn. Paid for or not, Newton is an awesome QB and AU will be far too physical for OU. The Ducks better hope the FBI has something and comes out with it fast!
Nick Fairley
December 4th, 2010
9:36 pm
I like my chicken extra crispy
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:37 pm
Hey Dawg88,
You might want to look at the Article that Auburn fans are posting on. Its called Life From the SEC Championship Game. Question for you? Which team won it and who represented the SEC East? Since you are too stupid to answer it, the answer is Auburn won it and South Carolina represented the SEC East. So why is it that you whiney Georgia fans are even posting? You need to wait until Bradley the Thuga Humper reports on The Liberty Bowl……
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:38 pm
Thought you went to bed WDE . . .
Nick Fairley
December 4th, 2010
9:39 pm
I smell fried chicken
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:39 pm
COPIED FROM http://www.dawgsports.com/2006/7/16/1376/16504
Tommy Tuberville . . . 2004 Coach of the Year . . . five Western Division championships in the last six years . . . almost ousted in an ugly incident that put Auburn’s accreditation in jeopardy.
“Probation” is not an unfamiliar word on the Plains. Auburn’s N.C.A.A. infractions history includes seven major infractions cases in the last 50 years, not including the present unpleasantness in the so-called Loveliest Village.
Auburn’s history of major violations includes getting slapped with three years’ probation in 1957, three years’ probation in 1958, and a two-year ban on postseason and television appearances in 1979.
Shug Jordan . . . winningest football coach in Auburn history . . . namesake of Jordan-Hare Stadium . . . Auburn alumnus . . . during his tenure, Auburn was put on probation by the N.C.A.A.
Auburn was held responsible for unethical conduct in November 1991 and sanctioned for unethical conduct and a lack of institutional control in August 1993.
In the latter instance, the N.C.A.A. imposed punishments upon the Auburn athletic department just as Terry Bowden was about to begin his first season as the Tigers’ head coach. Following his subsequent resignation under fire, Coach Bowden said on tape that A.U. boosters were funneling large amounts of cash to recruits.
Terry Bowden . . . led Auburn to an undefeated season in 1993 . . . guided the Tigers to a 20-game winning streak . . . was taped making incriminating statements about Auburn’s recruiting practices.
The most recent instance of wrongdoing on the Plains occurred when Auburn was placed on two years’ probation on April 27, 2004. The N.C.A.A. news release announcing the latest penalties against the Plainsmen stated that, during the probationary period from April 2004 to April 2006, “the university shall continue to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA legislation and submit periodic reports to the NCAA,” including “a preliminary report that sets forth a schedule for establishing this compliance and educational program.”
“At the end of the probationary period,” concluded the N.C.A.A. athletics policies and practices conform to all requirements of NCAA regulations.” Finally, the Division I Committee on Infractions noted:
As required by NCAA legislation for any institution involved in a major infractions case, Auburn University is subject to the provisions of NCAA Bylaw 19.5.2.3, concerning repeat violators for a five-year period beginning on the effective date of the penalties in this case, April 27, 2004.
If the Committee on Infractions determines “that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty,” the institution guilty of such conduct shall be deemed a repeat violator and may be subject to increased penalties.
Pat Dye . . . won four conference championships in the 1980s . . . namesake of the playing field at Jordan-Hare Stadium . . . named S.E.C. Coach of the Year three times . . . during his tenure, Auburn was put on probation by the N.C.A.A.
The institution’s president and athletic director received clear direction from the N.C.A.A. to clean up what is historically the most shameful morass in intercollegiate athletics. Extra vigilance was warranted, in light of Auburn’s frequent instances of recidivism.
The Tigers went undefeated while on probation in 1957. They did it again in 1993. What in the history of War Eagle athletics gives us any reason to doubt allegations that improprieties occurred while the Plainsmen were going undefeated in 2004?
Furthermore, what aspect of the present situation suggests that these allegations concern events which were either isolated or legitimate? This so-called “rogue professor” was, in fact, the interim director of Auburn University’s sociology department, who took on numerous “directed reading” students.
One of the department head’s colleagues, Paul Starr, was quoted in a news report as saying that a “professor normally doesn’t take on many of these,” yet, in this case, 15 such courses appear to have been offered. Another sociology professor, James Gundlach, is cited by The New York Times as the person who compiled the relevant records.
Professor Gundlach’s statistics evidently indicated that Auburn football players with an average G.P.A. of 2.14 in their other classes had an average G.P.A. of 3.31 in the “directed reading” course. Unsurprisingly, this supposed athletic department “oversight” ostensibly involved Auburn’s director of student athlete support services playing “an important role in funneling students to the sociology program.”
However, this purportedly Oxford don-like method of individualized instruction was endorsed by a former A.U. football player. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, a product of this one-on-one tutelage involving rigorous reading and critical analysis, eloquently expressed his articulate defense thusly: “I didn’t do nothing illegal or anything like that.”
You think this is “The Swamp”? Auburn . . . now that’s a swamp!
Whether fire underlies the smoke surrounding Auburn University remains an open question, but there can be no doubt that, if fire is found to be present, the sordid history of A.U. athletics has left too much tinder lying about for the N.C.A.A. to do anything less than drop the hammer on these latest Yellowhammer State shenanigans.
WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE IS FIRE
AU Engineer
December 4th, 2010
9:39 pm
WHAT AN EIGHT DAYS!!: Auburn comes back from 24 down and beats Bama, has Cam cleared, has the NCAA president defend Auburn and Cam, then has Judge Slive defend AU and Cam!! THEN 56-17!!! WAAARRRRRR EAAGGLLEEEE!!
Steve Superior
December 4th, 2010
9:40 pm
Dr. Pepper gave $123,000 to the winner of its halftime contest for tuition. That is still $57,000 less than Cecil Newton asked for. But I have to admit, Cam is worth every penny.
Aubie's Denial
December 4th, 2010
9:41 pm
Auburn Man, I hear you. It just seems no that any father can ask for anything and as long as the son denies knowledge anything goes. Ya’ll won’t believe this but I love the UGA-AU rivalry. 100 plus years and correct me if I’m wrong but I believe ya’ll have a two game advantage. Great parties, great fans, both schools. But this thing this year has gotten nasty. The thing is, its not just UGA fans who are upset with the ruling. Maybe it hits home because of the AJ thing, but, Bama, and USC (the real USC) have legitamate complaints.
Hey, Dawg88???
December 4th, 2010
9:41 pm
Does the *88* mean you’re an UGA 1988 alum?
If so, that would pretty much suck, seeing as how Auburn beat Georgia that year.
Oh, and the year before as well (1987).
Oh, and the year after (1989).
Oh, and the year after THAT (1990).
That makes… what?
Four years in a row?
No WONDER you’re bitter.
Makes sense now.
:’-(
Hey Bulldog Naton?
December 4th, 2010
9:42 pm
After Georgia loses the Liberty Bowl, what will the Thuga Fans do?
A) Blame it on Nic Fairley
B) Blame it on Cam Newton
C) Blame it on Gene Chizik
D) Blame it on the refs
E) Start up FireMarkRicht.com
F) Start up FireBobo.com
G) Start up FireGrantham.com
H) Take off their red panties(that could get ugly)
I) Wonder why they are not ranked in the top 5?
J) All of the Above
Answer: J
Jim Pierce
December 4th, 2010
9:42 pm
Dodger Dawg: The “smoke” is coming from Mississippi. Try THAT for awhile.
Mark Bradley
December 4th, 2010
9:43 pm
Here’s a little something about Cam Newton’s performance, if you’re so inclined.
Man
December 4th, 2010
9:44 pm
Let me help yall here… The Georgia Bulldawgs suck. Pure and simple. You talk as if you have contributed to the success of the SEC conference, when, in fact, you have been a bottom feeder for awhile now. You are what Indiana football is to the Big Ten… a thief! If they divided the conference money on a pay-for-percormance basis, your share would be about $10k… yep, that’s it, $10,000. You’re the biggest bunch of sore losers that i have ever seen, which is why no one likes your dumb school or football team. Auburn spanked your A$$… get over it. It is NOT an honor to attend the University of Georgia. You are NOT what you think you are. You ARE nothing to anyone else but yourselves!!!
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:44 pm
COPIED FROM http://www.dawgsports.com/2006/7/16
/1376/16504
Tommy Tuberville . . . 2004 Coach of the Year . . . five Western Division championships in the last six years . . . almost ousted in an ugly incident that put Auburn’s accreditation in jeopardy.
“Probation” is not an unfamiliar word on the Plains. Auburn’s N.C.A.A. infractions history includes seven major infractions cases in the last 50 years, not including the present unpleasantness in the so-called Loveliest Village.
Auburn’s history of major violations includes getting slapped with three years’ probation in 1957, three years’ probation in 1958, and a two-year ban on postseason and television appearances in 1979.
Shug Jordan . . . winningest football coach in Auburn history . . . namesake of Jordan-Hare Stadium . . . Auburn alumnus . . . during his tenure, Auburn was put on probation by the N.C.A.A.
Auburn was held responsible for unethical conduct in November 1991 and sanctioned for unethical conduct and a lack of institutional control in August 1993.
In the latter instance, the N.C.A.A. imposed punishments upon the Auburn athletic department just as Terry Bowden was about to begin his first season as the Tigers’ head coach. Following his subsequent resignation under fire, Coach Bowden said on tape that A.U. boosters were funneling large amounts of cash to recruits.
Terry Bowden . . . led Auburn to an undefeated season in 1993 . . . guided the Tigers to a 20-game winning streak . . . was taped making incriminating statements about Auburn’s recruiting practices.
The most recent instance of wrongdoing on the Plains occurred when Auburn was placed on two years’ probation on April 27, 2004. The N.C.A.A. news release announcing the latest penalties against the Plainsmen stated that, during the probationary period from April 2004 to April 2006, “the university shall continue to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program on NCAA legislation and submit periodic reports to the NCAA,” including “a preliminary report that sets forth a schedule for establishing this compliance and educational program.”
“At the end of the probationary period,” concluded the N.C.A.A. athletics policies and practices conform to all requirements of NCAA regulations.” Finally, the Division I Committee on Infractions noted:
As required by NCAA legislation for any institution involved in a major infractions case, Auburn University is subject to the provisions of NCAA Bylaw 19.5.2.3, concerning repeat violators for a five-year period beginning on the effective date of the penalties in this case, April 27, 2004.
If the Committee on Infractions determines “that a major violation has occurred within five years of the starting date of a major penalty,” the institution guilty of such conduct shall be deemed a repeat violator and may be subject to increased penalties.
Pat Dye . . . won four conference championships in the 1980s . . . namesake of the playing field at Jordan-Hare Stadium . . . named S.E.C. Coach of the Year three times . . . during his tenure, Auburn was put on probation by the N.C.A.A.
The institution’s president and athletic director received clear direction from the N.C.A.A. to clean up what is historically the most shameful morass in intercollegiate athletics. Extra vigilance was warranted, in light of Auburn’s frequent instances of recidivism.
The Tigers went undefeated while on probation in 1957. They did it again in 1993. What in the history of War Eagle athletics gives us any reason to doubt allegations that improprieties occurred while the Plainsmen were going undefeated in 2004?
Furthermore, what aspect of the present situation suggests that these allegations concern events which were either isolated or legitimate? This so-called “rogue professor” was, in fact, the interim director of Auburn University’s sociology department, who took on numerous “directed reading” students.
One of the department head’s colleagues, Paul Starr, was quoted in a news report as saying that a “professor normally doesn’t take on many of these,” yet, in this case, 15 such courses appear to have been offered. Another sociology professor, James Gundlach, is cited by The New York Times as the person who compiled the relevant records.
Professor Gundlach’s statistics evidently indicated that Auburn football players with an average G.P.A. of 2.14 in their other classes had an average G.P.A. of 3.31 in the “directed reading” course. Unsurprisingly, this supposed athletic department “oversight” ostensibly involved Auburn’s director of student athlete support services playing “an important role in funneling students to the sociology program.”
However, this purportedly Oxford don-like method of individualized instruction was endorsed by a former A.U. football player. Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, a product of this one-on-one tutelage involving rigorous reading and critical analysis, eloquently expressed his articulate defense thusly: “I didn’t do nothing illegal or anything like that.”
You think this is “The Swamp”? Auburn . . . now that’s a swamp!
Whether fire underlies the smoke surrounding Auburn University remains an open question, but there can be no doubt that, if fire is found to be present, the sordid history of A.U. athletics has left too much tinder lying about for the N.C.A.A. to do anything less than drop the hammer on these latest Yellowhammer State shenanigans.
WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE IS NORMALLY FIRE
War Eagle
December 4th, 2010
9:45 pm
Hey DodgerDawg,
Not too bitter about the Auburn Beat down 3 weeks ago are you?
Why don’t you call Wayshon Ealey to come pick you and Damon Evans up for a wild ride in Athens to drown your sorrows. Damon will bring the red panties…..
Auburn Man
December 4th, 2010
9:49 pm
Aubie’s Denial I hear you loud and clear about the fervor on the ruling. I love the AU-UGA game. Class of 86 and I’ve missed only two of them. It’ll come back to center again. Too much on the line with the oldest rivalry in the South. I just hope cooler heads prevail and people stop wanting to hold fans responsible for the bad decisions of a few people who actually play. Sometimes I think too many of us get sucked into thinking it’s us who strap the helmets on and try and stuff the run. Gotta relax and enjoy the game for what it is, A GAME! I’m out, good talkin to ya….War Eagle! and yes I’ll be saying Go DOGS too…..I just can’t spell dawgs…..
WhereDoYouRead-----
December 4th, 2010
9:49 pm
—–that Cecil Newton asked for money?
All I can find is that he was involved in discussions.
For all you know, the ongoing investigation involves Mississippi State. It’s not like a booster of a university has never solicited a player in the past and from what I’ve read, this Rogers guy is not exactly the ethical type.
Why is it that Mississippi State reported this in January of 2010 and did not respond to three requests by the SEC for further information. MSU said they were busy with other issues. Busy? Busy covering up tracks perhaps?
Everyone is so ready to believe anything written by a sportswriter who has information from an ‘unknown source.’
Think for yourselves.
DodgerDAWG
December 4th, 2010
9:49 pm
War Eagle. just saying where’s there is smoke there is fire and your “plains” have been smoldering for
50+ years….
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:49 pm
Hot Damn! Cadillacs for the whole damn family. Thank you NCAA and SEC!
Cecil Newton
December 4th, 2010
9:50 pm
Hey War Eagle………..ligthen up…. I’ll send you some money
Ramguy
December 4th, 2010
9:51 pm
Aubie’s Denial – I just hate the way ESPN makes the case for TCU and Boise St. I do think those teams could win in the championship game. But their body of work for a full season leaves a lot to be desired. I don’t think neither of those teams could have accomplished what AU has. They beat SC (twice) Ark, LSU, UGA and Ala. They got on a roll the last few weeks of the season and steamrolled everyone. I don’t BS or TCU could have survived all of those games. I’m sure AU wishes the game was played next week. I couldn’t see anyone beating them then. But they do have nearly a month to wait.
Nova Roars
December 4th, 2010
10:02 pm
DodgerDawg,
Would you say it’s fair that you suffer from Aubsession?
Sincerely,
Nova
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December 4th, 2010
10:38 pm
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