SEC Nation vs the world.

[SoonerManiac]

Okay, I'm asking this to all SEC fans because there is a topic on another board I post on about this and SEC fans were mentioned here.

Barring your major rival. And I use rival singular on purpose. Is it the general perception that SEC fans cheer for each others team if they are playing outside the conference?

I ask because it was a debate on a Big XII board that our conference is still divided. Because of the joining of the SWC and the Big 8. Big 8 schools despise the Texas schools and vise versa. Not to mention the other rivalries and hatreds inside the two divisions being mentioned. The question was brought up to Big XII fans why can't we be like the SEC where during the NC game, except for maybe Georgia fans, the entire SEC was pulling for Florida.

Is this true? And why?

To a degree I understand this because my father is very much one of those "regional loyalists" where he'll cheer for any team from Oklahoma before anyone else, then it spreads to the Big XII(except for Texas).

Is that the same case here?

[Chivas]

Yes, this is completely true. I support all SEC teams outside of competition aginst my personal team, even my major rivals. And generally, I pull for SEC West over SEC East unless the game helps my team's standings in the division.

[geechee]

Okay, I'm asking this to all SEC fans because there is a topic on another board I post on about this and SEC fans were mentioned here.

Barring your major rival. And I use rival singular on purpose. Is it the general perception that SEC fans cheer for each others team if they are playing outside the conference?

I ask because it was a debate on a Big XII board that our conference is still divided. Because of the joining of the SWC and the Big 8. Big 8 schools despise the Texas schools and vise versa. Not to mention the other rivalries and hatreds inside the two divisions being mentioned. The question was brought up to Big XII fans why can't we be like the SEC where during the NC game, except for maybe Georgia fans, the entire SEC was pulling for Florida.

Is this true? And why?

To a degree I understand this because my father is very much one of those "regional loyalists" where he'll cheer for any team from Oklahoma before anyone else, then it spreads to the Big XII(except for Texas).

Is that the same case here?

Sooner, the simple answer is that it is a Southern thing. We truly see the SEC as a family and while we may fight like hell with each other and see nothing wrong with this, we tend to circle the wagons and protect each other from outsiders.

[SoonerManiac]

geechee, lol, my dad uses that "it is a Southern thing" line all the time.

At least it is good to know if we moved into SEC country, we'd not get a culture shock. Although my occasional Okie draw might be for others. :)

[sheluvsbama]

We mostly cheer for eachother's teams if we are in a bowl game or playing someone from another conference. We mostly like all the teams, except maybe a team that is a great rival that goes back 100 years. We are mostly supportive of eachother and good-natured in our teasing.

[geechee]

We mostly like all the teams, except maybe a team that is a great rival that goes back 100 years.

Sooner, I should have said, well except for Auburn and Alabama. Now those two really hate each other. You never want to get in the middle of a UA/AU fight, NEVER.

:laugh: :laugh:

[GamecockDieHard]

Like someone else said. If an SEC team is playing a game OOC that won't effect our standings, then I'm solidly behind the SEC team. If their winning puts my team in a worse situation, then no, I don't pull for them. I seriously doubt it's that much different in any other conference. You pull for your conference if it doesn't go against your team.

[sheluvsbama]

Sooner, I should have said, well except for Auburn and Alabama. Now those two really hate each other. You never want to get in the middle of a UA/AU fight, NEVER.

:laugh: :laugh:
:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[STUCKNBIG10]

I would argue that all of us are proud of our conference because it is generally the best in almost all NCAA sports. All of us know that if you win an SEC title in anything, it really means something.

Second, it is generally in our best interest to root for one another b/c if the conference sucks wind against OOC competition, then it makes all of us look bad. Look at the fallout from OSU and MI losing in their bowl games last year (and then again with Michigan losing to Appy st. this year). Generally, almost all of the national media is down on the Big 10 and thinks it's a crummy conference. Conversely, the OOC success of the SEC has brought with it a lot of prestige and acknowledgement that the best athletes, the best fans, the best tradition, and the best teams generally come from the SEC.

[bbqit]

There is a "we can say what we want to each other but you can't" thing to the sec. Yet another thing to think about is quality wins. If Georgia beats Ole Miss then Georgia looks better if Ole Miss had beaten Missouri. Or better yet if Ole Miss beats Lsu then Ole Miss looks better if Lsu has beaten VT. So there is a bit of ulterior motive to it because the sec beats up on each other. Now you may understand why "some" Alabama fans might have actually pulled for Tenn to beat Cal and disappointed when they didn't.

[reese]

i was pullin for FL in the NC game

[AUChamps]

geechee, lol, my dad uses that "it is a Southern thing" line all the time.

At least it is good to know if we moved into SEC country, we'd not get a culture shock. Although my occasional Okie draw might be for others. :)
If there was true revenue sharing in the Big 12 like we have in the SEC, I believe strongly that would go a long way in building bridges between former SWC and former Big 8 schools.

[bbqit]

If there was true revenue sharing in the Big 12 like we have in the SEC, I believe strongly that would go a long way in building bridges between former SWC and former Big 8 schools.

And this is very true too!

[UKat]

I always pull for SEC teams when not playing against my team.

[OneBigDawg]

i was pullin for FL in the NC game

I was also. Really all of my friends that are Bulldog fans were actually pulling for Florida - believe it or not. :laugh:

[bbqit]

Go back and look at posts during that time. Killer will tell ya most all of us were pulling for Fla.

[AUChamps]

And this is very true too!
The problem with the Big 12 today is that schools like Iowa State, Mizzou, and Kansas State actually feel like they're being treated as the sucker while OU, UT, and aTm to an extent get all the big money. It's very lopsided and I do believe that it is because of the state of financial distribution amongst Big 12 schools that the "lesser" schools have had to do more with less. I know for a fact that the T. Boone Pickens donation to Oklahoma State was seen as a true Jackpot because of the lack of revenue sharing in the Big 12.

[WarEagle73]

It is very much a "southern thing" to stick with friends and family. Most true fans of the SEC look at it almost as a family. We'll bicker and fight amongst ourselves, but whenever one of our SEC cousins goes against an outsider we back them up. I'm a little strange in that I also pull for Bama so long as they are not playing Auburn or they are in a situation where it would hurt Auburn to win. I do this because I have so many really good friend that are Bammers (God bless 'em :whistle: ). Now sometimes there are Bama fans that make it not so easy for me to wish them well but I just have to remind myself that we Auburn folks also have our share of idiots as well.

[Seppeh]

Really not much to add to this thread.

But I too was pulling for Florida in the NC game. So that Georgia thing might be a little off.

[geechee]

I do this because I have so many really good friend that are Bammers (God bless 'em :whistle: ).

Oh I'm sure, but you wouldn't want your sister to marry one:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[WarEagle73]

Oh I'm sure, but you wouldn't want your sister to marry one:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Well, a guy does have his limits! :laugh:

[GAMECOCK_FAN]

<-------Pulls for the Gamecocks first, SEC teams in OOC games 2nd, everyone else....who cares.:laugh:

[SoonerManiac]

Like someone else said. If an SEC team is playing a game OOC that won't effect our standings, then I'm solidly behind the SEC team. If their winning puts my team in a worse situation, then no, I don't pull for them. I seriously doubt it's that much different in any other conference. You pull for your conference if it doesn't go against your team.
You'd be shocked then. I got beat down verbally by several OU fans for pulling for UT in the NC game in '05. I have to admit, I'm a lot like what you all say, but I'm the odd man out when it comes to that. You really have to see it to believe it. Using my teams fanbase as an example because I have personal experience there: I've been told several times I'm not a true fan of OU if I cheer for oSu or UT. Now I admit, I have a HARD time cheering for UT. But my dad graduated from oSu and my entire family are oSu fans...so I have respect for the school that gave my father the degree that fed and clothed me. OU did not offer my dad an academic scholarship...oSu did.
If there was true revenue sharing in the Big 12 like we have in the SEC, I believe strongly that would go a long way in building bridges between former SWC and former Big 8 schools.
Perhaps. But I seriously doubt this ever happens. Many Big XII fans feel the Big XII will break up within 10 yrs. Some say 5.
Really not much to add to this thread.

But I too was pulling for Florida in the NC game. So that Georgia thing might be a little off.
My apologies then.


I'm not one to really like to pump sunshine to the SEC as honestly, the whole "We are the greatest thing since sliced bread" gets old. Not that it is your fault, but the media just runs this into the ground...which makes everyone hate the SEC.

But this is one aspect that I truly wish my conference as a whole modeled after the SEC.


BTW, and not that any of you care...but Norman is ablaze with excitement tonight with the Cane fans in town! Excitement like this hasn't been here since Nebraska in 2000 for a single game. I'm stoked!

[Ralliartist]

I pull for any sec team against an OOC team. Always the Gamecocks first, but always pull for an SEC team vs an ooc team. I even watch the other SEC vs SEC games religiously. I love my entire conference. How could you not like all the teams in the best conference in the land? It's all those other teams added together with yours that makes it the BEST and TOUGHEST conference around.

One thing I've always said is, How many teams can you name from each conference? Now, mostly 80-90% of people out there can only name 3-4 big name schools from each conference. But everytime they get to naming schools off from the SEC, they always name 7-8. Now how is it that even someone who isn't an SEC fan knows who 7-8 of our schools are but can only name like 3-4 schools in all the other conferences, excluding their own conference of course? That question reminds me of who the best conference around is everytime I ask someone it.

[AUChamps]

Perhaps. But I seriously doubt this ever happens. Many Big XII fans feel the Big XII will break up within 10 yrs. Some say 5.

I'm not one to really like to pump sunshine to the SEC as honestly, the whole "We are the greatest thing since sliced bread" gets old. Not that it is your fault, but the media just runs this into the ground...which makes everyone hate the SEC.

But this is one aspect that I truly wish my conference as a whole modeled after the SEC.

Well, if the Big 12 does break up sooner then later, then the "new" conference can try to shape itself in the mold of the SEC.

Start with true Revenue Sharing, then look to get 12 quality teams so you can have a Championship Game like the Big 12 currently has.

Now, when the Big 12 does breakup don't think it's gonna go back to the days of old with the Big 8 and SWC. Arkansas is ours and we're not letting the Razorbacks go. So keep that in mind. If were me, I'd tell the "new SWC(hypothetical)" and "new Big 8" to raid C-USA, Mtn. West, and the WAC and whatever's leftover from those 3 existing conferences can merge into a single conference.

In any event, I do predict a major Conference reshuffle within the next 10 years that will involve the Sunbelt, WAC, Mtn. West, C-USA, and the collapses of the Big 12 and Big East as we know them today. Look for the Pac-10 and Big 10 to finally get to 12 teams during this mess and for the SEC and possibly the ACC to escape as the only conferences to make zero changes. Maybe the MAC too although I see them involved in changes somehow.

[Seppeh]

Now how is it that even someone who isn't an SEC fan knows who 7-8 of our schools are but can only name like 3-4 schools in all the other conferences, excluding their own conference of course?

So what? I can name all 8 SBC teams and they are far from the best conference in the nation.

[M2J]

If there was true revenue sharing in the Big 12 like we have in the SEC, I believe strongly that would go a long way in building bridges between former SWC and former Big 8 schools.


I don't even think about that. I do generally like for our teams to beat the other teams from other BCS conferences. Its just an SEC pride thing. And ESPN and AP pollers have a lot to do with it, as they obviously have biases against the SEC and love to push the other conferences more, especially the Pac 10 and Big 10. I guess they love the top teams being able to blow out their conference mates 50 to 10.

Even though they'll all take the safe route and say the obvious thing of top to bottom the SEC is the best...blah blah blah. They love to give other top teams from other conf. the benefit of the doubt. Anyways, that's a big reason as to why I feel the need to go for the entire conference.

BUT... I don't really get that into other teams OOC games that much. Its all situational. In any situation where Bama or another team that I do like (like I've been a fan of Va Tech since Vick I) can pass up a team in the rankings, I won't go for a SEC team.

And I never go for Tennessee or Auburn unless they are just having a terrible season and whether or not they win means nothing in the overall scheme of things (Tennessee may break this rule of mine sometimes, but Auburn almost never does). And when they face each other I just go for the one with the worst record.

It really isn't until Bowl season where I get SEC happy and pull for all SEC teams to win (sometimes, I still won't pull for Auburn or Tenn though, just depends on the matchup)

[Ralliartist]

So what? I can name all 8 SBC teams and they are far from the best conference in the nation.

your are totally missing the point. Just because YOU can name all the SBC teams doesn't mean that everyone can. I was just stating that 80-90% of people out there can't name but a few teams from each conference, aka the good teams. But when asked who is in the SEC, they can spout off more than half of our conference. Mainly because we have that many great teams, not just a few.

[crimsonnation713]

You'd be shocked then. I got beat down verbally by several OU fans for pulling for UT in the NC game in '05. I have to admit, I'm a lot like what you all say, but I'm the odd man out when it comes to that. You really have to see it to believe it. Using my teams fanbase as an example because I have personal experience there: I've been told several times I'm not a true fan of OU if I cheer for oSu or UT. Now I admit, I have a HARD time cheering for UT. But my dad graduated from oSu and my entire family are oSu fans...so I have respect for the school that gave my father the degree that fed and clothed me. OU did not offer my dad an academic scholarship...oSu did.

Perhaps. But I seriously doubt this ever happens. Many Big XII fans feel the Big XII will break up within 10 yrs. Some say 5.

My apologies then.


I'm not one to really like to pump sunshine to the SEC as honestly, the whole "We are the greatest thing since sliced bread" gets old. Not that it is your fault, but the media just runs this into the ground...which makes everyone hate the SEC.

But this is one aspect that I truly wish my conference as a whole modeled after the SEC.


BTW, and not that any of you care...but Norman is ablaze with excitement tonight with the Cane fans in town! Excitement like this hasn't been here since Nebraska in 2000 for a single game. I'm stoked!




Whip the Canes azz Sooner. Theres definitely no love here for them.

[cocky4ever]

Good points made all around basically. I guess it is kind of a southern thing, but also we dont want to hear the talking heads go on about how the SEC isnt that much better than the other power conferences. Plus, its pretty simple really....having SEC teams win OOC games makes all of us look better. If UT or UGA wins all of their OOC games then it makes us look better if we beat em, and it doesnt make us look as bad if they beat us. It helps all the teams out and keeps us higher in the rankings. And like it has been stated with the revenue sharing in the SEC winning also helps everyone out financially. All of these reasons make most of us pull for SEC teams in OOC games, and college football is much better when you have reasons to pull for a particular team. The only down side to it is that it may help your opponents in recruiting....but theres enough talent down here to go around so thats not a huge deal.

[AUChamps]

SoonerManiac, here's a post I made a couple of weeks ago that you might want to read: http://www.sectalk.com/boards/sec-football-talk/18912-big-xii-powderkeg.html

BTW congrats on the win over UMiami.

[SoonerManiac]

Thanks. :)

[sheluvsbama]

Yes, we are always glad to see Miami take a little beating! :laugh: