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Overrated and Underrated
The 10 Most Overrated Things in Southern College Football
1. The Grove - This will probably generate tons of heat, but a trip to the Grove isn't overly impressive. It's very nice to see fine china and linen tablecloths, but the lingering impression is that of old cotton money being lavishly spent on something besides facility upgrades. For the supposed "face" of Ole Miss, The Grove leaves much to be desired. Of course, waiting for 30 years between Mannings may cause a program to pay more attention to its pregame festivities than on the field performance.
2. The Cockaboose Railroad - 80,250 people fill Williams-Brice Stadium, but only 200 or so enjoy the elaborate indulgences offered at the over-the-top expensive Cockabooses. It's really amazing that the Cockabooses have garnered any attention. The real tailgating takes place at the Fairgrounds on the other side of the stadium, anyway. Those are the fans that have been attending games for generations, not some newly relocated Yankee with a buck to spend.
3. Mack Brown - Currently the Head Coach at Texas, Brown had previous stops in Tulane and North Carolina. While a great recruiter, Brown never wins the big game. He never could get past Florida State at North Carolina, and he's had trouble with Oklahoma more recently. Sure, the Longhorns have won a title, but how many titles would Nick Saban or Tommy Tuberville won with the same talent and schedule? Coach Brown is an excellent recruiter and a good coach, but doesn't deserve all the accolades he's usually given.
4. The ACC Title game - This one has been a dozer since its inception. Most people were envisioning epic struggles between FSU and Miami, not a BC-VT yawn fest. Wake Forest did pick up a title, and that's a positive thing.
5. Hotty Toddy - The South's oldest cheer is wonderful when a group of friends recite the words before enjoying a cocktail. When done in a stadium, the speed of the cheer and the infinite number of s sounds turns a fun cheer into gibberish. Drunken fraternity cheers have been performed with better timing.
6. Running Through the "T"-Tennessee Fans seem to think this is a great entrance, but other schools run through a giant letter. Go to Fayetteville and you'll see Arkansas run through a giant "A". Auburn is even more creative as they run through an "AU". Tennessee has many great traditions, but this one gets far more attention than it deserves.
7. Frank Howard-The man has been the face of Clemson Football for many years. He's the school's winningest coach ever. He's also got more losses than anyone else. His .579 win pct is below Danny Ford, Ken Hatfield, and even Tommy Bowden. Howard's highest ranked team finished #11. Howard also had a losing record against South Carolina, a team Clemson has dominated since he left.
8. Bowl Games After New Year's Day-The Liberty Bowl will be played Jan 2, 2009. I love all bowl games, but is a game that is likely to involve a 7-5 SEC team really deserving of a game on the same day as the historic Cotton Bowl?
9. "Our team is on National TV this week"-Fans love to brag about this, but now days it means nothing. Unless your team is grabbed by the hated Raycom Sports, you'll probably have a good chance on being on national TV. In week 1 Temple will play Army on national television, does this really mean anything?
10. Paul Finebaum-Too many in the South take this man's opinions as "The Word". Finebaum loves to get under the skin of various different fanbases, but most have caught on to his antics. In 2006 when Alabama had an opening Finebaum went on air and stated that Steve Spurrier would be the new coach of the Tide? He stated that Spurrier was in Tuscaloosa meeting with the AD, when it turned out that Spurrier was in the Tampa, FL area meeting with recruits. Why hasn't anyone called the man out on this?
The 10 Most Underrated Things about College Football in the South
1.) Non BCS football - While all of the national media goes to the big boys in the SEC, ACC, Big XII, etc, there is plenty of great football played in smaller venues. Troy and Southern Miss are examples of programs that are emerging from the shadows of their larger in state sister schools. The non BCS schools relish playing the role of spoiler - and they play it well. Furman, The Citadel, Georgia Southern, and newly famous Appalachian State have all defeated much larger schools despite being in 1-AA.
2.) The entire state of Arkansas - Once in the SWC, the natural state's Razorbacks were often overlooked in favor of the Texas schools. Now in the unbelievably tough SEC, the Hogs have to compete a new set of traditions. However, whether the scenic trip to Fayetteville, or tailgating on the golf course in Little Rock near War Memorial Stadium, the football scene in Arkansas is second to none.
3.) and 4.)Jim Grobe and Bobby Johnson - These guys are phenomenal coaches. Winning at "academic" powers like Vanderbilt and Wake Forest isn't easy, yet they manage to get it done. Grobe has won a Atlantic Coast Conference championship, and Johnson has gotten the Commodores to shed its "doormat of the SEC" image. Although they don't pile up the wins like other schools, consistently winning 7 to 8 games a year at Wake Forest speaks highly of its coach. As Art Guepe once said, "There is no way you can be Harvard Monday through Friday, and try to be Alabama on Saturday."
5.) UCF - While a lot of time and attention have been spent on Jim Leavett's USF Bulls (and rightfully so), Coach O'Leary has taken a break from his resume altering to quietly build Central Florida into a contender. Their enrollment and fan base are huge, and this sleeping giant won't stay off the map for too long.
6) Commonwealth Stadium-In the SEC you have so many great stadiums with incredible atmospheres, but when the great stadium debate comes up few ever mention the one in Lexington. Since the facility upgrade nearly a decade ago this facility has taken its place among the nation's best. Not a bad seat in the house and the facility is very accomodating. When the Kentucky Blue fills the stadium there aren't many prettier sites in college football. Plus, if you catch Lexington during Keenland you will get one great road trip. Visit Lexington, it's well worth the trip.
7) Jack Cristil-The "Voice" of MSU football for over 50 years isn't known nearly as well as Munson or Eli Gold, but he is truly one of the games best. His unique voice is a pleasure to listen to. If you are out of the State of Mississippi I encourage you to purchase a XM Radio to listen to MSU games this year. The $10 a month you pay for the XM is certainly worth it when you hear this man
8) "The Rock"-The home of the South's best Non BCS team historically. Not only is Hattiesburg a tough place for opposing teams to win at, but with the new facility upgrades it has become a great facility. Loyal fanbase, the district, and a CUSA Power. What isn't to like?
9) East Carolina Fans-In a state where UNC, NC State, Wake Forest, and Duke get all the attention it can be easy to over look those in the Purple and Gold, but you shouldn't. This is a rabid fanbase that will get 40,000+ to many games and when "Purple Haze" hits the crowd goes into a frenzy. ECU actually outdraws both Wake and Duke and has one of the biggest baseball fanbases in the country. The Pirate fans can show the nation how great they are when they travel to Charlotte to play Virginia Tech in week 1(A possible Tour Stop for our team at DFS)
10) Jaco's Corner-This nearly 100 year old bar in the heart of Olympia has served as one of the great Southern Bars. A true hole in the wall that has served as a favorite spot for Gamecock fans for many years. Home of Columbia's Corkball Tourney, a couple pool tables, and some great burgers Jaco's has been in Columbia since 1912. Unfortunately this spot is likely to become an eyesore condo someday soon.
Justin F. Cannon
Jcannon66@gmail.com
