(11-05-2019 01:03 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-05-2019 12:48 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(11-04-2019 11:40 PM)JRsec Wrote:  

(11-04-2019 11:05 PM)cubucks Wrote:  

(11-04-2019 10:11 PM)UTEPDallas Wrote:  As a UTEP fan, I root for all C-USA schools and G5’s vs P5 opponents regardless if it’s OOC or in bowls. It’s an “us versus them” mentality which mostly fans from G5 schools can understand.

As a Penn State fan, I don’t root for any B1G teams and as far as I’m concerned, Michigan and Ohio State can lose every game. I learned there’s no such a thing as “conference unity” in the Big Ten.

It's more a respect thing in the BIG over actually rooting for it as a whole. We have each others backs (except for Michigan, lol) and it's about being proud of who you/we are. You don't survive as long as this conference has without support for one another. As I've said many times, I love all schools in the west division except for Minnesota. As for the East, Penn State and Michigan can lose every game as far as I'm concerned, I hate you but still respect you. With that being said, Penn State deserves to be ranked ahead of Clemson and Alabama up to this point.

Peace!

The SEC has each other's back as well. It's part of "It just means more." So which two conferences are the strongest? The SEC and Big 10. Which two conferences have the most cohesion? The SEC and Big 10. Which two conferences earn the most? The SEC and Big 10

Could it be that having each others back, sharing media revenue equally, pulling for each other when we aren't playing our other member schools, brings the cohesion that brings the success?

I think the answer to that is yes. Our ratings are higher in part because we both tend to watch most of our schools at least for a little while each week.

So I don't mind when the other 3 conferences chide our cohesion. It's only done out of envy, and for those who don't truly understand it, it is an exemplification of why they aren't as successful.

Though your points are well made, JRsec, there are some fans who are the exception to the rule and don't root for the SEC and Big Ten.

I'm an example. My brother attended Indiana University for six years starting in 1989 and I visited Bloomington many times (went to a handful of football and basketball games) during his stay. I enjoy following the program with my brother.

My family's history with Vanderbilt goes back to the 1920s. I'm a monster fan.

But I don't have anybody's back in the Big Ten or SEC — despite my rooting for VU and IU. Too many of the fans of the two leagues are insufferable. I live in Nashville and once lived in Chicago and have talked to enough Big Ten and SEC fans over the years to know. Now, and to be fair, there are LOTS of classy fans of both leagues. And, to be critical of myself, maybe the problem is me and I need to be more open minded.

I can count at least 15 people — Big Ten and SEC fans — I have worked with or once worked with at my place of employment (my job has evolved over 19 years) and to whom I've frequently congratulated on a good win or nice pick-up in recruiting. I try to do so sincerely because I feel it's "good karma." The number who have reciprocated ... maybe three. My boss is a Missouri grad and classy. My best friend at the office is a Tennessee man and classy. The others ... they just don't (or haven't) reciprocated with me and "my teams," including Vanderbilt, Memphis, Indiana, etc. They just can't do it. Either they are clueless, uncaring, too hard-core "pro their team," who knows.

Again, I'm probably overly sensitive about it. But that's they way it is for me.

So I'm not on the SEC Train or the Big Ten Train.

I respect you're right to be pro-SEC (and anybody else's right to be pro-whatever league). But it's just not my thing.

You are most likely the exception Bill. The SEC chant grew out of years of frustration with the AP and UPI polls which were by and large a disproportionate number of voters out West and in the Northern Midwest and Northeast because at the time that's where the population was. The conference as a whole felt underrepresented and under considered so out of that frustration grew a common unity and sense of pride in Southern football.

Those sentiments are now more abundant in the North. So they too are being galvanized by the same snubs that once galvanized the South.

So I don't really care about those who diverge from the norm and are therefore an anomaly. We know you exist and simply don't care. It doesn't alter what we feel, and I'm sure what the Big 10 guys are beginning to feel.

My family loves Auburn, but we look at the other schools in the SEC as our cousins at a family reunion. We like to see them and wish them well, but when we play we play for keeps. It makes for a very nice cohesion in the midst of all of the rivalry. It's a lot like warrior clans that come together for games, but are united in common causes. Primitive? Yes. But cathartic and fun!

Excellent points. I agree I am the exception. I live in a large residential building home, also, to an Auburn man. He's great. Very respectful of Vanderbilt. If your Auburn Tigers do well ... good for you and the SEC. I would give you a high five in person. I'm definitely not anti-SEC (or anti-Big Ten). The historical element you reference is accurate and understandable.

As noted, I probably need to lighten up on this. But when one has been a Cubs fan and a Vandy fan for about 50 years, one can be sensitive!