My annual pseudo-conflict on rivalry weekend

Nov 22, 2017, 2:11 PM

I can't stand the Gamecocks. Not the team, not the bulk of their fans, and absolutely love it when they lose. All the better when they lose big, and/or to a team that sucks (Kentucky, Vandy, Citadel, etc). Absolutely love it.

But - I love our rivalry. Their is so much history behind it, so many great stories that go way back, and some not so great from not so far back. But outside of our little state, generally, no one cares. I would love to see Clemson-SC up there with Michigan/Ohio St, Fla/FSU, USC/UCLA, etc, so that the rest of the nation can experience the great history this rivalry has, and how completely we have dominated them. But for that to happen, there have to be national stakes on the line. Generally, they suck, so no one cares. Rarely, but once or twice in the last hundred+ years, we've sucked, so no one cares. Rarely are we both "up" at the same time.

I was actually kind of glad last night when I saw they were ranked. I think it's a joke, honestly, but to be playing a ranked team (which is usually just a rank team) will help our exposure and help our case in the CFP, as well as our SOS. I love it when they go 0-11 or whatever, but when we beat them then, no one cares. Beat a team with a decent record, and it matters and people take note.

So anyway, I think this will be a good year for our rivalry. It matters, for a change, outside of our little state. Hopefully the announcers will give some good background on history of the rivalry (not likely), and the national audience will see the true pathetic nature of Gamecock football and their fanbase (highly likely).

GO TIGERS!!

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about the regional/inter-state nature of the profile of this rivalry. I'd prefer Clemson's national glory to be tied up with other teams and our conference championship than it is with SC. If and when SC is good, and it helps our schedule, then that effect is a silver lining in those years, I guess, but really I'm just fine with them being our whipping boy. I mean, if they were good more often, then the price we'd pay for a higher profile rivalry would likely be more losses to our rival than we'd otherwise have. We're typically going to have opportunities against FSU, Louisville, Miami, VT, or non-conference teams other than SC to help our national stature. I'm just fine with SC playing the part of the red-headed step child we can usually rely on take one on the chin from us.

I remember during the Clemson football doldrums of the 90's and early 2000's, there were some years where, despite our frustration with FSU, GT, and the ACC generally, it was a sort of salve on the wounds of the season to at least know you could smack your instate punk-rival in the mouth leading into the holidays. It made the difficulties of the season go down much easier.

My annual pseudo-conflict on rivalry weekend

Re: My annual pseudo-conflict on rivalry weekend

Re: My annual pseudo-conflict on rivalry weekend

I'm not conflicted at all...I'd prefer they be 0-11

Re: I'm not conflicted at all...I'd prefer they be 0-11

WRONG! 98-99 coot seasons, some of the best memories, evah!

I, for one, have never had any reservations . . .

and if you think abou . . .

correction* "they're"

TU for "correction* "they're""

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