08-17-2007, 07:43 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/s...ortCat=ncf
hat's why the SEC averaged 75,706 fans per home game last year and the Pac-10 averaged 56,314. That's why Alabama shoved 92,000 people into its stadium for the spring football game. That's why SEC media days last three days and the Pac-10's session lasts five hours.
Oct. 9, 2004: No. 1 USC 23, No. 7 California 17, in Los Angeles. A great game that went down to the final play, with massive stakes. It would be the only game the Bears would lose in the regular season -- ultimately costing them a shot at the national title and their first BCS bowl appearance. It was the Trojans' narrowest escape on their way to pulverizing Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and winning the national championship.
While hustling to the field afterward at Memorial Coliseum, I brushed past dozens of Cal fans on their way out. Some looked upset, but some were smiling and remarking what a great game it had been. On the collective disappointment meter, they registered about a 4 -- roughly the same as if they'd gone to the movies and found out the show they wanted to see was sold out. You got the feeling that by the time they walked through the blissful SoCal sun to their cars, they'd pretty well put it behind them.
Nov. 12, 2005: No. 15 Auburn 31, No. 9 Georgia 30, in Athens, Ga. Another great game that went down to the final play, with slightly smaller stakes. The loss prevented the Bulldogs from clinching the SEC Eastern Division (although they would win it later on).
While hustling down between the hedges, I noticed that most Georgia fans were still in their seats. Devastated. When I caught up with the Auburn players prancing off the field, they were dodging projectiles from the stands.
On paper, Georgia fans didn't lose nearly as much that day as California fans had lost the year before. But they lost a whole lot more in their guts.
And that's why the SEC is the king of college football. Because the alternative is too traumatic for the South to handle.
hat's why the SEC averaged 75,706 fans per home game last year and the Pac-10 averaged 56,314. That's why Alabama shoved 92,000 people into its stadium for the spring football game. That's why SEC media days last three days and the Pac-10's session lasts five hours.
Oct. 9, 2004: No. 1 USC 23, No. 7 California 17, in Los Angeles. A great game that went down to the final play, with massive stakes. It would be the only game the Bears would lose in the regular season -- ultimately costing them a shot at the national title and their first BCS bowl appearance. It was the Trojans' narrowest escape on their way to pulverizing Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and winning the national championship.
While hustling to the field afterward at Memorial Coliseum, I brushed past dozens of Cal fans on their way out. Some looked upset, but some were smiling and remarking what a great game it had been. On the collective disappointment meter, they registered about a 4 -- roughly the same as if they'd gone to the movies and found out the show they wanted to see was sold out. You got the feeling that by the time they walked through the blissful SoCal sun to their cars, they'd pretty well put it behind them.
Nov. 12, 2005: No. 15 Auburn 31, No. 9 Georgia 30, in Athens, Ga. Another great game that went down to the final play, with slightly smaller stakes. The loss prevented the Bulldogs from clinching the SEC Eastern Division (although they would win it later on).
While hustling down between the hedges, I noticed that most Georgia fans were still in their seats. Devastated. When I caught up with the Auburn players prancing off the field, they were dodging projectiles from the stands.
On paper, Georgia fans didn't lose nearly as much that day as California fans had lost the year before. But they lost a whole lot more in their guts.
And that's why the SEC is the king of college football. Because the alternative is too traumatic for the South to handle.
