FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I live outside of Baton Rouge, La., in the country, so I believe this gives me "street cred" to post this.  Yesterday afternoon I was outside working with the radio on out of New Orleans and sum idiot calls in with, "how are ya'll guys doing?"  I said, "what?"  There is no "ya'll guy!"  It is either ya'll or you guys.  Period.  You cannot use both.  This brings up an interesting sports thought.  Pretenders versus Contenders.  In more simpler terms for all of us "sports guys and gals" to understand, let's say Texas vs. USC. 

After the Rose Bowl, Pete Carroll was quoted as saying, "I don't think anyone in America can beat this team."  Keep in mind I'm paraphrasing but that's what he said.  O.K.  I thank that he truly believes this.  Not a problem because USC is a legitimate contender.  Pete subsequently received huge amounts of flak for saying what most intelligent, open minded fans actually agree with.  A true student of the game, or knowledgeable fan, will not only look at the final score but how the game transpired.  Case in point, Rose Bowl second quarter score was USC 24 - Penn St. 0.  Game, set, match.  Game over.  Now the novices of the sport, including several over 30 somethings spread about out great nation, will say, "but Penn St. came back and made a game of it."  Wrong!  This makes USC a legitiamate CONTENDER and Pete Carroll should receive no flak whatsoever.

Now for the Fiesta Bowl and Texas.  These people have serious issues and please allow me to explain why.  They need a last second score to beat a much maligned Ohio State club who could barely even throw the ball.  That is if you want to call that throwing the ball.  I'm not sure what Pryor was doing but I would be hard pressed to call that throwing.  More like winging it.  Anyway, before I start to drift on Pryor, Texas pulls this out and then heads to the media room to inflict more damage on their already damaged reputation.  Mack Brown immediately goes in to his whining spin mode and what happens next is beyond belief for those of us that constantly search for honesty.  Opie, i.e. Colt McCoy, actually says "we can beat anybody in the country."  How sick is that?  This kid has serious issues if he actually believes that.  Especially after a total unimpressive win against a 2 loss Ohio State team.  I spent several years in the Marine Corps followed by several more years at the VA and I do know "clinically insane."  Trust me, if he actually believes what he said, he qualifies.  This insanity or complete denial earns the Texas Longhorns the title of PRETENDER.

Finally, remember who you are and what you are.  If you say, "ya'll" fine.  If you say, you guys."  That's fine as well but never ever ever say, "Ya'll guys or gals."  That is being a total pretender.  Kinda like Opie saying we can beat anyone in the country.  

Finally