AJC > Blog > Archives > 2005 > November > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCall me Swiss Miss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This is how Thanksgiving holidays developed into mere turkey days during Enemy Watch’s humble but never-dull upbringing:
“Daddy, please don’t insult the Crimson Tide. I want to eat some of Aunt Gustie’s turkey this year.”
Daddy went to Auburn, or in his day, Alabama Poly. Aunt Gustie, concocter of the best possible Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings in all of L.A. (Lower Alabama) and her rather large brood were (and still are) loyalists to the Bear as if eternal life depended on it. In those days, living in that state, unless you went to Auburn, it pretty damn well did.
Naturally, the “Punt Bama Punt!” game (1972 for you amateur Southern football historians) gave Daddy ample opportunity to rub it in. One exalted chorus of “Around the hole and down the hole, roll Tide roll!” and we were dispatched far, far away from the aroma of the freshly roasted turkey, slices of which have never passed between Enemy Watch’s lips since.
In later years, as the family expanded to a marry-in aunt (Georgia Tech) stepfather (Georgia) and stepmother (Florida), rooting for anybody in this part of the world seemed absurd. For a while, Enemy Watch tried to pull off such a feat, and found herself temporarily excommunicated. What else was there? Chickens? Vols? Seminoles? That’ll get you written out of a will. Commodores? Who cares? Basketball, anyone?
This is why Enemy Watch ended up matriculating at Troy State, the Princeton of the Confederacy. Well, actually it was the painfully low tuition and lack of admissions standards. But while her neutrality served her well in a sportswriting role, Enemy Watch has found that blogging has freed her from such restraints as giving an innocent nod to the run-up to a bitter rivalry.
Before Saturday’s Tech-Georgia bloodletting at Bobby Dodd Stadium, she has just one thing to say to those of you intent on ratcheting up this farcical hatred:
You people are all sick!
Some of the ruminations running back and forth on respective “message boards” are enough to curdle even Enemy Watch’s highly degraded brain.
Here’s from a Georgia fan message board, while some Dawgs fans are upset they can’t post on a Tech site. Meanwhile, Jackets fans are on said site are exchanging horror stories about confrontations with Dawgs fans.
Good grief! Is this all you have to kvetch about? This makes sports talk radio seem like a Chautauqua by comparison.
With both teams coming in on high notes, and ABC electing to show it on Saturday prime time, is the game not enough? People, the Dawgs are 12th in this power ranking, while Tech is receiving votes. On the other hand, one ACC prognosticator thinks the Jackets will extend their misery at the hands of the Dawgs. Still, the odds are slimming down, as Tech has gone from an “afterthought” to being in line for a possible Gator Bowl bid.
Some of the students, at least on the Tech campus, can’t wait to issue the familiar refrain. Over in Dawgtown, it’s a bit more sedate. They’re yawning at you, Techies!
Jeez, even Aunt Gustie is easing up. With Auburn up 21-0 last Saturday, she called Daddy and said sheepishly, “War Damn Eagle, I guess.”
Enemy Watch doesn’t think such magnanimity will prevail on The Flats this Saturday either way. So she will be sitting this one out, watching it all unfold from high up in Switzerland somewhere dipping croutons into a fondue pot. Her mental health depends on it.
Happy turkey day anyway.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By GTinCali
November 23, 2005 12:14 AM | Link to this
To Hell With Georgia! $%&# the predictions, we’re going to take down those mutts on Saturday.
By physicsDawg
November 23, 2005 10:49 AM | Link to this
This atricle was wierd, but definately proves the rivalry. GTinCali, like the spunk. You can win most of the time, and it’s still a rivalry because of fans like you. And no, you won’t win. Bzzzzz…
By UGA
November 23, 2005 12:02 PM | Link to this
GA.TECH IS NOT THAT GOOD
By skip
November 23, 2005 12:06 PM | Link to this
The gnats are going DOWN on Saturday. Back to reality! Go Dawgs!
By Bill
November 23, 2005 12:37 PM | Link to this
Attention Dogs! Golden Tornado moves north. Tech WILL show up Saturday. I do not know who will win and neither do you. Wait ‘till 11:30 pm Saturday and then howl, how the officials screwed you.
By MKTech
November 23, 2005 06:50 PM | Link to this
Tech not that good?!?!? Here’s some facts for you. GT vs. Top-30 opponents, 2-1. UGA vs. Top-30 opponents, 0-1. See you at The Flats. What’s the good word?
By John Vickers
November 23, 2005 08:38 PM | Link to this
Hey good boy and girls go to both schools. Im a Tech fan but look at this Georgia we have two good teams in the top level of football and going to bowls. NY state has none. Good luck to all of our Players. GO JACKETS
By Zach
November 24, 2005 12:46 AM | Link to this
So yeah just remember UGAGers
Georgia Tech beat Auburn….in Auburn something you didnt do at home
Georgia Tech beat #3Miami…..in Miami something you only have wet dreams about
so therefore by the transitive property…
We beat UGA….
Wow thats a Graduate Level Problem at UGAg…