Confessions of a Self-Loathing SEC fan: I hate the SEC

If you are on this website, you're here for one of two reasons: you're either a fan of an SEC school, or you have an unhealthy amount of jealousy or hatred towards the SEC because of the national love fest and perceived dominance of the conference (especially you B1G and Ohio State fans). I happen to be both.

I am a lifelong Tennessee fan. I also hate the SEC.

I hate Florida. I hate Alabama. I hate Georgia. I hate Vanderbilt. I hate Kentucky. I hate that Auburn bought a championship. I hate that South Carolina is all of the sudden a better program than Tennessee.

LSU; for the most part, we are cool. I cannot deny that I have a soft spot for Les Miles. He's like a drug I just can't shake. I love corn dogs as well. HOWEVER, I have not forgotten about 2001 and Matt Mauck breaking my heart in the SEC championship, nor have I forgotten the $800.00 you would have lost me in the National Championship game if gambling were legal.

But more than anything, I hate this new phenomenon that has overtaken the Southeastern Conference. Every person in the world knows the obsession that I speak of.

A battle cry for the weak, a badge of honor for the down and out, this chant allows average programs to puff their chests out with the confidence of George Costanza after he pulled Kramer’s golf ball out of the whale’s blowhole.

I was in the Georgia Dome for Tennessee’s victory over North Carolina State. After arguably-and pathetically- the Volunteers’ biggest victory since we were thrown off of the Lane Train and landed in the back of the Dooley Truck, it was not Rocky Top the fans were singing. No, the fans were not interested in celebrating Double D’s “signature win” with "V-O-L-S" chants. 

It was not great to be a Tennessee Vol. It was great to finally feel like we belong again. The fans, feeling worthy and able to carry the burden bestowed upon members of the NFL’s unofficial farm system, wildly mocked North Carolina State fans for being stuck in what might as well be Division II as far as they were concerned.

 

“Go Gators!”

And yes, they even give out the gator chomp and talk about being gator bait.

 

I hate watching the schools that compete with my school succeed and win championships while we are stuck in purgatory. I hate Nick Saban being so much smarter than everyone else. I hate how Mark Richt never has to play Alabama or LSU. But most of all….

Written by
Clay Travis is the founder of the fastest growing national multimedia platform, OutKick, that produces and distributes engaging content across sports and pop culture to millions of fans across the country. OutKick was created by Travis in 2011 and sold to the Fox Corporation in 2021. One of the most electrifying and outspoken personalities in the industry, Travis hosts OutKick The Show where he provides his unfiltered opinion on the most compelling headlines throughout sports, culture, and politics. He also makes regular appearances on FOX News Media as a contributor providing analysis on a variety of subjects ranging from sports news to the cultural landscape. Throughout the college football season, Travis is on Big Noon Kickoff for Fox Sports breaking down the game and the latest storylines. Additionally, Travis serves as a co-host of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, a three-hour conservative radio talk program syndicated across Premiere Networks radio stations nationwide. Previously, he launched OutKick The Coverage on Fox Sports Radio that included interviews and listener interactions and was on Fox Sports Bet for four years. Additionally, Travis started an iHeartRadio Original Podcast called Wins & Losses that featured in-depth conversations with the biggest names in sports. Travis is a graduate of George Washington University as well as Vanderbilt Law School. Based in Nashville, he is the author of Dixieland Delight, On Rocky Top, and Republicans Buy Sneakers Too.