Texas A&M Will Fit Right In -- They're Already Cheering For Other SEC Teams

Regular readers know how much we kind of loathe the SEC's brain-dead fans who rub it in your face when LSU wins a national title... or when Alabama does...or when Auburn does. Even when they're, like, a Georgia or Tennessee fan or something. As I noted to the site Saturday Down South via Twitter the other night, it's easy to have "southern pride," as they call it, when you have a dozen favorite teams. As I've often noted, this is no different than me rooting for the entire American League East. It makes no sense and makes you look like the opposite of an intense fans -- it makes you look like a stooge in a Buffalo Wild Wings commercial.

When Texas A&M moved to the conference, I actually did think that they were a good addition in terms of intense/insane fandom. If you're not familiar with Aggie fans, people in Texas refer to them as "insane." We all like to believe we're loyal to our schools, but A&M alums are truly nuts about their fanaticism. And if you're putting college football destinations on your bucket list, I highly recommend you put College Station near the top.

All that said.... the Aggies joined the SEC this week and put out the below ridiculous "welcome" video, wherein A&M student do the cheers of the other SEC teams. What....the....F?

After the jump, see a lame attempt at... I don't know....conference spirit?

Is Hail Fire a Great Tradition?

If you are a true Purdue fan you know Hail Fire and either love it or hate it.  It's one of those things that's become a custom in our Boilermaker society, just like Lebron, and Tebow are in everyday society; you either love it or hate it.

The Exponent wrote an article today claiming Hail Fire to be one of the greatest traditions at Purdue, which leads us to this... why?

Sure it's fun, and sure it sets a tone for what a lot of Boilermakers are about but one of the greatest traditions at Purdue? Give me a break!

Purdue is so rich in history and tradition this is like saying Pacquiao got his ass kicked against Timothy Bradley -- it's just not true.

With this article being written, there has been some speculation that the chant will be taken away, which could very well happen.

It's already been banned at Volleyball games and whether we will hear it again is still in question.

What really gets me about all of this talk isn't the chant, because I have participated in it my share of times, but the clout that it is being given. It's being put next to things like fountain runs, the Oaken Bucket and Breakfast Club. It just doesn't belong in that category.

With the reactionary athletic department at Purdue, don't be surprised if the cheer is gone, at least at Mackey.  It's not something to be upset about, I don't think, because it's just another chant; there will be more.  It's still among the loudest arenas in the country in my opinion and nothing can take that away.

Maybe after all we should quit worrying about those people (this word is used liberally) down south and cheer on our team.

O-H-I-O Makes People Mad

Last week's poll question seemed to be one that the readership was ready for, as opinions on obnoxious fans in the Big Ten as well as both good and bad experiences came through at length. It was amusing that as soon as the poll was up, one reader said "What's the point of this? To see how much Ohio State will win by?"

It turns out that OSU was indeed the runaway winner, garnering 61% of the more than 800 votes. Wisconsin finished a firm second with 14%, followed by IU, interestingly, at 11%.

Michigan finished fourth in the voting (something they'd give anything to do nowadays -- zing!), followed by a smattering of votes for Iowa, MSU, PSU, Nebraska, Illinois and Northwestern. And getting not a single vote cast as the most obnoxious fans in the Big Ten? Why, the kind people of Minnesota.

Boiled Sports Weekly Real Genius: Jeff Jagodzinski

If you can out-think, out-wit, out-prepare and beat a genius, what must you be? I don't really know. But you are at the very least considered the Boiled Sports Weekly Real Genius when you accomplish such a feat.

Congratulations, Coach Jeff Jagodzinski! You have earned this honor.

Much like Shelly Long left Cheers in the height of the program, your predecessor, Tom O'Brien left the city of Boston in a similar position. No one understands why in either case. That said, you've had to overcome a lot to get to where you are. While everyone at Cheers "knows your name", no one seems to know yours. But you found a way to beat a coach that ESPN and others have made sure everyone knows.

95% of the Catholics in your city root for Notre Dame because they're Catholic, yet they act like your school is run by hedonistic Protestants. We both know the truth to be much different. While UND bends academic rules for their players, you lead a bunch of young men who have to attend class and get grades in real classes...That didn't stop you from laying the wood to the "Fightin" Irish.

You also have to overcome the fact that no one has any clue what you look like...that doesn't matter to you, you simply keep doing your job.

While UND's Claussen-led offense was stymied by your defense, the real star quarterback on the field, Matt Ryan answered as the Irish. Later, UND's back-up, Sharpley valiantly led the Irish to a 2-TD loss. It was like watching a prize fight between two heavy weights...except your team was like Mike Tyson's mouth and UND was Evander Holyfield's ear. Tasty.

As Notre Dame marches toward a record-breaking season, you graciously helped out as Coach Weis seeks an 8-plus loss campaign. I'm sure you learned a lot from the guy across the field last Saturday. Granted, you've never coached in the NFL like some other geniuses have (you actually have), and ESPN wouldn't ever call you one, but in our book, Jags, you are a Real Genius.