SEC Championship Game 2010: For Auburn and Carolina, Time for Mutual Respect

This is to the fans, the players, and the coaches.  This is to all of the stakeholders that feel pride in this game. 

This is Auburn versus South Carolina. 

This is the SEC Championship. 

An All-Star cast is in place: Steve Spurrier, Cam Netwon, Alshon Jeffery, Gene Chizik, Marcus Lattimore and Nick Fairley.

There is much on the line for BOTH of these teams.  More so for Auburn, but this is monumental for South Carolina as well.

It is time for the fans to lay down the arms.  Both teams have earned the right to be there, in a year where neither one of them were predicted to be. 

Auburn has done it in style, going 12-0, and with heart, coming from behind four times. 

South Carolina has done it with grit, going 9-3, and accomplishing things this program never has.

Here is a dose of reality for everyone. 

There is no given to this game.  There is no way anyone should be reasonably confident one way or another.  There are arguments and reasons to believe that this is going to be a very close game.

There are arguments to be made that Auburn will blow South Carolina out.  There are also arguments for why South Carolina could blow out Auburn.

Now, I don't expect us to sit around and sing "Kumbaya."  No way.  I am a South Carolina fan.  I WANT Carolina to win.  I WANT Auburn to lose. 

However, that doesn't mean I can't see how impressive this season has been for the Auburn Tigers.  Coming out of nowhere, Cam Newton has made people forget the name Tim Tebow. 

They have done it with numerous distractions. They did it with people saying they are a one-man show, and nothing else.

I respect the Tigers. 

Auburn fans, can't you see what this means to South Carolina as well?

The SEC East is down, sure.  No more down then the West was a few years ago, with some still quality teams in the division. 

It isn't like they won the WAC.  The East is still good. 

You are a part of something big, Auburn.  You are a part of South Carolina's first SEC championship game.  South Carolina did what no one thought they could.  They did it relying on young players.  They did it with a QB that was constantly questioned by his coach, who has been constantly questioned by the media about whether or not his heart was in it.

They did it week in, and week out, with people saying "this is where they fall."  Take away an awful Arkansas game, and every single contest was tightly played. 

Including one against Auburn, where South Carolina earned the respect of Chizik and his players. 

It is time to take a look at each other, for one moment, and nod in respect.  Good job, Gamecocks.  Good job, Auburn. 

In that fleeting moment, the championship game will be what it is supposed to be: two schools, two sets of fans, two different histories, joining together to enjoy one game. 

We can give each team the respect they deserve, with no excuses for why they are there. Then, we can get back to telling each other had badly our team is going to beat your team. 

Enjoy the game, everyone.