Is your rivalry game that important?

The idea that your rivalry game is a must-win and your season is tarnished without it is a hoax. Anyone who thinks that needs to think again! I’d be willing to bet that person is not a coach.

Your rivalry game is important, but it’s not a must-win by any stretch of the imagination. Take Auburn and Alabama, for instance. If Alabama goes undefeated in the SEC except for Auburn, they will be going to the SEC championship with one loss. That loss will be insignificant in their run for an SEC title and a national championship. 9 times out of 10 the SEC conference champion is in the national title game, so that one loss won’t matter because they play in the SEC.

Now take Clemson and South Carolina, for instance. Each team is in a different conference with USC in the SEC and Clemson in the ACC. Usually this game has no national implication and there is a reason for that. Both Clemson and South Carolina fans are more worried about the rivalry game than they are about winning in their own conference. For the school that wins the rivalry game, their fan base deems that a successful season. So what each team is telling me is that they both base their seasons on beating an average team. That’s why both South Carolina and Clemson continue to be mediocre!

Clemson fans, don’t tell me that because you are going to the ACC Championship Game that means you aren’t mediocre this season, because you still are. The ACC is horrible this year! Both division champs got smacked around by their SEC rivals! And another thing Clemson fans, don’t forget that loss to Maryland because that signifies Clemson’s mediocrity. Good teams don’t lose games that they are supposed to win.

Gamecock fans, don’t get too high and mighty either. Just because you beat Clemson doesn’t mean anybody thinks that you are a good football team. USC still finished 3-5 in the SEC. Don’t give me the excuse of “Well, we play in the SEC and it’s a hard conference!” Why don’t you quit making excuses for yourselves and put your big boy pants on and man up. It’s not going to get any easier, so either the Gamecocks need to grow up and quit making excuses or get used to being below average in the SEC. Nationally nobody cares about Clemson vs. South Carolina because the game never has any meaning. The biggest goal for playing this game is usually bowl eligibility.

Both teams should focus more on their conference and winning that championship instead of focusing on beating their average in-state rival and maybe, just maybe, they can quit playing in meaningless bowl games.

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