I've always hated Alabama. Hated Bryant's cheating, but even as I hated them I had no great hatred for the players themselves. From Baumhower to Musso to Hannah, they seemed to be, like our guys, decent people. Hated the fans, but never the team so much.
Until I saw Bobby Humphrey strutting through McFarland Mall, coming out of the old Gayfers decked out like a pimp with the hat, furs, glasses and bling.
It seemed like when Perkins got there the culture changed and it's been steadily devolving ever since.
But hating them is expected. Other than Ole Miss, I never really hated any other SEC program even through the Dye years. Hated what they did to us sometimes, but I didn't hate them and I didn't suspect or feel any real hate back.
That's all changed lately.
Georgia hates us with a raw fury. Not completely sure why. I think it's because of the lottery and the fact that they now let any old jackass enroll there. I've hated them (and Verne) ever since the blackout dance but I always held room open to forget that happened. Not likely. Their hate is too strong.
Never hated Mississippi State until Mullen showed up. He's a jerk. And he's made them jerks in his own image.
Never hated Florida until the last couple of years. Their fans were so boorishly rude the last time they came to JHS I'm not likely to forget that.
Is it the coach that makes the fanbase? Because even after all we've fought with LSU I don't hate them any longer. I enjoy the LSU games with Miles there even though he gets the better of us more than I'd like. I hated them ten years ago or so, but haven't felt that same hate (even coming from them) since Miles was hired. Yeah there are a few LSU fans who should have been Bama fans (the ones on SECRant) and aren't cognizant of the fact that their one and only true enemy resides in Tuscaloosa. But mostly, I'm okay with LSU.
Just a random dissertation on hate.