Ranking The 12 SEC Fan Bases By Emotional State

We all know the standings. The west is led by Auburn, then by Alabama and LSU. The East is essentially a two team race with South Carolina and Florida. That doesn’t come close to describing the complete picture of the 12 SEC fan bases. Let’s rank them from highest to lowest, from most joyous to the most depressed, these are the rankings based on emotional state.

1. Auburn Tigers Fans: On Cloud-Nine

Auburn came into the 2010 season expecting to be good. They figured Cam Newton would be decent and a solid leader for the team. Heck, Herbstreit picked Auburn to win the west. Nevertheless, nobody figured they’d be 9-0 with the best college football player in the country. Escaping a possible let-down, upset game against Ole Miss this weekend, they look to be ready to run until the big Iron Bowl game in Tuscaloosa at the end of November.

2. Alabama Crimson Tide Fans: Happy, Confident, Somewhat Under The Radar

Alabama has taken a back seat to Auburn in terms of the national media exposure both due to the loss against South Carolina and the rise of Auburn / Cam Newton. The fans aren’t shaken however, and they know they are still a very, very good team. They are content to letting Auburn fans enjoy their run as they believe they will hand Auburn a tough loss come the Iron Bowl when Alabama gets to make their statement that they are still the best team in Alabama and in the SEC.

3. Mississippi State Fans: Excited To Be Relevant

Right now the Miss St fans are like that freshman kid that gets into the cool fraternity his first semester. He goes to the first big fraternity party, sees all the girls, sees the partying and thinks to himself that he has made it. He’s in. Money.

Under Dan Mullen, the Bulldogs are 7-2 with five straight wins. Mississippi State is ranked and looks like they belong. Fans down there have gotten used to mediocrity and it feels good to be relevant.

4. LSU Tigers: Nervously Happy

LSU fans are excited, but somewhat unsure of what the future will bring. LSU has a horrendous offense and the fans know it, but they have a stout defense (unless they’re playing Cam Newton), and most of all, they are 7-1. For now, the LSU fans are jazzed and ready to play Alabama this coming Saturday. They’re nervous, however, and these fans need to be watched should LSU’s season deteriorate.

5. South Carolina Gamecocks Fans: Emotional Rollercoaster

South Carolina came into the season with muted expectations but quickly found themselves full of excitement as they beat Georgia and Alabama. The loss against Auburn was tough, but the loss against Kentucky ripped the heart out of Gamecocks fans as they realized that despite some big wins, they still have to win in Gainesville to win the east and get to the SEC Championship game for the first time. Expect more mood swings here.

6. Arkansas Razorback Fans: Confused

Arkansas fans had big expectations but unfortunately know that they can’t win the big game. The Razorbacks have a high-octane offense, specifically behind the arm of Ryan Mallett, but if you can’t stop anyone, you probably won’t win the big ones – i.e. Auburn scored 65 on you guys. Arkansas fans are somewhat confused as to how good they are and what to expect the rest of the season.

7. Florida Gator Fans: Resuscitated

Florida fans hit rock bottom, and had two weeks to moan about the 2010 season, logon to firesteveaddazio.com and talk about how overrated John Brantley is before the Georgia game. And then came the big win on Saturday against the rival just to the north. Fans are back, and they know they just need to win against a not-overly-impressive South Carolina team in order to win the east. Florida is down, but they are breathing and so are the fans.

8. Kentucky Wildcat Fans: Good Spirited

You have to give it to the Kentucky fans, they remain loyal and hopeful despite Kentucky losing more than they win. They scored a big win against South Carolina but can’t win games against teams like Ole Miss, Georgia and Mississippi State. Kentucky fans have been excited to watch ballers like Randall Cobb and are content to at least be competitive in the tough SEC.

9. Georgia Bulldog Fans: Frustrated

Georgia rattled off three impressive wins against not the most impressive teams after losing 4 in a row. Georgia had great momentum and surely this was the year they would get a win in Jacksonville against Florida. Except that it wasn’t. This is a painful loss against Florida even though they played hard and got beat in overtime. Georgia fans are angry and they are looking to put this energy into someone or something. Mark Richt might be the target.

10. Ole Miss: Too Busy Tailgating To Watch Crappy Football

Ole Miss started the year off terribly with losses against JSU and Vanderbilt. Despite bringing in the talent of Jeremiah Masoli, the team just isn’t very good. They’ve lost three in a row now and sit at 3-5 on the season. Ole Miss fans don’t seem to care much as they just enjoy the gameday experience, and I have to say, it’s not a bad attitude to have.

11. Tennessee Volunteer Fans: Comatose

Tennessee is 0-5 in the SEC this year. It’s likely to be the second time in three years that Tennessee won’t goto a bowl game. Amazing how far the program has fallen. This season’s struggles aren’t the slap in the face that many might think since the team has been struggling big time now for several years. As such, the fans aren’t really that angry. You have to hand it to the fans, they believe they’ll get better in the future.

12. Vanderbilt Fans: Apathetic & Academic

Does Vandy have fans? Sure, but they’re busy working out academic arguments in the stands and you can’t blame them. Vanderbilt just can’t compete in the SEC and the fans know it.