A couple of things jumped out at me about this post.

First, “that guy” also wears red & gold. Though instead of crowing about upsets etc, he tends to be more annoying by swaggering with arrogance. The worst part is, he is often right, which can be kind of infuriating. “That guy” who is from another team who pops off during the game is the sort who really does take this way too seriously. Obviously, if “that guy’s” team wins, he’ll be insufferable about it. And, just so you know, “that guy” also shows up at Cal games (wearing other colors), and I am sure he shows up at all of the other schools, too.

The other side of the coin is the implication that the rest of the Pac-10 looks upon beating SC as something about which to create legend. I guess that’s partly true, in that everyone wants to beat the team that has been so consistently dominant over the past decade. During your black years in the 90’s it wasn’t nearly as big an accomplishment. However, I don’t know if the win against SC would be considered mythic, but it definitely is one of those which can be used as both a measuring stick and as a really nice susprise. Back in 2003 when Cal last beat you, it served partly as a way to excorcise some bad mojo over a lot of losses to SC, but it also served as a way to announce (internally) a chance of culture within the program, and raised expectations. So now, we use the SC game to measure ourselves.

But all in all, I really don’t think “that guy” is a USC-only phenomenon. “That guy” is just a loudmouth, and he is at every school and at every pro sporting event around the world.

Have you ever worn visiting colors and sat in the visitors section in the Coliseum???? You know that most of the people in attendance are from South Central Los Angeles, right? Some more so than others.

As an Oregon State fan, I don’t personally think it’s a big deal when we beat USC.

I thought it was kind of surprising that we didn’t win last year and also in 2004, a game that included an obvious and non-called shovedown on (the best receiver in Pac-10 history) Mike Hass, that caused an interception on that play and also the greatest play of Reggie Bush’s career—the crazy punt return touchdown when he was hemmed in by about 9 guys on the coverage unit. It was probably the best play I’ve ever seen. If either of those unpleasant incidents hadn’t happened, especially the non-call on Hass, “they” would all be talking about your 4 game losing streak in Reser in addition to whatever other things aren’t 1000% perfect about USC football. So it could be worse.

Also, I don’t think it would have been entirely inappropriate for Beavers fans to talk a little smack at halftime of this year’s game in Corvallis, but it would have certainly been overkill considering that everyone who was watching could see that the Trojans had been dominated coming and going. I was actually surprised that the Trojans fans sitting behind me came back after half time. They were mostly tolerable, though they seemed to have less of a problem with concealing their obnoxious side when the Trojans tried to make a late comeback.

It is what it is.

The magic word… I have a bunch of “if’s” too that could have netted SC 4 consecutive MNC’s but that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

And I’m Not Buying this…

As an Oregon State fan, I don’t personally think it’s a big deal when we beat USC.

Really?

The reaction by your fan base after their lat two wins would suggest otherwise. Everyone circles the SC game on their calendar…its not just another game.

Nice try.

“That Guy” does wear cardinal & gold from time to time. I have noticed it a lot over the past 7 years or so. I never said that USC was perfect. I also said that I thought Oregon State was the one exception to the “That Guy” rule that I have experienced. I thought I was being pretty complementary to the Beavs saying that they were gracious winners and losers.