I’ve decided I like going into a game as the underdog. It hurts so bad when you lose as a favorite (78 Cotton Bowl). It doesn’t hurt quite as bad when you lose as an underdog (2010 NC game & last night). It feels wonderful when you win as an underdog (2006 NC). And it feels really crappy when you’re the favorite and lose, then that night Miami beats Nebraska and it turns out that you’d have been #1 if you’d won (84 Cotton Bowl). Underdog is best.
Something I’ve been saying since last night’s defeat is that we fans simply must have some perspective on this. And these situations remind me why I absolutely hate social media sometimes. Yes, many of these players are wealthy, thanks to NIL deals; however, they’re literally also boys. I keep thinking how Bert Auburn’s and Quinn Ewers’ parents must feel if they see the awful comments about their sons. This piece gives the needed perspective. UT has an outstanding tradition, coaches, and players. We’ll get there. (And probably my most vivid memory of the “agony of defeat” also happens to be Tim Duncan pounding the court with his fist in that championship series, Game 6.)
I’ve decided I like going into a game as the underdog. It hurts so bad when you lose as a favorite (78 Cotton Bowl). It doesn’t hurt quite as bad when you lose as an underdog (2010 NC game & last night). It feels wonderful when you win as an underdog (2006 NC). And it feels really crappy when you’re the favorite and lose, then that night Miami beats Nebraska and it turns out that you’d have been #1 if you’d won (84 Cotton Bowl). Underdog is best.
Something I’ve been saying since last night’s defeat is that we fans simply must have some perspective on this. And these situations remind me why I absolutely hate social media sometimes. Yes, many of these players are wealthy, thanks to NIL deals; however, they’re literally also boys. I keep thinking how Bert Auburn’s and Quinn Ewers’ parents must feel if they see the awful comments about their sons. This piece gives the needed perspective. UT has an outstanding tradition, coaches, and players. We’ll get there. (And probably my most vivid memory of the “agony of defeat” also happens to be Tim Duncan pounding the court with his fist in that championship series, Game 6.)