From the Other Sideline – Virginia

Kris Wright (@thesabre) is the Editor and General Manager of TheSabre.com, an independent website that covers University of Virginia athletics. Wright previously covered UVa for The Cavalier Daily and The Daily Progress in Charlottesville.

1. What's the first thing Virginia fans think of when it comes to Auburn football?

Probably 'War Eagle' or the 19-0 shutout in your house back in the late 1990's. Beyond that, everyone - not just Virginia fans - thinks of Cam Newton first when you mention Auburn football. The guy is on TV more than "Leave It To Beaver" reruns (hat tip to former UVa hoops coach Pete Gillen for that line).

2. How is the fan base taking this game? Are they just happy to be going to a bowl? Expect to win?

It's a healthy mix of both. It's been four years since Cavalier fans enjoyed a spot in the postseason so there is definitely a sense of happiness to be in a bowl game. The fact that the Chick-fil-A Bowl unexpectedly ended up with Virginia after two ACC teams received BCS games adds to the excitement for the fans too. With that said, however, fans want to win this game and they believe UVa can get it done after watching the team grab road wins at Miami and Florida State this season. Both of those games were in the prime time spot light on national TV too so once fans get a taste of winning games like that, there's always hunger for more.

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From the Other Sideline – Samford

To my surprise, there aren't many, or actually any, Samford University sports bloggers out there. There also aren't really any Samford beat writers either. So when I asked around to see who would know the most about Samford's football team, I was told one name: Mike Grace. Now in his 5th season as the “Voice of the Bulldogs,” Grace serves as Samford Athletics’ Director of Communications. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeGraceSU.

1. What's the first thing that Samford fans think of when they think of Auburn?

You mean, besides the Crystal Football? Obviously, the connection to Pat Sullivan comes to mind, and rightfully so. As the first player from the state of Alabama to capture the Heisman, Pat’s legacy will always be tied to Auburn. But remember, when he agreed to accept the Samford job back in 2007, he spoke of coming “home.” For a guy who grew up in Birmingham, played his high school ball at nearby John Carroll, and whose dad was a “Howard” man…Samford‘s name up until 1965…Pat Sullivan and Samford have been the perfect fit. If we have Auburn to thank for that, we’re more than grateful.

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From the Other Sideline – Georgia (x2)

Greg Poole (@ecdawg_LHB) is the publisher/editor of the Leather Helmet Blog. "ecdawg" is a reclusive blogger whiling away his twilight years reminiscing about his enthusiastically misspent youth, whittling, fishing, tarot reading, drooling and plotting revolution. (He said that, not me. I don't know anything about his misspent youth.)

"UGACory" (@TheBlawghouse) is the lead writer/editor of TheBlawgHouse.com (similar naming convention, huh?). He is also a husband, UGA Alum, and has coached Georgia H.S. football (QB's, RB's and Off. Coord.). Cory started The Blawg House to give football fans a more X's and O's approach to blogging than the typical shock-jock perspective. (Who you calling shock-jock?)

1. What's the first thing Georgia fans think of in regards to Auburn football?

Greg: I'm an old guy. I remember Shug Jordan - I saw Sullivan and Beasley play - but most UGA fans are younger than I and have grown up with Auburn's astoundingly successful program of employment opportunities for athletes. Auburn should receive an award for its philanthropic efforts as well as its creative accounting.

Cory: Little sister. The schools are so similar in so many ways - Dawg Walk vs. Tiger Walk, Herschel vs. Bo, Dooley vs. Dye - there are just so many things that bind Georgia and Auburn together that they are almost related. However, in Georgia's eyes, Auburn is the little sister in the family.

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From the Other Sideline – Ole Miss

Jake Adams of The Ole Miss Blog is a lawyer, lifelong Ole Miss fan, sports junkie, and wannabe famous novelist. He also still resents Auburn for stealing Tommy Tuberville. You can follow him on Twitter at @adamsjaken or on facebook.com/jakesolemissblog. By the way, Ole Miss beat reporters are the only guys to give me the shaft in three years of doing this series, and they've done it both of the last two years. Ah who cares, I'll gladly take a fellow blogger. We know more than they do anyway.

1. Based on the comments from each of Auburn's previous opponents' fan bases, Cam Newton really hurt a lot of people's feelings last season. How do Ole Miss fans feel in that regard?

I was fine with Cam Newton all the way up until he caught that touchdown pass against Ole Miss. It's one thing to own everybody around you, it's quite another to own everybody around you while playing a completely different position. That feeling I had after Newton caught that pass allowed me to have some empathy with Al from Dadeville. Poor guy.

2. What is the Ole Miss fans' confidence level coming into this game? Do they expect a win?

After the way Houston Nutt went off on Rivals.com writer Neal McCready last Saturday for picking the Rebels to lose to Arkansas 49-10, many Ole Miss fans are afraid to express their feelings. Not me. I expect Michael Dyer to have a career day on Saturday, just like each tailback who has faced the Rebels before him. Playing Ole Miss is a great way to vault a player into Heisman contention. It's also a great way to discover a quarterback. I understand Auburn is still looking for one. Expect the headlines on Sunday to say that Malzahn found his man. This is what I call "The Ole Miss Defense Effect". To answer your question, no, I don't think any Ole Miss fan expects to win this game. Hopes, yes. Expects, no.

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From the Other Sideline – Florida

Rachel George (@osgators) is the Florida beat reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, and has the distinction of being the first female participant in the "From the Other Sideline" series. She's honored, I'm sure. Rachel has covered the Gators since September 2010. Before that, she worked for four years at the Star-News in Wilmington, N.C. She is a 2006 graduate of St. Bonaventure.

1. When Florida fans think of Auburn, what's the first thing that pops in their head?

Well, most recently it would be that 2006 loss at Jordan-Hare. It was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect season and a game I sense Florida fans felt the Gators should have won. Going back to the Plains brings that memory up for UF fans.

2. Auburn and Florida have had some pretty fun games in their history which always brings on a pretty high level of excitement at Auburn each time Florida is on the schedule. Is it the same in Gainesville?

I haven’t been on the beat long enough to see an Auburn-Florida game in The Swamp but I would imagine it’s like any other big SEC game here.

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From the Other Sideline – Arkansas

Flint Harris (@Flint_HolyTurf) is an Arkansas graduate three times over and spent six years working inside the athletic department as an academic counselor to Razorback student-athletes. Flint runs and writes for HolyTurf.com, a site all about the passion of college football, specifically the SEC and Big 12. HolyTurf.com features a 'Road Trip' section about the best from different college towns, a place just for the gals with their 'For Women' section, and current college football trivia. Be sure to check out their Facebook page as well.

1. What is the first thing that pops into Razorback fans' heads when Auburn is mentioned?

Cam Newton, $180,000, and Cecil Newton. Hog fans are convinced Newton took the cash and watching him torch us hurt. The guy was awesome, but the backstory is frustrating. Well that and pretty girls.

2. Is the fanbase always on high alert for Petrino bolting for another job?

Not since he signed a contract with an $18 million buyout-for getting fired or leaving on his own. Bobby Petrino is the last coach in American that would leave because the money is so outrageous. A $5 million buyout is astronomical. His is almost four times that.

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