re: State pride or school pride?

I guess I am both because I am a Georgia native yet went to school out of state at Auburn. Don't get me wrong, there are many things about the state of Alabama that I enjoy, but Georgia is my home. I have a a line of ancestors that have lived in this state from just after the time of the Revolution. I have some 20+ people in my family tree who fought, bled, and some even died, under the Georgia banner during the War Between the States. So I am very proud of the state of Georgia and want to see her do well. However, that being said you will never see me pull for UGA in anything. State pride does not extend to all things in the state.

As for the Vol who said

quote:

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Since Tennessee is the second most popular state in the South after Florida(which doesn't really count), I'd say I don't need a college team to be proud of my state. We have pro teams, anyway.

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how do come to that conclusion?

It can't be by population - TN is 17th in the nation and falls behind Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia in "southern" states.

It can't be by businesses - more Fortune 500 companies (15) are HQ'd in Georgia than any other southern state. Florida and North Carolina are the runners up. Tennessee is home to six, the same number as Alabama.