LSU vs. WVU: Sensitivity Training, Is It OK to Call West Virginia Fans Rednecks?

As College football fans we tend to stereotype and hurl various slurs at one another; is it wrong? Maybe, but it's just a part of college football that the sensitive among us have to get used to.

Bama fans are known as gumps; Auburn fans are the barners, Tennessee fans are sometimes called trustees—and may get time off for good behavior but that’s another article—and LSU fans are corndogs. It is what it is.

But is it fair to call our friends from West Virginia rednecks?

Well, YES, historically speaking it is.

In 1920—shortly after what is known as "The Matewan Massacre," a shootout between hired "detectives" of the Stone Mountain Coal Co. and local miners left 11 people laying dead in the street (including Sid Hatfield of Hatfield vs. McCoy fame) of a major mining town in Mingo County, West Virginia.

Previously un-unionized minors joined the union under severe pressure and threat from the mining company and an actual battle (the Battle of Blair Mountain), eventually involving US troops, ensued.

To differentiate themselves from the Baldwin "detectives" (hired guns) in the mountains, all of the coal miners started wearing red handkerchiefs around their necks and thus became known as the rednecks!

So don't you dare call our friends from West Virginia, inbred, deliverance or hillbillies—"redneck" will do just fine.

There will be no need for the neckerchiefs on Saturday night in Morgantown; the bad guys will all be in purple and gold. 

The No. 2-ranked Tigers of LSU will roll in undefeated (3-0) with two impressive road wins over ranked opponents under their belts and a defense that brings back the notion of working for the man to eek out a loaf of bread from the old Stone Mountain Coal Company store.

Look for more of the hard-hitting oppressive defense that has already garnered junior CB Morris Claiborne—who, according to head coach Les Miles might be faster than recent NFL top-five draft choice Patrick Peterson—Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week honors for his effort in dismantling Mississippi State’s conference-leading offense, while teammates Tyrann Mathieu and Bennie Logan have been recognized as SEC defensive player and defensive lineman of the week respectively.

Add that to one of the nation’s most physical and punishing running games behind an offensive line that outweighs the defensive front by more than 40 lbs on average, and senior QB Jarrett Lee might not have to break a sweat in this one.

When LSU does open up the passing game, look for the current SEC Freshman of the Week, WR Odell Beckham, Jr., and returning—from suspension—junior Russell Shepard to have big games, while team receiving leader junior Ruben Randall—12 catches, 229 yards (19.1 YPC), two TDs—to quietly rack up big yards and points.

When it’s all said and done, it’s the traveling band of LSU faithful—who may already be painting the town gold—that will likely be victory burning the furniture tomorrow night after the Bayou Bengals beat the living coal out of the Mountaineers.

Tigers 49 - Rednecks 9

Geaux Tigers!!

(Note: This is an update from last year's article with predictions, etc...)