Darius Rucker performs at USC game (Photo: Collegiate Images)It's a no-brainer that Darius Rucker is a music fan, being a musician himself. However, the Hootie & the Blowfish frontman turned country solo sensation has one other deep love: football! Rucker--a big sports buff in general--is a dedicated alum of the University of South Carolina, and is such a fan of the school's Gamecocks that he was asked "Are you game, Gamecock?" when invited to join the Grand Ole Opry in October.
"There's two times of year for me: Football season, and waiting for football season," smiles Rucker. In this exclusive clip shot for Ram Country, the singer goes back to college and tailgates like it's 1984 with a bevy of Gamecocks young and old--as well as performs several songs for the crowd.
Lest one question whether Rucker really knows his football, we asked him a few questions about Carolina and the general NCAAF picture as we approach the end of the season. He "gamely" answered them all!
Our Country: The Gamecocks were pretty highly ranked at the beginning of the season. Any thoughts on what happened?
Darius Rucker: Playing those great SEC teams on the road. The schedule was brutal and we didn't get the job done.
Looking at the SEC overall, who do you think has the better chance of going to the national championship--Florida or Alabama?
Gonna be tough to beat Alabama.
It looks like most predictions are going toward Alabama vs. Oregon for the Championship. How do you think the SEC stacks up against the Pac-12 overall, skillwise?
I think until someone beats an SEC team in the championship game it's gotta be the SEC. But Oregon sure looks like they are ready to do just that. But like I said earlier...it's gonna be tough to beat Alabama.
Fill in the blank: "I'd rather ____ than root for Clemson."
Georgia.
Fill in the blank: "I'd rather ____ than root for Georgia."
Clemson. (Ha, ha, Darius! You're funny!)
Do you think Eric Hyman leaving Carolina to go to Texas A&M as athletic director has had any impact on the Gamecocks football program?
Eric did a lot for all sports at USC and the football team made huge steps while he was there, I thank him for that and he will be missed. But in saying that i have to stress that I have the utmost respect and confidence that Ray Tanner and Coach Spurrier will take Gamecock football to new heights!
How do you feel about the Aggies and Mizzou joining the SEC?
Love those programs joining. Think they will be bring competition in every sport and prestige in education.
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