The epilogue on the latest chapter of the storied history of the SEC will be written in Atlanta this weekend. The season has culminated in two schools on opposite spectrums of the conference converging. In one corner is Georgia, who’s perennially been in the reckoning for the throne under Kirby Smart. Poised to line opposite them are the new guys on the block who’ve made it to the finale in their first year contending. 

Christmas has come early down in the southeast. The fervor around the occasion is palpable. However, one aspect of the festivities will be absent. Texas Longhorns’ live mascot, Bevo, a literal Texas Longhorn, shall not make the trip to Atlanta. The decision was made public by SEC officials earlier today. Steve Sarkisian and co. will be devoid of their lucky charm in the biggest game of the season.

“Locked On SEC” podcast host Chris Gordy relayed the statements made by an SEC spokesperson. “When we received the request for Bevo to be on the sideline in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, our staff looked at several alternatives, including the sideline location,” they said. “The reality is there is limited sideline space at the stadium. We can’t jeopardize the safety of Bevo or the game participants. With the narrow sidelines, location of multiple sets for television and camera carts, there is not enough space. While we want to honor tradition across the conference, the space limitation is a reality.”

The space, or lack thereof, is a legitimate factor. However, there is more reason for Bevo’s absence. Flashback to the 2019 Sugar Bowl. During the pre-game photo op, Bevo charged out of his pen, knocking over a police barricade trying to get after Uga, the Bulldogs resident live mascot. A skirmish ensued. Although the situation did not transpire into a catastrophe, it was enough to put Bevo in the proverbial bad books.

Uga, meanwhile, will make the short trip over from Athens. Uga did not travel for Georgia’s 30-15 win in Austin earlier in the season. The Bulldogs, collectively, will hope for more of the same from the earlier meeting against their adversaries. Will history repeat itself, or will Texas get some sweet revenge in a not-so-neutral environment? 

Bevo’s ban causes Texas students to fight in unison against the powers that be

The Mercedes-Benz is naturally going to be a sea of red on Saturday, given the proximity to UGA. That is a wrinkle already baked into a huge spot for Texas. Given this perceived disadvantage on top of the ban on Bevo, Texas students are making their disdain known. A petition on Change.org has already procured more than 3,000 signatures within five hours. The petition is aimed at SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.

An excerpt from the petition read, “We believe this to be an unbalanced decision by the SEC, favouring Georgia by permitting their mascot while barring ours. Bevo is a symbol of our school spirit and unity, a rallying point for our team that cannot be sidelined or silenced. We wish to underscore the fact that this imbalance tarnishes the sporting spirit of the SEC Championship.”

It is unlikely this petition will cause a reversal in the decision. However, it won’t fall on deaf ears. The National Championship is also poised to take place at the same stadium. Perhaps this could lead to different arrangements in the event the Texas Longhorns make it to the Natty. The Longhorns are -2.5 point favourites to win Saturday’s championship game. Amid this chaotic season, one thing is still quite certain. Kirby Smart will not bow down without a fight in the biggest spots.