I hear you. I was thinking about it today. It's weird but I care more now than I did when I was in school - '89-'93.
We were horrible 3 out of those 4 years. Taneyhill came in and made a difference. But I didn't care. I went to every home game and many away games as a student. I stayed to the end of every game. And, though I always wanted to win, I cared more about showing up for my team. But it wasn't gut-wrenching when we lost. It was sort of expected, I guess. Now I want (and expect) to win most games and be in the run for the playoffs.
I didn't expect it to even be close today. I was actually relieved that it wouldn't be a big deal. I could tune in and focus on seeing if our offense could make some big plays. And then the first half happened. And I was sucked right back in to the idea that we are a good team that could compete in the playoffs. That we were "not far off" as Beamer had said before.
And then the second half confirmed just about everything I've ever experienced as a Gamecock fan since 1980.
Speechless.