I've fielded more calls this week from my USC friends than I have in the last couple of years commending the Tigers on the win. Heck some of them went out of their way to say, "You guys deserve to be #1 right now." I gladly where my purple LSU shirt and LSU hat every Thursday and Saturday. Geaux Tigers.
Everybody is afraid of the violent tendencies of Tiger fans. Don't read to much into it. They're just sucking up a bit.
Thursday morning to a men's bible study (about 300 people). Without question, I engage in conversation with an SC fan after the study. On Saturday's....It's game day!
Building LSU up will also give them ammunition against the tigers should they fall. Also, making an opponent seem stronger makes their team look better if they happen to beat said team.
You confuse respect with fear: "To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of the women.":geauxtige