My mom always said, “Be thankful for what you have, because there is always someone worse off than you.”

I have tried to follow this advice to the best of my ability, but not until last year did I truly realize its meaning.

No, I didn’t stumble across a briefcase full of unmarked bills, but rather a stadium full of 90,000 psychotic fans.

As a transfer student last year, I was experiencing many things for the first time — blistering heat, southern drawls and most importantly, football in Sanford Stadium.

As crazy as it seems, before last year, my knowledge of Georgia football was limited to “some fat bulldog” they kept on the field.

Mention of legendary broadcaster Larry Munson drew nothing but a blank stare.

Between the Hedges? The football field is no place for shrubs, I thought.

You see, my first year of college was spent at Miami University, but not the Miami you’re thinking of. I’m talking about Miami of Ohio. Located in tiny Oxford, Ohio, Miami is not exactly a football hotbed.

Somehow I failed to acknowledge this when making my life-altering decision.

Sure, receiving a top-notch education is fine and dandy, but is it as important as being a part of some premier college football?

Of course, it required some serious thought. Was football the only reason I transferred?

No, but then again, I am a Bulldog, not some harmless yellow bug (think Georgia Tech).

Football at Miami is not quite up to par with that played here in Athens.

For starters, the Redhawks play in the MAC, which features powerhouses such as Kent State and Toledo.

Yager Stadium is a third the size of Sanford, with a capacity just over 30,000.

Players are nearly unrecognizable on campus, and you can forget about Heisman candidates.

When I was there, the school was fighting to keep its Division I status.

I spoke with my old roommate to get a feel for the gameday atmosphere, or lack thereof. I asked how seriously Miami fans took tailgating.

“There’s no fanfare before the games,” he blandly responded.

What about student support?

“Students generally show up during halftime, and never stay until the end,” he said.

How about fan interest?

“They are mostly meek and uninterested,” was the reply.

Finally I asked him if Yager was an intimidating place for opponents to play. My question was immediately met with uncontrollable laughter.

Fortunately, Georgia students will never witness such an abysmal game experience.

Sanford Stadium will continue to be filled with a sea of red, and the team shows no sign of slowing down, despite the LSU loss.

Be thankful for fellow Dawgs, there are many worse off than you.