Never doubt the passion of southern football fans.  Especially ones living in . . . wait, Oregon?  That doesn't check out.

A 51-year-old guy named Christopher Honey from Bend, Oregon was watching Saturday's big Alabama-LSU game with his friend, a 40-year-old man visiting from Maine.  They were lifelong friends . . . but rooting for different teams.

Apparently, they got into an argument during the game.   And it got SO heated that the friend stormed out . . . and Christopher blasted him with a SHOTGUN as he was walking down the driveway.

The birdshot shell hit the guy in the head and neck, and he was taken to the hospital.  Fortunately, his injuries weren't life threatening.

Christopher was arrested for attempted murder, assault, unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.

It's not clear who was rooting for Alabama and who was rooting for LSU. 

(NBC 21 - Bend / New York Post)

(Here's his mugshot.)