Flying with Serfas Bike Case

Just bought a Serfas hard case for traveling to the Atlanta Iron Girl in 2 weeks. I am flying Southwest, which I've read has the most liberal bike polices of all the airlines. Here's the problem: Southwest says their max oversize luggage limit is 80 inches, and the Serfas totals 83. I could call a bike shop in Atlanta to see if they'd receive the bike by UPS or Fed Ex and then ship it back for me. But I'd rather not deal with that, which adds more cost than the $75 fee Southwest charges each way for an oversize bag. Here is my question: Will Southwest likely accept my case without measuring it? Or will they measure it and then tell me I can't bring it? If in going to ship it, I need to make plans soon so that I get it there in time. Advice needed - thanks!