AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2006 > October > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNever count the underdog out
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Just wondering:
Does Georgia have ANY chance against Tennessee? Of course, silly boy. When you play great defense and you’re playing at home you always have a chance. And it’s a little scary that everybody outside of the Butts-Mehre Building in Athens has jumped on the Vols. Yeah, there are a bunch of issues on offense for Georgia but offense is only one-third of the game. It would probably help if Georgia avoided getting a couple of punts blocked as the Bulldogs did last Saturday at Ole Miss.
Does Wake Forest (5-0) really have a shot against Clemson? You betcha. Coaches around the South will tell you that Wake Forest is a very difficult team to prepare for because of its unique blocking scheme on offense. That scheme relies on precise angles and the ability to get low on defenders. That’s why the Deacons ran for 240 yards when they just embarrassed Ole Miss two weeks ago. But I get the sense that this is the toughest team Tommy Bowden has had a Clemson. The fact that they bounced back from the devastating loss at Boston College on Sept. 9 showed me something.
Who has the best chance of getting taken to the woodshed this Saturday? I’m afraid that would be the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels are woefully bad on defense (104 out of 119 in Division I-A), perhaps enough so to even make Miami’s anemic offense look good. Besides, Larry Coker needs a convincing win to take some of the heat off. The 14-13 win over Houston last week certainly didn’t do the trick. The Tar Heels gave up 500 yards of total offense to Furman and are giving up an average of 402 per game. I’m not sure, but I think Miami is better than Furman.
With all the great games this weekend, which may be the most intense? You’re not going to believe it, but it may be South Carolina at Kentucky. Why? Because both teams are 3-2 and both teams are fairly equal when it comes to athletes. The winner will be 4-2 and will take a major step towards getting to a bowl. The loser will be 3-3 with a daunting schedule ahead. Kentucky’s Rich Brooks has a better team this season than in the past. He needs a win like this.
Is Georgia Tech going to have a letdown against Maryland? I don’t think so and there are a couple of reasons why. At long last No. 1 (Reggie Ball) is clearly comfortable with who he is-a good (not great) quarterback who can make very good plays if he doesn’t try to do too much. Some guys never reach that comfort level.
The second reason is that Georgia Tech has a week off coming up and so there is no reason for the Yellow Jackets to pace themselves or hold anything back. The last thing you want, with a trip to Clemson coming up on Oct. 21, is to have any self-doubt. They need to take are of business against the Terps to keep those doubts from creeping in.
Comments
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
October 5, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Tennessee comes from an Indian word TANASI meaning, dang even Arkansas is better than this place.
By CaptainCock
October 5, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Not only will the ‘Cocks roll over Kentucky this weekend, you read it here first, they will win the rest of the games to make it to the SEC championship. There we will get our revenge on Auburn to become SEC champs. On to the BCS, where we will knock out another quality opponent. This year is a stepping stone for next year when the Gamecocks will win it all!!!
By Jim Garren
October 5, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
ha
By reality check
October 5, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
All that clucking. Another delusional gamechicken fan. Y’all have never won anything but your bragging is world class.
By Wes
October 5, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
CaptainCock, you do know this blog is about football, right?
By GT
October 5, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this
I like the Gamecocks Saturday. I can’t imagine with “equal” talent that Spurrier can’t beat anybody much less Rich Brooks. I don’t even think it will be close. Wake will have something cooking for Clemson. I think that is an upset which will make it hard on Tech. The good thing is Clemson will be tested which will mean they can’t hide anything for the Tech game. And talking about hiding something I think Georgia has been laying low in the weeds for Tennessee. This is the biggest game of date and I am thinking the real Georgia will be in Athens Saturday. I’m thinking Georgia by two touchdowns. You say Carolina plays Miami this weekend isn’t that interesting.
By mark
October 5, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this
you can’t just turn it on when you want to. the puppies haven’t played good ball all year. ut 24 pups 14
By Dave
October 5, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
I reamin convinced that anyone that lost or played close to my Orange this year cannot possibly be very good. Wake beat SU only 20-10 in a game that was in question until the closing moments. If Clemson, with GT, is a team the ACC can realisticly hang their hopes on for some respect this year, then Wake’s getting blown out. Wish it weren’t so; it’d make SU’s loss look better.
By Bill
October 5, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this
CapnCock writes: “This year is a stepping stone for next year when the Gamecocks will…” Lamecocks Motto: Wait Til Next Year! You will be LUCKY to win 6 games this year. This weekend you will be BLUE! Go Cats!
By augustadawg
October 5, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
CaptainCock - time for you to get off Willie Nelson’s bus and get back to work. Long live the Chicken Curse!!!
By jabba17
October 5, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
I’ll take my K.F.C. extra crispy.
By Reasonable Dawg
October 5, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
Anybody that wonders how a team can look so bad against lesser competition, and then get up for a good team should watch the NC State vs Fla St game. NC State loss to Akron at home, then Southern Miss. Now they look awfully talented against FSU. Something about those former FSU assistants not being able to get the team up for the winnable games. Well anyway, GO DAWGS!!!
By brad
October 6, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this
You know, you just have to admire the South Carolina fans’ ability to keep dreaming so big. It just has to be true love (in the “love is the triumph of hope over experience” mode).
By Shake n' Bake
October 6, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this
C**-a-doodle doo, C**-a-doodle doo! Our football team is better than poo!
By Jsonic
October 6, 2006 05:46 AM | Link to this
Everyone knows the Vols will crush the poodles. I think though it will a better game to watch than my beloved Irish. Stanford is our Western Kentucky.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!! GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By BIG ORANGE
October 6, 2006 06:57 AM | Link to this
GIVE IT UP GEORGIA FANS. NO KICKER AND A WANNA BE 3RD GENERATION QB THATS PLAYING ONLY BECAUSE OF FAMILY TRADITION,YOU WILL LOSE! VOLS 34 DOGGIES 14.
By BIG ORANGE
October 6, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
ALL GA TECH FANS NEED TO KNOW IS THAT BOBBY DODD PLAYED FOOTBALL AT TENNESSEE AND LEARNED EVERYTHING HE KNEW ABOUT FOOTBALL FROM GENERAL ROBERT NEYLAND,SO YOUR STADIUMS REAL NAME IS TENNESSEE VOLS ALL AMERICAN BOBBY DODD STADIUM. GA TECH WILL LOSE TO GEORGIA, THEY COULD NOT HANG IN THE SEC THAT IS WHY THEY CHANGED OVER AND THAT IS WHY YOU GET NO RESPECT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.ALSO HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED THAT IN MOST FOOTBALL MOVIES GA TECH ALWAYS CHOKES AND LOSES (RUDY,THE PROGRAM). GO VOLS!!!!!
By Tom, RGF
October 6, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
Captain Crock: Check your chicken feed to see where the LSD is coming from. It’s always next year with you mite-infested pullets. Hell, my high school has played more games in the Georgia Dome than SUC has.
By BIG ORANGE SUX
October 6, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this
Big Orange,
What stadium are you playing in this weekend? Oh yeah, better focus on the task at hand. Great post though, VERY compelling. You’re a loser.
By BIG ORANGE SUX
October 6, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Big Orange,
What stadium is it that you are playing in this weekend? Oh yeah, that would be Stanford not Bobby Dodd. Better focus on the task at hand. You are a loser. Also do a little more research on Tech leaving the SEC. Left due to a dispute with the conference over scholarships, wanted back in once it was settled, then UGA complained enough about in-state recruiting to keep Tech out. Is it easier for you to use your computer if you type in all CAPS??
By BIG ORANGE
October 9, 2006 06:47 AM | Link to this
MR. BIG ORANGE SUCKS,
IT’S SANFORD STADIUM, NOT STANFORD YOU COMPLETE IDIOT. NICE EDUCATION YOU MUST BE ONE OF THOSE GEORGIA REDNECKS THAT WILL TRY TO PASS YOURSELF OFF AS A TECH GRAD!!!!! OBVIOUSLY YOU MUST BE A STUDENT AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN? LEARN TO SPELL AND PLAY FOOTBALL BEFORE YOU TRY TO RUN WITH THE BIG DOGS. NICE GAME AGAINST MARYLAND, YOU GUYS SUCK!!!BY THE WAY I NEVER SAID WE WERE PLAYING AT BOBBY DODD STADIUM THIS WEEKEND, IF YOU COULD READ YOU MAY HAVE HAD SOME POINT TO YOUR COMMENTS. YOUR STILL LOSERS, LEAVE IT TO A WANNA BE TECH GRAD TO BRING UP SHOLARSHIP DISPUTES. ALL CAPS MIGHT HELP YOU READ A LITTLE BETTER?????? LOSERS!!!!!
By BIG ORANGE
October 9, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
HEY BIG ORANGE SUX,
JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE TECH DID NOT HAVE ANYMORE TERRORISTS ROAMING AROUND CAMPUS? GREAT JOB, TRY NOT TO LET BIN LADEN IN FOR THE LAST PART OF THE YEAR. LOSERS!! ALL CAPS.