AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USIt’s going to be an interesting Sunday
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New Orleans-It is going to be a very interesting Sunday for your humble correspondent.
It is the day before the BCS national championship game, which means we will have the final press conference with the two coaches. The players don’t have to participate and frankly, I don’t blame them. By now they are pretty sick of our questions.
This press conference goes pretty quickly because by this point there is really nothing left for the coaches to say or for us to ask. LSU’s Les Miles will get to our meeting room at the Marriott about 2 o’clock. He’ll visit with us for about 25 minutes.
Ohio State’s Jim Tressel will then arrive and the two coaches will pose together for a photo with the BCS National Championship Trophy, the one with the crystal football on top. One year during the final press conference one of the handlers almost dropped the crystal ball, which is worth thousands. Now THAT would have been a photo op.
There really won’t be any news coming out of these press conferences. This is just about the coaches digging one last time into their bag of clichés and reminding us that their teams have to focus on the job at hand and not worry about things they can’t control-or something to that effect.
By late Saturday night I had pretty much wrapped up my preview package for Monday morning. I put together a piece asking if LSU were a team of destiny. When you really look at all the closes finishes the Tigers had, it really makes you wonder if Fate didn’t play a hand in their getting here. I’ve matched up the teams by offense, defense, special teams, etc. I will tell you in advance that this game looks much closer than the experts think.
This afternoon I’m going to take part in something special when I go on a journalist’s tour that will show us the parts of New Orleans that have not yet recovered from Hurricane Katrina, which hit in late August of 2005.
As I told you when I first got here 11 days ago, the downtown area of New Orleans has come back very well. There are some places in the French Quarter that did not re-open but to me it looked like it had fully recovered.
That is not the case, I am told, for other parts of the city. We are going to the Lower Ninth Ward and other places that, for one reason or another, have not been rebuilt. I’ve had others tell me about these places but I want to see it for myself. I’ll let you know what I find, but I’ve braced myself for a very sobering experience.
Tonight I will gather with a number of former presidents of the Football Writers Association of America, of which I am one, for our annual dinner. It is our chance to sit back, have a glass of wine, and reflect on another season. And this one, my friends, is going to give us all a lot of reasons for reflection.
It’s been a long trip, but a fun trip, to New Orleans. I’ve eaten everything on the room service menu at last once and the folks bringing the food to the room are starting to call me by my first name. That must mean it’s time to go home.
Monday is Game Day. Kickoff can’t come soon enough.
Hope you have a good Sunday too.
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By clmtigr
January 6, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
Tony - quit eating room service. Get out and enjoy food in the French Quarter.
By Tdog
January 6, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Tony how about lobbying for the DAWGS every chance you get. We don’t get any respect from north of the mason dixon line, while the likes of ohio state and michigan do, anybody with half a brain knows better.
By yellowblood
January 6, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Tony, Next year you will be in Miami with the Yellow Jackets and our new Coach Paul Johnson. That’s right we’ll be in the National Championship Game, NOT THE PUPPIES. Count on it!!!
By College Fan
January 6, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
I thought The Big Easy was a Georgia Tech coed.
By blackedout
January 6, 2008 11:12 AM | Link to this
T-dog…the reason the leg hummpers don’t get any respect outside of the southeast is because they don’t play ANY away (except Atl.) ooc games. Except for bowl games when was the last time UGAy played at big name occ team on the road anywhere?
By I Love Southern College Football
January 6, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Tony, next season the Yellow Jackets will be celebrating not being passed over by the Emerald Nut Bowl like the were this year. Not even Tech should have to go to the Roady’s Truck Stop Humanitarian Bowl two years in a row. Maybe you can go visit San Francisco with them, but don’t let any of the players near the bridge.
By Yellowblood
January 6, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
I forgot to mention that when you are with us in Miami for the NC game next year, you are invited to all of the Ticklepiles that will be held by both of the Tech alumni who attend the game. They both live in Miami, so I will email you the directions.
By Tdog
January 6, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Blackedout I don’t know what an ooc team is but when you play in the SEC you don’t need to play anybody else.We played 7 teams with a winning record at least 2 with a 6-6 record, please compare to USC 4 teams with winning record.OSU I don’t think they had more than 4 with a winning record. Next year every body on our schedule will have completed the 07 season with winning record’s all except for two teams.The reason we don’t get respect outside the South is largely ESPN’s fault, 90% of their talking heads went to school in the north or on the left coast, check it out for yourself just go to college game day and look up the bios.Dawgs will use the BS and espn bias as fuel for many big time victorys next year, on our way to the mythical national championship game, I just hope USC won’t dodge us like they did LSU a few years ago.
By GW
January 6, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Tony, Keep up the good work. Your inside sources in the college football world are true sources, not just internet gossip. After this season, how can anybody possibly pick which teams will be in Miami next year. It could be two 3-loss squads for all we know.
By quaildawg
January 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Tony, As I wrote yesterday, during your discussion with the other writers, why the pass on USC’s season? Which by all accounts should be a close second to Michigan’s for biggest disappoinment. They were annointed the “greatest ever” and “Loaded” in July yet lost at home to a 40+point dog. We have all heard the injury thing, yada, yada,yada but Hey if your “Loaded” you just plug another in and keep rolling. Right?! How bout the Dawgs they lose their two top backs for the better part of the season and they managed to roll pretty good from mid Oct on. Just curious!
By defactodawg
January 6, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Tony - I’ll look forward to reading your perspective following your tour of the area.
While there for the Sugar Bowl, we drove through the Lower Ninth Ward. The devastation is unfathomable and will truly cause one to be ever more grateful for the blessings we have received.
Driving through the area will make one sad, mad, confused and bewildered. It will be generations, if ever, before the area can recover.
By boots
January 6, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I spent a decent amount of time comparing the Dawgs strength of schedule to Kansas, OH State and Hawaii a couple of days ago. It is not only solid, it is tops in my mind - tougher than even USC and LSU who had tough schedules.
Hey, Tony, I am sure you will already be doing this, but I would love to know what the dinner group thinks of the Dawgs on the national stage and the SEC’s belief that ESPN and the Northern schools have a bias against them. (It isn’t just UGA complaining - every SEC school of stature feels this way, too.)
I would expect the Dawgs to finish #2, but it will not shock me if USC, Missouri and maybe a couple of other schools jump us. This system sucks.
By Eric1
January 6, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
hey tdog, you dont get any respect south of the mason dixon line either
By D Gelbart
January 6, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Sorry yellowblood it will take Paul Johnson at least two years to get a team that goes to the National Championship. Even if GT does go unbeaten(which probably won’t happen) they wouldn’t go because, the National Championship race is USC,UF,UGA,OK,and VT and your team will be to far down in preseason rankings (probably not even in the top 25) to move up to position.
This BCS system sucks because, they didn’t even get the games right this season!
By TDone
January 6, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
There is indeed bias against UGA.
But why?
They don’t play any games, regular season or post-season outside of the Southeast.
Their fans have an over-inflated view of themselves.
If the SEC is so “doggone tough,” then why don’t you play every team in the league every season? Let’s see, Muttland could play all the SEC East and SEC West teams, then add in a game against Tech. What a schedule!!!
How can you expect folks north of the Mason-Dixon or out west to respect you, when you don’t play them? They don’t even know who you are.
All you have to do is ask. And it does not seem to stop Tennessee, Alabama, Auburn, and LSU from playing big name teams outside of the Southeast.
If you Muttlander lose at Arizona State, you will never be able to show your face nationally ever again.
You people never cease to amaze me.
By Buford
January 6, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
but we play GA southern campus.
By FLA DAWG
January 6, 2008 6:18 PM | Link to this
Tony,
You rub elbows with all the boys around the conferences in the country. Do they see and admit the dominance of the SEC?
Do they see the inequity of the BCS System and think a Playoff System should be in place?
The vast majority of the fans want a playoff system and we foot the bill!
Thanks for you commentary this year Tony.
By College Football Fan
January 6, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Sure, UGA can play the hardest schedule in the country and Tech can keep playing their little weak arse ACC schedule with Furman, the Citadel, etc. thrown in.It got you to Boise and a 7-6 record didn’t it. It also got the ACC 2 bowl wins out of 8 tries. Hey Tech, grow some and at least schedule Georgia Southern.
By Bryan Carver '97 Dawg
January 6, 2008 8:16 PM | Link to this
So we can end the UGA doesn’t play anyone OOC debate. AT arizona state in 08; AT colorado in 10; AT louisville in 12; AT oregon in 15
Thank you and good night…
By robby
January 7, 2008 1:53 AM | Link to this
team of destiny!!! lsu has lost twice and could have four or five losses!!!
most def a team of destiny…and a very good one…
praying the off-season goes smoothly for the dawgs…is it just me or if stafford continures improving and caleb king is real…and knowson…and aj green…and that defense…georgia could be pretty good next year…lol…and oh yeah…a coach who does nothing but win…it could be really fun next year tween the hedges…and a strong schedule too
By GT90
January 7, 2008 3:09 AM | Link to this
During the past THIRTY-FIVE years, UGA has played a grand total of ONE team on the road during the regular season other than Tech or current members of the SEC: Clemson. UGA had ONE game at Clemson during the 90’s, and ONE there since—in 2003. So that’s where the “debate” comes from. Except it’s not a debate…it’s a fact.
So now that UGA has finally rediscovered the concept of traveling outside of the Southeast (or even more than 80 miles from campus) for an ooc road game, they have a chance to earn more respect outside of the Southeast.
By Bryan Carver '97 Dawg
January 7, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Fair enough GT90. I can see how outsiders see our schedule. But I’ll still stick with the we don’t need to schedule OOC away with our SEC slate (which I know you don’t buy either - but no one will ever win that debate). Short of AU 2004, I’d imagine most schools did the same. It wasn’t until AU got shafted because of a weak OOC slate that you suddenly saw the big name games scheduled (though yes I’m sure there were always exceptions; I’m talking programs doing it on a consistent basis like they are now). Though personally, I don’t think we get shafted by the media anymore than anyone else. Unless you are LSU, USCwest, Oklahoma, Ohio State or the current #1 or #2 team these days, you aren’t going to get much love from ESPN. But in checking the “facts”: we played at South Carolina in 70’s and 80’s before they were in the SEC. We played Clemson more than just once in 90 and 03 (you left out 1995). We played them numerous times from 72 to 87 on the road (and yes, I’m aware both of them are in the state next door). Don’t forget Tulane in 72. I know I’m not convincing you of anything, but just wanted to get 35 years of “facts” straightened out - 25 years would’ve made a better argument ;)
By GeoffDawg
January 7, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
GT90 is delusional. When the national media regularly acknowledges that the SEC is the strongest conference, then one of their strongest participants should automatically be accorded a certain level of respect. The fact that it doesn’t come regularly speaks much more to the Big 10 bias of the northern media than to Georgia’s OOC schedule. You know why tech schedules teams like Notre Dame (which this year isn’t as impressive a victory as Georgia’s over Oklahoma State)? Because they have to. Playing in the pathetic ACC forces you to go outside the conference for some decent competition.
By Big Dawg
January 7, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
blackedout you posted the below,
T-dog…the reason the leg hummpers don’t get any respect outside of the southeast is because they don’t play ANY away (except Atl.) ooc games. Except for bowl games when was the last time UGAy played at big name occ team on the road anywhere?
Get this straight GA has tried to schedule USC, Norte Dame, Michigan, Ohio State and other big name programs and for a variety of reasons, mostly due to those other schools, could only get them to agree to us coming to their house to play. BTW we have played USC three times all 3 in LA last time in 1960, we played Michigan twice both times at the Big House as they call it last time in 1965. Besides we haven’t really needed to play anyone anywhere since the 60’s and if you knew anything about Georgia’s football history you would know we have played more road games than home games.
Also I believe our ooc record in bowl games speaks very well about how strong our teams have been over the years 24-16-3 and answers part of the question as to why we haven’t played but very few ooc road games in the last 35 years or so. Anyway that won’t be a problem over the next few years as we travel to play Arizone State, Colorado, and Oklahoma St over the next few years and then you will go to something else to hate us over.
Go Dawgs
By GeoffDawg
January 7, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Simple minds are easily amazed TDone.
By dawg
January 7, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
GT’s nonconference slate for 08 - 11 (minus UGA):
08 Jacksonville State, Mississippi State
09 Jacksonville State Away: Mississippi State, Vanderbilt
10 South Carolina State, Mississippi, Middle Tennessee State (all at home)
11 Mississippi, Middle Tennessee State
Wow, and they give the Dawgs grief about playing Vandy and the Miss schools. We are made to play them. They chose to schedule them.
Way to step it up Jackets…
By GT90
January 7, 2008 10:58 PM | Link to this
Bryan Carver ‘97 Dawg, you are right in that I missed one of those two Clemson games during the 90s. Everything else stands: From 1973-2007 (35 seasons) the only away games were GT, Clemson, and current members of the SEC. Yep, South Carlina wasn’t an SEC member until 91. I should have qualified that. The point is, I think we agree that it’s been incredibly regional schedule for a LONG time, and it’s good for UGA that they are finally changing it.
Big Dawg, that was the point of the “Except for bowl games when was the last time UGAy played at big name occ team on the road anywhere?” question that someone else posted earlier. I agree that the SEC has been the best conference for some time…but for example your conference brethren Tennessee and LSU managed to put nonregional ooc road games against nationally ranked opponents on their schedules, before Auburn got shafted in ‘04. And they’ve certainly gotten a lot of national attention when they’ve played at Ariz State, at Notre Dame, at California, etc. BTW “We have played more road games than home games” hasn’t been true during recent decades at all for UGA: They typically have had 4-5 away games plus the cocktail party, out of 11-12 games. (Of course the bigger-name programs typically have more home games…)