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Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > October > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USACC is there for the taking
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This might not be the best time to point this out, given that Georgia Tech just made Gardner-Webb look like Oklahoma-Texas, Alabama-Florida, the U.S.-Great Britain-Soviet Union.
But if the Jackets ever had aspirations of becoming more than merely a subplot in the ACC, the window has never been this open.
Have you looked around?
Florida State and Miami are so removed from dominance that their game against each other — once the biggest non-bowl event of the season — barely registered with the populace this year. Clemson just lost its coach — and, really, talent and expectations notwithstanding, the Danny Ford stories are starting to get a little old.
The Jackets won at Boston College this season. They almost won at Virginia Tech. Virginia hired Al Groh thinking it could grow into a power. Time’s up. This is year eight, and the Cavaliers have been blown out this season by Connecticut (45-10) and Duke (31-3). North Carolina might be the next conference power. But if that’s the biggest thing Tech is battling, things suddenly don’t look so daunting.
This week’s game: Clemson. It’s time for the Jackets to ring the bell.
“There’s no reason why we can’t be on top of the ACC,” coach Paul Johnson said Tuesday. “Can we compete every year? Well, I hope so. If I hadn’t thought that, I wouldn’t have come here. There’s no reason why Georgia Tech can’t be right there in the conference.”
Scholarship limits have leveled the playing field in college football. (That’s probably the greatest argument for a playoff system.) Everybody has players. Every coach of a perceived power is forced to watch recruits sign across the street.
There’s also this: The best recruits aren’t growing watching Miami and FSU battle at the top of the rankings. They’re watching Miami struggle and Clemson implode and Bobby Bowden say he feels re-invigorated — only to then lose his conference opener to Wake Forest, 12-3.
Except for “not having a marquee team” currently near the top of the rankings, Johnson doesn’t believe the ACC is any different from others. He views the strength of other conferences or schools, particularly in the SEC and Big 12, as more perception than reality.
Is he just sticking up for the ACC? Maybe.
But Johnson makes an argument: “Ole Miss loses to Wake Forest and people say, ‘Well, they’re a bottom feeder of the SEC.’ But then they go and beat Florida and the same people say, ‘Oh, that’s how tough the SEC is.’ It’s perception. Georgia’s a great example. Georgia’s a very talented team. They’ve got some great individual players. But the perception and the expectation level before the season started was unbelievable. And what warranted it? Because they blew out Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl?”
(Just in case Mark Richt needed some early bulletin board material.)
Johnson seldom is at a loss for words. Struggle to beat Gardner-Webb and just watch him make paint peel. He blistered his players at halftime and following the game.
He warned them again about sleeping on opponents. He berated them for being smacked by a team that had lost to Charleston Southern.
So they should be grounded again by Saturday.
Tommy Bowden is out at Clemson. Johnson said the Jackets should expect the Tigers “will play like their hair is on fire.” But this is a greater opportunity for Tech to establish its footprint in the conference.
Senior tackle Andrew Gardner said, “I won’t be here for much longer. But I don’t see a reason why Tech can’t compete every year, even if all of the teams get better. Obviously we’ve shown in this offensive system that there’s points to be scored. So why shouldn’t Tech be in the hunt ever year?”
When people questioned early whether Johnson’s spread offense would work in the ACC, he joked, “It’s not like we play in the NFC East.”
That is more apparent than ever — and the window is wide open.
Permalink | Comments (106) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
Comments
By Brian
October 14, 2008 6:11 PM | Link to this
Love the UGAY bit. GO JACKETS!!
By Wow what an arrogant clown
October 14, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
And how many wins has this jacka$$ racked up against the SEC to warrant this smack? I count a grand total of ONE. It might be best to do your talking on the field coach. Maybe you can talk about how overrated Georgia is if, and ONLY IF, you beat them. Until then you’re just the coach of the team that has had its a$$ handed to it by UGA on so many occasions that people are losing count. He’s definitely been spending way too much time around his pathetic fan base. That’s not healthy for anybody.
By THWG
October 14, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
The conference strength perception is largely based on preseason rankings and I think we can all agree that preseason polls are ridiculous. I, for one, would like to see polls suspended until 2 weeks into the season. Regardless, I still believe the SEC to be a stronger conference than the ACC, however not by much. I think the Wake win over Ole Miss who beat UF at the swamp and the convincing win of GT over MSU who went on to beat a #13 Vandy team on the road goes a long way to ACC strength.
To Hell With Georgia!
By Bob
October 14, 2008 6:25 PM | Link to this
I guess it was just perception and not reality when the SEC went 7-2 in bowls last year and the ACC went 2-6. I guess its just perception and not reality when the ACC Champion gets beat like a drum in its BCS bowl game year after year after year. Sure thing coach.
By Calvin
October 14, 2008 6:31 PM | Link to this
So, Mr. Schultz, will you be gathering any material for Tech’s bulletin board from UGA mouthpieces? Didn’t think so.
By cinch2win
October 14, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
Bob - If you live in the past, Tech has 4 national championships, how many does UGAG have? This here and now. Deal with it!
UGAG wouldn’t know a bulliten board without help from Jan Kemp, and she has 900+ more years to haunt UGAG, so says Mr. Bradley.
By Wishful Thinking
October 14, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Gotta love the dawgs on an Tech…cough….ACC blog..
1 in the nation did not bode so well did it?Go Jackets!
By Nick Saban
October 14, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
Rather than talk about supposed bulletin board material why don’t someone show me something incorrect Johnson mentioned ??? He’s right about the Ole Miss scenario and Bama proved the perception and expectation level of UGA before the season was definitely unwarranted (31-0 at the half). The truth hurts sometime.
By T
October 14, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
I love it that Johnson calls it like he sees it… and he is right about the perception bit.. its like accountants cooking the books… you can make the numbers do whatever you want… “journalists” do the same most times… but hey, if it sells papers.
By mountain fan
October 14, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
VT going to lose two? Doubtful-hope they do!
If not, how can Tech play in Tampa…with VT holding the tie breaker?
PS…I’m not “handing” the title to VT.
By m
October 14, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson is exactly right. The sec is mainly hype. And Thank God and Greyhound that Chan Gailey is gone forever.
By Slim Pickens
October 14, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
What scares me is the game on Nov. 1 against the Criminoles. I started school in ‘91 and I’ve never seen a win against FreeShoesU. At least it’s at home…
By John
October 14, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
I love his comment about UGA and Hawaii. Reminds me of when we first hired him and the first words out of his mouth were ‘To Hell With Georgia’. He doesn’t p***-foot around it like Chan did. He is an in-your-face, old school type of coach and plans to beat UGA every year INCLUDING this year.
I also love the UGA fans taking offense to him and his comments then saying they are not scared or that we stink. They sure don’t fool me or you! Go run and hide and worry about your own schedule because as far as I see it - your school will start to lose consecutive games starting this week!
By Wow what an arrogant clown
October 14, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
What I meant to say earlier is the Mark Richt is so far up my a$$ that whenever he poop$ it’s coming out of my mouth!!!!!
By TDone
October 14, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
As I have said before, the only thing the SEC has over the ACC are the following:
Bigger Stadiums.
More passionate fans.
Only one institution dedicated to academic excellence.
By Joe Schmoe
October 14, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Those big stadiums sure do fill a lot of idiots!
By Texas Jacket
October 14, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
the SEC/Dawg fans that post here really get bent out of shape at the smallest reference to the strength of their conference. UGA is a great program, and the SEC is a very strong conference. Why all the anger, guys? You must have a serious inferiority complex. It humors me to see you emotional midgets get that torqued.
I thought Tech was on their way to a great season, but after listening to the game on Sat, my feet are back on the ground. I guess it could still go either way, but seems to me the O-line and lack of depth almost everywhere are simply not going to carry us to 9 or 10 wins this year. Hope I’m wrong. As Jeff says, no one else in the ACC is running away with it. GO JACKETS!!!
By StingDoc
October 14, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
Wow what an arrogant clown = I AM AN IDIOT!!
It’s jerks like you who come over to a Tech blog to boast of your wins and display such a lack of class and sportsmanship that makes it impossible for any Tech fan to ever root for the dawgs. Both Tech and Georgia represent the state and some feel we should root for each other except when we play each other. Pathetic dawgs like you make this very difficult if not impossible.
By John
October 14, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Texas Jacket - hello! We are going 11-1 this season!! Don’t worry. Like you were excited to play GW - how do you think the team felt? Oh they will be ready vs Clemson and the rest of the teams. I have been to 3 games already so it is hard to judge from watching on TV or listening on the radio. Had you been present at a game (other then GW) you would have the impression I have - they are really good.
By Wow what an arrogant clown
October 14, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Look I cannot help it if I am GAY for Richt!!!!
By Scott
October 14, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
I just scroll through the puppy talk. It is a no win conversation. Funny, I never once went onto the UGA site to give my two cents. Anyway, I have to admit that I was upset the way things went on Sat vs. G-W. However, I am now over it and moving on. Our defense will come to play. Our offense is another story completely. I am not sold on the offense yet. I would like to see a wild hog formation or a shotgun passing formation to give the qb more time to throw. PJ has to do a few new things each week to keep the opposing defenses honest. It scares me we have several 1st and 2nd down losses then break a big one. Eventually, that doesn’t happen like G-W.
By Old Jacket
October 14, 2008 9:12 PM | Link to this
I’ve watched a lot of Georgia Tech football in my time. And no doubt, Georgia’s got the best of them during my participation. But this new coach is fixing to punch Bulldog Nation in the mouth.
By Rick
October 14, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Self-imposed suspensions behind for the Wake game, FSU is just beginning to roll. The only question is when the new staff and team will break out.
By 7Straight
October 14, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Johnson fits right in at the Joke by the Coke, becasue he is one. It didn’t take him long to become a typical Tech nerd. It’s easy to talk about beating Georgia in October, but when his unrated Jackettes lose to them in November all he will have is excuses. Georgia owns Tech. They haven’t beaten Georgia this century and all you Techies that are obsessed with the fact that your football program is so inferior and are predicting that you will win in Sanford Stadium will be nowhere to be found afterward—same as last year. And the year before that. And the year before that …
By MidnightRambler
October 14, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Bob posted: “I guess it was just perception and not reality when the SEC went 7-2 in bowls last year and the ACC went 2-6.”
Here is Reality: The following graphic and comments were noted on Raycom TV during the GT-BC game: * “MORE PLAYERS WERE DRAFTED FROM THE ACC, 115, OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS THAN FROM ANY OTHER CONFERENCE! THIS INCLUDES THE #1, 2, AND 3 PICKS: MATT RYAN, BC; CALVIN JOHNSON, GT; AND MARIO WILLIAMS, NC STATE!”*
How is this possible since the “mighty” SEC has 12 teams to only 11 for the “weak” ACC.
Furthermore, if you expand your time frame to the past 20-25 years, you would find different bowl statistics and inter-conference statistics including National Championships for Georgia Tech, FSU, Miami, and Clemson. Most things tend to work in cycles. You night take that into perspective, broaden your horizon, and address your biases.
By ga_tech_92
October 14, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I read a study that looked where teams are ranked preseason…then compared that with where the ended up at the end of the season…over the past twenty years. If a team were ranked higher preseason than where it finished, then it would be considered “overrated”. Study this over a twenty year period and you can find trends. Who is the number one over rated team over this time period?…you got it…UGA…it’s a fact, not an opinion.
By Brookwood1
October 14, 2008 9:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, I’m an Auburn grad who just loves college football. No matter your school affiliation, you have to admire Paul Johnson for his gumption and straight talking. Everyone wants a coach who earns the respect of his players and creates a winning expectation for every game. Unless Tech is playing Auburn, I wish them well. I like to see them beat Clemson this Saturday.
By StingDoc
October 14, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
*7Straight * If Tech happens to be driving for the winning score in Athens this year, are you going to have the same Cheating Dawg post the wrong downs on your scoreboard like he did last time?
By ga_tech_92
October 14, 2008 9:32 PM | Link to this
Also, I didn’t read where Coach Johnson said we were better or were going to beat UGA. He simply stated a fact, that UGA is over-rated. You can beat GT all you want, it doesn’t change the FACT that history and rankings show that UGA is THE most over-rated football program the psat twenty years. It’s not opinion, it’s fact. Look it up before you come woofing back here.
By StingDoc
October 14, 2008 9:36 PM | Link to this
Oh “7 Straight,” How many straight wins over the dawgs did Bobby Dodd have? Hmmm. Wasn’ t it more than 7? How quickly we forget.
By King Dawg
October 14, 2008 9:39 PM | Link to this
Yawn… Georgia Tech has a football team?
By Native Atlantan
October 14, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
The ACC almost as good as the SEC? When was the last time the ACC got two teams into the BCS in the same season…and won both….two years in a row? When was the last time the ACC won back to back national titles? When the Peach Bowl is played, do you realize it’s the #6 SEC (1&2 go to BCS; 3 to Capital One; 4 to Cotton; 5 to Outback) against the #2 ACC?
The only time the ACC gets multiple BCS games is when BCS stands for “Before Christmas Specials”. It’s tough to beat the ACC in one category: number of teams playing bowls in western baseball parks.
Tech fans talk awfully big for losing seven in a row to someone. When are you going to have three Div 1AA teams on the schedule?
By noshow moreno
October 14, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
I will personall kick no show moreno in the sac
By Brick
October 14, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this
I love lamp.
By Price
October 14, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
Look, thanks to last weekend, Georgia Tech is out of any mention of championships. Lets go ahead and count them out of a bowl game. When it comes to the ACC, Wake wants it more and will get it. Duke and has a better shot of winning the ACC than GA Tech. Gardner-Webb sealed the coffin on Tech this year.I don’t care if they won, but Tech doesn’t have any big victories or any challenging games. Go ahead and Kiss GA Tech goodbye!
By Go Dawgs.... ha ha ha
October 14, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Coach Johnson didn’t say UGA was bad. He didn’t even say that Tech was better. He didn’t come close to saying any of that. He just said that UGA was perceived in the preseason to be better than they were. And after the “Blackout” game at home against Bama (should have been called a “backout” because UGA backed out of the title hunt in just two quarters), who could argue with Coach Johnson?
Want to talk about the past?
UGA: 1 National Championship, most recently 1980.
TECH: 4 National Championships, most recently 1990.
As for 2008, UGA may be better, but they’re not as good as they were supposed to be and they’re not improving. Tech, meanwhile, has already exceeded expectations and is getting better.
Just keep saying what you’ve been saying for about a quarter of a century now, Dawg fans: “Next year is our year! Woof woof woof!”
By Buzzfan1936
October 14, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Hey, Guys, It is WAY too early to waste ink and breath about Jackets vs. Dawgs. We have too many tough games yet to play. Give it a rest! Right now, I just want to beat Clemson. I REALLY want to beat Clemson!
On the other hand, Coach Johnson will never beat the Dawgs if he doesn’t fire up the Jackets and convince them that they can. I believe he will. But that game is an eternity away.
By justin vess
October 14, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Georgia fans need to get a life. Most of you aren’t really fans. You just bought your dawg hat at the nearest dollar store and call yourself a fan. But, Georgia fans get off of techs blogs. Oh yeah all you can talk about the dawgs is how big of thugs they are.. ROLL TIDE
By TheFix
October 14, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson is a bad ma’a faala.
By FinanceBuzz
October 14, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
CPJ makes a valid point. If not for a preseason number 1 ranking, why is UGA ranked so high? Who have they beat to really prove they are so great? GSU or Some-Direction Michigan? Nope. USC. Maybe but USC is on par with BC which Tech beat on the road as well. ASU? They have a losing record were obviously overrated coming into the season. Bama? Well….I don’t think UGA fans want to go there! :) UT? Yeah, they are what..2-4? So UGA’s marquee win was on par with Tech’s marquee win. And they lose was much worse than our loss (which came on the road in a very hostile environment). Yeah, UGA has a slight edge based on our struggles with Gardner-Webb. But I think it is pretty clear that the only reason UGA is ranked in the top 10 is nothing they have done to earn, but solely on the virtue of a preseason ranking that was handed to them. If they can beat LSU and UF, I would be happy to concede their strength.
By CW
October 14, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
I just want to thank Jeff Shultz for stirring up the dog pile. Nothing funnier than the dogs skulking over to the Tech blog to tell us how unimportant we are.
By The Legacy Reborn
October 14, 2008 11:39 PM | Link to this
I think it is really funny that these puppy fans get so stressed out about what CPJ said. I guess they aren’t used to a Tech coach being so truthful. They say they are not worried, but they sure do talk alot of SH!T!!!! If you ask me, I think this year will be a year when UGAY has to look inside for inner strength after the season. Started #1, beat some easy teams, but get blacked out by BAMA, and they still get mention for a Title???? Yeah right! Even Tech fans know they could have lost their ACC hopes with VT (which reminded me of a Tech - UGAG game in Athens with that official walk to the endzone when Tech had a clean 4th down stop.) All that really matters is that we win out with the ACC, and hope VT loses 2. And that game in Athens will show a Tech team that is READY for the mutts. Oh, and UGAG fans, if you win this year then you can talk about doing what we already have done to you. Win 9 straight, and then you have done something new. Doubt that will happen though. Oh yeah, you need to win 3 more National Titles too, (doesn’t look like that will happen anytime soon). THWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By MidnightRambler
October 15, 2008 12:12 AM | Link to this
Oops! I’m living in the past. I forgot the ACC now has 12 not 11 teams. Errata in previous post:
By MidnightRambler
October 14, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Bob posted: “I guess it was just perception and not reality when the SEC went 7-2 in bowls last year and the ACC went 2-6.”
Here is Reality: The following graphic and comments were noted on Raycom TV during the GT-BC game: * “MORE PLAYERS WERE DRAFTED FROM THE ACC, 115, OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS THAN FROM ANY OTHER CONFERENCE! THIS INCLUDES THE #1, 2, AND 3 PICKS: MATT RYAN, BC; CALVIN JOHNSON, GT; AND MARIO WILLIAMS, NC STATE!”*
How is this possible since the “mighty” SEC has 12 teams to only 11 for the “weak” ACC.
Please delete the last sentence!
By buzztheirazz
October 15, 2008 1:04 AM | Link to this
gatech92—UGA fans don’t know what a study is because they never have studied.
By gatech92
October 14, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
I read a study that looked where teams are ranked preseason…then compared that with where the ended up at the end of the season…over the past twenty years. If a team were ranked higher preseason than where it finished, then it would be considered “overrated”. Study this over a twenty year period and you can find trends. Who is the number one over rated team over this time period?…you got it…UGA…it’s a fact, not an opinion.
By michaelgee
October 15, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
Q. Why is Sanford Stadium bigger than Grant Field?
A. UGA has more idiots looking for seats.
By alan
October 15, 2008 5:27 AM | Link to this
To Wow:
There you go again…Life must just be a bowl of cherries for you and yours at UGAY…ranked #1 in preseason - how sweet it is…just to be smacked down to #3 after the first game of the season because the pollsters thought USC was a stronger team…and then to be manhandled like a high school team by an Alabama team that no one gave much of a chance to beat the mighty puppies between the mighty hedges…Oh, the humanity, what a horrible tragedy…to everyone in Athens and all the hicktowns in the boonies… but to everyone else, well, let’s just say we were…..laughing our a*******e$ off.
BowWow Alabama _ithces!!!!
Oh, by the way, you were asleep at the switch…only the second one to post a comment on OUR blog?…gotta improve on that…GFY and THWUGAY
By OVER RATED MUTTS
October 15, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
The mutts are spraying p** everywhere. They’re scared because we have a coach that they know will beat them.
By No arrested players
October 15, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
UGA Fans: Why are you reading and commenting on a Tech article? Are you just sitting at work, and taking advantage of a lull in the drive-through line? You are overrated. You haven’t beat a team in the current top 25. Beat somebody good, then justify your ranking.
By gt_thwg
October 15, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
Let the dogs whine. Let’s just take care of our business. We’ll get our chance against the mutts. Why even worry about the mutts? They’ll knock themselves out of contention for anything that matters, so let them run their mouths and prove to the world what classless bandwagon fans they are.
By RAMBLE ON!!!
October 15, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Careful Paul, UGAg may have a BLACKOUT waiting for us!!!
CPJ is a BAAAAAADDDDD MAANNNN, Who speaks the truth and nothing but the truth!!!!!
By Paddy
October 15, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
You have just got to love CPJ. He is refreshing and truthful. Never full of “coach speak”. I can see why the AJC likes to cover him, he’s interesting. And he can coach. Don’t you just love football in the South?
Go Dawgs
By GT revived
October 15, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
The GEORGIA TECH Defense is for real. Just run the ball and pass when they load the box. If TECH avoids turnovers, they are hard to beat. Paul Johnson wants to win more than any coach since Bobby Dodd. He plays a lot of players and TEACHES the game….TECH can win the ACC
By bt
October 15, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Wow, those dog fans really know how to stink up a blog. What Johnson said was the truth, and the truth hurts.
By **NObama**
October 15, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Love the article and … TECH fans despise “Barry” Hussein Obama!!!
By DawginLex
October 15, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Tech fans can’t root for UGA because of how the fans act ? Well, folks, it goes both ways. Tech people telling me how smart they are and how they have a better job than I do when I make more money than most of them and live in a better house and have a family to boot.
When Tech beats us, then we might listen. Otherwise it is just your new coach acting out of desperation trying anything to conjure up a win after his juggernaut posted 10 points against a former JC team.
7 in a row with 8 on the way !!!!
By NYJacket
October 15, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
The only things that have changed in the last 50 years of college football are some of the rules (offensive players using hands, no helmut to helmut contact, QB throwing the ball away outside the tackle box, etc.) and the limitation on the number of scholarship players.
Georgia Tech has always had demanding academic requirements and needed to recruit against less academic demanding programs. But in spite of the academic demands, Georgia Tech, when led by a really good Coach, has been extremely competitive. The national championships attest to that fact.
CPJ has already restored the competitiveness of Georgia Tech football and has begun to excite the fan base.
The future is going to be great.
And as a final note for all the SEC fans who are too young to remember, when Georgia Tech was a member of that conference, it competed very well against the likes of Alabama, Tenn, Georgia, LSU, Florida, and Auburn. In fact, for many years Georgia Tech played Alabama when UGA would not put “Bama” on the schedule. Ask Vince about that reality.
So, Tech Fans, there is no reason to make excuses for the academic environment. It just takes the right coach. And, the Tech academic environment prepares Tech football players for a life long after football (including those players who may play in the NFL for a few short years).
By BuzzFactor
October 15, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
lets forget about the dogs for now. i heard this same interview of Johnson on Rivals radio last week. it’s old news. like Johnson said though, it’s all about perception, he talked about how when Miss St played to a 3-2 loss to Auburn, SEC fans said they had a great D, but when Tech blew them out, they were suddenly just SEC bottom feeders. Bottom line the ACC has played well out of conference this year so far but the perception of the ACC won’t change until we win more bowl games.
with that said. let’s go beat Clemson and leave the rest for later.
By BuzzFactor
October 15, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
lets forget about the dogs for now. i heard this same interview of Johnson on Rivals radio last week. it’s old news. like Johnson said though, it’s all about perception, he talked about how when Miss St played to a 3-2 loss to Auburn, SEC fans said they had a great D, but when Tech blew them out, they were suddenly just SEC bottom feeders. Bottom line the ACC has played well out of conference this year so far but the perception of the ACC won’t change until we win more bowl games.
with that said. let’s go beat Clemson and leave the rest for later.
By wreckmaniac
October 15, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
Lets please keep up. The epicenter of college ball is now in the big 12. 5 teams ranked in the top 11. Are we going to recognize this or wait two years for the media to tell us ?
By CarolinaJacket
October 15, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this
NYJacket is 100% right. Everybody remembers Theron Sapp, the “drought breaker,” but Auburn had it’s own drought against Tech at the time and almost destroyed Atlanta when they finally broke their drought. That was in 1955 when they broke a 14 year losing streak, with a 14-12 victory. So Tech played pretty well with the big boys (SEC) and can do so again. Not easy, but can be done.
By sherlock
October 15, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Where is Gardner Webb?
By Jared
October 15, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
CPJ is right on about perception and the double standard of loyalty that SEC has to its teams. The SEC is a very, very good conference, but the notion that their bad teams are better than a lot of other conferences teams is just wrong. Ole Miss loses to WF but beats Florida in the swamp. Miss St gets run out of Atlanta by the Jackets but beats undefeated, SEC East-leading Vanderbilt.
The crap that Mo Massaquoi said about “its hard to blow nybody out in this league” is a joke, too. Tennessee is atrocious this year and they don’t get some free pass and automatically become a better football team just because they play in the SEC. UGA should have blown them out but they didn’t because they are a good team, but not a great team.
I actually have a friend that tells me that SEC teams just get up a lot more for conference games, so when they get housed OOC but then beat a league foe, it really doesn’t mean anything. LOL.
By Chris
October 15, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
I find this blog funny. Why all the trash talking about the SEC? If the SEC is over-hyped, it’s still better than the ACC. And the trash talking about not blowing out Tennesee? Isn’t a 12 point win over UT better than a 3 point win over Gardner-Webb? It’s time for a bit of a reality check. I also don’t think that 7 in a row is over-hyped.
By Bob
October 15, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Look at all the UGA whiners. Newsflash. You are overrated. And you can’t argue with facts. I love how they bring up last year. LOL. The big 12 is by far the best conference this year and I would put the SEC slightly ahead of the acc. But that will change when Tech beats the overrated dawgs.
By Jeff Schultz
October 15, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
Bob: You make a fine point – and I think everybody would agree the SEC is stronger than the ACC and is the strongest conference (or no worse than even this year with Big 12). That said, I do agree with Paul on perceptions carrying too much weight. Example: Auburn never should’ve been ranked for as long as they were this year. …. Calvin: I doubt very much Mark Richt will say something anti-Tech. But I’ll be happy to write it if he does. …. T: For what it’s worth, I also like the fact that Johnson isn’t shy about what he says (though he’s not a braggart either). It’s good for the Tech fan base. …. Brick: Righteous! You go Anchorman. …. Everybody Else: Go back to your neutral corner until you hear the bell. I’m outta here. DING!!!!
By SavTechIE
October 15, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Agree with Chris 10:28 about trash talk, it only reflects a low mentality. What about TECH and GA being 2 of only 4 major schools to graduate half their scholarship players. Is there a names list anywhere. How many left for the pros.
By HamptonJacket
October 15, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
I have read the blog and i am amazed to see the UGA fans saying CPJ was “talking about beating the dawgs”. Where did you see that in the article or qoutes?
If you had the since to read the article and understand what he and Jeff Shultz said you would see he was saying that many teams are over rated this time of the year. He said we should be able to be a force in the ACC.
You dawg fans have to admit, that you were overrated at number 1 given your performance so far. If you had rolled over everyone like you were supposed to do in the pre-season, then you could boast.
By Godeacs
October 15, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
Thanks for not mentioning my Demon Deacons.
We’re just on our way to another ACC Championship and hopefully this time an Orange Bowl victory.
Best coach in college football lives in Winston Salem.
By john
October 15, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this
Chris, the only reason any of the Tech people comment on the SEC is because one of your UGA brothers had to come onto our blog (UGA has no blogs?) and start the trash talking about the SEC being better than the ACC, etc, etc. So, then, it is only reasonable (and fair) that the GT fans get the chance to rebutt. We don’t really care about you, your team or the SEC. We care about GT, the ACC and beating Clemson.
By John
October 15, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Godeacs - you guys lost to NAVY!!! Keep your mouth shut and get off our blog!!!
By Bozo the clown
October 15, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
You Tech people are serious about this? Go get your protractors and slide rulers together and figure out how to sell out your stadium and stop relying on the ajc to use these ridiculous pop up ads to do it for you. What a freeking joke.
By Ed, Edd and Eddy
October 15, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
I know Paul Johnson and I know he wasn’t belittling UGA. He was speaking honestly. But as a fan of both programs, I believe he was mistaken about the Sugar Bowl blowout being the reason for UGA’s ranking this year. Sure, it contributed, because they looked like the quickest defense in history during that game. But the Florida and Auburn wins also played a huge part in that ranking.
By EasyCharlie
October 15, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
One game at a time, guys — never mind the trash talk, lets beat Clemson! Go Tech!
By Stingem84
October 15, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
I listened to the G-Web game on the radio and was very disappointed; but after watching the replay on CSS last night, it was clear that C.Booker just couldn’t do much with the option. The Defense played great, and if Nesbit or Shaw had played, it would have been a much better outcome. Also, I don’t get how so many bloggers here claim to be a fan of both Tech and UGA; not possible for a true fan of either team.
By EasyCharlie
October 15, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
“It’s what (Bowden) deserved. Dabo Swinney is a fine man and will do an excellent job.”
— Clemson QB Cullen Harper
Guess who will be the Clemson starting QB saturday?
By Reality Check
October 15, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
LOL @ the inbred UGA fans.
They are sure spending a lot of time on a Ga Tech blog. Getting nervous?
By 59-38-5
October 15, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Paul Johnson’s gimmick offense works well the first time around, but it will not work long-term as teams in the ACC get used to seeing it. By the way, I understand the general tone of bitterness directed at UGA by all the trade school nerds posting here. I would be bitter too if I had lost the last seven games in a row and 14 of the last 17 overall. See y’all on the 29th for your annual beatdown.
By ttown one
October 15, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
GTech has a good team this year and yes anyone can win the ACC this year. With that said, some of your comments about FSU are off the mark. They blew up Miami during the first half of their game, and I saw many, many top notch recruits at that game. During the second half, FSU turned the ball over and gave 20 points to Miami. I think you did not see the same game as the rest of the nation, but that’s your opinion.
GTech has a good team, but to try to crown them champs is a little premature and immature, don’t you think?
Looking at the SEC: UGA is overrated. LSU has offensive problems and UF will play Bama for the title. The SEC is not the best conference. They are good, but not the best.
By BAD BOY
October 15, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
WOW!! How about that high powered tech offense? It put up a whopping 10 points on GW.GW did not have a chance. This offence reminds me of the mighty Nebraska teams of the late 80s and 90s. UGA better watch out for this juggernaut offense…. What a joke.
By wes
October 15, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
LOL @ the Hawaii comment!!!!!!!
CPJ is THE MAN.
By Oh yes it is possible
October 15, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
There are lots of folks in this state who are college football fans, like me, who went to neither school. I am indeed a fan of both programs. Normally, I would shade to UGA except my daughter is going to Tech now.
By GT45
October 15, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
You can’t blame a coach for sticking up for his conference. That is all CPJ is doing! I don’t think he is even taking a shot at UGA-he is badmouthing preseason polls that really aren’t fair. I love his fire and unwillingness to mix words. As far as the blog goes, I think we have a great chance for winning the ACC, but if not, we are having a great season so far. Goodluck to UGA, I hope they are ranked high as possible when we play, and for the sake of their sos, they better hope the same for us. Go Jackets-
By BuzzGT
October 15, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Why are all the Dawg fans upset? It is now obvious that UGA was overrated to begin the season. But if they keep winning, they will have a chance to end it #1. Same goes for GT. If they keep winning, they will certainly be ranked and build a great foundation for making a run at an ACC title this year or next.
By NYJacket
October 15, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
UGA will find out on Nov 29th how easy it is to stop the Tech offense.
By DawginLex
October 15, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Your 20 year study is quite interesting. Funny how you didn’t just look at Mark Richt’s tenure, how convenient. If you did you would notice how most years under Richt, UGA was rated lower at the beginning of the season as compared to their final ranking.
Of course you have to go back 18 years to find a time when Tech beat UGA with eligible players.
By Spike
October 15, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Keep talking, Techies. Please keep talking.
By Reasonable UGA fan
October 15, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Not including this year, the SEC holds a 905-747-83 record over the ACC. There are a grand total of 2 ACC teams with winning overall records vs the SEC. Ironically, they’re Duke and UNC. UNC holds a 84-74-8 record vs the SEC, with 34 of the wins coming vs S. Carolina (former ACC members). Duke is 52-48-5 vs the SEC, with 24 of the wins coming vs S. Carolina.
UGA has winning records over every ACC team, except BC (2-2), Wake Forrest (1-2), and Maryland (2-3-1). Note that all of those UGA is either tied, or down one game. UGA owns a 59-38-5 record vs GT and a 41-17-4 record vs Clemson, UGA’s two main ACC rivals. We’ve won 7 in a row vs Tech, 14 of 17 since Tech’s 1990 national title season.
Not including this year, with current conference alignments:
UGA: 152-91-18 vs ACC UF: 108-93-11 vs ACC UT: 100-60-7 vs ACC Bama: 76-34-4 vs ACC Auburn: 119-75-8 vs ACC LSU: 31-28 vs ACC
Until any of that changes, or Johnson beats a SEC team other than Mississippi State, he needs to shut his mouth. Are SEC homers annoying? Yes. But does the ACC have anything on the SEC, now or in the past? No.
By Spike
October 15, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
RE: Hawaii and the Sugar Bowl. Didn’t Tech lose again in the Humanitarian Bowl and the Emerald Bowl recently? And you guys are talking smack?
By UgaMatt
October 15, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
Hate to be the voice of logic Techsters(actually, I can’t back that up), but you’re two games behind VA Tech. That’s why it really sucks to lose to someone in your division. So, to win the mighty ACC Coastal, you need to win out against Clemson, Va, FSU, UNC, and Miami, while hoping that VA Tech loses two of its games against BC, FSU, Maryland, Miami, Duke, and Va. Color me cynical, but I don’t see that happening.
If I had to handicap that division right now, I’d actually go with UNC, even though Va Tech beat them. They close with Va, BC, GT, Maryland, NC St., and Duke. They miss FSU and have Miami out of the way already.
By gregdog63
October 15, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
…to the poster talking about NFL drafted players…are we talking about nfl or ncall football? …enough said. To all tech fans. This wasn’t a tech blog. with his comments about the dawgs he made it about the game. I have a ton of respect for CPJ. I think he is a really good coach. I was happy you got him…however, his comments speak volumes of the same inferiority complex that tech fans have towards dawg fans. If i were you, I would be VERY concerned. CMR doesn’t say a word. He just goes and beats your a$# every single year. Maybe coach Johnson could learn something from him. Should a coach realy be talking about a game 6 months away? I guarentee you that CMR hasn’t given a thought to north avenue and won’t until the week of the game. That said, good luck the rest of the year tech fans. I hope you win the ACC division. It’ll just make our game that much better!!
By BAD BOY
October 15, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
UgaMatt,
These clowns dont have enough offense to win the ACCC. They may get lucky and get an invite to the Motor City Bowl.
By Scott
October 15, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
The SEC is overrated year after year after year. Yet, for some reason, the SEC fans insist on coming to an ACC site and talk smack. Once and for all, the SEC is no better than the ACC. You can quote everything to me you want. I don’t care. The bottom line is the ACC is just as good as the SEC. Print it up and hang it on your door! Georgia is, at best, a mediocre team that would finish 4th in the Coastal Division in the ACC. They beat nobody!!!!!!!!!! South Carolina lost to Vandy who lost to Miss St who got trounced by GT. Tennessee is horrible!!!!! They beat nobody! Auburn..way overrated and started the season in the top 10 because the press wanted the hype for the SEC. The only quality teams this year in the SEC are Florida and Alabama. No not Vandy and certainly not Georgia. Go get a bone and chew on that.
By BAD BOY
October 15, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
Scott, GT-10 GW-7. Yes we lost to the #2 ranked team in the country. GT lost to VA tech. are they even ranked?
By Joel Hall
October 15, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this
Shulzie, There is no way on God’s green earth that you have ever worn a football helmut. You have no idea what your talking about; EVER when it comes to football. You do give me a good laugh though!!!
By Buzzfan1936
October 15, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
WHY ARE THE DAWGS SO UPSET? Here is coach Johnson’s exact quote:
But Johnson makes an argument: * “Ole Miss loses to Wake Forest and people say, ‘Well, they’re a bottom feeder of the SEC.’ But then they go and beat Florida and the same people say, ‘Oh, that’s how tough the SEC is.’ It’s perception. Georgia’s a great example. Georgia’s a very talented team. They’ve got some great individual players. But the perception and the expectation level before the season started was unbelievable. And what warranted it? Because they blew out Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl?”*
What about that statement is not valid? Right now, the media perception for the SEC may be too high and for the ACC may be too low based on games in week 1. Look at Miss. State. After they held Auburn to a 3-2 win, the press said how tough they were. After Tech walloped them, many, esp. Dawg fans, came on Tech blogs to claim Miss. State was a bottom feeder. Then they knocked off 5-0 Division leader, Vandy, and there was silence.
By g-man
October 15, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
First of all the FSU-Miami game had the highest rating of any game on that Saturday, so maybe the luster is as far off as you hope. And this window you keep taking about will soon be closed when you play FSU and UGA. Then you can slide back into your mediocre shell you are used to writing in.
By Jeff Schultz
October 15, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
Joel: I know how to spell helmet, so that puts me ahead of you.
By Julian
October 15, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
GO HEELS! COASTAL DIVISION CHAMPS IN ‘08! BEAT GT!
I could care less about the sec, Shady Education Conference. Enough said!
By James Adams
October 16, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Georgia Tech fans are funny. Tech fans are like the guy whose wife is getting banged by the next door neigbor for seven years in a row. When he finds out, all he can do is tell the neighbor, ” My car is more expensive than yours. My house has more insulation. My dog is better trained,” All the while her face is buried in the pillow taking it like every ex-coke dealing rapist currently in jail that ever played at Georgia Tech.
By Buzz29
October 16, 2008 4:33 AM | Link to this
Wow, I think James has daddy issues. Did your Uncle Micheal touch you in your special area James?
By Jarrett
October 16, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
**I did not no that Manny was African-American! What a bunch of idiots!! He is Dominican! He is from a island in the carribean called the Dominican Republic. Our educational dollars at work! Ha!! This is one of the problems with people using hyphenated ethnicities, which are basically an attempt to cover for an enourmous insecurity problem! It is as if using one of these hyphenated ethnicities is going to give you a “go to the head of the class” pass … Oh Wait! It does! It’s called Unaffirmative Action … which is illegal by the way.
By Jarrett
October 16, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
I did not know that Manny was African-American! What a bunch of idiots!! He is Dominican! He is from a island in the carribean called the Dominican Republic. Our educational dollars at work! Ha!! This is one of the problems with people using hyphenated ethnicities, which are basically an attempt to cover for an enourmous insecurity and intelligence problem! It is as if using one of these hyphenated ethnicities is going to give you a “go to the head of the class” pass … Oh Wait! It does! It’s called Unaffirmative Action … which is illegal by the way.
By PTC DAWG
October 16, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
A couple of points, this is not a GT blog, it’s an AJC columnist writing about GT and GT’s Coach and his comments about the SEC and specifically UGA.
2nd point, the GT fans are HIGHlarious…
That said, GT looks better so far. No doubt about it. That in itself with make the win this fall vs GT even sweeter.
Oh yeah, one more point, all the GT fellows that like to use the “ugag”, it’s childish at best.
By bill
October 16, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
I have a nickname for Tech’s defensive line. How bout “The four swordsmen” for the way they carve up QB’s. This is the best defensive line in the country, period.
By Big Albany DAWG
October 17, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
The only good excuse there is for even acknowledging tech is the proximity to The Varsity. GO DAWGS.
By Big Albany Dawg
October 17, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
The only good excuse there is for even acknowledging tech is the proximity to The Varsity. GO DAWGS.