Home > Jeff Schultz > Archives > 2008 > November > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWinning opportunity knocking for Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chapel Hill, N.C. — Opportunity wasn’t expected to come this early. Opportunity wasn’t expected to be this pronounced. A voice in the conference, hope in the BCS, anything more than a minor diversion on the local college football landscape — not supposed to happen.
“Honestly, if you asked me before the season, I would’ve said I hope this could happen but I never put a number on it,” Dan Radakovich said. “People talk about good seven-win seasons and bad seven-win seasons. This would be a very good 7-2.”
Georgia Tech has opportunity like it hasn’t had in several years. The program in Athens, the one that generally dwarfs the Jackets in stature and visibility, has been crushed by its two signature opponents this season, Alabama and Florida. For many Georgia fans, the remainder of the season isn’t about opportunity. It’s about limiting the bitterness.
But for Georgia Tech players and coaches and certainly its ticket-selling, sponsor-hawking athletic director, opportunity for something great is staring them in the face.
With at least four games remaining, the Jackets have a chance to hit double digits in victories for the first time in 10 years. After last week’s 31-28 win over Florida State, they have a strong pulse in the ACC. Win their final two conference games against North Carolina (today) and Miami (Nov. 20), and there’s a good chance of advancing to the conference title game — the winner of which goes to the Orange Bowl.
It’s November. The one local team that figured to be in the BCS mix was the one ranked No. 1 in the preseason. Tech? It was projected by many to finish just north of Duke.
The fact that Tech’s resurgence coincides with Georgia’s disappointment gives the Jackets an unexpected opportunity to alter the local landscape.
“Raising the awareness of Georgia Tech is always important,” said Radakovich, the athletic director who started all this with the hiring of coach Paul Johnson. “We don’t have the circumstances the University of Georgia has, where the stadium is sold out each week. Paul has his goals moving the team forward, and we have our goals from an administrative standpoint. This gives us an opportunity.”
Resilience leads to opportunity.
The Jackets have won at Boston College and Clemson. They held on to defeat an FSU team that had won four straight and climbed to 15th in the rankings. They came within three points of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
Can they do something today that the Bulldogs couldn’t — win the conference game that matters?
The Jackets are good. They weren’t supposed to be within a zip code of good.
Johnson inherited a strong recruiting class from Chan Gailey. But expecting success in year one with a spread-option offense seemed as plausible as taking a 30-day course in Latin, jumping back in time and mixing at a dinner party in Ancient Rome.
There have been the expected hiccups, but the surprise is that the Jackets have been able to overcome them. They have lost 15 fumbles in nine games. No other ACC team is even in double figures. Only one Division I team in the nation (Army) has lost more fumbles (18). And yet, Tech is a plus-six in turnover differential, thanks to a defense that has forced 25 turnovers (first in the ACC and tied for third in the nation).
There is a toughness about this team, a sense of accountability and discipline and confidence that had been missing in the program.
“Paul has done a lot to change the attitude about things,” Radakovich said. “Even early on, when he talked to players about going to class, he didn’t just tell them. He would follow up and if they didn’t do as he told them, there would be a little jog. Well, more than a little jog. They understood early that when he asked them to do something, he’d follow through.”
Now, they’re here. Win this game, the next one becomes even bigger. Opportunity awaits.
Permalink | Comments (49) | Post your comment | Categories: Tech/ACC
Comments
By yellowblood
November 7, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Opportunity awaits our team and a Tickle Pile awaits our alumni and students. The Tickle Pile will be held on the Intramural Fields at UNC immediately following the game. If it rains we will go to the Gathering Room at the UNC Student Center. Welcome all including you UNCers. We love Blue. It’s such a gay color.
By Alabama Jack
November 7, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
yellowblood - go back to Athens and bite your mailman.
By GT2002
November 7, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Take care of the ball, get some pressure on their QB and we will be fine. This is a great opportunity to get some national recognition for what this team and coaching staff has done in such a short time and I have every reason to believe CPJ will have the boys ready to rock and roll come noon. I feel like this is the week the offense finally gets it rolling on all cylinders and we put up north of 40 on them. Let’s take care of business and get ready for the U.
By gtforever
November 7, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Yellowblood, They say you are extremely talented when it comes to tickle piles….
On a more serious note. If we can keep the turnovers to zero, then the game should be close. If we turn the ball over we are toast…. This UNC team is probably the best that we will face this year, excluding UGAY, who will be the best team that we will face.
By Peter Lindstrom
November 7, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
It’s going to be a very difficult game. If we can play without any turnovers then we might have a chance to win the game. Everyone has to step up and work 110%. Let’s not look towards UM let’s focus on UNC. TO HELL WITH THE LEGHUMPING UGay
By Georgia Fan
November 7, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Jeff, the only person that is bitter about Georgia’s season appears to be you. Did you lose money on Georgia football or something? Good grief dude let it go. How many shots do you need to get in before you feel better? We get it. You think we suck. We don’t care, but we get it. Quit beating a dead horse.
By the way, tell all your AJC staffers that Tech still has to play us this year. Their “resurgence” will mean jack freaking squat if number 8 comes knocking in a few weeks. They can have an ACC championship for Uga to poop on. Their season will be absolutely meaningless without a win over us. No amount of AJC hype will change that. The games still have to be played.
By Melinda
November 7, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
I think what we are learning about this Yellow Jacket team and about our coach is that they are much more than an offensive scheme and a good front four. They are becoming everything a college football program should be.
By OldGold
November 7, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
There are fleas in here.. Must be a mutt among us.
By Yella Fella
November 7, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
Sounds like someone hasn’t learned from the past. You black out alabama and got a black eye. You taunted UF last year and they drug you through the mud. Now keep talking. This year is different. It seems the more you all in Athens talk the worse the beat down…
Keep on talking.
By GT Brill
November 7, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
I am nervous about this game, but I am nervous about every game. Tech can win if….no turnovers and Nesbitt can go the whole 60 minutes. After reading about Jaybo in the paper today, I do feel better about him being in there. He admitted after the fumble that he let it rattle him. Freshman are going to play erratically.
By Bill4Denn
November 7, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
PJ has done an awesome job in getting into the heads of the Tech players and coaching them how to have the right stuff mentally to keep fighting and develop a winning attitude. You can see it in how the team plays each week. Even when they make a mistake, fumble, or whatever they don’t have a let down. Also, PJ is in their face, in their stuff, and all over them the entire game. He refuses to accept anything less than total production. That is a lesson that MR in Pupville hasn’t learned yet. Twice the puppies have been humiliated and there were hung heads on the sidelines, whining in the stands, and fleas on the field. The Saturday after Thanksgiving should be most interesting.
Tech should be OK against UNC if they limit the turnovers and play like they did for the entire game last week. Hard and determined to win.
I wonder if poodles are afraid of wildcats?
By TechCrybaby
November 7, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
GT Brill, you are nervous about this UNC game. Not me. However, if the first quarter ends with Carolina up, 14-0, Nesbitt reinjured and out, and another major star out as well, THEN, I’m breaking out in hives.
By vikingbuzz
November 7, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Oh What a great game it is going to be.
By Expectations
November 7, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
A Dawg calling Tech’s sesaon meaningless without a win over UGA… Tech: new coach, new system, playing 16 frosh or sophs out of 22, youngest team in the ACC UGA: best coach, seasoned QB, top recruiting class year after year Good grief the leg humpers have fallen deep. The game tomorrow is ours to take and PJ will have the Jackets ready to roll. Go Jackets!
By snapshot
November 7, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
In the past, as young and banged up as Tech is, I would have said that winning Saturday would be to much to ask. However, with CPJ and the helm, you never know. Good things just happen.
By UrinatesOnDawgs
November 7, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
UGA fans..We just put 31 points on a top 5 Defense..we just put 280+ rushing yards on a team that averages keeping offenses to 80 on the ground..My god we only had to throw the ball 5 times…and trust me we CAN throw the rock around (see Miss ST blowout..you know those other puppies from the best confrence top to bottom in the nation)…we just didn’t have to. You are not even in the top 50 defenses in the nation….and if No-Show can only run for 65 on Fla D wait till he sees us…….
Now.. UNC…Control the Ball..win the game. Dominate TOP.. J Word-daniels…you will be missed this game. Front four..just don’t give Sexton time to throw the rock..they WILL try to go downfield. I think we matchup well against this team… But for the 2nd week in a row..this game will be an all out war
By Don't need Schultz
November 7, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Nice try Schultz. You picked against us this week and even last week, even though we were FAVORED to win! What kind of a hometown paper picks against their hometown team when they are favored??? You must have a growing subscriber base to be able to afford to pi$$ off one of your local alum base. It’s all right though, cause we’re going to win anyway, notwithstanding your lack of respect. Let’s go JACKETS; you can do this thing. BEAT UNC!!!!!!!!
By GREER, S.C. DAWG
November 7, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this
YELLOWBLOOD,
YOU CRACK ME UP!!!
By GotOut07
November 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
The fumbles statistic is going to be used agains CPJ for his entire career, and it’s going to be idiotic every time it’s brought up. Fumbles are what happens when you run the ball a disproportionate number of times. When you always pass, you get lots of interceptions. Most coaches don’t set records in either statistic because the have a balance of both. The statistic that matters is TURNOVERS, which, while not great this year, is not quite so bad that we’re barely ahead of Army.
By jabster
November 7, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this
Georgia Fan:
We just might lose #8 to UGA this year. But guess what! We weren’t supposed to be here! Worst in the whole stinkin’ ACC according to SI. When you’re playing the, what, #1 team in the country (FAIL!) you’re supposed to lose!
At the beginning of the season I said I had good news and bad news. Good news is the UGA streak ends. Bad news is it ends in 2009.
So, losing to UGA this year=expected. Beating UGA this year=bonus.
Hardly a failure of a season for Tech at this point.
But that’s not important at all this week. What is important is beating the tar out of the heels.
GIVE ‘EM HELL TECH!
By Wes Durham
November 7, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Of course we were not supposed to be this good (by our standards)…Give us 8-4 and we will party like it is 1999…..
By reebok
November 7, 2008 5:41 PM | Link to this
If the Jackets don’t turn the ball over, we will win handily. More than one turnover, and we’re $crewd…IMHO, of course, always and forever.
By michaelgee
November 7, 2008 5:44 PM | Link to this
CPJ has been doing this same Coaching Miracle in the State of Georgia since 1985. If the ajc covered the “Rest of Georgia” this would be old news about how GREAT CPJ is.
I suppose we have to settle for the ajc discovering one of the States very BEST Head Coaches 23 years after he started winning National Championships in Georgia.
At least Tech has the good fortune of finding CPJ after all these years.
Hint: Statesboro is also part of Georgia although the ajc gives Georgia Southern very little credit.
GTech will beat those ugly hounds in a few weeks, mark it down.
By TDone
November 7, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
To Georgia Fan,
Why the frustration? Did someone steal the fries from your happy meal?
You people never cease to amaze me.
By Less Concerned Jacket
November 7, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
Saw a lot of jumping on and off the bandwagon from Tech bloggers the last two weeks. So let’s keep it in perspective this week. A win would be a huge shot in the arm for a young team still trying to find an identity. A loss is but a small setback in an otherwise successful season.
Not one person, including CPJ could have predicted a 7-2 start. Most would have been happy in the spring to win 6 total.
The future is bright, very bright. We can beat UNC, Miami, and UGA, but don’t act like Gailey is still the coach if we don’t. Cheer you a$$’s off tomorrow, and we’ll see what happens. During the white out against Miami, fill the stands. On T-giving weekend, break open the bank and find a way to cram into UGA. I’m telling all, these kids need our support more than they need our criticism. Go Tech and To Hell With Georgia!!
By TStinger
November 7, 2008 6:13 PM | Link to this
TECH defense will swarm all over the blue heels saturday. If we stay below 2 turnovers we’ll win big.
By TStinger
November 7, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
TECH defense will swarm all over the blue heels saturday. If we stay below 2 turnovers we’ll win big.
By BigJim
November 7, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
Hey Georgia F*….
Based on 08 expectations, 1 more win and our season goes from really good to great.
One more loss and your season goes from crappy to the inbreds calling for richts job…
Most arrested + most penalized + lose to (any 2 SEC teams) + lose to GT = new coach in 09.
Adams will see to that my PBR swillin’ friend.
By GT JOE
November 7, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
toughest game of the season this week
we will win if nesbitt keeps making the right reads like he did against FSU, limit turnovers, cause some turnovers, play good special teams, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE D-LINE PLAYS ITS BEST GAME OF THE SEASON
By Steve
November 7, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Hang on to the ball tomorrow, and things will work out.
By GT Rich
November 7, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
I just looked at the starting line-up for tomorrow: 8 of 11 Def starters will be back next season. All 11 of the Off starters will return. 19 of tomorrow’s 22 starters will be back. Looking 2 years ahead, 7 on D and all 11 again on O should be back for 2010!! Not to mention that this year’s recruiting class is as good as any GT has ever had. The future looks to be very bright for this young team…
By m
November 7, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Thank God that Tech hired DRAD…and thank GOD that he finally corrected the worst mistake in Tech history…the hiring of Chan Gailey. The last 6 years were totally wasted. Fortunately, the sky is the limit for the next 6 years under Paul Johnson. And, as always, Thank God and Greyhound that the worst coach in the history of the world is gone FOREVER. Hallleeeeedamlooooyah.
By HomeVoIP
November 7, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Tech plays with confidence, not cockiness. Tech’s coach calls the play, for UGA - it’s Mike Bobo. Nuff’ said!
By sparky
November 7, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Go Jackets We are gonna be proud of you, no matter.
By jay jarrell
November 7, 2008 9:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Sh*ts,How< bout those Doggies!Go back to the S.E.C. Blog.
By ramblin gamblin
November 7, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
The Tech/UNC game is going to be really interesting and definitely worth the price of admission. Paul Johnson and Butch Davis have accomplished a lot in a short period of time and that’s what makes this game a great matchup of coaching wits. If both coaches continue on their present paths, this could become the ACC’s annual “game to watch”.
By Arty
November 7, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this
Yes, fleas, cockroaches, bad breath and stupid women, UGA fans have been on the blog.
Ol’ YellaBlood is mad as heck for his dawgies have been neutered; in fact, it is rumored YellaBlood has carnal knowledge of the pup… just sick, huh?
THWG and Marry Lunson
By StingDoc
November 7, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
yellowblood: You are disgusting scum. It shames me that garbage like you might be considered by outsiders to represent the backward, obscene mentality that is typical of the state of Georgia. Go back to the rock you climbed out from under and cohabitate with the other worms. Your preoccupation with tickle piles is clear evidence of your own fantasies. So go put on the Deliverance music and get it on Dawgie Style with your cousin-wife’s brother while admiring your 6th grade diploma on the wall, you pathetic, moronic, scumbag.
THIS STING HAS BEEN APPLIED TO THE TRASH-TALKING REDNECK “YELLOWBLOOD’S” RED, BLACK, & BLUE GATOR CHOMPED DAWGIE BUTT BY STINGDOC!!
By Tech guy in Chapel Hill
November 8, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
I am in Chapel Hill and very excited….I have my Dwyer jersey and am ready to irritate many UNC fans. My brothers are UNC alums and I think they feel as I do when we meet in hoops….Of coarse optimistic but completely scared for what is about to roll through Chapel Hill. I gotta hand it to them, they have a bunch of support from their fans.
I am still amazed at last weeks outcome and am as proud as ever to be a Yellow Jacket. The way this team has come together is a story that is just starting to make big headlines. Even Schultz is here to see it and he only seems to attend the ACC hoops tournament b/c during the fall the AJC folks are at football games. For the guy earlier, Schultz picked us this week unless he changed his column.
The Jackets are ready for a game like this. I love CPJ’s attitude when asked about Gardner “We subbed 2 guys in the second half for him and I think noone noticed” This guy is going to take us to great places on the gridiron.
Dwyer and Nesbitt, run like crazy and we will be fine. UNC has many INTs but only 4 fumble recoveries for the year. We barely throw and I hope that fumble stat does not move much or it will be a long day. I will be in the middle of UNC alum seating so just look for the ONLY guy standing there yelling and screaming when we score. I hate UNC fans and have many times been a thorn to them (and DUKE) at ACC tournaments. My father a Duke Grad actually smoked a cigar and cheered for Wake at an ACC tournament against UNC in the middle of their section while Wake beat them with the four corners. I only hope tomorrow can be as sweet for us.
For years I have heard from my brothers about UNC during hoops. Well this is our sport vs. UNC. 8 ofthe last 10. They are the ones who will need to adjust and not know what hit them!! I have waited a long time to come to a game here when it mattered to both teams. My last game here in person, 1990 tie to UNC. I do not expect to see Tech loose in Keenan Stadium.
Give ‘em hell Tech!!
By Willie
November 8, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Man, I just love bitter (and nervous) UGA fans…watch your backs, boys….we are coming…and we will be coming every year from now on. For the first time in a while….it’s good to be a Jacket!
By Stone Mtn, GA
November 8, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Could it just simply be that both teams are EXACTLY where they are supposed to be and the pundits and prognosticators were always wrong?
Call me crazy, but I think that’s the most logical argument.
By GT45
November 8, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
These two teams will be playing to see who goes to the ACC championship for the next few years.
By Erin
November 8, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Its pretty amazing how Georgia fans cut down Tech as if we’re nobody and then turn around and use them beating us as some reasoning for their greatness. Sorry guys, it doesn’t work that way. Nobody else in college football thinks y’all beating Tech makes up for getting your a** handed to you by Florida and Alabama. THWG
By correction
November 8, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Tech Guy: Thanks for pointing out my error. Schultz did pick GT this week. Barnhart picked UNC. But last week they both picked against us even tho we were favored to win by 2 1/2. My point is, why would our sportswriters pick against us when we are favored to win (e.g. last week)?? I still don’t get it. If they thought we wouldn’t cover, they could simply say, “Tech wins but doesn’t cover”. But to actively go against us when we are favored makes no sense to the locals.
By Tom Becker
November 8, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Correction: The sportswriters are being cautious. Let Tech prove them wrong.
Get the beer on ice, get rid of your wives, and watch college football. Hope you got HD.
By 110percent
November 8, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Carolinia Blue - Past tense for Carolinia Suxs
Go Jackets. Win today and put the state and nation on notice.
what’s the good word?
By 110percent
November 8, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Carolinia “Blue” - Past tense for Carolinia Suxs
Go Jackets. Win today and put the state and nation on notice.
what’s the good word?
By 110percent
November 8, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Carolinia “Blue” - Past tense for Carolinia Suxs
Go Jackets. Win today and put the state and nation on notice.
what’s the good word?
By John Kincade is Gay
November 8, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
GT fans beware.
Step 1 - Jeff Shultz writes a complimentary column about your team before a tough game.
Step 2 - Your team loses.
Step 3 - Jeff Shultz writes a nasty column saying your team choked and that your season is a disappointment.