AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > August > 27 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPREDICTIONS: It’s not eight wins, but…
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Chan Gailey’s boss says he wants improvement. But after three seven-win seasons, Dave Braine won’t define what improvement is, even avoiding the obvious answer (duh, eight wins). We only think we know that Braine wanted Gailey to hand over his offense to somebody else. And we think Gailey said, “No!” and Braine said, “Fine! Be that way!” So I think we think Gailey might be tying his noose. Here’s what I think I know. If I had to deal with a talented but erratic Reggie Ball the past two years, academic roadblocks and those pesky NCAA issues, all in the shadow of Tech basketball and Athens football, I’d be burying myself in several pints of Haagen-Dazs. Instead, Chan Gailey lost 30 pounds. That has to count for some improvement. Which is not to say it will mean squat in the Miami game. Let’s find out:
Sept. 3, at Auburn: When you’re trying to save your job, do you want to start the season at Auburn? Cuz I’m thinking it might’ve been worth the jokes to open against Samford again. The Tigers have lost Ronnie Brown, Carnell Williams and Jason Campbell. But they’re not losing this game. Jackets go down.
Sept. 10, North Carolina: If John Bunting (19-30) has more job security than Gailey (21-17), it’s only because nobody in Chapel Hill realizes Carolina has a football team. Bunting’s specialty is defense, but his team allowed 32 points per game in the ACC last year. A win for the Buzz.
Sept. 17, Connecticut: Five UConn players were charged in May after a pellet gun was fired from inside their SUV in a convenience store parking lot. Charges against each were either reduced or dropped. Nonetheless, the SEC has begun expansion talks. If the Huskies seem a little cocky coming into this game, it’s because they start with Buffalo and Liberty. Tech to 2-1.
Sept. 24, at Virginia Tech: Given that weight loss, Gailey won’t look like a schlep when he stands next to Frank Beamer. Before the game, anyway. This week, reality comes-a-knockin’. Bees go down, and they go down hard.
Oct. 6, North Carolina State: Does any coach have less to show for a great reputation? The Wolfpack was 5-6 last season and is only 20-20 in the ACC under Chuckles. The team was a minus-17 in turnover ratio. Amato, entering year six, just hired his fourth offensive coordinator. And he sounds like a wimp. I think I just talked myself into a win. Make that 3-2.
Oct. 15, at Duke: You know that saying, “One day, I’ll look back and this will all seem funny”? Duke coaches almost never say that. Tech to 4-2.
Oct. 22, at Miami: These schools have met only twice since the Hurricanes first expanded their recruiting base to various penitentiaries in the 1980s. In eight quarters, Tech has scored one touchdown. Not good. Not getting better. Bees back to 4-3.
Oct. 29, Clemson: Last season, team Sybil beat Miami, then lost to Duke. Their win totals under Tommy Bowden: 6-9-7-7-9-6. It’s the same backward as forward. Not sure, but I think that means he’s an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, wrapped in an Amato. But Bowden is handing over his offense to somebody else, so that can’t be bad news. This’ll be close. But Clemson drops Tech to .500.
Nov. 12, at Virginia: The Cavaliers have won 25 games in the past three years. But they haven’t redefined the pecking order. They started 5-0 last year, then got body-slammed by Florida State, Miami and Virginia Tech in the second half. Of course, Tech isn’t like any of those three. Back to 5-5.
Nov. 26, Georgia: The last Tech coach to beat Georgia was George O’Leary, and that almost got him a really, really good job. Wait, that didn’t come out right. Gailey has been making it closer the past three years: 51-7, 34-17, 19-13. This one could save his job. Or not. Jackets close with an upset.
Nov. 5, Wake Forest: I’ve given this game a lot of thought. Right. OK, Jackets win.
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Tech / ACC
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By TechFanInTheFlats
August 28, 2005 10:36 PM | Link to this
Jeff Schultz is an idiot. Auburn’s many problems will be exploited by the Jackets. We have a very underrated team this year. Our running game will be one of the best in the country. Bilbo is better, so if Reggie can get the ball anywhere near our receivers, we have success. Tenuta will have the D better than it has been, watch out for the “Bees”.
By John
August 28, 2005 10:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Jeff, you should go work for your hometown newspaper, The Athens-Banner Herald. Your foaming at the mouth would be more appreciated than it is in Atlanta.
By Jeff Schultz
August 29, 2005 12:38 PM | Link to this
The Athens Banner-Herald is my hometown newspaper? Now THAT’S funny. I’m sure everybody in Athens would have a great laugh over you thinking I’m a Georgia homer. Hey, what are you so upset about? I picked Tech to beat Georgia. I expected thank yous.
By Michael
August 29, 2005 12:57 PM | Link to this
Georgia Tech will beat the socks off of Clemson,and Virginia and will at least make it close with VT and Miami. Tech will win at Auburn 28-17. But thanks For the win at UGA.
By Jackets fan
August 29, 2005 01:37 PM | Link to this
Here’s what I don’t understand Jeff. Clemson over Tech? What the reasoning? An argument could be made for Tech losing to Auburn, Miami, VaTech and (gasp) UGA, but there is no rationale behind Tech losing to Clemson. We beat em in Death Valley last year and we get em at home this year. And the last time I checked we still have Calvin Johnson. But I also think we’re going to end Auburns win streak because they have an inexperienced QB and RB. It’ll take a while for their offense to get in sync.
By Jackets fan
August 29, 2005 01:39 PM | Link to this
And someone at ESPN thinks the Tech-Auburn game is not nearly as clearcut as you. See the nationally televised prime time slot for this game at 8:45pm next Saturday. Otherwise this game would be a regional game at 1:00pm on ABC.
By Spanky
August 29, 2005 01:41 PM | Link to this
Jeff, you must be sampling some of Rheuben’s grass! When is the last time you predicted a Tech win over the dawgs?…uh-huh! Now, when was the last time Tech beat Georgia? The nineties?..right! Well,well,..I guess it’s just another year of you being wrong, but I guess you’re used to it! Go Dawgs!
By wes
August 29, 2005 02:25 PM | Link to this
Winning at UVA? That’s one tough W, and Tech hasn’t done that since 1990. They’ll beat Georgia like a drum.
By wes
August 29, 2005 02:27 PM | Link to this
Tech will be 6-0 before they hit Miami…then THAT will decide their fate.
By Reilly
August 29, 2005 02:41 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what is more embarrassing Jeff Schultz’s predictions or his pathetic attempts at humor. Please, try to elaborate on what basis you are making your bad picks instead of explaining them with hackneyed jokes.
By Mark
August 29, 2005 02:58 PM | Link to this
Jeff, if the BCS was based on pre-season predictions like yours and any other columnist across America; then one of the greatest fall gatherings in American History, college football would not be the rivalry it is today. Sure there are some unequal match-ups that exsist in a college football season, but not since lighting struck Corso’s car in Blacksburg has there ever been a more shocking event than what might occur when the underrated Jackets sting the Hoakies. Are you willing to eat crow when that happens? Come on mighty predicter; let us Tech fans know that you have some integrity, and do something to belittle yourself when that happens.
By JR
August 30, 2005 12:28 AM | Link to this
Listen, I may be the oddball here, but I think this is a very realistic set of predictions. Sure, we could beat Auburn and Clemson, but we most certainly could lose to Georgia. 7-5 aint too shabby, but it aint improvement. I think the talent around him is proving that Chan may be a good recruiter, but not as much of an offensive mind as he fancies himself to be. I think Jeff is right, we go 7-5 this year, Braine MAKES Chan hire an O guy for next year. That year either we play in Jacksonville, or Braine fires the Chan-chan Man. Looking forward to seeing how the games play out. And since I’m here, I’ll say it… If you didn’t take a class at UGA, shut the hell up. What’s the good word?
By wes
August 30, 2005 09:10 AM | Link to this
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!…GT is going to shock AU Saturday night!!!…again.
By Wild Bill
August 30, 2005 10:03 AM | Link to this
Jeff,
Wouldn’t it be easier to just say both Tech and UGA will go undefeated? Then you could just sit back and watch the circuits fry as the nutty fans try to reconcile the last game.
By Greg
August 30, 2005 11:21 AM | Link to this
It’s about time NC State whips Ga Tech
By Kevin
August 30, 2005 01:53 PM | Link to this
Sorry Jeff, but I really disagree with your pics. I think you’re underestimating a team with most of the 12th ranked D from last year, one of the best WRs in the nation, the 8th ranked RB in the nation, a two year starter at QB, and a preseason All American at K. We’ll still lose a game against a Clemson or an NC State. But, we’ll beat both Auburn and VT. Write it down.
It also won’t be a squeaker against the Dawgs. Did we lose more by losing a couple mediocre O-linemen and one really good one or did UGA lose more by losing Pollack and the winningest QB in NCAA history? I think we saw what Shockley can do against our D for a couple quarters last year.
By Geoffrey Paul
August 30, 2005 06:47 PM | Link to this
The line about Duke coaches was hillarious.
By Donnie Evans
August 30, 2005 10:46 PM | Link to this
…I like jello…go dawgies!
By Spanky
August 31, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this
Kevin, the fact that I have to explain this to you, is an example in itself! When you saw Shockley play against “your D”, it wasn’t Shockley’s offense, it was David Greene’s offense with Shockley at the wheel. Don’t understand?..Nerds usually don’t! Just pay attention, Sport,and you might catch on….someday!
By wes
August 31, 2005 01:29 PM | Link to this
So Spanky, is this why Mark Richt said he wasn’t going to change much (with the offense) except for a few bootlegs???? X-tra point failed. Try again.
By Mike
August 31, 2005 03:28 PM | Link to this
I am so glad that you responded to the guy who accused you of being a UGA guy, Jeff. I am a UGA alumnus, season ticket holder, and a huge fan myself. Trust me on this, no one in Athens thinks you’re a dawg fan.
By AU student
August 31, 2005 03:40 PM | Link to this
To the Georgia Tech fans here:
Your team will be good this year. I think that Reggie Ball combined with PJ Daniels and your experience at WR should make your offense pretty strong. Your defense was strong last year and should continue to be strong this year.
So you know, there is no such thing as a clear-cut win. There is no such thing as a gimme. The Auburn/GaTech game will be a good game. It will be interesting to see how Ball and Co. are able to play in a hostile environment. At times, Georgia Tech looks like a powerhouse, but they are lacking in consistency. It will be interesting to see how Auburn is able to play with a completely replaced backfield and some newcomers in the secondary. Although, all reports are that this group should be fine, it is hard to say until they hit the field.
Bottom Line: Don’t worry about what an analyst says about the game. It is an opinion. We all have one. Just come down to Auburn, enjoy the tailgating experience, and watch a great game with two good teams. Good luck and War Eagle!!!
By Spanky
August 31, 2005 04:07 PM | Link to this
Wes, having to explain play-calling, route changes,audibles, and backfield shifts, to dorks like yourself, is like having to explain to Techboys what to do while you’re on a date with a female..(if that ever happens)- useless! Here is a hint though, Women are NOT IMPRESSED with any action figures you may have,..no matter how much they’re worth!
By SowegaTiger
August 31, 2005 04:48 PM | Link to this
By Jackets fan August 29, 2005 01:39 PM | Link to this
And someone at ESPN thinks the Tech-Auburn game is not nearly as clearcut as you. See the nationally televised prime time slot for this game at 8:45pm next Saturday. Otherwise this game would be a regional game at 1:00pm on ABC.Auburn is in the SEC. The SEC has a contract with CBS, not ABC. Your theory is shot out…….:)
By c.mcmillan
September 1, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this
I think you are right and want to see Ralph come back to Atlanta. We have too many horses to go six and five every year.Too many good teams beat us since we dont fool anybody on offense like we did with Ralph. Hey,I would have hired Bobby Ross to come backhome. Dont like the home uniforms of mustard jerseys and white practice pants. If we wore the Dodd era and George era uniforms we may notplay better but we would look better
By John
September 1, 2005 12:00 PM | Link to this
Hey at least his initials aren’t MB
By tigerman
September 1, 2005 02:21 PM | Link to this
Auburn’s front 7 will be too much for the baby bee o-line. ball will make his usual eratic throws. Tech will be 0-1 after Sat.
By Donnie Evans
September 1, 2005 11:29 PM | Link to this
who got plasma? yeah baby! Can’t wait.