AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > September > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech in an upset? Don’t be foolish
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
(The following is not affiliated with Bill Campbell, who is in jail; Linda Schrenko, who’s on her way there; the Atlanta Spirit, which remains at-large; Mel Gibson, who is free, but, I mean, who among us hasn’t had one or two beers and suddenly broke into a goose-step; Pluto, which has been dropped into the NAIA and home of wayward SEC nonconference opponents; or the NCAA, which continues to astound and amaze, most recently claiming that donations to a Clemson player, who is caring for his 11-year-old brother, constitute an illegal benefit, even though their mother is a drug addict. OK. Who’s been sipping from Mel’s beer?”)
Hello. I am back. The AJC considered replacing these weekly financial tips with “MarketWatch,” but then read excerpts of this week’s column. Quoting, ahem: “… The Russell 2000 is a small-cap index, and small-company stocks historically have delivered returns superior to their much larger brethren. Gold can be a world-beater in the short run but often tends to lags stocks and bonds. Small-cap stocks tend to perform at the top of the security pool …”
AAAAAAGH!
Team A covers vs. Team B.
Isn’t that a lot easier to digest?
As always, here’s how it works: Every week, I give you the winners. It’s your job to find them. “Losing” selections (wink, wink) are merely plants to throw off competing investment firms that always seek to steal our winning formula. Those of you who require the updated key code to decipher the winning games from the “losing” ones, please send a self-addressed envelope and a $250 check made out to: “Weekend Predictions Non-Profit Tax-Deductable Fund For My New Car.”
We start with this week’s big game between Georgia Tech and Pope Weis. After finishing 9-3, Charlie Weis got a book deal, a lifetime of riches and deity status. After all, he won two more games than Chan Gailey.
Funny. Ty Willingham went 10-3 his first year at Notre Dame, but I don’t remember fans handing over the keys to their daughters and beach houses.
That said: Notre Dame’s not bad. I know: Danger game. Tech wins games it shouldn’t. Tech has a great defensive coordinator (Jon Tenuta) and a new guy calling plays (Patrick Nix). Tech has Calvin Johnson.
What’s Latin for blahblahblah?
This could be one-sided. It could be close. But if it’s one sided, Notre Dame’s winning. If it’s close, it’ll come down to a play by the quarterback. So who do you want? Brady Quinn (32 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season) or Reggie Ball (11 and 12, respectively).
This has become too many people’s upset special. The line is down to seven.
I’m going the other way. See ya. Irish cover.
Side orders
(Do these picks make my butt look big?)
• Meat at Georgia: Mark Richt said he’s more fearful of playing a winning Division I-AA opponent than a losing Division I-A school. It’s a nice sound bite. Just don’t try to sell it to the booster who’s carpeting your program. Lose to Western Kentucky and you’ll wish you had the excuse of losing to Temple. Not that it’ll happen. No official line, so let’s just say Doggies by 97.
• FSU at Miami: The Canes will be short four convicts, including receiver Ryan Moore, who kicked a woman’s car door, grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the ground, according to a police report. Coach Larry Coker said Moore’s actions violated team policy. Wait. Since when can’t Miami players kick car doors? Windbags cover 3.
• Washington State at Auburn: The Tigers’ athletic department has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the scandal that found football players being given A’s in sociology for showing a pulse. On a related note, Jim Harrick Jr. has been named compliance director. Auburn covers 14-1/2.
• UAB at Oklahoma: The first 50 fans get a free Chevy. No, wait. That’s the team meetings. Never mind. But Sooners could beat UAB with half the roster tied behind their backs. The 21-1/2 is covered.
• Southern Cal at Arkansas: I realize being the USC quarterback now gets you on the pass list at Hef’s hot tub. But would you really want to be John David Booty about now and have to follow Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart? They leave behind titles, Heismans and a pregnant basketball player. Punt the eight, take Troy.
• Cal at Tennessee: Word is Phil Fulmer became so upset about those bothersome player arrests in the spring that he started throwing water bottles during a team meeting. It’s nice that Pumpkin Boy has actually started spraying weed killer on his troubled program. But when you’ve played doormat to Vanderbilt on the way to going 5-6, are the problems limited to two or three dolts? Vowels buy an L. Take Cal and the gift 1-1/2.
Scorecard
• Last season: 71-19 straight up, 53-35-2 against the line. Late Summer Blowout! Buy any three selections and win a copy of “CBS Evening News For Dummies.” Chapter 1: “After getting caught air-brushing Katie Couric’s hips and caboose to make her look 20 pounds lighter to boost ratings, network executives desperately tried to turn her into a serious journalist. Unfortunately, attempts to air-brush Eric Sevareid’s head onto Couric’s body did not take.”
Permalink | Comments (53) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Tech / ACC, UGA / SEC
Comments
By Wozzo the Wonder Dog
September 1, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this
UGA can use its “Spirit Towels” to wipe up what will be left of Tech after this Saturday.
By DecaturTechFan
September 1, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
Make sure Wozzo has his rabis shots ………worse case scenario after week 2….Uguhhh and the Jackets are both 1-1.
By Nikki
September 1, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this
Yeah! Jeff’s picks are back! Do you have a team of writers or do you come up with this stuff on your own? Either way it’s good stuff. ;)
By alan
September 1, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
Jeffery, Jeffery, Jeffery……….you break my heart often these days. No way N.D. covers 7. I believe it will be Tech, somewhere in the neighborhood of 19 / 17. I believe it in my heart!
By jmo
September 1, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this
Great! Jeff is back!
Is it too late in the season to plant white pines?
Thanks again for your support of Tech. How many top 25 teams does Tech have to beat to get some respect from you?
Good thing your opinion doesn’t matter Home and Garden boy.
Go Jackets!
By Mr C.
September 1, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
Cheap shot with the pregnant basketball player at USC. Disappointed. None of your business!!! Throwing a young girl under the bus.
By Reality
September 1, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
Since Notre Dame recruits their players from the cream of the crop and Georgia Tech recruits their players from the part timers at the Varsity, it does not take a rocket scientist to figure this game out. The dill-holes from North Avenue will be walking around on Sunday with their a* in one hand and their peckers in the other. The only question they will have on Monday is ‘How do I hold my pencil?’ Would you like some fries with that chilidog, Massa? Tech Turds Just Suck which is appropriate since they play in the ACC (Always Crappy Conference). Good Luck Irish.
By FloridaBoy
September 1, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this
Should have known, even Atlanta Sports writers fall in the same catergory as other Georgians. All Georgia sports teams suck accept your precious Bulldogs. The Yellow Jackets have a real chance to make some noise this season, but those 7th grade sports writers don’t back them up. The Bullmutz(Bulldogs) play an easy opener while the Jackets play the number 2 team in the nation. I hope, no I pray the Jackets win so they can jump further in the polls than Georgia. Don’t worry tech fans, when Florda plays Georgia, we will whip that A* as usual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Florida Sucks
September 1, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
FloridaBoy is going to need his knee pads this year when Georgia comes a callin’. He and his team will be sucking it until Georgia says they have had enough. Get ready for a good Southern a* whoppon’.
By Top Dawg
September 1, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this
That’s not all Florida boy will be sucking.
By pete lindstrom
September 1, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
Either Schultz is a GREAT MOTIVATOR (to p** off the GT players before the game) or he is just as stupid as the rest of the leftist a***** at AlJazera Constitution.
By SGLC
September 1, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
alan, you summed up the whole rationale for Tech fans thinking they are going to win. Because you believe it in your heart. Your mind is probably telling you otherwise when you think about the fact that GT was 52nd in the nation in pass defense last year. Or that ND brings back all its skill players expect one. It could be a long night on the Flats. As we know if Tech gets behind early they will quit(Va Tech and Utah last year, Duke and UGA a couple of years ago). Tech will never win consistently with little Reggie taking the snaps.
By Jake
September 1, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this
Yeah…I’m so sure UGA will actually be celebrating after the Florida game. Hey, you can cry yourselves to sleep all but once every 15-20 years after the Florida game.
Tech can’t be expected to beat ND tomorrow night, but it is well within the realm of posssibility. GT-ND should be a fantastic game. Especially to open the season. I know UGA plays a stronger schedule in the SEC than GT does. However, don’t insult Tech by pretending that the Irish can roll the Jackets at will, especially in the season opener when teams are much more vulnerable to an upset…unless of course they’re playing Western Kentucky…whoops, never mind!
By The Truth
September 1, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
I think that Notre Dame just scored another touchdown against that weakass Tech defense …. Stop the bleeding already …
By Matt
September 1, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
Tech… ND… who cares? ND is overrated, Tech is a plague upon the great state of Georgia. They can both go to hell for all I care.
By Jacket Truth
September 1, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
All these UGA fans on here talking smack…hehehe…it is a shame though, because GT still has 4 National Titles compared to UGA’s 1. We are playing a very touch Notre Dame team tomorrow, and may the best team win. I have a feeling, though, that the Jackets will turn some heads and come away with a big “W”! Oh yeah, P.S. Dawg fans…your chances of ever winning another national championship left in 1980 with Herschel Walker! GO JACKETS!
By Reality Check
September 1, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
All these UGA fans on here talking smack…hehehe…it is a shame though, because GT still has 4 National Titles compared to UGA’s 1. We are playing a very touch Notre Dame team tomorrow, and may the best team win. I have a feeling, though, that the Jackets will turn some heads and come away with a big “W”! Oh yeah, P.S. Dawg fans…your chances of ever winning another national championship left in 1980 with Herschel Walker! GO JACKETS!
By Reality Check
September 1, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
All these UGA fans on here talking smack…hehehe…it is a shame though, because GT still has 4 National Titles compared to UGA’s 1. We are playing a very tough Notre Dame team tomorrow, and may the best team win. I have a feeling, though, that the Jackets will turn some heads and come away with a big “W”! Oh yeah, P.S. Dawg fans…your chances of ever winning another national championship left in 1980 with Herschel Walker! GO JACKETS!
By The Truth
September 1, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
The reality check is that Georgia owns Georgia Tech and always will. As for tomorrow…. You will be able to cry in your beer by halftime and by the end of the game you will already be choking your chicken. Lots of Luck for Pathetic Losers
By Matt Doggy Boy in STL
September 1, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this
Jeff, I love you, Man! But the Jackets are going to take down those puffed up South Benders tomorrow and I love IT!!! (16-14) Southern Football, BABY!!! GO DAWGS!!! (51-10).
By Anti-Homer
September 1, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
How can Tech expect to compete with the elite when Notre Dame recruits from the cream of the crop and Tech recruits from the part-timers at the Varsity. ‘Would you like fries with that chilidog, Massa??’
By Drexel Gal
September 2, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this
How can Tech win when its players have to take two years of Calculus, while the boys from South Bend only have to light candles? Even a Bulldog can do that.
ND 21 GT 19 in a heartbreaker when the potential winning field goal goes “wide center”.
By Sparky
September 2, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this
As a lifelong Notre Dame fan who has resided south of the Mason-Dixon line for many years, I think the Irish may be back when the ND haters come out in full force.
GA Tech and ND is a toss-up. Turnovers are key.
By Anti-Homer
September 2, 2006 01:13 AM | Link to this
Funny … I see a lot of Tech bumper stickers when I pass the ditch diggers and sewer cleaners. They obviously are used to the dung they are digging. The women, the football and the school are reek of the horse stall after a burrito and hot wings night at the stable. Good luck you losers.
By Hunk Erdown
September 2, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this
No doubt in my mind that Chan has some big surprises up his sleeve for Notre Dame. The man is a genious… poetry in motion… After tomorrow night, when Chan is being carried off the field on the shoulders of his players, the alumni will be scrambling for the checkbook… I smell another contract extension, maybe it should be for life, because Chan is certainly the best thing that has happened to Ga Tech in their lives. God Bless you Coach Chan, please open the windows of your mind to the rest of the world so that we can all benefit from your wisdom, who knows… World peace could be next if people would only believe in his greatness. The members of FOC local 138 support you and wish you the very best!
By Reality
September 2, 2006 01:50 AM | Link to this
You could stick god himself in that coaching position and he could not get this group of num-nuts to play football. Tech will be humiliated by halftime and Chan Gailey will be the main reason. He can not coach at the college level and probably should try his hand at my son’s peewee league. He would probably fail there too. Good Luck Losers.
By BirdDawg
September 2, 2006 02:14 AM | Link to this
Wow, some Floridiot has to show his face.
I’ll just let you know something, Floridiot…
I’d be more than happy to lose in Jacksonville yet again, only to make yet another trip to Atlanta in December.
Remind me, Floridiot, on just how many titles you’ve won since Darth Visor left?
Or how many titles you won before Darth Visor?
Or how many titles you have overall in comparison.
That’s what I thought. Go finish your Natty Lite, and crawl back into bed with your sister-mama.
By Michael
September 2, 2006 03:53 AM | Link to this
Tech fans:
It’s not how many Top 25 teams you beat, it’s those others (Remember the Dookies) that you lose to that stand between Tech and Respect. Go win your division thingy and maybe you’ll get some of that as well.
I may also say I feel dumber/Techier (same thing) every time I read something Bird Dawg puts here. It’s like watching Fox News with an impaled brain.
I will say go jackets on this one. It does take 5 losses to knock Notre Dame out of the Top 10 and you know how the NCAA/Sopranos work.
By T Bake
September 2, 2006 07:17 AM | Link to this
How cool! We get to listen to the mutt fans on these forums for 7 more days until Spurrier causes their nation’s revolt.
By the way Dawg fans, do they charge extra to connect high speed internet to Trailer Parks?
Since there’s a game in Athens today and most of you will be taking your wives, it’s going to be hard finding a good waitress at Waffle House this morning huh?
Tech 30 ND 24
By chip jones
September 2, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
Great to have this column back Mr. Schultz. You are some funny man. I love starting my Saturday with a few good laughs. I’m a Georgia fan and looks like I’ll spend Saturday night crying more than in recent years. I can’t imagine New Year’s day or later without the Dawgs on the field, winning.
By SGLC
September 2, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
T Bake it is a sad indictment of your football program that on opening day of the season all you can do is talk smack about non football related things. Is it because you realize how poor a program you have? We know you are secretly jealous, but don’t let it eat away at you. Your AD spelled it out for you last spring. Remember he said Tech was a program that would win 6-7 games a year. Sadly for you he was correct. How many times have you won 10 or more games the last 50 years? Exactly twice.
By UGADawg
September 2, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
I know I’m a bit late responding to Florida Boy, but seriously…. Have a little pride, no, wait - respect for your university. Since I’m a Georgia Boy I’ll be ACCEPTING the Bulldogs are a good team and I hope Florida can hang in there EXCEPT when they are in 1st grade grammer class.
By Doug
September 2, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
I’d be willing to bet $100 cash money that the majority of the people posting on these articles as Florida fans are actually Techies trying to hide behind a team that can actually beat the Dawgs.
By FUReality
September 2, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
Hey Reality….seems like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed…How is that $900/month apartment treating you, your slutty UGA wife, and the son you reference. Get a real degree, a real job, and real life…your son would appreciate it…. In terms of the “massa” comment and pecker et.al…how about getting some class too you sorry son of a biatch. FU Reality. Tech will show up, blow up and let those peckers hang low. The Irish will be South Benders at the end of this game. Tech by 10…Go Jackets, To Hell with Georiga, and give the ball to 21….
By Redneck Convert
September 2, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
On 6th down (assuming the refs have also lost count), Reggie completes a skinny post to bring the Jackettes within 40. ND 58, GT 19.
By rewdawg
September 2, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this
Jeff, you still dont know football outside Georgia, Oklahoma wont cover 21 points they wont even score more than 20 points mark it down. their defense will win the game. totally overrated. I like the lack of respect to Georgia, just wait, UGA should have gone unbeaten last season. lost 3 games by 8 points, Georgia on my mind and always will be. Go dawgs!
By terp2002
September 2, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
hey georgia
i would not be so cocky you got destroyed by the hillbillies in your own state
By EEJ
September 2, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
I just looked at next years possible opening game for UGA. They can’t decide whether to go on the road and play Brookwood or stay at home and play Buford.
By The Thin Guy
September 2, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
So the Poochies are playing a direction school and are heavy favorites. So what? Eventually Rich will have to face Spurrier and get an into to real football. Is Grizzard still dead?
By FUReality
September 2, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
Hey Doug…
why don’t you pose in this diack and pay me the $100….stop being stupid…Tech is about to play biggest game of the weekend and you are here acting stupid…f’ing moron….
By Howard
September 2, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this
Jeff…I just cannot root for the U Cal “Left Coasties” against Philistine and th Vowels…but I just cannot bring myself to cheer for the “Great Pumpkin” and his cheaters. I only hope ole “Jabba the Hut” wins enough to stay in Knoxville…your comments on him are priceless and besides, almost 80% of the SEC coaches probably hope the big moron stays up there…forever!!
By KY Resident
September 2, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
UGA does NOT have a more difficult schedule. UGA - 68th. Tech - 29th. Last year Tech had the 3rd most difficult. Pick yur favotire ratings site and you will see something similar. And, while I am absolutely not a fan of Heir Shultz, he’s partially correct. Tech could get blown out or it could be close. We’ve had some great wins against stronger teams but those teams usually didn’t have a coach like Weis. Then again remember 1980? ND 3, Tech 3 and they were number one at the time. I guess it depends on which Ball shows up.
By Mike
September 2, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this
Nice call on the Tennessee-Cal game…idiot!
By Mike
September 2, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
Nice call on the Tennessee-Cal game…idiot!
By Liam
September 2, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this
Classy rednecks with the bottle throwing…Irish win…no surprise. Tech is a wannabe program. Weis is a genius. Grow up Billy Bobs.
By JustMe
September 2, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this
Liam,
You need to grow up and at least pretend to have an IQ and EQ equal to your shoe size.
If ND is #2 in the Country, then Tech is #3. Weis was not great. He was not even good. The reason for the outcome was the stupid conservative offensive play calling by Tech. Whenever Tech gets a small lead, they suddenly go super conservative. It has been this was even since Chan arrived.
I give credit for ND taking chances… going for it on 4th down so Tech couldn’t get the ball back, for example. Tech would NEVER do that.
Tech defense played great as usual. Tech offense performed as they were asked. The problem is that the STUPID Tech coaches are too conservative, especially with any sort of lead.
By Liam
September 3, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this
So the coaches lost this one? I didn’t see the coaches on the field not being able to stop ND when they needed to at the end. I didn’t see the coaches on the field suckin wind the entire 2nd half. I didn’t see the coaches getting sacked. I didn’t see the coaches not being able to stop the “fleet of foot” Brady Quinn from running the ball. Stop making excuses. Tech has inferior players…ND underestimated them a bit…looking ahead to the real teams on the schedule…Penn St. Michigan, Michigan St., UCLA, USC, Purdue…Tech isn’t even a BLIP on the college football radar…they’re a joke. Just like their classless fans. Fancy a mackerel???
By Liam
September 3, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
BTW…noticed that you ignored that whole bottle throwing part of my post…typical.
By JustMe
September 3, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this
BTW…noticed that you represent ugag well as a stupid jerk posting on the Tech blog…typical.
By Liam
September 3, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this
I rep no sort of southern football. Mackerel anyone? LIAM LIAM LIAM LIAM LIAM!!!
By Liam
September 3, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this
Bottle throwing t**…
By reggie
September 3, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
is it fifth down yet
By reggie
September 3, 2006 12:48 AM | Link to this
is it fifth down yet