AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > October > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJackets best in state, ACC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mark Bradley
The writers’ poll has Georgia Tech No. 13 to Georgia’s No. 16. The coaches’ poll has Georgia No. 14 to Tech’s No. 15. The writers have it right. For the first time since 2000, Tech has a better football team than Georgia.
(We pause here while the governor drafts another letter to the editor.)
Tech is better on offense, better on defense. Tech is better everywhere except at making field goals and tackling kickoff returners. (And Georgia, it should be noted, just lost its field goal kicker.) We really shouldn’t be surprised: Even in preseason it was clear this was Chan Gailey’s most talented Tech team, and signs pointed to this being the least imposing Georgia aggregation since Mark Richt’s first season. The more the two play, the clearer the demarcation becomes.
Tech looks like the strongest team in the ACC. Georgia appears fifth- or sixth-best, depending on what you think of Arkansas and/or Alabama, in the SEC. The Jackets seized on their opening loss to Notre Dame and have gotten better. The Bulldogs, who still haven’t fulfilled the basic requirement of finding a No. 1 quarterback, are more addled now than when they began. Nobody could have imagined that a program with Reggie Ball as its on-field leader would come to be categorized as more composed, but how else to describe it?
The Jackets are learning to play to their offensive strengths: They’re having Ball run more and throw less, and when he does throw it’s most often to Calvin Johnson, who is — pronouncement alert! — the best collegiate player in the land. Georgia has no offensive strengths save Kregg Lumpkin. Georgia scored fewer points in eight quarters against Colorado and Ole Miss than Tech managed in 45 revelatory minutes in Blacksburg, Va.
The Virginia Tech game changed the dynamics not just of the ACC’s Coastal Division but of college football in this football-obsessed state. It was the sort of comprehensive performance — the Jackets led 38-13 before three quarters were done — that identified this as a team capable of much more than the occasional upset. The Bulldogs, by way of contrast, waited five games for a true test — and then flunked it. From 17 points up to 18 points down, the loss to Tennessee was the most deflating of the Richt era because it undercut the foundation thereof.
For the third time in 11 months, Georgia’s defense collapsed. The defense, constructed under Brian VanGorder, was always the unit on which the Bulldogs could rely, but the big-game performance of Willie Martinez, VanGorder’s successor, has left Georgia not knowing what to expect. When a team yields six offensive touchdowns in one game on its field, it can no longer be said to be playing championship defense.
Even with the ballyhooed Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson, the Bulldogs couldn’t trouble Tennessee’s Erik Ainge. Contrast this with the rush — really, more like a whirlwind — generated by Tech’s Michael Johnson and Darrell Robertson with Maryland inside the 10 with the game on the line. Said Gailey: “They were flying off the edges, and that’s a lot to have left late in a game.”
Surely there’s a lot left in these Jackets, who are playing with an assurance unseen in Gailey’s wax-and-wane tenure. The assumption is that Georgia will get better — it can hardly do worse than against Tennessee — and it’s possible the Bulldogs could nose ahead by Thanksgiving.
That said, Georgia hasn’t thrashed Tech lately when it was clearly the stronger side — the Bulldogs won 19-13 in 2004 and 14-7 last season — and it’s hard to imagine Gailey’s best team losing to maybe Richt’s worst. It’s hard to imagine anything, even a statewide executive order, denying Tech this time.
Permalink | Comments (324) | Post your comment | Categories: Mark Bradley, Tech / ACC, UGA / SEC
Comments
By toemeetsleather
October 11, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
chan’s troops will march thru athens and come out with a laugher….no contest…georgia should start rebuilding cuz they are done for this year…NEERS RULE
By GeeTee
October 11, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
This is all fine and dandy….for now…but lets see what plays out w/ Tech on the road at Clemson, NC State and UNC. At the moment, Tech is the better team but that all washes when the ball tees up between the hedges in November.
PS: CJ for Heisman. He isn’t a QB or TB, but is the best overall talent in Div I!!
GO TECH
By wild thing
October 11, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
ACC IS PATHETICALLY WEAK so yes you are best of the lest….fsu and miami are more like arizona and arizona st……you should mop up on weak competition and go in to athens with 10-1 record/then lose again to your arch rival
By GeeTee
October 11, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this
and so is the SEC. Wake Forest mopped up Ole Miss on the road…..and you call the ACC weak?? Come on Wild Thing. Arkansas gave up 50 to USC, who is squeaking by other teams. They waxed Aurbun who seems to lose to Tech every year they play, yet they are rated one of the stronger teams in the SEC??? Go make that argument on another forum.
By OP
October 11, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this
Sonny won’t like it, but I sure do! Great column Mr. Bradley.
By voice of reason
October 11, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
Wow! You should really lay off the cannibis when writing these blogs. Perhaps this is just high octane, venomous spew intended to get a strong reaction. Whatever the case, the ACC cannot hold a flickering candle to the strength of the SEC and the UGA vs. GT game will bear that out.
By misterwax
October 11, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this
Mark, many thanks for the objective and well thought out article today… keep it up. Mr. Wax
By JMar
October 11, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this
and so is the SEC. Wake Forest mopped up Ole Miss on the road…..and you call the ACC weak?? Come on Wild Thing. Arkansas gave up 50 to USC, who is squeaking by other teams. They waxed Aurbun who seems to lose to Tech every year they play, yet they are rated one of the stronger teams in the SEC??? Go make that argument on another forum.
Worst. Post. Ever. Stick to the metro blogs, because you have no business talking sports.
By Jon
October 11, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this
Mark what a disgrace of an article. Other than CJ Tech has had one shining moment against VT who at this point is not proven to be that good anyway. Sure this is Mark Richts worst team yet but still more than capable of smoking Tech. WHO CARES if they haven’t blown out Tech lately can you recall the close losses in the past? ,,, Nope you remember who won the Dawgs did. To quote mark Bradley “Bulldogs won 19-13 in 2004 and 14-7 last season”. Enough said.
Go Dawgs
By longtimedawg
October 11, 2006 08:02 PM | Link to this
GeeTee: If you are a techmite you should understand numbers and statistics. Well here are some statistics: Series Record: UGA leads 57-38-5 sidebar….Tech has only won “8” of the past 35 games against the Men of Athens. Lets talk conferences and teams within. The past 25 years 5 teams from the SEC are in the top 20 in winning percentage…while the ACC has 4. However, without recent additions of Miami, Florida state and Virginia Tech that would leave just Clemson. Now that is pathetic, and the way FLA ST and Miami are playing these days can’t say much about the ACC except VERY WEAK! As for the TECHMITES beating UGA…ya never know bacause, even a blind squirell will find a nut every once in awhile. You guys have found only 8 wins in 35 years. Looks like it will be another long winter on the flats.
Definition of TECHMITES: a small weak insect resembling a bee who lies dormant and will on occassion make noise if they feel they may have a winning season; considered by most to be an endangered spedies due to a shortage of wins; also, considered cheap dawg food by many.
By mystirymes
October 11, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this
Obviously Mark doesn’t know anything about college foot. First off the SEC is a much better conference than the ACC. My question for Mark is how many top 10 teams are in the ACC compared to the SEC in BCS ranking? I know you don’t know anything about college football so let me help you out. ACC –NONE. SEC – Florida #2, Tennessee #8. If UGA played in the same conference as GaTech, they would probably dominate. I would admit that Georgia Tech has improved a lot this yeah but not good enough to beat UGA come November 25, 2006 in Athens. Mark is going to swallow his own words come November.
By Bear Fan
October 11, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this
Dear Mark,
Please never run for public office. The entire nose pickin’,Red Man Chewing, Jiffy Lube working, trailer trash vote has been cast away with this one atricle. You could have done no worse if you had burned a Dale Earnhardt #3 Flag or a velvet Elvis painting. Research shows that from a historical veiwpoint based on recruiting and past years….the Dawgs should be much better than Tech. Based on the fervor and passion of the fans…..Georgia should be awesome. Due to the enormous wave a sidewalk fans (trailer parks need sidewalks)the Silver Britches should be kicking butt! They are not. They are really not very good at all. Either they are not being coached up or the press on these recruits was all hype. The can’t run the ball, they can’t catch the ball and they can’t stop a real offense at all. They did have a great kicker. I pity the fool who threw the Dawgs under the bus, but it is done and that bloody red and black carcass is what is left of the Dawgs this year. Is Elvis really dead? Dale Sr? Sonny hates you too….
By Bear Fan
October 11, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this
Dear Long Time Dawg,
Who taught you to spell species? Jan Kemp, Jim Harrick Jr. or Pulpwood Smith? From what I can see as a football fan, you should cover your nuts. A Blind Squirrel dressed in Black and Old Gold is about to chomp down on them. Good Luck Boys.
By rumble on
October 11, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this
Two words!!!!!! “of course”
By jackets46
October 11, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
“mystirymes” funny how you seem to think that the SEC has 2 teams in the BCS top 10 and the Acc has none because most people would expect someone who tells Mark Bradley that he knows nothing about college football would know that there is no top 10 in the BCS standings because they have not been released yet and won’t be until October 15th, 2006. So actually the SEC has no teams in the BCS top 10 nor does the ACC and if you would read ESPN you would also realize that if all stays steady this weekend the mock BCS standings show USC at #2 not Auburn. But you would have to be able to afford to be an insider, and with all the liquor, chewing tobacco, and illegit children most UGA fans have to pay for, what redneck would actually have the money to pay for knowledge about the subject matter they are discussing.”I bet the Mortgage on that doublewide is really expensive”
By Yell O'Jacket
October 11, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this
Who are you and what did you do with the real Mark Bradley?
By BirdDawg
October 11, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this
Mark, you’re going to be beating this drum all year because you have a personal stake in this.
But I don’t care.
No matter how bad Georgia happens to be this year in comparison to year’s past, they’re still going to beat down the Bugs in Athens.
Because, thinking about this, this may be a down year for Georgia, but so far, this is the biggest year for the Bugs, until they lose another game or two, and then lose to us in Athens, and then it’s same old, same old.
So, you know, I actually hope they win all the rest of their games, just to lose to us in Athens.
So that’s fine. Because even though Joe T cannot beat an SEC team, even though Willie The Moron Martinez is still our DC, and even though Mark Richt is still calling the plays, that’s still better then Chan the Man and Reggie Ball.
As for John Tenuta, well, he can coach our defense any time. And I mean that, come coach our defense, because Willie The Moron Martinez is killing us.
The Bugs will lose in Athens. Mark Richt does not lose to Bugs.
By fan
October 11, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
Wow, another AJC’er having a field day w/ the Guv.’s ol’letta. Do you ever consider what the masses think about reporters/editors/liars/headline grabbers? Do you care? I mean why do you need to take a crack at this. He’s right, the majority of you (AJC writers) hate true long time Georgians, and your headlines are driven by hatred and insult instead of insight of the emotion of the event. This is why we hate you, we truly do.
By Garry
October 11, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
I’m still trying to figure how you supposedly recruit back to back to back Top 5 classes and not put together a national champion in 26 years! UGA puts together a schedule that is a “give me” until midway through each season. They play four games a year. Auburn, UT, UF and GT. Their out of conference schedule is consistently a joke. At least Auburn schedules the likes of USC and UT schedules Notre Dame and Cal.
By BirdDawg
October 11, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Garry, we don’t consider you Bugs to one of our hard games.
So do us a favor, and stop including yourselves. We don’t.
By mystirymes
October 11, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
OK, Jackets46, so the rankings have not yet been released. But once they are, we’ll see how many ACC teams (including the mighty Yellow Jackets) are in the BCS top ten, and how many SEC teams are in the BCS top ten. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Ga Tech to be there if I were you, if history teaches us anything. With all the geeks over at Ga Tech, a reasonable person would think that they’d be able to come up with a simple equation to score points against a bunch of tobacco-chewing, illegitimate-children-having drunks. P.S. Here’s a tip for future reference: don’t throw the ball away on the fourth down when your team is losing.
By dbt
October 11, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
This blog tops them all! I’m going back to more educational uses of my time. The person who thinks that UGA is all redneck trailer-trash needs to see the average SAT and GPA scores of incoming freshman at UGA. (I know Tech has extremely high one, too.) Hey, we could really get nasty and say that UGA hasn’t had an arrested terrorist as a student! Can’t believe that I really said that, so I am definitely giving up this ridiculous time-waster.
By Volman145
October 11, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
hey “fan”
I’m a “long time Georgian”.. I’ve been in Georgia for over 16 years now…
The UGA fans in Georgia are so over-zealous that it’s sickening. It was a blessing to see Tennessee expose how BAD and over-rated UGA is this year (and most years for that part).
Don’t blame UGA being bad and editors pointing that out ON THE EDITORS. Just realize that UGA is not going to “win the national title/sec title” like EVERY year the UGA fans say.
I do go to Tech, and I chose that school because it is a better institution that UGA’s sin city. Enough said.
The Georgia Tech/Georgia game will be a close game only because it’s in Sin City. I can see UGA winning only because they will play their hearts out, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if Calvin Johnson (a MAN playing amongst UGA boys) chews up the UGA secondary.
I’m glad Tennessee whooped up on the “great 5-0” UGA… Atleast I won’t see those ugly flags flying and that stupid barking noise every week after BARELY beating horrible teams.
Go Jackets
By BirdDawg
October 11, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
Oh, I forgot about that!
The Georgia Institute of Technology - Training Terrorists of the NEXT Generation!
Georgia Tech - We love the Taliban!
The Yellow Jackets - Ossama’s FAVORITE Football Team!
By Bob
October 11, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
Everybody can say all they want about GT vs UGA. It seems to me Clemson gets no credit, if I were a Tech fan I would just be hoping to survive that game before thinking about anything else.
By Auburn Grad
October 11, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
Auburn is not the same team that we were in 2004, and we are probably going to lose a couple more games this year (or worse). But regarding the comparison with our loss to Arkansas and the Razorbacks big loss to USC: remember AU blew out Washington State 40-14 this year, and USC almost lost to the same club the next month. So comparing scores can be misleading. The SEC is still the best conference, even though we can lose games to other conferences. Regarding, Tech, in the last 11 games, I Auburn is 9-2 versus the geeks from North Avenue.
By Crosby
October 11, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
I agree that it is an emberassment to have a suspected terrorist arrested at GT. I always enjoy Mark’s article telling the differences between the two fans. GT fans feel like the vast majority of UGA fans have zero college education and their entire life revolves around a team that was mediocre at best until one of the best coach’s in the nation arrived in Athens. UGA fans feel like GT fans know very little about college football and are only arrogant about their team during winning seasons. In the interest of full disclosure I am a huge GT fan but was not smart enough to go to GT. I do have a college degree however.
By Roger
October 11, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
Since 1980(the Dawgs Glory year) here are the appx. totals of national championships that teams in each conference has, either AP/UP or BCS. This is the yardstick of which is the strongest conference, since being National Champions is the goal.
1 ACC-9 National Championships 2 Big12—7 NC’s 3 SEC—6 championships 4 Big 10—4 NC’s 5 Pac 10—1 NC 6—-BYU and NDBy Brizzle
October 11, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
Excellent point Bob. Georgia Tech needs to get past Clemson before they do anything. My prediction is they will not (even though I went to Tech and am a huge fan) So why are we even talking about the last game of the season anyway?
And to BirdDawg, you really are as stupid as your username would lead us to believe. I hope you don’t actually go to UGA, because if you do (or did) you’re giving a pretty good school a really bad name.
By jc2beers
October 11, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
gt sux
By Mike
October 11, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this
Tech has not played anyone. Even ND is not that good. Clemson will easily beat the Tech next week. Tech should have lost to a very poor Maryland team. Everyone knows it’s a matter of time before Reggis self destructs. It happens every year. Tech is an embarrassment to the state with the news of a terrorist student. How many others are there? No matter how good Tech students think their team is, they will be beaten handily in Athens. Go Dawgs and 51-7! And, thanks Irish! I hope Chan stays forever.
By mtraininjax
October 11, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this
Dawgs get ready for losses on the Plains and in Jax. Heading into Athens with 3 losses no SEC championship, Tech will plow through you like hot butter.
Great column Mark - tell that idiot named Jeff we will tar him, feather him and parade him around Sanford Stadium after the Tech win!
By Don
October 11, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley has gone from declaring Georgia the “standard bearers of the SEC” before last year’s Sugar Bowl to clearly inferior to Georgia Tech in the middle of this year.
Of course, left unanswered by Bradley was how a team could be the “standard bearer” of a conference when it has lost 14 of 17 or whatever it is to Florida.
To call Mark Bradley a bandwagon jumper would be an insult to bandwagon jumpers.
By mike
October 11, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this
Roger
I’m just curious. Are you including in your total national championships, the titles Miami won while an independent and then as a member of the Big East? I know Clemson, Tech, and FSU (twice) won nat’l championships as ACC members but I don’t think Miami has since joining the league. Also I’m thinking that some of those Big 12 titles were won by Oklahoma back in the Big 8 days. I could be wrong. And yes the SEC has expanded as well. I don’t recall Arkansas or South Carolina winning a title since the dawgs did.
By Justknows
October 11, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this
Player for player Georgia Tech has a better team than Georgia. Point blank! No arguement. As for Tech fans, enjoy it! CJ will not be returning next year. He is a top 5 pick for the draft! UGA have no one to stop him, and they know it. Tech wins big and wins back a little respect! Prediction: 38-6. Only because Chan, unlike Richts, has class and won’t run up the score.
By nodawgshere
October 11, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Yeah, nice going UGA. Last two good teams played. West Virginia and Tennessee. 2 BIG loses!! Continue playing Div. II schools. UGA is the most over rated college in football! To agree with the UGA fans, YES the GT/UGA game WILL prove that. Prepare to lose again at home.
By GW
October 11, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this
Isn’t this piece in October a moot point? Since the teams do indeed play at the end of November the winner can be best in the state. Bradley is already setting up a close UGA win as a moral victory for Tech and the bugs can claim to be best anyway. If UGA wins, life will go on as usual. If it is Tech, they might sell 1,000 more season tickets next year and the AJC will write about it for 12 months.
By jim
October 11, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Techies as usual dont know how to react to winning a few games.Bulldog fans must remember that its not something techies are use to. I remember when they were Co- National champions they were blogging the same way.I respect tech for the team they have,but in a year when the ACC is very weak its hard to tell where this team will end up.Clempson will be their second loss for sure. Remember reggie there are only 4 downs in football, you idiot.
By Assclowniis Maximus
October 11, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
Rogers national championship list has some errors. I haven’t checked it but i know for a fact USC just won two NC’s yet reliable Roger has it listed as 1 for the pac-10.
Instant lose of credibility.
By noel malone
October 11, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this
let’s just hang on and see what happens. Bradley is well-known for jumping to erroneous conclusions. Tech still has to go to Clemson, and NCState is no sure bet.
By gtne80
October 11, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the column, Mark. Problem is, it’s hypothetical, academic, and largely meaningless which team is better on October 11 since they don’t play until November 25. Write the same article on November 24th for publishing in the next morning’s edition.
The proof (or lack thereof) will come on November 25th. Until then, we’re as good as the last time that we played each other (last November) which, as I all too painfully recall, we lost.
For Tech to prevail in Athens, between now and then we HAVE to find a consistent rushing game. If UGA doesn’t believe that we can run, they can triple-team CJ and blitz Reggie. Tenuta’s “D” will show up strong, but we can’t leave them out there all day/night long with those UGA receivers (no matter which chump QB they have heaving it up to them).
For my team (Tech), I continue to say “prove it.” To this point, they’ve answered virtually every challenge. The next “prove it” is “Prove to me that you can go into Death Valley and whip Clempson (sic) on a Saturday night.” I hope the trend of “proving” continues.
By Assclowniis Maximus
October 11, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this
I did some research and…
Roger is a clown.
University of Miami won all 5 of its National Championships as an independent or member of the Big East! Nice try, trying to manipulate the data to give the ACC 9 NC’s -thus make them the “most successful” conference!
SEC has a total of 5:
georgia - 1980 Alabama -1992 Florida -1996 Tennessee -1998 LSU - 2003
ACC has a total of 4:
Clemson -1981 Tech - 1990 Florida State - 1993, 1999
By Jason
October 11, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Tech 4 National Championships Dawgs 2. Birddawg, didn’t Musa Smiths Dad run a terrorist training camp? Tech will squeak one out at Odel Thurman Quincy Carter Crack Head Stadium
By "GOOD" DAWG
October 11, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Mark Bradley is the classic fence sitter. He does this to promote readership and keep his job because he knows little about college football !!!! I’m a Dawg fan. Elated with the first half against TN. but very disappointed with the second.We have a way to go until late November. Maybe CJ breaks a leg or Reggie has another critical loss of memory. Maybe Joe T. gets hurt as does Charles Johnson or a running back like Kregg Lumpkin. Only time will tell Mr.Bradley !!! Only time.In the meantime, I plan to treat your column as an atheist does the Bible. Seldom reads and never believes !!!
By birddawg is an idiot
October 11, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
It scares dawg fan’s to death for Tech to do well. I really don’t get it. quit being so insecure
By K-Dogg
October 11, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this
Oooh! My conference is better than your conference!!!
Who gives a flip?? The last time I checked, teams (not conferences) played the games on the field.
Whenever someone pulls out their conference card and starts jabbering on about how strong theirs is and how weak everyone else’s is, it makes me want to scream!!! I just don’t see the logic…ugh, why bother.
By da-Junkyard
October 11, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
forget about it Tech. You have a great team, and you are playing more complete football then the Dawgs right now, but you don’t know how to win against Georgia, and you certainly aren’t gonna figure it out this year in Athens. When we improve to 6-0 under Richt versus Tech, this year will be a success.
By physicsDawg
October 11, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
Hey, at least Mark is being POSITIVE! A little too positive for Tech, I think, but not derogatory to anyone. Nice going. Tech good luck against Clemson. You will need it. And I hope you are the ACC “standard bearer” when we meet in Nov.
By physicsDawg
October 11, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this
I agree, K-Dogg. playing the conference card is like saying “My daddy can __ your daddy.” Nobody’s “daddy” (conference) is going to be with you in the dark alley (on the field in November).
By Jay
October 11, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
To say the Sec is weak this year shows a profound amount of ignorance. Florida and Tennessee would both own the acc this year. What does it say when the two most talented programs in your conference (miami and fsu) arent rated?
That said, Tech is a better team this year. I dont think uga could have beaten VT. ND would have put up way more then 14 points on Uga, seeing that their attack is similar to Tenn is that they spread the ball around.
All you Uga fans who think youre going to beat Tech are kidding yourselves. We’re halfway through the season and you are still flip-flopping your hb and qb…what does that say about your program??? Uga will almost always have more talent, but this year isnt one of them. Not when you’re giving up 51 points at home. Even Tech doesnt do that. Have fun going 8-4, then have your sore loser gov. cry some more and embarrass the state.
By Yo mama
October 11, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this
I didn’t go to UGA because I already know how to read!
By Corey
October 11, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
Georgia’s non-conference schedule is a joke (i.e. Colorado) and they still almost blew it! UGA always start out 5-0, or 6-0… then they play “real” conference opponents (i.e. Florida) and get their asses handed to them! lol Stick to SEC East titles b’cuz a National Championship are above yall heads!
Go Jackets!
By Dana
October 12, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this
I love it .. This is as good as Corso picking the dogs to win. This goes with Mark’s great history of predicting the future… Ha Ha..I love it.. Bradley and the magic 8 ball or the coin flip…I have many $$ betting against anything that comes out of his mouth (pen)… He should be a weather man… Ha HA
By Ramble on!
October 12, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this
Mr. Bradley speaks the truth, so don’t shoot the messenger. GT is superior in practically everything with the exception of Equestrian (I have to give the fleabags credit, where credit is do).
Hell, even our ladies basketball team is better now.
You have about 45 days+/- to gloat on you lucky win last year (Kenny Scott lets interception for sure TD go thru his arms), before we swagger in between the weeds, and do some hedge trimming. With the recruits we got coming in this could be the last 40 something days for a very, very, loooonnngg time. Now DEAL WITH IT!
Auburn Grad…what in the mother %##%#$ holy manner of &$#^# ever loving *&#$ for the sake of mother and sisters alike, do you have the nerve to show your face in this blog, after last weeks *##*#game!!!!!!!!
I guess you’re going to tell us how lucky we are for not having to play you this year?
It’s beginning to get very hard to remain so humble when you play in the most superior conference in the USA. Weather it be academics or big-time sports we always have the best teams. We just have the class that comes with being good winners. Being stuck in the middle of SEC blowhard city, can test the patience though.
By Dana
October 12, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
Yo Mama You don’t go to Tech either because they don’t take GED’s .. Hint, go get your GED… Or keep selling crack..
By Dana
October 12, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
Ramble on.. Superior conference.. Fla State loses to NC State who loses to … Akron… Please watch the tape of Maryland… I would just sit back and pray that one day the ACC would be anything other then a basketball conf. Really I believe you must be smart just football dumb..
By Corey
October 12, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this
Georgia’s non-conference schedule is a joke (i.e. Colorado) and they still almost blew it! UGA always start out 5-0, or 6-0… then they play “real” conference opponents (i.e. Florida) and get their asses handed to them! lol Stick to SEC East titles b’cuz a National Championship are above yall heads!
Boy, I love UGA fans. No matter how bad their team is… they are still gonna talk trash. Just face it… its a down year, yall are NOT better than Tech (at this point), yall are NOT beating Florida and yall are NOT winning the (yalls beloved) SEC title! Wow, you guys sure are proud of those SEC titles, huh?! lol Thats funny!
By ken
October 12, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this
Now that’s a good article. People over in Athens will be choking on there cornbread while reading the evening paper. Sonny-do list; shut up Govenor. Take a whipin’ like a man.
By watchoutforduke
October 12, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this
I don’t see how Tech is going to beat UGA. They are going to be pretty down after losing to duke, again! Ha! We are going to beat you guys like we do every year, check back when you have a qb that knows what down it is.
By JT
October 12, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this
Calm down Techies. Squeaking out a win over a horrible Maryland team is nothing to brag about. GT loses at least 2 of their next three (if not all of them), they will lose to the Dawgs, and they will then get hammered by some low level WAC in one of the early bowl games, just like they do every year.
By Rico
October 12, 2006 01:26 AM | Link to this
Who cares! Just concentrate on Clemson!!!!! Then Miami. Then NC State, Then Duke. The UNC. Then we can start the smack about who is the best in the state. Right now UGA is better, because the have beat us for the past 5 years.
By suwannoochee
October 12, 2006 01:44 AM | Link to this
I’ve been a journalist for 30 years. It’s always amusing to hear some fool blame the supposed liberals in journalism for all their shortcomings, although I’ll admit it makes a nice target for simpletons. I have no idea how long you’ve been whatever you are, but you’ve most likely been an idiot for even longer. Betcha have one of those “I don’t believe the liberal media” stickers on your pickup truck, too. But myth is a harsh mistress, Mr. fan. Perhaps you might pass this wisdom on at your next Sons of the Confederacy meeting.
By Jake23
October 12, 2006 02:08 AM | Link to this
I will agree that the Dawgs non-conference schedule is weak. That doesn’t do much to help them prepare for the tough SEC schedule. We will see just who the best team in Georgia is on November 25 when GT comes to Athens. A lot can happen between now and then. In the meantime, the Jackets can ride on their high horse for the moment since they are ranked above the Dawgs. However, I’m sure that they will be brought down to reality when they make a visit to Death Valley.
Go Tigers and DAWGS!
By Roger
October 12, 2006 03:28 AM | Link to this
Asscrack to the maximim, you didnt read what I wrote carefully…I said “total of national championships that TEAMS in each conference has”. I did NOT say they won them in the ACC. But Miami etc. IS in the ACC now, and their history, and program is important to the conference as being strong or weak. But yes, the pac 10 has two, other being the AP championship USC won in 2003(but not BCS)
By Murph
October 12, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
Bradley’s article is accurate. As a Dawg fan (and it pains me to say this, believe me), I’ve watched both teams play this season, and Tech has the better squad. The difference is Jon Tenuta, who always has his defense playing lights out, and is always well-prepared. Willie Martinez has not shown the same ability to prepare a defense or to make adjustments during the game, and that has hurt the Georgia defense severely. The offense has struggled because of a lack of execution and a lack of imaginative play-calling. I lay the blame for that one solely at the feet of Mark Richt (who is an outstanding person and a very good head coach, but who clearly needs an infusion of fresh brain-power at the assistant coach level). If the two teams played at a neutral site today, Tech would win in a walk. Please note, however, that the game is in six weeks, and is in Athens. A lot can happen in the interim.
HOWEVER, the mean-spirited trash-talking by Tech fans on this Blog about non-football-related matters (i.e. references to education, trailer parks, etc) is not only inaccurate, but inappropriate. Given the fact that Georgia trains the vast majority of the state’s lawyers, teachers, biological scientists, business people, etc., and given the fact that the average SAT score of the entering freshman class at UGA was 1233 this past year (in a very large freshman class—over twice the size of Tech’s), I think the characterization of Georgia fans as uneducated, trailer-dwelling buffoons is more than a little bit unwarranted. Moreover, given the fact that farmers and other folks without college degrees (often denigrated by Tech fans as “rednecks”) have been the economic backbone of this state for centuries, I would hesitate to use that term in a derogatory manner. Let’s keep the focus on football, and off of the disrespectful personal crap that always seems to permeate these discussions.
By JRS
October 12, 2006 06:05 AM | Link to this
Bandwagon Bradley - I’m sure you’ll be calling for UGA as the BCS champion after we beat any number of the following - Auburn, Florida, or Tech.
By ACC Basketblog
October 12, 2006 06:09 AM | Link to this
We’re talking about the Jackets on the ACC Basketblog. Get over there!!!
By WFC
October 12, 2006 06:21 AM | Link to this
I’ll say it again to “Reggie Bashers”: I bet that there were thousands of UGA fans who secretly wish that Reggie had been their QB against Tennessee!
By Kent
October 12, 2006 06:23 AM | Link to this
Georgia needs NOt to brag. Lets look at the SEC you play. Ole Miss, Miss State, Vandy, South Carolina, Kentucky. Outside of Auburn Tennessee and Florida and Tech you will not even play a ranked opponent this year. Now look at those same teams and Tennessee Florida and Auburn have already played 2 or more each. Georgia you have played the weakest line up in the SEC and have squeaked by. No one has played weaker opponents. Tech is the better team this year and Tech cant wait to whip your A* this season!
By daddy
October 12, 2006 06:33 AM | Link to this
Bradley:
Please reassess your ‘best in the ACC’ statement on 10-21-06.
By Mike
October 12, 2006 06:41 AM | Link to this
Yeah Mark- right. And you wonder why you are the laughingstocks of sports writing. Good to know you jumped on the Jackette bandwagon- will be sweet to see how fast you jump off. As long as the Jackettes have Chan and Reggie BBall- UGA will prevail
By DawgFan91
October 12, 2006 06:47 AM | Link to this
Mark, if it ok with you we will decide this on the field. If it were not for tech cheating, I think UGA’s win streak is at 15 yrs or something like that.
By CHILI
October 12, 2006 06:52 AM | Link to this
Jackets best in the ACC? Can’t argue with an undefeated league record, but might change on October 21st in Death Valley.
By T-bone
October 12, 2006 07:10 AM | Link to this
Murph, great post. As a Tech fan/grad, I appreciate your honesty. I also believe that Tech has the better team this year. But I am still scared of playing the dogs. Honestly, Tech still has to prove itself against Clemson, Miami, and NCState, before it faces UGA. But on paper, Tech should win the game.
However, I must say that there have been just as many mean-spirited posts on the blog from UGA people as from Tech people. Crudeness is not unique to where you went to school. It is common to both. And please, let’s not bring up education. No one can argue the fact that it is harder to get an engineering degree than a liberal arts degree.
By GT65_UGA89
October 12, 2006 07:20 AM | Link to this
Sure, as has been said above, UGA has had the stronger program over the years, winning the majority of head-to-head games against GT. Because of the difference in recruiting requirements, yes UGA fans, the Dawgs can and do take chances of those marginal student-athletes that GT’s academic requirements won’t even allow them to consider, UGA will predominantly have the stronger program.
That being said, there are times when GT gets the right players, UGA loses the wrong players, and the Jackets end up with the stronger of the two programs. Doesn’t happen as often as Tech fans would like, but it does happen. GT has actually had the stronger program for two years now, it’s just that the program is finally winning the big games and, as with the Maryland game last week, winning games it should.
That will be the key to GT having a great season, winning the games it should, just like UGA did against the likes of Colorado and Ole Miss, both games were ugly, but the Dawgs came out on top and that’s all that matters in the end.
Yes, UGA has had the predominantly stronger program over the past 25 years or so, but remember Dawgies, GT has as many National Championships as UGA over those 25+ years (and actually more overall NC’s). And really, both schools are rich in football history and tradition, something I don’t think UGA fans realize or will admit to.
There’s a long way to go in the season, but Mark Bradley, at this moment, is correct, GT does appear to have the stronger program right now. And UGA fans may not realize it yet, but GT has what is probably the strongest recruiting class it has ever assembled coming in next year. It’s definitely the strongest class of the Chan Gailey era, so the in-state playing field may remain pretty balanced for a few years to come.
GT65: GT fan since birth UGA89: UGA Class of ‘89
By GAFootball
October 12, 2006 07:21 AM | Link to this
Mark, I am saving your assessment for future ridicule. You can’t possibly know what the future holds for these two teams based on “your” grade for them halfway through the season. I look to Part II of this article after football season.
By tech hater
October 12, 2006 07:22 AM | Link to this
f all of u tech please!!yall have one good year in 17 years and all of the sudden yall are the s__t.tech got lucky to get calvin because his mama didnt want him to go far and short no skilled a* reggie ball,yall can have him.I dont care if we lose every game until tech.when we get yall we are going stomp yalls a*.tech(reggie ball) gets nervous when yall play us.i hate yall go back to class.And mark bradley i thought we told u to go get another job in another country you idiot.
By THL
October 12, 2006 07:30 AM | Link to this
I think/hope Tech will beat UGA this year. They would have the last two years if they weren’t so conservative on offensive those past years. I will refrain from rubbing the Dawgs face in it though until we win two years in a row because they have beaten us four or five years in a row. (I’ll make an exception if the score turns out to be 51-7 though).
By Josh
October 12, 2006 07:32 AM | Link to this
There is no way anyone from Auburn can do any trash talking to Tech fans.
By Top Dawg
October 12, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
Mark: I agree the Dawgs have a lot of problems this year and maybe more fundamental problems with the coaching staff than we have dared to even discuss (so far). That said, there is no way one can compare being best in the entire Gay-C-C, let alone the “Coastal Division” to playing football in the SEC. Playing the “mighty Terrapins” and escaping with a four point win is nothing to brag about and comparing that result to playing (winning or losing) a team like Tennessee is comparing apples and oranges. Yes, UGA has problems, but I promise you, they will beat Tech for the umpteenth year in a row.
By Dustin
October 12, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this
Nerds!
By MAC
October 12, 2006 07:46 AM | Link to this
If Mark Bradley picked Tech, then the best team must be UGA. Bradley’s track record on sports picks is pathetic. I’ve won a lot of money over the years picking the opposite of him.
By brandon
October 12, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this
hey nerds, is reggie ball still your quarterback? that’s what i thought, see you in november when i’m shaking my keys at you…again.
By mikegadawg
October 12, 2006 07:48 AM | Link to this
Who are you kidding Bradley……the ACC is weak and on a downhill skid. Most credible sportswriters even rank it weaker than the BIG EAST!…..so accolades for best in the ACC isnt saying much Marko. Drop GT in the SEC and see where this “great” team might fall. By game 12 of the season, dont expect the Dawgs to be struggling, but do expect the Dawgs to win big over GT and we’ll settle who reigns supreme in the state of Georgia. For now it’s a moot point…….so save your hot air for some fluff piece in the “Living” section. Go DAWGS!
By Perdue is a Loser
October 12, 2006 07:55 AM | Link to this
First of all UGAG sucks. How many Nat. Championships do you have? The answer is one, haha Loser. GT has four, count them up flea bags. How many Nat. Championships is UGAG gonna win under Richt? Zero. Who cares if you have 10 win seasons. It doesnt mean a darn thing if you don’t make it to the big show. If you go 10-2 and we go 8-4 your team is no better then ours or any other team in the country because you didn’t make it to the big game. You will never be Nat. Champions with Mark Richt as your head coach. Yes he is a good coach, he is the only reason why Ugag has beaten tech the last 4 years. The tables will turn this year because Gailey has finally decided to give up his play calling duties and do his real job. The head coach of GT has to many other things to do besides calling plays. True our QB play the last 4 years hasn’t been great but we will win this year. Our defense is going to be so tuff that you guys will use all three of your QB’s just to have a chance. Oh and you might need to bring Gov. Porky Perdue to help you win also.
By Indydawg
October 12, 2006 07:56 AM | Link to this
That’s it Mark, go ahead and set them up for another fall by Ball this year….
You know, you lose one SEC game and the whole world goes crazy.
“Midget tossing November 25, Athens, Georgia”.
Be there or be square….
By Dawg Gone
October 12, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
Fellow Dawgs, we are giving Tech too much credit. A 4 - 1 start does not a 10 - 1 season make. A buzzing in my head tells me that a 2 loss team will be coming to Athens and a 3 loss team will be leaving Athens. That same 3 loss team will be playing for the ACC Championship which if I remember from last years ACC Champion would be a significant improvement.
Wasn’t the ACC Champ last year 7-5? The ACC isn’t weak… they are playing possum… That aside lets talk about the truely weak leagues the big 12 and pac 10.
By Joe
October 12, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this
Hey Bird Puppie,
Speaking of terrorists, have you forgotten about that so called “fan” of yours, the bona fide graduate with a big G plastered on his mug shot, that thinks running through Hartsfield with a video camera in his hand is ok to shut down the entire airspace in the U.S.? All schools have morons, but in Athens it’s in the gene pool. P.S. As for the article, let’s insure the next time Georgia gets it’s a* kicked by West Virginia or you name it we have a Ga. Journalism grad to spin it - refs, injuries, murder arrests, etc. so Sonny and all of the crybaby’s can be happy until Western Kentucky shows up again.
By Dogcatcher
October 12, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
Birddawg, Techhater and the others are an embarrasment to the educated citizens of Georgia. Uneducated trailer trash. Absolutely sickening. These morons are why people amke fun of mutt fans.
By Reality Check
October 12, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this
GT is not man enough to beat the Dawgs
By jc2beers
October 12, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this
gt still sux
By Slide Rule
October 12, 2006 08:11 AM | Link to this
My favorite cheer at the GT/UGA game has got to come from the Black & Gold section:
“That’s alright, that’s okay, you’re gonna work for us someday…”
GO TECH
By Russ Brock
October 12, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
Yup. GT is a better team than UGA. Now. But when the insects come ‘tween the hedges, they won’t be. The Dogs will come out on top as usual. The D will pressure Ball and he will try to run and they will break that little runt in two bringing a wonderful end to the Ball era at Tech. If only we could reach the end of the Vick era, football would be fun for the entire state of Georgia again.
By Mark
October 12, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
Ole Mark you are so fickle like a girl
By airduke
October 12, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
It’s nice to hear the Jacket fans enjoying this pre-game victory over the SEC champions two months from now. It seems like yesterday that they were beating us last October, and October of ‘04, and October of ‘03…….It’s amazing what a goalline stand against Maryland will do for a team’s confidence. Tech would have been Maryland’s signature win of the season. As it stands, they’ll have to be satisfied with that thrashing of William & Mary. Tech would stomp William & Mary. And apparently, Tech has wrapped up its 6th consecutive October win over UGA. That is great news. Congratulations and let me give a shout out to Ahmed and Shareef and the boys down at the Tech chemistry lab. Keep up the good work down there.
By Slide Rule
October 12, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Hey Murph,
I appreciate your thoughts on the recent upswing in UGA’s SAT scores. I would remind you that the vast majority of UGA Alums do NOT fall into the 1200+ SAT range.
Once your UGA guys drop the Terrorist chants, we’ll drop the Redneck chants. Deal?
By Dean
October 12, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
Just another example of the AJC’s liberal bias against Sonny Perdue and all things Georgia.
I can’t believe those Godless leftist commie pinko freaks have inflitrated the sports department.
No wonder nobody reads or trusts this publication.
By reality check
October 12, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
gtne80 is a Tech fan. I’m a Georgia fan, but I certainly agree with his point there is a lot of football to be played yet this year, including the game in Athens.
All the talk by sports writers and fans means nothing on the field. We’ll all find out who has the better team when the game is played.
By Average Joe
October 12, 2006 08:15 AM | Link to this
Wait just a minute. I thought the Mighty Dawgs didn’t even consider the GT game to be a rivalry. I’ve heard more “Shanes” from UGA say UF and Auburn are their biggest rivals. Maybe it’s a little doubt creeping in about this year’s outcome???
By Russ Brock
October 12, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Hey, as a Georgia Southern alum and life-long Dogs and 23 year Eagles fan I say, fire Willie and rehire VanGorder. He’ll be available very soon as sorry as Southern is playing. He couldn’t