AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2006 > November > 07 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USJohnson’s class, Barbaro’s sass, Kirstie’s…thighs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
10: Anybody who lives here and has an ounce of objectivity understands the difference in size and fervor of the Georgia fan base relative to Georgia Tech’s. But you can understand the Yellow Jackets’ inferiority complex when attention to their possible ACC title and Orange Bowl run is being dwarfed by the Bulldogs’ stunning plummet.
9: If Georgia beats Tech this year but finishes an otherwise miserable season, nobody in Athens is happy. And if Tech loses to Georgia, I wonder how many Tech fans will still be calling for Chan Gailey’s job, ACC title notwithstanding.
8: It’s a massive generalization, but wide receivers tend to be the most selfish players on a football team. But you don’t get that feeling talking to Tech’s Calvin Johnson. More than merely his size and his skill-set, he’ll be a star in the NFL because of his head.
7: Wanna know how bad 6-4 really is? The Bulldogs’ wins have come over Western Kentucky (1-AA), South Carolina (5-4), UAB (3-6), Colorado (1-9), Mississippi (3-7) and Mississippi State (3-7). Fortunately, no rankings voters feel the need to weigh “quality” wins.
6: I wonder if Joe Paterno getting run over by a player last week is giving anybody any ideas in Tallahassee.
5: I’m so happy Kirstie Alley felt the need to reveal so much of herself on the Oprah Winfrey show in a bikini. I haven’t seen thighs like that since the Falcons signed Grady Jackson.
4: Don’t worry, Georgia fans - it’s almost time for basketball season. Oh wait. It doesn’t work that way, does it?
3: Barbaro is walking without a cast. He could return to action before John Abraham.
2: If you’re Kevin Mathis, why would you even consider playing again? Actually, why consider it after the first spinal injury?
1: The first-place Atlanta Thrashers are 11-3-3. It’s time to start paying attention. The first-place Atlanta Hawks are 2-1. Not time yet.
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Jeff Schultz, Quick Hit
Comments
By Ramble ON!
November 7, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
Jeff, UGAy has a better chance of wining the power ball lottery, than beating GT!
By Lee
November 7, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
The fact that you knew the subject of an Oprah episode shows what a loser you are. I bet your alma mater doesn’t have a football team worthy of discussion.
By Eh?
November 7, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
Point #1 is spot on! Go Thrashers! The only Atlanta team that will make the playoffs in the 2007 calender year.
By Michael
November 7, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
At this point, my only hope for UGA’s season is to jump up and bite Tech. Man, the absolute despair that the Techies would feel after that one would truly warm my heart and make most of this horrible season forgivable. I can only hope that our team and coaching staff are paying attention (for once).
By GTNE80
November 7, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Jeffe’
I bristle a bit at the term “inferiority complex.” As a Tech grad and fan, I, in no way feel the least bit inferior to a UGA grad or fan.
As a lifelong Tech fan, a Tech grad, and an Atlanta native, it is a constant source of frustration that UGA gets the lion’s share of media coverage and interest within the city of Atlanta (OUR hometown).
I can understand it throughout the state, since they are the largest University in the state and have a curriculum that lends itself to having its graduates remain within 100 miles of the campus. I’ve grown to realize that UGA appeals to the “common man” in the state more than Tech. It’s hard for “Joe Georgian” to relate to a small technological institution in the middle of the big city.
I also understand that in the lifespan of today’s young fans, UGA’s success on the football field has been more consistent than Tech’s. It’s easy to see that UGA has dominated the series since the early ’70s with the exception of some short spurts. I have kids, and I know that the kids want to relate to a “winner.”
I can’t see even the most ardent Chan basher (which I come close to being) having the stones to seriously call for Gailey’s job after this year, especially if we make it to the ACCCG. If we lose consecutive games to UNC, Duke and UGA, that could quickly change, but that’s a pretty unlikely chain of events (unless Reggie AND Calvin go down on the first series this Saturday).
Got to agree with your assessment of Calvin. He’s a class act and an intelligent kid. His parents obviously did a wonderful job raising him. Money and fame can do a lot to change someone, but I get the sense that Calvin will remain a class act….just a class act with a LOT more money.
5 Division 1A teams with a total of 15 wins. Sagarin ranks South Carolina (the highest ranked team that UGA has beaten) as number “36.” Miss State is “85.” Ole Miss is “99”. UAB and Colorado are “109” and “110” respectively. Western Kentucky is “134.” Just for fun, that’s an average of about “115” strength of opponent for the Dawg’s wins. (In case you’re wondering, the losses average out to a “35”. On the other side of the rivalry, Tech’s two losses have come against numbers “17” and “19” and their wins average out to “82” (Samford at 220 really bruises that average, without them, it’s “60”.)
Remember, lower is better in this case
Strength of UGA losses = 35 Strength of Tech losses = 17
Strength of UGA wins = 115 Strength of Tech wins = 82
Tech 7-2 UGA 6-4
Georgia’s highest rank win = 36 Tech’s highest rank win = 22 (and they have a 29 also)
Conclusion?
It’s easy to see without all the number crunching, but Tech has more and better wins and lost less and to higher quality opponents (on average). Of course, these numbers will shift a bit over the next two weeks between now and the “GAME.” UGA will get another high quality loss, while Tech piles up two low quality wins.
By Michael
November 7, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
GTNE80, all of that rambling (pardon the pun) sure sounds like an inferiority complex to me.
By Rebel
November 7, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
Hey, Schultz. I rank this article right up there with your Thrashers inconsistent article. Let’s see, 11-3-3. That’s real inconsistent When you, Bradley, and Moore dress up as the three moron stooges, which one are you?
By Roswell Ed
November 7, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
GTNE80,
I need and Eng Degree to figure out that blog!!
Are you trying to justify why GT is better than UGA this year? Even a UGA fan can figure that one out and doing it without bringing up Samford and Western Ken!!!!!
Also, are you telling me that the DOGGED NATION is made up of stupid REDNECKS?
As Buck would say, “WELL YEAH!
You get the master of the obvious award for the day.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 7, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
GTNE80,
How much time did you spend on those Saragin ratings to prove that you “don’t” have an inferiority complex? Jeff, did you realize it would that quick and easy to prove your point? Tech fans….turn in your pocket protectors! Your season will soon be in shambles after Bulldawg nation embarass Reggie “Throw it away, oops its 4th Down” Ball chokes yet again. To bad the best Tech player Calvin Johnson will never sniff a victory against UGA!
By GTNE80
November 7, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
Trust me, one phrase that people that know me would NEVER use in a description of me would be “inferiority complex”. “Intellectual snob” however, usually does comes up. UGA could beat Tech every game between now and when I die and it wouldn’t make me feel inferior to a UGA alum or fan in the least bit.
Lowcountry Bulldawg, in response to your question, not as much time as you might think and certainly not as much as it would have taken you, Michael or Roswell Ed.
The point of that part of the blog was to support Jeff Shultz’s point #7.
And, Roswell Ed, I never used the terms “stupid” or “redneck.” But, hey, if the shoe fits….(as is the case with Buck).
By Ronny Cammon
November 7, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
I have no idea how to get in touch with the people at AJC, but I have a question. How come the smaller schools never get any love in you paper or on your page? I’m from Heard County and our Football program is growing. Our team is 9-0 and on the verge of its first undefeated season. Our junior running back(Dontavious Jackson) is killing everyone in stats. I know he has more yards than the guys listed in the top running backs section and I believe with him scoring anywhere from 3 to 5 TDs a game he needs to be on there. He’s prolly gonna be one of the top recruits in GA next year, why doesn’t he get any attention?
By Roswell Ed
November 7, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
I would also ask how much time you spent—- trying to type something as irrelevant, long winded and inane as your blog!
By KC in Athens
November 7, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this
Bisher didn’t have a blog spot on his column because no one cares so I feel compelled to respond on this one. How shamefully boring must your columns become before you retire. A golf column in the middle of football season? How pathetic does it get? Isn’t this the man who wrote about Ga. Ga Tech 40 years ago. Can’t Wait to read that Kentucky Derby column he’s got in the hopper.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
November 7, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
Nice comeback, not as much time as I might think. So you felt the need to support a staff journalist just in case us Bulldawgs started railing on him. Nice preventative maintence. What a nerd.
By Boots
November 7, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
KC, there has to be at least two or three dozen golfers, including myself, that can keep up with the football games and have an interest in the PGA Championship that was taking place in Atlanta.
My God, man, learn to multi-task!
And, as far as Furman is concerned, he’s forgotten more about sports than you’ll ever understand. The man is a legend.
By buenosnachos
November 8, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
I thought Kirstie looked right tasty. She can eat Jenny Craig cupcakes in my bed anytime.
By millerhebert
November 8, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this
I thought Kirstie looked rather tasty. She can eat Jenny Craig cupcakes in my bed any time.
By millerhebert
November 8, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this
Sorry about the double post, more AJC error crud. But hey, you get one for each thigh.
By jarrodmon
November 8, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
When UGA beats Tech those Sagarin ranking are really gonna be hurt for the Bees, huh?