Tech

By CRB

September 6, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Personally…I can’t wait to make the trip to see the game at Army next year. I always respect and appreciate the military academies when we play them. Should be fun.

By Darren in the Springs

September 6, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

You are right that scheduling is a nightmare and is made years in advance.

Why not complete the service academy cycle and schedule Air Force in a home and away. Tech played Navy a few years back and has Army this year.

Would not mind seeing a PAC-10 home and away with Cal, UCLA or USC or even a couple of teams from the BIG-12 (OK, Neb, Texas…)

Think those games would bring some attention to the program.

By ben

September 6, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

How many big time programs have Notre Dame and Georgia on their non-conference schedules? Not many.

By Matt Winkeljohn

September 6, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

Ben, you’re right, but this and last year were the only two years that’s happened in the past 10. This is not the norm.

Did you see Notre Dame on future schedules? Ohio State? USC? UCLA? Penn State? West Virginia? LSU? Florida? How about this — Texas, Oklahoma or Nebraska?

By Truth

September 6, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

By Tech Fan

September 5, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

We just whupped Notre Dames a$$ in their own backyard. Bring it on!

LMAO! By the time Clemson leaves time you’ll be wondering if that pitiful little team of yours can be$t its me$t without changing hands.

By DawgBite

September 6, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

By ben

September 6, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

How many big time programs have Notre Dame and Georgia on their non-conference schedules? Not many.

And your strength of scedule is still 54th.

By CV

September 6, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

We’re already scheduled to play Alabama in 2012 and 2014.

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/futureschedules/georgiatechfuture.htm I don’t think that playing OSU, USC, Michigan, etc. in a home and 2 away games series is worthwhile. We don’t have to give up that much to play them. We are a top tier team and we should’nt have to give up anything extra to play top tier teams out of conference.

By Pat

September 6, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

It is easy to talk about hypothetical matchups when you don’t have to pull them off. As much as one school might wish to schedule another, that sentiment has to be reciprocated. Many northern and western schools don’t want to play in Georgia humidity in September, not to mention the finances. It seems that Tech would like to play Army, Navy, AF, Vandy, Purdue, Stanford, Northwestern, etc. and all schools with the same academic disadvantages.

By Southerner

September 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

I, for one, cannot wait to go to the JSU/Tech game-Tech has NO IDEA what they are going to be hit with at halftime! Blow Southerners!

By ContactBuzz

September 6, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Hey UGA fan - give us a call if you need directions across the Mississippi next year.

By CV

September 6, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/futureschedules/georgiatechfuture.htm

By Techater

September 6, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I’d say with Duke, Virginia, NC State and North Carolina on its schedule every year and even Weak Forrest occassionally the Jackets need to upgrade their out of conference schedule. Scheduling bottom feeders Miss St , Vandy and Ole Miss appear to be trying to pick on teams your own speed to me. Why not pick on Fla or Alabama or LSU.

By Techater

September 6, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

The rest of this years Tech schedule is embarrassing. First a win over the weakest ND team in years who will not win over 3-4 games. Next Samford a D2 weak sister. Followed by Virginia, maybe a 3 win team itself and NC ST who lost to Central Fla, Also a pitiful NC team and what can you say about Duke.So it boils down to BC, Clemson, Maryland ?, Va Tech, Miami and Georgia. Maybe 2 wins in that group.

By Chris

September 6, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this

Like someone already posted, Techater, we’re scheduled to do a home-home with Alabama 2012 and 2014. Sure it’s 5 and 7 years out, but that’s what you have to do to schedule decent OOC opponents.

IIRC Ole Miss was one season removed from Eli Manning’s last season (10-3) and they hired a hot-shot coach that was supposed to lead them to the promised land. They were supposed to be a great team for years to come. Turns out the program went belly-up and we’re stuck playing a down Ole Miss.

I would like to see us try to play some Pac-10, Big 12, or Big 10 teams if only because I don’t get to see them play and I’d like the opportunity to do so.

By addicted

September 6, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Hey Matt,

I completely agree. The next couple of years are very lackluster as far as scheduling is concerned. However, I am far more confident a few more years down the line due to a reason mentioned in another article of yours. Dan Radakovitch. Braine was a terrible AD and nearly ruined our program. Radakovitch is picking up the pieces, and has been doing an excellent job as of yet. I am sure he will make sure we schedule higher profile teams, to give our program even more of a boost. Him being from LSU, maybe we might be able to get a few games in with those guys also…

By R U Serious

September 6, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Matt, go back and look at OSU’s OOC schedule year over year. Outside of a home and home with Texas….its been rather worthless. Go look at Michagans, they have ND every year, comparable to our UGA but thats it. There is no team in a major D1A BCS conference that has 3 big time OOC opponents and 1 nobody. NO ONE. Every school has 1-2 big time out of conferences and 2-3 also rans.

This is ridiculous to suggest we battle potentially 3 top 10 teams any given year (UGA, maybe UT, maybe alabama, or ND, or whoever) and play the ACC slate which may include up to another 3 top ten teams any given year.

Do you want to beat the heck out of the team?

Bottom line, every school will have at most 2 big time ooc’s any given year on AVERAGE…and 2 also rans…thats just life…and I am OK with it.

By Mike K

September 6, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

OK GT fans, I have to ask the question: Why doesn’t your school schedule Georgia Southern instead of Samford?

Disclaimer: I am NOT a UGA fan.

By 3 Rivers jacket

September 6, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of ths schedule angst for the athletic director and the coach comes in those years when it appears that the ACC schedule will be its toughest. For instance on paper and by radtion next year is the worst for us ACC wise in that from the other side we get FSU, BC,Clemson. That only happens one or two times a cycle so I can see why you would not want a real tough out of conference schedule in those years even thought i look forward to playing FSU the way they are now. That being said I wuld like this for our 3 “optonal games 1 samford 1 middling team like a miss and one blockbuster such as Penn St, Michigan, UCLA, or Tennessee and maybe even South Carolina. That is easier said than done and remember as strong as we are going to get maybe no one wants to play us.

By yellowblood

September 6, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

SEC GASBAGS: All of the national sports media (I did say ALL) regard the SEC as weak on out-of-conference scheduling. Don’t try to convince us, convince them. There is a world beyond the 9 hayseed states. You should get out more often or do those tenements-on-wheels not go that far ?

By yellowblood

September 6, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

I would like to play Tennessee or Auburn at least every other year just like we used to do. I think we get a warped idea from playing UGA as our only SEC opponent. Other SEC fans(Auburn and TN) are good folks and I have enjoyed playing them in Atl. many times. I know these could be definite loses but I say bring it on.

By wes

September 6, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t like scheduling D-2 programs. They are not taken into account by the BCS computers.

Heck, schedule Buffalo or FIU or Miss State…NOT Jacksonville State, GA Southern or Samford! Those last three teams do NOTHING for Georgia Tech in the computer rankings! NOTHING!!!!

By UF BALLER!!

September 6, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

FSU & MIAMI having down years make our schedule look a wee bit weaker than the norm. But who cares, I would still love to see GT play an OSU,MICH or TEX,USC team. I dont care how week other peoples oocs looks. I wanna play the best!

By joe schmoe

September 6, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

hey where’s that funkymusicwhiteboy guy been… hmmm…

:)

By Bob

September 6, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

“Would a home and two games away series with Michigan-Ohio State-Penn State-Wisconsin be worthwhile?”

Michigan?

Nah! Let’s step up and play the big boys like Appalachian State!

;-)

By DirtDobber

September 6, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

And the idiots who have no clue what it takes to negotiate a schedule chime in with “shoulda done [blah, blah, blah]” …

How , oh brilliant ones , can you predict the success/failure of another team YEARS into the future . It is best guess, no more , no less ! If not then please , oh PLEASE , share your crystal ball with the rest of us !

Idiots !

By a tech guy

September 6, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

lsu would be a nice one we were up 17-0 in the peach bowl then they put the jamican sensation rohan davey and ended up getting us. Maybe that can be enough grounds to start a rivalary. Arkansas south carolina or tennesee would be nice. I WANT A FREAKING PAC-1 TEAM! I want to see if tenuta’s defense can stop them.

By Traditionaldog

September 6, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

If you have never been to a football game at West Point, you are in for a treat that you will not soon forget.

The entire Corp of Cadets participate in a game day “Pass and Review” paradge on the parade field next to Trophy Hill at around 11:00 am on game day. Trophy Hill has magnificent views of the Hudson River and the walk up to Michie Stadium from the parade field is breathtaking.

Michie Stadium is a beautiful old ballyard with additional views of the Hudson. There is usually a “flyover” prior to kickoff and watching the Corp sing “Brave Ole Army Team” throughout the game continues the game day color.

The Atmosphere tops anything I have seen and I have been to college football games throughout the country. That’s not to say the intensity of the fans comes anywhere matching SEC fans and certainly the football does not compare to the SEC but if you want to experience something special, travel with the Yellow Jackets next year to West Point - you won’t regret it!

By The Realist

September 6, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this

Was this army thing set up with Bobby Ross was up there?

The SEC thing hit its peak in the late ’70s and early ’80s. I Tech was loading the schedule in anticipation of rejoining the conference, which left the Jackets SEC-heavy when that was denied and they settled for the basketball conference.

Tech was playing Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

By ContactBuzz

September 6, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

I haven’t been to West Point yet but plan on attending next year.

For anyone who is remotely interested, I would suggest reading “A Civil War: Army vs. Navy” to get a good understanding of what their student athletes deal with during the season. It was my preseason required reading to get prepared for the upcoming season.

By Nick Saban

September 6, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Don’t count on the Tide playing GT while I’m around. I already cancelled the 2012,2014 talks between the schools.

Of course, if I’m at Michigan, who really cares if my beloved Alabama plays those pesky Yellow Jackets.

By GARY

September 6, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this

It would be nice to see GT play some “old ” schools from yesteryear: SMU, TULANE, RICE, KENTUCKY, TEXAS A@M, TENNESEE, FLORIDA, SOUTH CAROLINA, PITT, BAYLOR, MICHIGAN STATE, PENN STATE, VMI,—just some old memories.

By New York Jacket

September 6, 2007 6:06 PM | Link to this

Schedule teams that will fill the stadium. We should be willing to play anyone.

By Deezy

September 6, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

The problem is simply reciprocity. What would a USC get out of playing Tech? Are they going to sell out seats they already sell out, or get top recruits they already get? Tech can get notoriety (if it’s a close game), but have to sacrifice a lot to get it. It’s funny how you blow out one “big name” team (that is horrible) and we want to take on the world.

By DW

September 6, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this

There is no excuse to play I-AA teams. If you want an easy victory there are plenty of I-A pansies out there. In ideal world it would be great to play every year Florida, Ohio State or any of the elite top 10 programs but most of them don’t want to play too tough of a non-conference schedule. Personally I would be happy with a rotation of mid-level schools from each of the BCS conferences.

By JustMe

September 6, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this

I would like to see us schedule a non-conference game with one of the PAC 10 or Big 10 teams. We already play UGAY every year and so playing another SEC team is meaningless to me and also does nothing to increase national exposure. Imagine some rotation between Cal, Wisconsin, Washington, and UCLA every 4 years! That along with the annual ugay game is more than enough for two of the 3 non-conference games. In addition to national exposure it should also help in recruiting on a national level.

I agree that one of the three non-conference games should be against a lesser opponent, especially early in the season in order to heal injuries and to iron out any wrinkles. Samford is an okay choice in my book. But I think that we could find an easy 1-A team to play also. I realize that we have played Samford due to some connection with the coaches.

By AlabamaRamblinWreck

September 6, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

I think one more difficult opponent per year out of conference (I’m counting UGA as a difficult opponent) is enough. I do believe it should be a top 40 school, not a top 10 school necessarily. You really cannot know years in advance that a team will definitely be top 10 or not. I think a Penn State, or Wisconsin, or Iowa, or Texas Tech, or Okla St., or UCLA, or Oregon St., etc. would be great to have along with UGA every year. The other out of conference games should be automatic wins against low D-1 opponents if at all possible. The ACC may have been down last year, and this year we do not know, but in the future, there is no doubt that Clemson, FSU, Miami, B.College, Virginia, etc. will be putting very competitive teams on the field, and we need to make sure we are competitive within our conference; remember, the winner of our conference will always get an automatic BCS bowl bid.

By CW

September 6, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

I think a lot of the posts here are missing an important point in scheduling. RECRUITING. Coach Gailey likes scheduling Samford, Troy and Jacksonville State not just because they are good tune-up games, but they also help get some additional recruiting exposure in Alabama. Not only has Tech done a better job recruiting Georgia, but several current starters (McManus, Word-Daniels, Johnson) are from Alabama and I think Coach Gailey wants to keep that trend going. Games against Vandy, Ole Miss and Miss State also help strengthen the southern recruiting base as well as link back to Tech’s history in the SEC. Sure, I’d love to see Tech play Alabama, Michigan or USC, but so would everybody else. Those schools just don’t schedule a home and away with you just because you ask. It takes years to make those deals work.

For all you guys moaning about our weak schedule this year-get real!

Notre Dame, Boston College, Clemson, Va Tech, Georgia and a possible conference championship is still a tough row to hoe.

By yellowblood

September 6, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

I have already expressed interest in scheduling Auburn or Tenn simply because we have played them often in the past and they have a great fan base. I also like the idea of playing one of the better Big 10 or Big 12 teams. Tech needs exposure in those areas.

By GTNC

September 7, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

everybody’s got an opinion. Trust me when I say that a lowly UNC team WILL be a ranked team 2 years down the road under Butch Davis (if he stays). So lets not forget an improving ACC schedule when talking about playing Tenn or Bama. A team needs a cupcake to iron out the kinks. Even mighty USC schedules an Idaho or WAC team every year

By T-Bone

September 7, 2007 7:38 AM | Link to this

Here’s what Tech needs to do with their 3 available non-conference games. They should play a team that would draw national interest, like what Tennessee has done with Cal and others. But ut needs to be one where they are somewhat evenly matched. This could include Penn State, Nebraska, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, etc. Then they need to start a rotation of SEC teams in neighboring states. South Carolina one year, then Tennessee the next, then Alabama, then Auburn, then Florida. Then they need to schedule a cupcake, but not 1-AA. This scheme gives us a national game and a regional game, both of which will help recruiting.

By JustMe

September 7, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

T-Bone:

There are 3 non-conference games.

For one spot, I agree that GA Tech needs to schedule the big programs on the other coast - one per year. That takes up one of our 3 spots. It could be UCLA, Cal, Wisconsin, etc.

The second spot could be a SEC team. I really don’t care that it is UGA every year. We could rotate with Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and UGA.

The third spot, IMHO, should be a lesser opponent. I don’t care if it is 1-A or 1-AA. But, it should be a game where the players can recover from any injury and the team can breathe a little easier in the schedule. The lesser team could be located in a strategic position for recruting - where ever that may be.

This year, the 3 spots are ND, Stamford, and UGA. From where I sit, these 3 non-conference games are fine. ND gives national attention. Samford gives a little breather. And UGA is the SEC team.

The rest of our schedule is out of our control. We must play the ACC schedule.

I think it would be a huge mistake to scedule two SEC teams in one year. That does nothing for national attention because SEC and ACC are both East Coast. Having one SEC team is good enough.

By Joshua Barlowe

September 7, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

But, But, But — those are SEC TEAMS!! We all know the SEC is the greatest football conference ever! So playing Ole Miss, Miss. State and Vandy will be TOUGH! We shouldn’t dare play any teams from the mighty SEC!

Pulease.

By gatech87

September 7, 2007 9:22 AM | Link to this

We ought to play another SEC every year. Bammer, UT, Awbun (Tubberville says he never wants to play us again), and USC-east should be some of the teams we regularly play.

Ought to also play Ole Miss, Miss St, L$U, UF.

For the most part I think that’s what DRad is doing…

With 12 games I don’t completely mind a pansey. I’d probably not choose it if I had a choice but I understand.

By John

September 7, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

While we are debating non-conference schedule strength, I will pose a question:

Who else besides Tech has played 14 or more BCS opponents over the past six seasons?

2007: @ND, GA 2006: ND, @GA 2005: @Auburn, UConn, GA 2004: UConn, @GA 2003: Auburn, GA, @Vandy 2002: Vandy, @GA

By John

September 7, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this

While we are debating non-conference schedule strength, I will pose a question:

Who else besides Tech has played 14 or more BCS opponents over the past six seasons?

2007: @ND, GA 2006: ND, @GA 2005: @Auburn, UConn, GA 2004: UConn, @GA 2003: Auburn, GA, @Vandy 2002: Vandy, @GA

By DawgBite

September 7, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

What the ACC needs to do to salvage its decresing level of competition is start the ball rolling to hijack WV and Louisville from the Big East.

Saw in a publication the other day where Tech has the 54th toughest schedule in the land. And they’ll still lose 4 or 5 games.

By GT95

September 7, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

By JustMe I really don’t care that it is UGA every year.

GREAT IDEA JUST ME!!! That way we don’t have to get our azzes kicked but every other year or so by those muttlanders.

By GreenJacket

September 7, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

I am looking forward to making the trip to Oxford to experience the great tailgating I have heard about. It would also be great to travel to Tennessee or Florida.