Tech

By Carter

October 17, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Sad state of affairs when you have to schedule games according to the opponent’s fan base in the area (or having to offer meals and drinks with the purchase of tickets). We shouldn’t have to rely on the visitors to fill our stadium. It’s not even that large of a stadium.

By David Henderson

October 17, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

Matt,

Having gone to the Notre Dame game where we spent a great weekend in Chicago, I’m disappointed we’re not planning a more national schedule. Starkville and Oxford Mississippi don’t have the same attraction.

By old gold engineer

October 17, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

For a while, strength of schedule was a part of the BCS formula, so lots of teams began beefing up their out of conference schedules. I believe most of the fans really enjoyed the new matchups. Now that strength of schedule is no longer part of the formula, we can probably expect a return to the old habits of generally scheduling pretty safe opponents if possible. I would like to see the schedulers keep up the variety and continue to look for good, out-of-region games.

By Jolly Good Fellow

October 17, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

Agreed, Carter. The program would be better served matching up against programs from the Big 10, Pac 10, and Big 12. Gaining a foothold for recruiting in Texas of California would be huge. We should be looking to schedule against Texas Tech, A&M, UCLA, Arizona, hell, even Houston or Rice. Failing those, if we want to stay closer to home, let’s get Tennessee and South Carolina on the schedule. And what’s with keeping a I-AA team every single year? At least go for a mid-major team from the Sun Belt or Conference USA.

By Chris

October 17, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this

If you want to schedule a game that is a sure sellout, put Tennessee on the books. It is one of our biggest rivals. And we always gave them fits. You could play UT in Tinbuk2, and it would be a sellout every time. Even with our apathetic fan base.

By AlabamaRamblinwreck

October 17, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

Very simple: Schedule does not matter until Chan goes.

He must go. Our offense is the most predictable in the country. We do not have balance, and I lay that problem square on Chan’s shoulders. It has been this way for his entire stay at Tech.

He must go…he must go..he must go.

By GT

October 17, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

True Carter but where do you start in this period of parity. You recruit a power house and you are on probation for a decade. I enjoy a 3:30 game against a Clemson or a Georgia. Having half the stadium full of my neighbors pulling for the other team is kind of fun unless we lose, and we get use to even that. I’ll go to this 12 noon game against Army and feel like I have been feeding pigeons all day when I get home. Won’t see a soul I know except a bunch of tight a* military types. Watch a sorry football game called homecoming and the way Tech lets it fly, sometimes, we might even lose. Let me have a 3:30 game with Auburn or Mississippi, we all shoot moons at each other, drink a few beer , have a few laughs. There is a reason why the northeast isn’t big into football and it ain’t all wins and losses either. Every party has a pooper that why we invited you, party pooper, party pooper….

By I Bleed White and Gold

October 17, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

GT has “always” had a strong inter-regional schedule.

That is/was a trademark of GT…partly due to the widespread alumni base, partly to broaden the recruitment areas, and partly to give Atlanta fans a view of teams they otherwise could never see in person.

I strongly support a return to inter-regional home-home OOC scheduling.

I read this week in the AJC that 80% of UGA’s students come from North GA. While I too am from NGA, I met students from all over the USA while at the Institute. And my friends went all over the USA after getting out.

Poor old DRAD is recently from a school in LA that has a fan base more like UGA’s than Tech’s. He needs to be schooled by his current employer’s grads, not those of LSU.

THWG

By TDone

October 17, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

GT,

As a so-called “tight a* military type,” your comment was out of line.

The Army fan base is nation-wide, probably more than most D1A schools.

I look forward to the game on Saturday and hopefully going to West Point next year.

Now give me 10 pushups, sunshine!

By JD

October 17, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this

I think it’s a bad idea. Our schedule was typically strong and should continue to be. Games with BYU and the like were good because we got to see how we measured up with other teams. The last thing we should do is get too chicken to play a man’s schedule.

By dgbbgt

October 17, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

I would agree with your statement Matt, if we weren’t playing big conference southern teams. Fore the most part they are SEC teams which I love, bring back the rivalaries and I don’t think Dan is against out of region games if the are big name teams such as Ohio St., Notre Dame, and Texas. I just think he doesn’t want to schedule the Iowa’s, Illinois, Kansas’s of the world.

By dave

October 17, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

I agree, go national; schedule Harvard, Yale-maybe, M. I. T. never mind, they do not play football. so pick up Georgia State when they start.

By Jim D**

October 17, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

Going to South Bend for the Notre Dame game was great - - - hope we can maintain this rivalry. And what about Auburn? That was a rivalry with great tradition, and I hope it’s not lost forever.

By lynne

October 17, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

You mean that you are questioning Tech for doing what Georgia and all the other SEC teams have been doing for decades? Can’t somebody other than the SEC pad their records?

By CW

October 17, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Tech has four non-conference games and one of those spots on the dance card is always taken by Georgia. Don’t know if anyone has noticed, but they are doing quite well over there in Athens most years and that game definitely constitutes a “quality opponent”.

I’ll grant that Ole Miss, Miss State and Vandy may not be USC, but there is some history there dating back to Tech’s days in the SEC. But there is a recruiting angle as well. Tech under Gailey has focused recruiting more on the South. Tech now recruits Georgia and Alabama better than any time since Coach Dodd’s era. I suspect that the Mississippi schools and Vandy extend that southern recruiting focus without making an already tough schedule overly difficult. As for sex appeal, are there really Tech fans that think putting Alabama back on the sked isn’t going to be dynamite? They may not be a powerhouse this year, but Coach Saban will have them challenging for the conference in 1 or 2 years.

Personally, I think scheduling SEC and Big East teams is a great idea.

However, I agree that Samford, Elon and Western Carolina and the like are boring match ups. But 9 out of 10 college coaches like scheduling them as glorified scrimmages.

By Calvin

October 17, 2007 7:56 PM | Link to this

Hey Mr. Winkeljohn, you’re supposed to wait until Tech is doing well to start talking about there not being enough fans. That way you achieve maximum balloon-deflation effect. Right now you’re wasting it. See early in the season, after the first two games. If Tech had continued to win, you could have driven the spike deeper every week.

(Just some advice on how to do your job.)

By dave

October 17, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Samford???? Schedule Georgia Southern, why not, Furman was dropped for obvious reasons, so pick another Southern Conference school.

By StraightJacket

October 17, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

As a fan, I like the national, competitive schedule, and I’m not concerned about the “risk” factor it has on the W-L record. However,….

I will concede that the AD MUST get 7 home games each year to meet revenue needs. With 4 ACC games, we need 3 more. One is UGA in the odd-numbered years. That leaves us needing TWO more home games. We could schedule national power “home-and-home” series where we are AWAY in the odd years, but then must schedule TWO teams who don’t require return games in order to reach 7 home games. For example, THIS year: UGA at home, ND on the road, and then two teams not requiring a return game (Samford & Army) ALTHOUGH…. I DO realize we go to West Point next year.

Nevertheless, with the possible exception of some 2-for-1 deals (2 home games for one away game), we will need to schedule two “weaker” teams just to reach 7 home games. BUT,… I am ALL FOR making that last remaining game the absolute strongest National “home-and-home” we can get!!!!

-SJ

By GreenJacket

October 17, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

All options should be open for future opponents, not by region,etc. or filling up the stadium. The stadium was expanded because O’Leary had brought excitement to Tech with a high powered offense and a national ranking in the Top 20.

By razorjacket

October 17, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

The trip to Notre Dame was great. We need more “destination” opponents, and invite them here. It really builds excitement. The last two years, the hype amongst our own fans for the season opener (Notre Dame) was one of the best parts of the seasons.

By need wins

October 17, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Don’t you people want wins? Ohio St. is no. 1 because they haven’t lost in big 10 and they have an easy non-conf. schedule. ACC schedule is hard enough. It’s as plain and simple as: we should try to get wins out of the non-conference schedule. Period. You should not try to overanalyze this.

By JustMe

October 17, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

IMHO….

We have 3 ooc games to play with. And, I do not think that we HAVE to play ugay every year. That game has become an after thought in the bigger picture of the ACC and of the national picture. I think that every Tech fan and player would rather win the ACC championship and the national championship than beat ugay.

That being said, here is how I would schedule the 3 ooc games:

1. A ‘sure-win’ game. Possibly against the weakest team in the SEC or Big East. I don’t like scheduleing the games against the Samfords when they do not count as wins for a bowl game. But, we do need an ‘easy’ game to rest up, regroup, and/or heal injuries.

2. An SEC team. We could rotate every year with ugay, Auburn, Tenn, and maybe South Carolina. This would be a major intra-conference game that would likely to get TV time. Tech has a great history with these teams from way back when we were in the SEC (am I showing my age?).

3. Rotate with a medium name West Coast team and Big 10/Big 12 team. We really do need one game against these opponents. The teams could be Nebraska, Michigan State, Stanford, Oregon, Hawaii, etc. This type of game would certainly get national attention for voting purposes and also recruiting purposes. Plus, it is fun for the players and fans to really travel once during the season.

These are just my thoughts.

By Georgia Tech=JOKE

October 17, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

More SEC teams on schedule=More losses for the Techies. Maybe you guys should stick with Notre Dame.

By Navigator

October 17, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this

It’s called prop up Chan. Maybe they can get 3 division 1-AA (or what ever they’re called) teams. That way Chan can get his 6-7 wins a year. I don’t know what this guy has on Tech’s admin, but I would sure like to get some.

By Historian

October 17, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this

Maybe Radakovich thinks he can get Tech back in the SEC. I know there was a move back in the late ‘70’s to get that done. Most of the old AD’s and coaches are gone now, so maybe they feel it’s time to strike why they have an SEC insider at the helm. Although Tech beat Auburn twice in a row, the record against Georgia the past 6 years really doesn’t help this argument. I think the ACC will never truly accept Tech or FSU, both with football history, but not as good in basketball. Does anyone think that a deal might be in the making if Arkansas goes west? Maybe a three way deal including Miami to balance the divisions. May be the curse of Bobby Dodd may be a long running curse.

By The Truth

October 17, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

The Tech-Auburn games seemed to always be great matchups. I especially remember some mid-late 1980’s games that were great.

As for your comments about the Buckeyes. They may have a good history of solid non-conference matchups before this year. That is not the issue. The Conference schedule is very weak as there is little talent week to week in the teams they face. Get real….who other than they are even close to being solidly competitive week in and week out?

The Citadel hung 28 on a then 5th ranked Wisconsin team in Camp Randall.

Sadly, the rest of the Big Ten has Notre Dame syndrome…..unrecognized irrelevance.

By The Truth

October 17, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

My apologies to The Citadel Bulldogs. They actually scored 31 on Wisconsin.

By Darren in the Springs

October 17, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

I emailed D Rad a couple of months ago and asked about getting Air Force on the schedule. They played Navy a few years ago, and play Army this weekend. I know from watching the academies play that the draw from those games would be huge, especially out here in Colorado Springs.

I agree playing teams with more national appeal would probably do Tech some good, but we all know the schedules are made years in advance. Hopefully they can make some of these games a reality in the future.

By LongBeachJacket

October 17, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

We should play top-ranked national opponents whenever possible. All of this “strategic” scheduling is embarrassing. But everybody does it…not just Tech.

Play a top national team home&home every year…PERIOD!

If you win…big upside.

If you lose…SO WHAT…still big upside because it has no impact on your chance in the conference for a BCS bid. PLUS, you get better prepared by playing a tough team.

ND game helped us last year and hurt us this year. Point proven…

Get PAC-10 team…Cal, Southern Cal, Washington. Would be a BLAST!!!

The non-conference schedules through 2014 are TOTALLY uninspiring…aside from ALABAMA!!!!

By gt2bama

October 18, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this

If GT desires to be a small-time, REGIONAL, public school, then continue along this new path. Why stop there even? Return to the pathetic SEC, a football conference of public schools (aside from the elite Vandy, of course), that does NOT care enough about student-athletics to recruit properly and work hard to see that those student-athletes graduate. GT should follow the example of Notre Dame by building a nationally respected program, that schedules opponents nationally and recruits quality students who care enough to work hard on the field and within the classroom.

By WFC

October 18, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this

I don’t usually rag on UGA here but when was the last time the Dawgs played a Top Ten out-of-conference opponent outside of Athens? It was probably Michigan in 1965.

By shane

October 18, 2007 7:31 AM | Link to this

for several years uga has been trying to follow tech’s lead in scheduling ooc opponents,now tech is giving up their leadership role in this area.there is a risk involved,for both schools.tech will lose some national exposure,and going out of the southeast has been a headache for uga.michigan decided to reschedule notre dame,so the flirting uga did with them went for naught.oregon st backed out on their commitment for a home and home,leaving uga with holes in their schedule.we were able to get okie st to come in at the last minute for this year,and cen.mich just agreed to play us in 2008,but evans was really sweating it.ar state will be coming in with others committed for the future.let’s hope they don’t back out!that being said,uga and tech are in different positions,i think tech needs more games in the southeast,after all,that is your recruiting and fan base.tech,like uga,has many potential fans that aren’t alumni,market these people and you will fill your stadium.by marketing i don’t mean free pizza!use the media,local tv and radio stations are always looking for something to hype.you could reduce ticket prices for metro residents,after all you are within an hours drive for over 6 mill people!possibly a deal could be worked out with falcons season ticket holders.i am sure blank would work with tech on some type of package deal,after all,he needs some good local pr now.attending a tech game would make a weekend complete for a falcons fan.this would also open a way for tech to expand their fan base,as many falcons fans are not ga natives and root for no local college team.uga has done a much better job of attracting these people,tech has come of as being arrogant,an old boys club.lastly,you must be more fan friendly,and your facilities must be upgraded.one word of caution,ole miss,miss st and vandy are not sure wins,and they have very small fan bases.au,ut,and uf will fill your stadium,and get national attention.bama is a good move,i remember when tech and bama games were so hard fought that a cheap shot from leroy jordan resulted in tech refusing to plsy bama for ten years!now that was a hate filled rivalry.

By SAKA

October 18, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

I don’t like scheduling 1-AA teams. Big-time programs should play big-time schedules. After eight conference games and GA, I’d like to see Tech play two more SEC opponents and one out-of-region school: Big 10, Big 12, PAC 10.

By firechangailey.com

October 18, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this

He has to schedule easy games Chan has a chance of winning!

http://www.firechangailey.com

By shane

October 18, 2007 7:50 AM | Link to this

gt2bama,that is exactly the type of elitist crap i was refering to in my last post.what good is scheduling notre dame?they are without a doubt the worst of the so-called major powers,surviving on reputation alone.nd hasn’t beaten a decent bowl opponent in years.tech needs fans in the stadium,your current policy has resulted in not selling out even a small stadium,while the sec regularly sells out stadiums of 85 to over 100,000.unless you have fans you have limited money.with limited money you have a second rate program.i won’t even dignify your slap at”public”schools with a reply.BTW,as of last report neither tech nor uga has anything to brag about as far as graduating football players.uga has fired the sleezy jim donan and taken steps to rectify the problem,what has tech done?

By Jim 70

October 18, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

great idea - with four non-conference games and an always unfortunate tough game with uga, putting ND, Auburn, Alabama on the schedule with an improved ACC league is tough. Look at what VT and UGA have as their out of conference games - and uga doesn’t consider us as a quality opponent which recent years will confirm.

playing one game every other year in california or texas isn’t going to help recruiting. play the games closer to home so the families of the players have an opportunity to see them play without a large expense.

By GT

October 18, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

You know I would rather play a northern team than a 1AA southern team. We have more chance to win, but think of what seeds you are planting for fan base and recruiting keeping it down south. Army comes in here once every 10 years, we play, then Army is out of my mind like it doesn’t excess. I won’t read in the local paper a single article about them, I dealt we have lost a recruit to them in 30 years. Besides I am kind of whack out at the Army right now, with this water thing. I bet one of those mules let the flood gates open at Lake Lanier. Second thought bring those little soldier boys on down here so they can play of our dry up football field. They taste it enough maybe they will get the hint we need some damn water.

By shane

October 18, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this

i am sorry my first post ran so long,but i am puzzeled that tech hasn’t grown a strong local fan base.it all comes down to marketing.for the past several years college football and nascar have been the fastest growing sports in the country.both in fans and income.i don’t see how tech,located in a major market,continues to miss out on this trend.with the metro atlanta population and demographics you should not only be selling out for every game,you should be expanding your stadium.

By fred

October 18, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Look,well-run “organizations” do not messaround with their chemistry, their culture. Tech is a respected institute…nation wide.

GT is not a REGIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE—-at least this was not my reason for “sticking it out” in ‘59.

Who do these minds full of mush report to?

Take a stand, Alumni Asso.!!!

By braveswin

October 18, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

WFC, here is Ga’s 2008 schedule…Ga Southern,@ S Car,@ Arizona State,Bama,Tenn,Vandy,@LSU,@Fla,@KY,@ Auburn,G Tech. If I ever saw any team outside the SEC with a comparable sched then I might take to heart your “bashing”.The only 2 gimmies on the sched should be Ga Southern and G Tech.But the way things are going either of those games could be losses as well.Worry about your own team…

By Michael

October 18, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this

I like scheduling our old SEC foes. I hope we play one other than UGA every year. That being said, I’d also like to add in a ND, Texas, Stanford, Mich St every now and then…but not every year…

By JACKETS FAN

October 18, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this

Sounds like Dan Rad is employing the SEC scheduling model. The one where you never cross the Mississippi River (except to play LSU) or go north of the Mason-Dixon line to play anybody. I’m okay with it as long as they keep rotating in SEC teams as non-conference opponents. But I’d like to see them schedule some Pac-10, Big 12, Big 10 foes as well. No reason to play a weak schedule. GT isn’t likely to win a national championship, so going undefeated isn’t necessary, and that’s why you schedule cream puffs, to try to go undefeated. I personally think the program benefits more from playing a tough schedule, gaining more exposure and helps in recruiting. That’s how you elevate your program.

By JustMe

October 18, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this

Historian,

You are completely WRONG! Tech has never wanted to return to the SEC. Tech left the SEC for good reason and hasn’t looked back since.

Tech is firmly part of the ACC. In fact, many believe Tech to be part of the ‘old guard’ of the ACC now. This is due to our success in basketball.

With the further expansion of the ACC and the splitting of the conference into two divisions, Tech is positioned well and won’t consider any change.

By JustMe

October 18, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

Another component to all of this is that the BCS formula was revised a couple of years ago and they removed the strength-of-schedule part. It only makes sense for the ADs to alter their strategy to schedule more cream-puffs if it doesn’t make a difference to the BCS formula.

IMHO, I hate that change.

By GreenJacket

October 18, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this

braveswin, worry about your own team?, what are doing on this blog? AJC has a UGA blog for you. You guys certainly have an incredibly tough schedule next year which means the Dogs have no chance at a National Title in 08.

By Old Grad

October 18, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

I am a Tech grad and like many of us has lived all over the US. I have seen Tech play at Notre Dame, Michigan State, and even USC. We live all over the country and our school is known and highly respected for both our athletics and academics. I think we should continue to schedule out of the southeast for both national exposure and our alumni who get to see the games.

By Old Grad

October 18, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

I am a Tech grad and like many of us has lived all over the US. I have seen Tech play at Notre Dame, Michigan State, and even USC. We live all over the country and our school is known and highly respected for both our athletics and academics. I think we should continue to schedule out of the southeast for both national exposure and our alumni who get to see the games.

By BobinBuford

October 18, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Remember the old line:

“It takes two to tango”

It’s all well and good to say all the teams we should be playing, but they have to agree to playing us here in Atlanta. Considering that Georgia is becoming known as recruiting gold mine (the state, not UGA), we may start seeing more teams getting scheduled here for exposure in the Atlanta market.

As for marketing, there is a big push now to market Tech in Atlanta and Georgia - something that has been lacking for years.

And all the “Can Chan” idiots? Some of these games are scheduled 4, 5 and 6 years out. Do you really think DRad was thinking about Chan Gailey coaching when he made the schedules?? Please.

By shane

October 18, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this

just me,of course the bcs altered their formula,no way osu would have waltzed into # 1 if the formula had not been altered.fred,well run orginzations change with the times.tech needs to build up their fan base,and it isn’t coming from indiana.it all comes down to money,my north avenue friends.tradition and culture are nice,put a buck with them and they will buy you a cup of coffee.go into a mall,count the number of uga shirts,caps,etc,then count the tech logos.you will see how much your marketing needs to be upgraded.

By Jamey

October 18, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

In regard to the regional scheduling…. Aren’t we missing something besides the geographical recruiting point? How about the lack of TV exposure we will get because of having to play substandard teams. I don’t see ESPN Gameday covering GT vs Eastern Carolina. This will have a negative impact to recruiting on a national level…not just regionally.

One other point…..Greg Smith is not a reciever, and Pat Clark is not a football player. They are both awful.Play DJ Donelly & freshmen for experience……Not like we have anything to lose there. TB is very good QB! But he’s got to have recievers that WANT to catch!

By braveswin

October 18, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

GreenJacket,Ga has the week off (needed to lick wounds)so I was bored.I also like to keep up w/ the other in state school.I agree tht Ga will not win the NC in 08…And unless they step it up a few notches they won’t win it anytime in the forseeable future.I don’t ever recall forcasting such a feat.Take a pill and relax…Good luck to all you Techies (except for….you know)PS you should make your sched as easy as possible.ACC sched is plenty tough

By John

October 18, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this

Who cares what Ohio State does? If you want to write about Ohio State, move to Columbus.

By JustMe

October 18, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

shane,

First of all, learn to write! Trying to read your post is like sorting out some type of puzzle!

Second, you cannot compare the Tech fan base to ugay. Why?

1. Ugay gradutes about 5 times more people compared to Tech in any given year. That alone creates a larger fan base.

2. Ugay students come primarily from the State of GA. GA Tech students are much more mixed, coming from many other States and many other Countries. Again, this will create a larger fan base locally.

3. Most ugay students graduate and settle in the GA area. Most Tech students will get jobs outside of GA and move (ie: Microsoft in Seattle, Washington). This will disperse the Tech fan base much more so compared to ugay.

4. For whatever reason, the news media covers ugay sports more heavily compared to Tech. This means that a person will see ugay more often and follow ugay more often.

5. While many large school are in the middle of no-where, like Clemson, Tech is in the middle of Atlanta. If you live in Clemson (or the like) there just isn’t much to do except go to the football games on Saturday. If you live in Atlanta, there are tons of entertainment options on a nice Saturday.

When Tech says that we need to build our fan base, they are implying that it is the local fan base. And, they are targeting the people with out aligence in general. They are saying that we need to figure out how to draw in people to watch a general Division I football game on a sunny Saturday for good, clean, entertainment value.

I have tried not to exagerate any issure, but simply to surface the realities of the situation.

By Historian

October 18, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

JustMe, you’ve got your facts wrong. Bill Curry led a charge to negotiate Tech back into the SEC, when he was a coach, scheduling 6 SEC teams in one season. It was right after that, when the SEC let Tech know that it would not happen. Soon afterwards, Tech accepted an invite to join the ACC (mainly for their football reputation. How soon we forget, and yeah go tell Duke and NC that Tech is a standard bearer in basketball. It would take a long time for them to stop laughing.

By Joshua Barlowe

October 18, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

Why don’t we schedule Central Michigan and Coastal Carolina?

UGA is a joke. They haven’t left the South in 30 years.

By wes

October 18, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this

Wink, my opinion of you just went down the crapper.

You’re an Ohio State fan!?!?!

Say it ain’t so!!!!

By GoTech

October 18, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

I kind of like the scheduling shift. D. Rad is trying to get the athletics program out of the red. He’s trying to fill seats and create a gameday experience that generates the kind of revenue needed to support a bigtime program. To get this you have to understand the dichotemy of Georgia Tech Atheltics. We love to win, having been present, but often outshined, on the national stage, but we hold strongly to excellence in education and moral integrity, which undoubtly limits recruiting. The latter fact here has limited our program and forced the Atheletic department into the red. I think that if we schedule games with schools closer to home we are 1. Going to fill seats better (this refers more the the SEC schools) and generate more money.

1. Win more games, improving fan base and program confidence (ala improved marketing opportunities).

Now I wouldn’t expect ugay fans to comprehend the economic feedback loops in place here but even the most watered down circulum for management majors (the major our atheletes pursue if they don’t want to be rocket scientist) cover this stuff in freshman and sophmore level courses. It’s not hard people. We need to make more money if we want to be bigtime like we used to be.

By Carlton

October 18, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

As a side note, I don’t see Ohio State playing anyone in the SEC, and the Big Ten (+1) is weak. Tech must do something about scheduling in order to recruit. At some point, Tech will need to go out west in order to recruit those players. Go to UCLA! Go to Washington! It definitely makes for some interesting games on playstation.

By Carlton

October 18, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

The Techs’ should always play each other. Virginia Tech -vs- Ga. Tech Texas Tech -vs- Ga. Tech Texas Tech -vs- Virginia Tech

By gtbaltfan

October 18, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

I say we dump Ugay from the schedule. They hate us anyway and beat us every year. Who says we have to play them.We could schedule S. Florida on Thanksgiving weekend— a nice trip for the holiday weekend.

Go Jackets, beat Army!!

I know it may sound silly but I still think we can go 9-3. The D seems to have figured it out.

and PS, I was just kiddin’ about dumping Ugay. We’re gonna beat them on 11/24 like the Dawgs they are.

THWG

By shane

October 19, 2007 10:01 AM | Link to this

justme sorry you had trouble following my post,sometimes i do not organize my thoughts well when the ideas start coming.you are right in several of your points,uga does have a larger following than tech,and probably always will.that doesn’t mean that tech can’t expand their following.with 6 million plus population in atlanta,many with no local college ties,tech could and should grow their”customer”pool.it will take someone thinking outside of the box.and the”old boys club”mentality will have to go!BTW,i still think my idea of a package deal with the falcons on season tickets would work.

By CS Major

October 20, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this

We should stop playing any school that’s not Division IA. A tougher schedule breeds a tougher team. If DRad wants to choose opponents from the surrounding area, then the SEC is an obvious choice. Even if we lose to Auburn, we can learn more from that loss than playing our 4th string in a 69-14 stomping of a team that won’t even count towards bowl games. We already have Duke and UNC every year for that.

That being said, we should play the schools that our graduates will go head-to-head against in their careers: Other schools with good engineering and science. Purdue is a good engineering school, Stanford is a good school for sciences and CS. GT has the number one Industrial Engineering program every year, but you know who’s number 2? Michigan! Vanderbilt satisfies the regional question, too. And who wouldn’t want to go watch a game in Hawaii?

We should be scheduling opponents in Football and Basketball that our students will compete with in the real world. And No More SAMFORD!!