AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > December > 12
Friday, December 12, 2008
Johnson, Clinch and a question
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hope all are well. A few things I’ll toss out:
1) As far as Paul Johnson-Auburn rumors go, I’d still be very surprised if something happens. I’m not sure Dan Radakovich or Jack Reale not commenting on negotiations is necessarily evidence that something is happening. For one thing, Radakovich has said, through a Tech spokesman, that he’s not going to comment.
For another, and I don’t entirely get this, but coaches don’t seem to come out and say, “I’m staying and I have no interest in job X.” I guess one reason would be that it would reduce their leverage if they were doing something like, say, renegotiating a contract.
And just because Auburn is reaching out doesn’t mean that Johnson is listening.
Tech begins bowl practice Saturday. (It was supposed to be today, but there are still players finishing exams.) I’m sure the matter will come up then when Johnson talks to reporters.
2) Basketball guard Lewis Clinch could return from academic ineligibility as early as Sunday’s game against Illinois-Chicago, although it’s not certain. It sounds like his grades would have to be posted earlier than required by his professors and, of course, he’d have to make the appropriate grades. We should know more by Saturday.
3) Here’s my question, which I guess was spurred by all of the Heisman talk about Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford. If you had the choice between Jonathan Dwyer winning the Heisman, Tech going to the Orange Bowl or another win over Georgia, what would you choose?
My guess is most of you would pick beating Georgia, and might in the process call me an idiot for even asking, and if that’s the case, I’ve underestimated the fervor of the rivalry.
The case for the Orange Bowl - Tech hasn’t won the ACC in the two-division format and has only won the ACC outright once, in 1990. Tech hasn’t played in the Orange Bowl since 1967. It would mean a strong overall season, presumably a pretty high ranking and the showcase of a BCS bowl. (although Virginia Tech-Cincinnati is one game I might miss)
The case for Dwyer winning the Heisman - It’s never happened at Tech. Joe Hamilton (1999) and Billy Lothridge (1963) both finished second. If Dwyer won, it would almost certainly mean Tech did well, as Heisman winners invariably come from teams in the top 15. So I guess that would mean, like, Tech went 10-2 and lost one division game that kept them out of the ACC title game or lost the title game and also lost to Georgia.
(The three options are mutually exclusive. You can’t say, well, if Dwyer were to win the Heisman, that probably means Tech beat Georgia.)
The thing about a Heisman is, think about how much attention and buzz Bradford and Tebow have brought to their school. It’s a whole lot more than a win over Georgia or a spot in the Orange Bowl would (although ultimately it’s the player getting the attention, not the school). But it gives a school cachet that few other things can.
And it would mean you’d have great memories for a long, long time. And think about what sort of recruiting clout Tech would have with anyone it recruited at B-back.
What do you think? (other than that I’m an an idiot)
