AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 20 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA few Cavalier notions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So it’s quite obvious that the ACC reeks of overripe limburger this year, and just from looking at some of the results and near-misses.
But delving a bit into the numbers, and examining the lack of progress of some of its supposedly on-the-move programs, reveals that the stench goes deep into the old pigskin olfactories.
Prime example being the Virginia Cavaliers, the Loyal Opposition for ESPN’s unslakable Thursday night ACC football thirst against Your Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd.
Back in the days when The Enemy Watchwoman made regular sojourns up down the league — when its northerly point was College Park — she used to hear that George Welsh couldn’t recruit, and the Wahoos would never be a big-time college football power as a result. Then they went out and slayed Florida State in its first ACC loss. UVa made a regular habit of participating in fairly decent New Years Dayish bowl games, including the Atlanta Bowl Formerly Known as the Peach. Welsh produced a good number of players now competing in the NFL, such as Tiki and Ronde Barber.
Indeed, the heavenly autumnal visits to Mr. Jefferson’s University in Charlottesville were occasions to watch good football as well as the magical changing of the colors in the Blue Ridge. When Coach Welsh was ushered off into retirement, Al Groh was brought in from the NFL to take the Cavs into FSU-Miami-Virginia Tech company.
But on Thursday, he’ll start redshirt freshman Jameel Sewell, one of three quarterbacks he tried in last Saturday’s homecoming loss to — Western Michigan?
Groh’s not happy with any of them. Yes, these would be QBs he recruited. Well, Al, even the student press isn’t happy with you.
There is a top QB prospect on the UVa roster, cornerback Vic Hall, signed as the top prep passer in Virginia high school history, more prolific than Michael Vick, even.
But Groh, who pouted that good Cavaliers fans shouldn’t boo after a loss — even to a I-AA team — says Hall isn’t an option under center.
While UVa’s decline as a program may be turning heads, the current offensive woes are being trumped as not much of a surprise.
Yes, Virginia, there are a few teams worse than you in Division I-A in offensive statistics across the board. But not many.
As Tech fan Dr. Football sez, the Jackets have no excuses not to put on a command performance. Keep this in mind, however: Tech’s lost 4 of its last 5 Thursday night affairs, including that unfortunate heartbreaker to N.C. State last season.
Yes, Jackets fans, that was the same Wolfpack team led by the soon-to-be former N.C. State Chuck Amato, who’s part of the lineup of what’s being referred to as the Atrocious Coaching Conference.
This take doesn’t hold out much chance for the Cavs to have a decent season, with apologies to ‘Mr. and Mrs. Wahoo’ out there.
There is a glimmer of hope, however:
“There are still games to be won. The ACC, if you haven’t noticed, isn’t overflowing with talent.”
As they always say at Duke, and at an increasing number of other campuses now stringing from Coral Gables to Chestnut Hill, October 15 is only 26 days away.
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By GT
September 20, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this
We really need to go out tommorow night and put a whuppin on VA.If we barely win it will show that its going to be another medicore season.
By Titus
September 20, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
Yes the ACC is down but you still have 4 teams in the top 25 and 2 that are ooutside. The bottom is what is so bad and/or underachieving. A lot can be attributed to the exodus of NFLers (50+ was the most of any conference, including 12 first rounders) and pitiful, and I mean pitiful QB play.
By JustMe
September 20, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Who the heck is this “Enemy Watchwoman” and why is she even writing about Tech or the ACC if she is so down on us? Can’t the AJC find a couple of mildly entertaining writers to write anything positive about our team and conference? I am not saying to always look through rose colored glasses, but MUST we view through blood stained ones?
The SEC has had plenty of “down” years yet the AJC never released such horrible articles about them. Oh, but I keep forgetting about who the AJC writers favor around here!
By Tony
September 20, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
I do recall some seasons that the SEC opened up with losses and nailbiters to small schools. The standard SEC line was “well were still the toughest conference in America” followed by the standard hotair about stadium size. You’re right, JustMe, the AJC would NEVER print some garbage like this about the SEC.
By vetteDawg
September 20, 2006 09:25 PM | Link to this
Alabama / Florida / Tennessee & LSU Have ALL won NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in the past 14 years. Auburn went 13-0 & should of @ least got a chance to play for it. Heck UGA was 1 interception away from going 14-0 in 03. That is 6 DIFFERENT Teams that were there @ the end of the season with a chance. Can the Pac 10 - ACC (LOL) or ay other league claim that kind of consistency of strength with that many different teams. Heck, the ACC (LOL) had to add Miami-Va Tech-Boston College to get ANY RESPECT. After FSU joined did ANY other team EVER win the ACC (LOL) utill the other 3 were added ????? GEAT REAL ” Just Me ” The AJC just reports the facts —- WOOF WOOF WOOF
By Tift Dawg
September 20, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
Oh lordy me, the vo tech school is crying again. Good teams play on Saturday anyway.Just don’t let some d-ii school sweep Goober away from you,and keep those engineers coming. Somebody’s still gotta drive the trains.
By raulduke
September 20, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Actually, vetteDawg, UVa has won the ACC since Fla St came into the league. Or was that supposed to be hyperbole?
By Alternate Dawg
September 20, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
Ummm - If good teams play on Saturday and if Auburn is good - why are they playing next Thursday night?
By GTEagle
September 21, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this
GT and FSU tied in ‘98 vettedog. By the way what kinda name is that? Are you insinuating that you have a corvette? I bet it’s flame red. Are you compensating for something. And who gives a damn if UGA was an interception away any year. By that reasoning you can say GT almost beat FSU nearly 5 years in a row as they lost by 6 or less several times. And we won the national title more recently than the dogs. woof woof woof whatever…..
By john
September 21, 2006 05:57 AM | Link to this
Again, can we PLEASE enjoy an article without those low-class, redneck UGAg fans interjecting their snotty remarks?
By ACC Basketblog
September 21, 2006 06:12 AM | Link to this
We’re blogging about you on the ACC Basketblog. Get over there! www.accbasketblog.blogspot.com
By bubba ray redneck dawggy fan
September 21, 2006 07:29 AM | Link to this
GEORGIA TECH -1990 National Champions GEORGIA -1980 National Champions
By I date my sister Dawg
September 21, 2006 07:39 AM | Link to this
U sed it BuBba Rayy!!!
By Curt Moore
September 21, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this
This must be dawg writing this stuff! What’s the ACC’s record versus the SEC in the past 10 yrs?
By SECfan
September 21, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
Ga. Tech 1/2 National Champions 1990, Colorado 1/2 National Champions 1990. UGA lone National Champions 1980. Ga-vs-Atlanta Trade School: 57 wins, 36 losses, 5 ties.
By I'm an AJC STAFF WRITER
September 21, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
And I’m a moron, UGA homer.
I’m actually stupid enough to believe that if I write enough negative stuff about GT and the ACC, I can influence recruiting.
Next life I hope I’m smart enough to get a real degree, from a real school. Not some pansy-a*, English degree from Georgia.
Until then, I’ll just be bitter, and think about football a lot…
By RickNole
September 21, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
Which Conference had 12 first rounders??? It wasnt the SEC…
By SEC DAWG
September 21, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
Check out Number 3 of the below link with the title “How low the ACC has sunk.” It looks like ESPN agrees with the AJC and they are not bias in any way. The ACC should stick to basketball.
Go Dawgs
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=2595515
By GREG
September 21, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this
REMEMBER EVERYONE, IM STILL A MORON
By Gilmerbobcat
September 21, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
At least GT has the nads’ to open with a competative foe as opposed to that cute little girlie dawg.
By Gilmerbobcat
September 21, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
At least GT has the nads’ to open with a competative foe as opposed to that cute little girlie dawg.
By JamesD
September 21, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
Uh Glimerbobcat, I wouldn’t brag about who you open with if it’s a loss. WK opened against UGA. WK now has the same right to brag as GT? Moral victory I guess. If it makes you happy.
By GT
September 21, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this
Hell I hope the whole ACC stays down except Tech. Apparently it doesn’t matter who you play just so you beat them. South Carolina about had it handed to them from Wofford if we keep counting near misses. South Carolina beat Miss. State with much less trouble. Miami found out if they stop recruiting the thugs they stop winning and Coker is going to get fired for doing what he was hired to do, clean the program up. The next guy will be a Jimmy Johnson type that will bring the thugs back and they will start winning again and people will turn a blind eye to the situation. Then the Johnson type coach will be off to a multimillion dollar contract and Miami will be left with the mess. I’ll say one thing though, I don’t think those thugs are showing up at Furman or Wofford or even Georgia Southern. I do believe they are showing up at Western Michigan and some of the mid level non BCS schools who are trying to get to the next level like Louisville did. Because they were not on the radar for a national championship the NCAA has not watched them like a Georgia Tech which is on probation even though it tries very hard not to recruit the thug. These mid level schools do third party studies and football is very important to their future not only to get out of the woods athletically but to survive at all. Winning is more than just winning at a back woods state school it is everything. Then you have a school like TCU that does it very much by the book, with men you would be happy to have in your home and they win. The ACC will be back, but this year is Tech’s chance to maybe win a title before the thugs return from vacation.
By vetteDawg
September 21, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Man, you bee’s are sensitive - Yes vetteDawg means I am a Corvette fan. but I own 12 & not all are red - I can promise you NONE are Yellow / Gold or Orange, Oh yea, by the way - Since you bee’s won your 1/2 national championship in 1990 THE DAWGS are 12 - 3 against you & 2 of your wins were gifts. Need We Say AnyMore !!!!!!!! WOOF !! WOOF !! WOOF !!
By vetteDawg
September 21, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
Man, you bee’s are sensitive - Yes vetteDawg means I am a Corvette fan. but I own 12 & not all are red - I can promise you NONE are Yellow / Gold or Orange, Oh yea, by the way - Since you bee’s won your 1/2 national championship in 1990 THE DAWGS are 12 - 3 against you & 2 of your wins were gifts. Need We Say AnyMore !!!!!!!! WOOF !! WOOF !! WOOF !!
By Ramble ON!
September 21, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this
DAWGS (Dumb Animals With Gas)…please explain how the ACC had the most number 1 picks in the HISTORY of the NFL draft last year?
Perhaps, that maybe a reason for the down year, which isn’t as down as you wish to believe.
Oh yea,
Duke would beat the snot out of Miss St. and that’s about as bad as it gets.
By vetteDawg
September 21, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Ramble On! You must NOT of went to the HIVE - You CAN’T Spell ( Dumb Animals with Gas) Your missing the “S” - go DAWGS - see there is an ” S ” on the end. WOOF !! WOOF !! + WHO GIVES a RATZ BUTT who has the most NFL picks / IT SURE wasn’t the bee’s —————-
By Ramble ON!
September 21, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
vettedawg, which are you more proud of your mullet or your 12 vettes sitting in your trailers front lot…I mean yard?
By vetteDawg
September 21, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
Ramble on! Thank’s for taking the bait - Most all you bee’s are the same. Like your “Uncle Jed” said pityfull !!!!
By g p burdell
September 21, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
vetteDawg, next time you correct someone’s spelling, please make sure that your grammar is correct. By the way whose missing is it? I don’t think it’s RambleOn’s. I would think that you would have learned contractions in that liberal arts school of yours.
By GoJackets
September 21, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
vettedawg your last two w’s against tech were gifts
By stinGTime
September 21, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this
Chevette dog must be unhappy because the price of chicken feed is up…he “grows” chickens for Jewell up near Lake L. Or maybe he is unhappy because the dogs were not on his above list of latest champs!