AJC > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 28
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Back to the Nether Lands
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Will Saturday’s winner in Blacksburg have a smooth ride to the ACC title game? That’s one of the pre-game memes heading into the Georgia Tech’s clash against Future Falcon Draft Picks, both Top 25 teams.
In the Commonwealth they’re touting this game as the key to a big season. After feasting on a junk-football diet of Northeastern, UNC, Duke and Cincinnati, Beamer Ball gets its first legitimate test, even though the Bearcats availed themselves well. In fact, that non-fearsome foursome is a combined 0-9 against Division I-A foes.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off an easy pasting of Virginia, and will be facing a Va. Tech team missing two defensive starters who have been suspended. But the Hokies’ top receiver says he’ll be ready for Saturday despite having had an appendectomy last week.
Frank Beamer’s unhappy with bad Hokies. Not necessarily the ones who aren’t very good on the field, but very bad off it.
But Va. Tech does graduate more jox than the sporty types at Mr. Jefferson’s University, according to the latest NCAA calculations.
Here’s who the Hokies are having cover Calvin Johnson after his sterling performance against the Wahoos. The odds have gone down. Va. Tech is only a 9-point favorite now. Are you buying this, Jackets fans?
This slice of Hokie Nation isn’t bullish on the home team, predicting the Jackets will walk away with a 17-10 win. Unless lightning strikes twice.
When the Jackets last visited Blacksburg a year ago, getting waxed to the tune of 51-7, UGA was laying it thick on the other SEC Bulldogs in Starkville. This Saturday night, Richt’s Dawgs will return to the Magnolia State, favored just as heavily against the struggling Ole Miss Rebels.
While Richt is being coy about whether Joe Cox or Matthew Stafford will start, the Rebels are sticking with Brent Schaeffer, whose convoluted ordeal after transferring from Tennessee via a California junior college is looking like a lot of wasted energy. His understudy, however, is trying to stay sharp.
A 27-3 loss to Wake Forest? In Oxford? Ed Orgeron’s first season is crashing and burning at 1-3. Rebel loyalists are already debating what he can do with program, or if he can do it. (This is the only SEC West team never to have reached the conference championship game.) His first recruiting class is drawing notice. “We’re building a team for the future,” he says. “I believe in this team. I believe in Ole Miss.”
Some friendly advice for the new coach on the hot seat: Get fired up, Big Ed, fired up. The Dawgs coulda, shoulda been had by the Buffaloes last week in Athens. You’ve got ‘em at Vaught-Hemingway in a charged-up, prime-time atmosphere. There might not be a better chance to salvage something of the season.
