Can Georgia Tech stay with Va. Tech in ACC Coastal?
Before we break for the weekend, let’s take a look at the ACC’s Coastal Division. Virginia Tech, the defending ACC champion, is everybody’s pick. But I just get the sense that it’s going to be tightly contested race that may go deep into November.
Again, I surveyed the five preseason magazines I use for reference tools and then made my own picks.
Have a great weekend. On Monday we will break down the SEC East.
ACC COASTAL
Athlon: Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia, Duke
Lindy’s: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, Duke
Phil Steele: Virginia Tech, Miami, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia, Duke
Sporting News: Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Miami, Virginia, Duke
The Kickoff: Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Miami, Duke, Virginia
What we learned: It was a clean sweep for the top spot for Virginia Tech. And that’s understandable. The Hokies return 15 starters (8 offense, 7 defense) from a team that won the ACC championship in what was a major rebuilding year. Georgia Tech was picked second by two magazines, while two others picked North Carolina. Phil Steele is really the only magazine showing Miami some love, putting the Hurricanes at No. 2. Everybody else has Miami fourth in the division. Everybody but The Kickoff had Duke last in the division. But the Blue Devils are going to be better in the second year under David Cutcliffe.
TONY’S PICKS
Virginia Tech: Yes, the Hokies have to go to Georgia Tech on Oct. 17 and anything could happen there. But if QB Tyrod Taylor stays healthy and RB Darren Evans (who set an ACC record with 1,265 rushing yards as a freshman) has another big year, it’s hard to pick against Virginia Tech. We’ll know how good the Hokies are on Sept. 5 when they play Alabama at the Georgia Dome.
Georgia Tech: I think the offense is going to be better—a lot better—in year two under Paul Johnson. QB Josh Nesbitt is going to be more fluid and confident, plus the Yellow Jackets have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to men who can run the ball. And here’s an early tip: Georgia Tech will be able to throw the ball better to keep defenses honest. But I am worried about replacing those three studs on the defensive line. There is talent on The Flats, but Michael Johnson, Darryl Richard, and Vance Walker were grown men. And very talented. With a three-game stretch against Clemson (Sept. 10), at Miami (Sept. 17) and North Carolina (Sept. 26), we’ll find out about the defense.
Miami: Just call it a hunch. The offense should be dramatically improved under new OC Mark Whipple, who will turn QB Jacory Harris into a star. There is plenty of talent at running back and wide receiver. Head coach Randy Shannon has been telling us for two years that 2009 would be the year that he would finally have enough talent in place to compete in this league. After a couple of outstanding recruiting classes, he appears to be right. But the first four games (at Florida State, Georgia Tech, at Virginia Tech, Oklahoma) are just ridiculous. So it may not be smart to pick the Hurricanes third, but I’m going to do it anyway.
North Carolina: If Butch Davis holds true to form, this should be the year the Tar Heels turn the corner and start looking like a contender. But quarterback T.J. Yates (Pope High School, Marietta) has to stay healthy and he’s had a tough time doing that. I’m also concerned that the Tar Heels are going to have a tough time replacing WR Hakeem Nicks (35 career starts) as their big play guy. The defense, which has been ridiculously young the past two seasons, has finally grown up and will have a bit of a nasty streak.
Virginia: It all comes down to the offense. Former Bowling Green head coach Gregg Brandon was hired to breathe some life into the unit which was just miserable a year ago. There is a chance that can happen with the return of QB Jameel Sewell, who sat out last season with academic issues. Virginia was 5-7 in 2008 and another losing season will turn up the heat on coach Al Groh.
Duke: This time a year ago coach David Cutcliffe had only a handful of players he felt were capable of playing at the ACC level. After a year of conditioning and coaching, there are considerably more in Durham. The Blue Devils will be able to move the ball thanks to QB Thaddeus Lewis (6,735 career passing yards) and WR Johnny Williams, who had 30 catches as a freshman. Duke has a couple of studs on defense in DT Vince Oghobaase and LB Vincent Rey. They could definitely improve on last year’s 4-8 record.
So there are the magazine picks and my picks. What are yours?
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270 comments Add your comment
Otto
July 10th, 2009
2:31 pm
Whiskey Clear good info in that last post.
Chewbacca
July 10th, 2009
2:34 pm
I think Duke will win because they have a blue devil as their mascot. I love to dress up like that at Ramble On’s parents house when he plays Leia and St Simons plays Yoda.
VTJAX
July 10th, 2009
2:35 pm
For those GT fans stating that they are the real TECH….which one was founded first ….oh yeah, that would be Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University in 1872. GA Institute of Technology was founded in 1885….so again….VT is the first and real TECH between the two. And “ROB”…last year VT wasn’t lucky, we beat you, so get over it, you lost, just like we lost to Miami 14-16 in a game that could have gone the other way, even though Miami should have beat us by alot more. VT never gives up, so that’s why we won against GT and UNC. Paul Johnson is a GREAT coach and can hopefully turn it around for GT….ANY GIVEN SATURDAY…or THURSDAY “Rob” VT WILL STILL WIN IN 2009 vs GT…I think we have a “few” running backs that are good at VT too (sarcasm).
Otto
July 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
VTJax Whiskey Clear blewr up you argument before you even posted.
ELI
July 10th, 2009
2:38 pm
mother goose could run for 1000 yards in that gimmick offense.
VTJAX
July 10th, 2009
2:44 pm
OTTO: Yeah, I just read Whiskey Clear, good info…but it doesn’t matter….I don’t really care what TECH is better…they are both great universities. I was referring more to “Rob” stating last year was luck…well, sometimes luck wins and loses games…just like when GT beat FSU last year….by 3 points and a last second miracle. Who cares…live in the present, not the past or your bound to repeat it…At least GT has a Nat’l Champ….VT has an emtpy trophy case, waiting on the Sear’s Trophy to fill it in. One day, it will be VT’s day to finally get the trophy. And yes, Beamer put VT on the football map, but I think a guy named “Vick” helped a little to get VT noticed.
VTJAX
July 10th, 2009
2:48 pm
It wasn’t an argument, people are too quick too judge…it was just a posted statement on the internet. Let’s see… do I need to do a Master’s Thesis on why Whisky Clear blew my “argument” up…don’t think so, and don’t really care. Best of luck to GT, except when they face VT….that only helps our SOS and takes care of everyone else in the Coastal Div. if GT wins out (minus the VT game).
The Doob
July 10th, 2009
2:55 pm
Good post, Whiskey… but seriously – both schools have gone by the moniker “Tech” in their respective regions for over 100 years. Granted, GT has longer standing rivalries due to more stable conference affiliations. Point well taken.
But as a guy who was raised in NY, lived in VA and NC, and now resides in PA… NC is probably where “Tech” is equally understood to mean either school. Northward, it’s VT. To the South, it means GT.
Now that we’ve cleared that up… does it really matter?
Bert
July 10th, 2009
2:56 pm
BOOOOOOOOO!!!
Tech
July 10th, 2009
3:00 pm
What is the big freaking deal? People in this area know you’re talking about GT when you say Tech. People in Virginia, North Carolina, etc., that region know you’re talking about VT. When you say Tech in Texas or in the big 12 for that matter they probably know you’re referring to Mike Leach and Texas Tech. Its a regional thing you dolts!
Trade School Junkie
July 10th, 2009
3:01 pm
GT lost ONLY 3 ACC games in 2008(VT 20-17, UNC 28-7, UVA 24-17)…WITH NO PASSING GAME, and mainly due to TOs and STs disasters.
In 2009, with even a MODEST passing game, GT is gonna light-up the scoreboard folks !! Anybody remember the days of Friedgen’s offense putting up 35-40 points practically EVERY GAME? That’s what 2009 is gonna be like.
In 2008, the highest number of points scored by VT in ANY game (win or lose) was 35(vs Nebraska).
In 2008, UNC had points of 35(vs McNeese St), 44(vs Rutgers), 45(vs BC).
In 2008, Miami had points of 52(vs Charleston),41(vs TX-A&M), 49(vs Duke)
In 2008, GT scored 41(Jax St), 38(Miss St), 41(Miami), & 45(UGA) points in games (win or lose) In fact all 4 were wins.
The Point:
GT is gonna be a SCORING MACHINE in 2009, and NO OTHER ACC TEAM (other than maybe NCSt)will come close to scoring like that. None. Defintely not VT. They were very poor in Offensive production. Dont expect them to be much better in 2009.
jacketsareretarded
July 10th, 2009
3:05 pm
tech nerds are delusional. enjoy yelling 45-42 for the next 4 months. the dawgs are gonna shut that sh!t up right quick this season
Trade School Junkie
July 10th, 2009
3:09 pm
Just to repeat, in 2009:
GT: 12-0; Wins ACC-CG vs. NCSt.
The Doob
July 10th, 2009
3:11 pm
Junkie: What you obviously fail to consider is that the triple option is inherently prone to turnovers. Look up CPJ’s turnover margin at previous schools (like Navy, where you can’t say they’re undisciplined or unfamiliar with the system). It’s horrible. While the Jackets should improve a bit this year with turnovers, it’s also fair to say the TOs are a byproduct of the system itself. The ball simply ends up on the carpet – a lot.
Disciplined, fast defense with sure tackling is the key to breaking the triple option. That is Bud Foster’s defense – plain and simple. No other program in the entire nation has been top 10 in total defense for the past 4 years in a row. And Bud’s was top 5 for 3 of the 4.
No disrespect to the Jackets, but if there’s one guy who should keep CPJ awake at night, it’s Bud Foster. He’s that consistent. And that good.
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
To Tampa Wreck and BS Patrol
What is it with you yellow jackets and you big “calculus” argument? I took it both in high school and college and made an A both times. I took much harder courses at UGA than calculus. Did you yellow jackets develop a tougher “strain” of calculus that is taught only at tech? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
big Willie
July 10th, 2009
3:12 pm
BUGS got lucky last year and surprised a few folks including UGA. Enjoy your year Tech girls cause I see a 8 loss season coming up, even in the lowly ACC
bb
July 10th, 2009
3:15 pm
LOL, DawginLex thinks m is obsessed with UGA? Maybe, however who has spent a whole day trolling a blog about the ACC and GT???
Seems that DawginLex’s obsession with GT continues!!! (or maybe he’s just obsessed with m)
Djack0062
July 10th, 2009
3:33 pm
Thanks Sam Houston. Five reasons why Tech will win the division. (the VT game won’t even be close). 1. VT doesn’t have the offensive horses to keep up with Tech..Nesbitt, Dwyer, Cox, Jones, Allen, Thomas, Shaw, Peeples, Watson, Wright..(I forgot Tevin Washington). 2. Tech has just as many players coming back as VT. 3. Tech’s offense was “raw” as hell last year. 4. Paul Johnson. 5. Come on now everybody knows the REAL TECH is Georgia Tech!!!!!!
Tampa Wreck
July 10th, 2009
3:35 pm
Grinch,
I believe that it was you that brought up the calculus argument to begin with by implying that schools where this course was taught are something to be laughed at. However, since you ask, I will tell you that there are much “tougher strains” of calculus taught at GT than the introductory course you likely took in highschool and at UGA.
Take a look at the Georgia Tech course catalog some day and try not to let your brain explode trying to read all the big words.
Trade School Junkie
July 10th, 2009
3:37 pm
Lets review 3 games from last year.
September 13, 2008: GT:17 VT:20
GT: 387 Tot Yds; 278 Rushing; 109 Passing; 3 TOs
VT: 247 Tot Yds; 199 Rushing; 48 Passing
November 13, 2008: VT:14 Miami:16
VT: 250 Tot Yds; 77 Rushing; 173 Passing
Miami: 247 Tot Yds: 123 Rushing; 124 Passing; 1 TO
November 20, 2008: GT:41 Miami:23
GT: 518 Tot Yds; 472 Rushing; 46 Passing
Miami: 388 Tot Yds; 105 Rushing; 283 Passing
The Point:
VT didnt really “improve” on Offense throught 2008, while GT got MUCH better.
Late in the season, VT couldnt beat a Miami team
that GT D-E-S-T-R-O-Y-E-D…the following week.
VT was just damn lucky they played GT early.
VT wont be so lucky in 2009.
LowCountry
July 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
GT = nerds.
VT
UNC
GT
Miami
Duke
UVA
an added nugget…..Clemson 31 GT 17.
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
3:38 pm
To Tampa Wreck
Did Reggie Ball’s “brain explode trying to read all the big words.” BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
3:39 pm
To Tampa Wreck
Or did Stephon Marbury’s “brain explode trying to read all the big words”? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
3:39 pm
To Tampa Wreck
Will Derrick Favors’ “brain explode trying to read all the big words”? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
3:42 pm
To Trade School Junkie
You’re right, everyone just got lucky against that tech juggernaut. Shoot, why not strip UF of the NC and just send the crystal ball to tech? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
jacketsareretarded
July 10th, 2009
3:42 pm
tech nerds would argue about which school has tougher courses of calculus. what a nerd!
Seth
July 10th, 2009
3:42 pm
Honestly lets get real. Do these stupid picks by some magazines matter. I mean look at last year they had Georgia ranked at number one and Tech at like 188 or something like that but in the end Tech was on top. So i don’t think any of these stupid preseason picks matter. We all just need to wait to see what happens by the time November roles around. However i do really believe that Tech will overcome like they did last year and have a break through year but then again we wont know for sure until november
Trade School Junkie
July 10th, 2009
3:47 pm
To The Doob:
Based on my previous post, lates season 2008, according to the stats, Miami had a BETTER defense than VT (i.e. Miami beat VT).
Again, late season, GT had a BETTER defense (and a Better Offense) than Miami.
Ergo, if GT had also played VT late season 2008, GT would likely have D-S-T-R-O-Y-E-D VT as well. Bud Foster just simply got lucky.
VT almost lost to wretched UVA team in last game, the game that almost sent GT to ACC-CG.
VT loses 4 ACC games in 2009: GT, Miami, UNC, NCSt.
Tampa Wreck
July 10th, 2009
3:49 pm
Might have Grinch.. He surely never showed the ability to run an offense while at GT.
I never intended to get into a UGA / GT volley with you. I know some very successful UGA grads that I respect very much. It is only with morons like yourself who seem to think that a good education is something to be ridicule that I have problems.
Enough said, I come on here to talk football, and I should never had let myself be pulled into this exchange in the first place
Paddy
July 10th, 2009
3:53 pm
Miami is closer to being 5th in the division than 2nd. UM, the biggest flop in the ACC this season, IMHO.
Dave In Tampa
July 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Personally, I think it’s absurd to say that Tech will lose 4 to 5 games. Good old fashion hate is one thing, but saying that Tech will choke this year is ignorant. I believe that they will have a good season. They will probably lose 2 games. Yes, being a Dawg I say one of the losses will be to UGA, But I say with your schedule anything more than 2 loss season would be a bad season with that talent.
I would love to see both GT and UGA come into that last game ranked in the top 10. Bring this game back to national exposure. It would be a great recruiting tool for both schools. I’d rather beat a good GT team than a bad one and I’m sure it’s visa versa for GT. It should be a good one! Go Dawgs!
slimpickens
July 10th, 2009
3:56 pm
Tony, where can I get some dye for my hair?
Otto
July 10th, 2009
4:03 pm
VT loses 4 ACC games in 2009: GT, Miami, UNC, NCSt.
I think they win 3 of those. They win over Miami and NCSt. with GT and UNC being the toss up. If I had to guess the loss is to UNC but in the wacky ACC as has been the case the past 2 years it is anyone’s guess.
dawggirl
July 10th, 2009
4:04 pm
Let’s not forget that stellar offensive showing against Gardner Webb? But, but, but….he was injured! That’s our excuse. Oh, but injuries are no excuse, as you Tech fans love to point out to us. That game was a complete joke. To beat a Division 3 team by 3 points? That is your claim to fame?
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
4:05 pm
To Tampa Wreck
I’m not ridiculing a good education. I just thought I’d beat some of the yellow jackets fans to the punch. You know, the ones who always claim their athletes are all engineering majors who take tough calculus classes. I think we all know better.
By the way, sorry I lumped you and BS Patrol together in an earlier post. You do seem to be a good tech fan. Can’t say the same about BS Patrol. Guess his name says it all. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Yellow Fever
July 10th, 2009
4:06 pm
No, dawggirl, our claim to fame was not beating Gardner Webb by 3, it was beating Georgia by 3. THAT’S our claim to fame.
DIAMONDJIM
July 10th, 2009
4:14 pm
dawggirl said “To beat a Division 3 team by 3 points? That is your claim to fame?”
I did not know Uga is Division 3 now. LMAO
Syed Riaz Ahmed
July 10th, 2009
4:19 pm
Those UGA infidels will finally get what they deserve. UGAY will now be destroyed since Tech and the Taliban have joined forces at last.
m
July 10th, 2009
4:23 pm
please note that all posts by m today were by an imposter.
The Doob
July 10th, 2009
4:24 pm
Junkie:
Everyone knows the transitive property should not be applied to football. If it were valid, I’d suggest that VT would’ve crushed GT late in the season because we rolled up 400 yards of offense against Cincinatti in the Orange Bowl (whose D was ranked higher than yours, if I’m not mistaken). We held them scoreless for the last – oh – 58 minutes of the game. And that’s after throttling BC in the ACC Championship game, 30-12. Our OL finally started to jell. Better late than never.
Everyone under the sun knew we were no threat to pass against you in September. All freshmen receivers, poor OL… 47 yards passing was no surprise.
Again, I think the difference this year is the relative improvement VT demonstrates on O. It would literally be nearly impossible to be worse than we were last year, ranked in the 100+ range out of 116. Just a vague semblance of balance on VT’s part will make them a very dangerous team.
GT will be formidable, no question. Likely our toughest game, perhaps even more than Bama. Carolina, Nebraska and Miami will also be difficult.
But VT has proven it can win (5 straight 10-win seasons… matched only by USC and Texas) with basically ZERO offense to speak of over that time frame. If things improve only marginally on that side of the ball, look out. I know it’s still an open question, but the sky’s the limit.
Peace, brah.
Blacksburger
July 10th, 2009
4:26 pm
“UNC is the best team in the division talent wise and coaching wise.”
UNC is the best team in the division talent wise and coaching wise?
Dumbest thing I have ever read in print. Check Butch Davis’ win loss record vs. VPI. Yikes!
Looking forward to Bama – but you SEC folks gotta stop tooting your BCS record horn. Take away LSU and Florida and you’ve got what? A UGA team that beat freaking Hawaii? SEC is a two pony league for the past few years, UF and Bayou Bengals. Big 12 and SEC awesomeness = a good run of years for Texas, OU, UF and LSU. Duke can and would savage the bottom feeders in either of those conferences this year. Maybe not so much UVA…
The Grinch
July 10th, 2009
4:28 pm
To m
You said “please note that all posts by m today were by an imposter.” Um, yeah, right. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
G8R GRAD
July 10th, 2009
4:29 pm
“24 arrests under his watch.
Yeah, Urban has tons of integrity”
I know this is off topic, but I feel the need to respond to the above post:
First of all, the 24 arrests are since 2005.
Secondly, in eight of the cases, all charges were dropped.
Thirdly, 14 of the 24 involved players recruited before Coach Meyer took over.
And lastly, only three of the cases concerned players from the last three recuiting classes.
Cut Urban a little slack.
Sissy Dawg
July 10th, 2009
4:32 pm
Enter your comments here
randy c
July 10th, 2009
4:34 pm
M You are an idiot, Tech will win 5 games this year! One of them won’t be in the High School Stadium on November 28th. 45-42 makes you feel good I guess every 8years isn’t that bad!!! Moron!!!
Big Ed
July 10th, 2009
4:41 pm
I remember VT beating GT by 3 points. I remember VT getting the win as a gift from the refs late in the 4th quarter on a very questionable late hit out of bounds. GT had stopped VT on the 3rd down play and would have had the ball, great field position, and most likely the win. This one play cost GT the game. All things given, in Atlanta, GT should pull off the win. GT will win it all or be the biggest bunch of goats ever on the flats.
Randy
July 10th, 2009
4:46 pm
Hey m,
VT doesn’t give a crap if you want to be known as the “REAL TECH.” Fine by us. We’ll call you bumblebees anything you want.
Just remember you have to call us “The ACC Champions.”
GT Wins them all
July 10th, 2009
4:46 pm
Randy C, you are the idiot. Georgia may be the team with 5 wins this year! One of them won’t be in Atlanta at Historic Grant field. 45-42 makes me feel good, but I will feel much better after this year’s mutt kicking.
MyWhiskeyClear
July 10th, 2009
5:06 pm
Thanks for the kind words…I like college history even though I’m a “helluva engineer”.
To be honest, my post was only meant to clear the air on why GT fans are the way they are about the “TECH” thing – trust me I give it to my TTU friends all the time (that Tech wasn’t around till the 1920’s!). I left my opinion largely out of it.
Personally, I love the personality of VPI&SU (TECH, as some of you Hokies fans may know it *wink*). It’s such a unique school with many great, quirky traditions like my own alma mater. BOTH Tech and VPI share that. As much as I hate the current state of the ACC, if it stays aligned this way another 30 years I’d love it if both Tech’s enjoyed a healthy, competitve rivalry with some new traditions aimed at jeering each other.
Any slants I may have made were purely in good fun. So for both sides, “GO TECH – WRECK TECH!”
Jeff
July 10th, 2009
5:08 pm
what an article….Tony, why of course the Jackette’s can hang with the turkey’s in the Prominant ACC Coastal Swamp Division. havent you heard???? The Jackette’s beat UGA by three last year and they are BACK! whew! they are going to win em all. No more off seasons for them….they are BACK…..the Coastal Swamp is just the first step for these mean and awesome Jackettes…..they are the TEAM…whew! They are BACK! Just ask em….They won by 3 in Athens and are 1-8 vs UGA but by God they are IT ……LOOK OUT COASTAL SWAMP DIVISION…..hahahahahahahaha