There will be an SEC team in BCS championship
It looked like it was going to be an uneventful weekend. Then the games started. No. 4 Iowa lost. No. 8 Oregon lost. No. 9 LSU lost but moved up to No. 8. Georgia Tech won in overtime and jumped from No. 10 to No. 7. No. 5 Cincinnati almost lost (47-45 to UConn). Ditto for No. 6 Boise State, that beat Derek Dooley’s Louisiana Tech Bulldogs 45-35.
So what did we learn?
1. There will be an SEC team in the BCS championship game. Before the weekend there was a possibility that if No. 4 Iowa finished 12-0, it could jump a one-loss SEC champion and get into the BCS title game. But with Iowa’s 17-10 loss to Northwestern, that question is now moot. With Alabama rallying to beat LSU on Saturday, I don’t think we’re stepping out on a limb to say that both Florida and Alabama will get to Atlanta undefeated. Now some will argue that if either No. 4 TCU (9-0) or No. 5 Cincinnati (9-0), who have tough games remaining, finish 12-0 they should go ahead of a 12-1 Florida or Alabama. I’m not buying it. But hey, I could be wrong. If you think I’m wrong, tell me why.
2. Paul Johnson is a ball coach. Here is what I mean by that. When Johnson got the job at Georgia Tech I received phone calls from all over the country from media asking me if he could win in the ACC with an option offense. I told several of them to forget what offense Johnson was running. He was a “ball coach.” He knew how to win. What more proof do you need than Saturday’s win over Wake Forest? At least 90 percent of coaches would have kicked a field goal and sent the game into its second overtime. You’re at home. You’re moving the ball. That’s what it says to do in the coaching manual. But Johnson looked at his options with a fourth and less than one near the Wake Forest five-yard line. Of all the options he had, his offense was the best. Josh Nesbitt gets the first down and then on the next play Nesbitt gets the win. People had better stop looking at this guy as a “system” coach. He’s a damn good coach, period.
3. The SEC can’t get a break on officiating. The SEC has had to suspend officials, sign off on the suspension of players, and fine coaches because of calls (some of them bad) made on the field. After Florida’s suspension of Brandon Spikes and the SEC’s fining Florida’s coach (Urban Meyer) $30,000 last week, you would have thought that the SEC was due for a break from officiating controversy. Wrong. Trailing 24-15 with a little less than six minutes to play, LSU’s Patrick Peterson had apparently intercepted a pass from Alabama Greg McElroy near the LSU 32-yard line. The ruling on the field was an incomplete pass but television replays, just like the play, were very close. The replay official in the booth did not overturn the call. You must assume that there was simply not enough conclusive evidence to overturn the call on the field. But given what has happened this season, it was inevitable that the conspiracy theorists would once again emerge. Hey, it was a close call. It could have gone either way. Based on what I saw I leaned toward calling it an interception. I’ll bet there are a lot of people in the SEC office who are looking forward to basketball season.
4. Tennessee is getting better. You may not like Lane Kiffin’s methods, but you have to be impressed with the results. Since a 26-22 loss to Auburn on Oct. 3, Tennessee has played better each week. The Vols destroyed Georgia (45-19), outplayed Alabama in the second half before losing 12-10 in Tuscaloosa, took advantage of turnovers to beat South Carolina (31-13), and then built a 49-7 lead over Memphis on the way to winning 56-28. I am also convinced that aliens have invaded Jonathan Crompton’s body. When he left Saturday’s game, Crompton had thrown for a career-high 331 yards and five touchdowns. In his last four games Crompton has completed 74 of 114 passes (64.9 percent) for 1,048 yards, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
5. South Carolina is not. It is shaping up to be another difficult finish for Steve Spurrier. The Gamecocks appeared to be heading in the right direction when they played Alabama tough in Tuscaloosa before losing 20-6. South Carolina has lost three of its last four games including back-to-back beatings by Tennessee (31-13) and Arkansas (33-16). With No. 1 Florida coming to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday and a finale against surging Clemson on Nov. 28, the Gamecocks (6-4) are looking at the very real possibility of finishing 6-6. “We’re just not real good right now,” Spurrier told The State newspaper of Columbia. “Coaches are coaching their butts off. We’re just not getting results right now.” Depth has always been a problem at South Carolina and the Gamecocks were without four injured starters on defense against Arkansas. But Gamecock fans are getting frustrated because they see other teams in the league getting better this time of year and their team is not. It will be interesting to see what Spurrier does if he finishes 6-6. He likes his recruiting going into this February. Will that be enough to keep the Head Ball Coach in Columbia?
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278 comments Add your comment
Colin
November 9th, 2009
8:18 am
What happened to my tigers? What a weekend.
Ed
November 9th, 2009
8:22 am
Not to start with the calling out of Tony, but at the time of the big controversial play, the score was 21-15.
m
November 9th, 2009
8:22 am
Tony,
Why do all the ACC team’s uniforms look like high school uniforms? Maryland’s look like a baboon’s butt.
Thank God and Greyhound we don’t play William & Mary. Those Colonial Conference teams keep kicking our arse. St. Simons, please call me. I didn’t mean what I said and never meant to hurt you.
SEC Commissioner Slive
November 9th, 2009
8:27 am
Attention SEC officials:
You all have done your jobs wonderfully. You obeyed and have kept Florida and Alabama undefeated as ordered. Now just a couple of more games to go. Make sure you flag the hell out of their opponents because we must make sure that Florida and Alabama go into the SEC Championship game in Atlanta both undefeated.
SEC Commissioner Slive
David
November 9th, 2009
8:27 am
Shoot, I’d take a 12-1 Georgia Tech over 12-0 Cincy or 12-0 TCU.
m
November 9th, 2009
8:29 am
The BSbcs needs to be eliminated. It is the worst, and most idiotic system ever invented. The sec is no more deserving of a team in the championship than any of the other undefeated teams. It is just all this idiotic sec hype.
The sec is the weakest I have ever seen it in my lifetime and if there was a true 16 team playoff, the sec would be very unlikely to get a team to the finals.
Don’t forget that there are THREE undefeated teams against sec competition. floriduh, alabammer, and Georgia TECH. But going undefeated in this year’s weak sec is nothing to brag about.
The ACC is 2-2 with the sec so far, with likely wins coming ujp of Tech over ugag, and Clemson over the SC chickens…and maybe even FSU over floriduh. So, as predicted, the ACC will own the sec once again,,,just like last year.
Morning News And Views | MrSEC.com
November 9th, 2009
8:29 am
[...] showed Patrick Peterson got two feet in bounds.)10. And Tony Barnhart of The AJC examines the following four observations from this past weekend:* The SEC will have a team in the BCS title game* The SEC can’t get a [...]
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:32 am
Spurrier and Richt are OLD news in the SEC…..Those programs are in the same boat…..I put my Dawgs in their because this is year two of THIS type of play, with no end in site. Meyer will be tested NEXT year without Tebow, and Saban has the Tide going and Tenn and Auburn look to be improving.
Even with Willie gone, Next year will also be tough for the Dawgs. But, on the up side, several things next year could make a big difference. Murray is a gamer and AJ back and this line in reborn in the off season, with a older, bigger ,faster ealey, we could be a lot better on offense. A new DC puts some LIFE in the D. GATA…….
m
November 9th, 2009
8:32 am
It is a shame that crybaby m-posters like the one above at 8:22 can’t use their own handles.
By the way, Thanks to God and Greyhound that chan gomer gailey is gone forever. Any Tech fans that ever supported or defended gomer in any way should be ashamed of themselves.
#2 BAMA FAN
November 9th, 2009
8:33 am
If McElroy had been on target on his throws saturday, Bama would have won by 3 touchdowns!! RTR
Gator Growl
November 9th, 2009
8:34 am
Has one of uga’s “Fashion Merchandising” majors taken over uniform duty for the dawgs, or has Grambling’s Assistant Athletics Director tranfered to GA??
Next time, just wear a dress, dawgs.
USCe
November 9th, 2009
8:34 am
UGA will be 5-7 this year. LOL
Fleischman in Chi Town's bed
November 9th, 2009
8:35 am
Mark Ingram should win the Heisman!
GIT R DONE
Tim Tebow
November 9th, 2009
8:39 am
I hope you all bow down and worship me in the Georgia Dome when we gators arrive to beat “Bama. I will be accompanied by my coach Urban Meyer (he is the one with all the tissues and will be whining on the sideline) and our fans will be the guys in the daisy duke shorts and wife beater shirts falling all over themselves drunk and puking!!!! Our women look and dress the same but have more tattoos and bigger beer bellies! There will be partying in trailer parks all over the great state of Florida after we win!
C tha 1
November 9th, 2009
8:40 am
I gotta agree with you about Paul Johnson. GT’s win Saturday night boiled down to precise decision making, and a major set of cajones by an experienced head coach.
merculf
November 9th, 2009
8:45 am
The deep South’s oldest rivalry is on this week! AUBURN vs UGA! Auburn is going to enjoy the road team advantage! War Damn Eagle!
Billy Ray Valentine
November 9th, 2009
8:46 am
So Tony,
As of right now, what are your predictions for the BCS bowls?
National Championship?
Orange?
Sugar?
Fiesta?
Rose?
Who’s getting their chance to showcase against a big time opponent on a national stage, and who’s getting left out?
GatorG
November 9th, 2009
8:46 am
What, Tony – only one mention of Spikes in today’s blog?!
Steve Spurrier will retire after this season. You heard it here first.
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:47 am
Tech will get to play ANOTHER real team in a major bowl this year……Win that and I’m a believer……..Not Tested yet. Yes, they have a good team. Thank God and Greyhound Chan recruited Nesbitt and Dwyer.
PaulC
November 9th, 2009
8:48 am
What!! You mean Kiffin isn’t just some idiot who spouts off at the mouth and can’t coach a lick???!! But, but, but….that’s been the narrative! You can’t change the NARRATIVE, Tony. It’ll make all the other SEC fans uncomfortable to know that they were dead, frickin wrong from DAY 1! Tony, call that alien in Jonathan Crompton what it is, good coaching. JC is only a few touchdown passes behind the Houston qb, and he’s done it against better competition. It’s laughable that so many journalists, bloggers, and fans were so wrong about Lane Kiffin. Things are only going to get better at UT.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
8:49 am
SEC teams love cupcake teams, look at their schedules.
JB
November 9th, 2009
8:49 am
Spurrier retires, Charlie Strong will be new Head Coach At Carolina. You heard it here fifteenth.
Florida ties to recruiting will be the main reason. Load’em up in Columbia.
SEC Compliance Office
November 9th, 2009
8:50 am
Mr. Barnhart,
This notice is to inform you that you are being a assessed a fine of $50,000 for publicly questioning an SEC official. Please remit your payment immediately.
Thank you.
Saint Simons
November 9th, 2009
8:50 am
But ACC teams don’t love Colonial Conference teams.
Steve
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
Well bama still plays at auburn. If they were to lose and then knock out fla, in the sec champ game, i wouldn’t say they would definitely get a team in the bcs nat champ game. Cincy or tcu would jump them if they were undefeated.
Trade School Junkie
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
The “Mr. College Football” is an obvious misnomer.
Folks, the BCS is simply a Cartel. Thats all. And the simple fact that Tony Bias ADAMANTLY endorses a system that is COMPLETELY bogus and corrupt tells you ALL you need to know about Barnhart’s lack of professional or journalistic integrity. BCS = (B)owl (C)artel (S)ystem.
1. Anyone here suprised that SEC Super-homer Barnhart started this post with the SEC & the BCS?
2. Barnhart said: “When Johnson got the job at Georgia Tech I received phone calls from all over the country from media asking me if he could win in the ACC with an option offense.”
WTHF???? Seriously.
What media idiot would call SEC Super-Homer Barnhart for an informed on opinion on Paul Johnson or the ACC? Probably A BOLD-FACED LIE.
greg
November 9th, 2009
8:52 am
South Carolina..6 and 6…just like they always are. They will never be a winner…only very, very average…no matter who their coach is. It’s amazing 75,000 people come out to watch them at home year after year.
im4bama
November 9th, 2009
8:53 am
I’ll give the interception to LSU by a toe. It was real close, so could have went either way. There is no conspiracy. Bama was clearly the better team. Did you see how many times LSU players were laying on the field? I was there, and if McElroy had hit the guys that were open we would have atleast 2-3 more TD’s. We were 3rd and goal and steamrolling, when we got a penalty and had to kick a FG late and he should have never held the ball so long to give them a safety. Seriosly, shouldn’t have been close at all. If McElroy can step up and play like a Champion like Ingram, then Bama wins 13th National Championship.
Gators, your going down this time. It’s Bama’s turn for the title.
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:53 am
All Tech needs is for aTm to beat the Horns and the Jackets could be in the mix for Pasadena. All things being equal GT ought to be rated 4th or at worst 5th right now.
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:55 am
TCU will go down hard to Utah next week…when that happens, and Tejas loses to aTm then the Jackets will be playing Bama for the MNC. Bank it.
GatorG
November 9th, 2009
8:55 am
I always get a kick out of fans from the great state of Georgia trying to portray Florida fans as rednecks. HELLO?!
JP owns DJ
November 9th, 2009
8:56 am
Rumors are circulating that Chi Town will be in Atlanta for the SEC Championship game.
More to come….
AlbertCamus
November 9th, 2009
8:57 am
All that needs to happen is that Cinci lose to Pitt, aTm beats Texas and utah beats TCU. It’s almost a stone cold lock.
Eric
November 9th, 2009
8:57 am
lsu loses and moves UP in the polls. Somebody is getting paid! That sucks!
Kiffinisatosser
November 9th, 2009
8:58 am
Ahem, just to be clear. Florida and Georgia fanbases are both composed predominantly of rednecks.
Gator Tom
November 9th, 2009
9:00 am
It cracks me up when bama fans say well if our qb hit this pass and that pass. That’s what your qb is. This is why you are in close games. Because he can’t make this pass and that. Quit pretending he is colt mccoy. The pass was an Int.
dawgday
November 9th, 2009
9:04 am
TCU beat UVA and Clemson from the ACC, beat BYU, and if they beat a 7-1 Utah team (that took it to Bama last year), they should go undefeated. I’d definitely take them over a 1 loss team. Cincy’s from the Big East and shouldn’t be overlooked. My dream scenario would be: Bama loses, then beats UF in the SECCC. Cincy and TCU go undefeated and play for the NC. If this happens, I guarantee that the NCAA will look into a playoff system. The networks would take a bath on the game and force the issue.
LSURules
November 9th, 2009
9:04 am
That was clearly an interception, but the bama loving refs in the SEC will not do anything to hurt bama and their ranking. Les Miles should go public with a complaint, even though it will cost him $30,000. This terrible, biased officiating in the SEC is a joke! These refs should be fired, not suspended.
RAMBLE ON!!!
November 9th, 2009
9:06 am
Trade School Junkie, you beat me to the punch.
I thought the same thing.
Tony Barnyard don’t know crap about the ACC.
Huh?!
November 9th, 2009
9:07 am
#2 BAMA FAN and im4bama — If a frog had wings…
Let’s not take away from the great game that it was.
LSURules
November 9th, 2009
9:08 am
Yes that interception cost us the game.
LSU would have won if it weren’t for that call.
Keep in mind....
November 9th, 2009
9:08 am
To all of you Techies who are coming up with scenarios where Texas and everyone else loses so you can get into the BCS Championship game:
Remember that it just took overtime for you to beat Wake Forest. Don’t count your chickens until they’ve played out the season!
Gen Neyland
November 9th, 2009
9:10 am
Rumor has it that Tennessee’s Crompton also leads the SEC with 21 TD passes…21.
Tigers
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
LSu was robbed
U-no
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
Tony, who do you like in the Alabama vs Florida matchup? I think Bama might take them this year. Also, you are absolutely right about Coach Paul Johnson. He is a REAL coach and knows how to get the best out of his players when it counts.
G Force
November 9th, 2009
9:11 am
Gutsy call by Paul Johnson. Not all wins are going to be pretty, but that was a well-earned “W” Jackets.
dawgday
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Sucks for LSU. Don’t you hate it when the refs affect the outcome of a game? We all knew that gift in Athens would come back to bite ya.
Mikey
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Crompton is getting better because obviously someone is coaching him up.
The same cannot be said in Athens,and I am a Dawg fan.
Mike
November 9th, 2009
9:15 am
Keep in mind…and????
Wake had 555 yards of offense against miami the week before. They had 0 turnovers. And our d only gave up 290 yards to an all acc future nfl 1-2 round draft pick qb. Every loss by wake this year except for one has been by 3 points or less. And finally, the officiating in the game was horrible. Half the calls were bs, just ask Mark Bradley who’s an unbiased reporter. If those calls and there were several, aren’t made, gt wins this by 20.
Aubie
November 9th, 2009
9:16 am
It would be sweet if Auburn beat Bama, but we all know that the SEC Commish has ordered the refs to be sure it doesn’t happen. Auburn still pulls the upset in spite of shady refs
heckuva engineer
November 9th, 2009
9:17 am
Trade School Junkie, RAMBLE ON!!! Chill out. After coming out on top of a hard fought battle against WF, who would’ve thought you’d have your panties in a bunch this morning.
Billy Ray Valentine
November 9th, 2009
9:17 am
National Championship – Florida/Alabama winner vs Texas?
Orange Bowl – Georgia Tech vs Cincy?
Sugar Bowl – Florida/Alabama loser vs TCU
Fiesta – Boise State vs Southern Cal
Rose – Oregon vs Iowa/Ohio State winner
CIncy does have to get past Pitt.
TCU does have to get past Utah
Would the triple option of tech vs. the passing game of cincy make for a good match up?
Where does that leave LSU to go?
Slick Willard
November 9th, 2009
9:18 am
Im4bama, your grammar is as bad as your lies about having 12 national championships. If Bama ever gets another one, it will be your 7th, which is outstanding in itself. In the meantime, lay off the juice and brush up on your grammar!
Eric
November 9th, 2009
9:18 am
m=baboon’s butt.
Paul in RDU
November 9th, 2009
9:19 am
Billy Ray
BCS only takes 2 schools from 1 conference. Means LSU would be at a lower tier bowl.
The same thing happened a few years ago when there were probably 3 Big 12 teams good enough for BCS bowls
Mikey
November 9th, 2009
9:21 am
I do not like GT but agree CPJ is a good coach- he gets the best out of his players.
Scott B
November 9th, 2009
9:23 am
Aliens haven’t invaded Crompton… they took him to planet Zenon and replaced him. I know it was Memphis… but wow! I made the 4.5 hour drive to the “Hill” and loved every minute of it.
Willie Martinez
November 9th, 2009
9:24 am
How ’bout a little respect?!
athensdawg
November 9th, 2009
9:30 am
Things that make you go hmmmm……
CPJ takes pro-style players that aren’t really suited for his offence and coaches them up to run his “stone age” option offense. Result: GT is knocking on the door of a BCS appearance.
Lane Kiffin takes a “terrible” quarterback, simplifies the offensive system, and slowly builds confidence and is having a much better season than a lot of people expected.
CMR has young players THAT HE RECRUITED and a pedestrian quarterback THAT HE RECRUITED AND COACHED FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS…..and the best UGA can do is 5-4.
We get told to be patient while this is a rebuilding year while other coaches make adjustments and keep on winning.
Fearless
November 9th, 2009
9:37 am
TB: “It looked like it was going to be an uneventful weekend. Then the games started.”
Ouch, TB… 6 and 4 on the Fearless Friday picks this past weekend. But, don’t worry, your overall record is still decent.
Joshua Barlowe
November 9th, 2009
9:38 am
“There will be an SEC team in BCS championship”
Just as the refs were told…
PaulC
November 9th, 2009
9:38 am
Athensdawg, hate to say it but Mark Richt is Phil Fulmer on Nutrisystem. It’ll be a few more years but Richt is basically done at UGA.
TN fan
November 9th, 2009
9:39 am
Absolutely amazing what Kiffin has done with Crompton. Go Vols beat the Rebs!
m
November 9th, 2009
9:40 am
PaulC…you are probably dead on.
Richt will be gone when Tech beats ugag for the 3rd straight time next November @ the cesspool in Athens.
Jim Donn_n couldn’t survive 3 losses to Tech and neither can Richt.
GSU Eagle 91
November 9th, 2009
9:41 am
I would love to see TCU get a shot at the BCS game but I feel it will be Texas vs SEC champ. FL looks good but Saban and his team know how to win close games.
Here is my early prediction:
BCS: FL vs Texas
Rose: Ohio St vs Oregon
Sugar: AL vs TCU
Fiesta: Boise St vs Pittsburgh
Orange: GT vs Cincinatti
The Fiesta Bowl is still a mystery…Pitt may lose 2 more games but are playing well right now…
Gators take out Texas 28-24 to win 3rd title, Urban Meyer heads to South Bend…
Skipper
November 9th, 2009
9:44 am
Any Georgia fans looking to unload their SEC Championship tickets? I’ve already got mine but I was just curious.
Gator Nation
November 9th, 2009
9:45 am
Thank GOD there was no real drama THIS week for Florida, other than the fact that we have no Offensive Coordinator and our O Line forgot to get directions to the game and then got owned by Vandy. Yes…VANDY! But at least there were no Moral Victories, no concussions, no blown ref calls, no conspiracy theories, no eye pokes and hopefully no fines. Just another “ho hum” afternoon/evening of defensive excellence and another “ho-hum” afternoon/evening of offensive ineptitude. And by the way, speaking of concussions, did anybody see the he Jahvid Best play?? THAT was scary, especially when he didn’t move and then they were administering oxygen to the poor guy on a stretcher. And all this happened only a couple of days after he was held out of practive for a concussionhad suffered the PREVIOUS Saturday because he was still having headaches! Hopefully, Jahvid is gonna be ok. But why no outrage here?? Why no accusations of the Coach endangering the players health for the sake of a victory???. Now, if that would have been Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer it would have been God help us all ’cause that’s all we would be reading about right now!!!!!!!
Rico
November 9th, 2009
9:46 am
Tony your thoughts on below:
The Duke game, Georgia game, ACC Championship, and Orange Bowl (hopefully) is far more important than just for “this year” for Tech. Because of the lack of national respect that the ACC recieves, we are currently in the midst of the best chance that Tech has of winning a National Championship. Not for this year, but next year. We must finish 12-1 this year, be ranked in the top 8 or 9 at the beginning of next year AND THEN run the table next year. Anything less will not win a National Championship. There is zero chance for a 1 loss ACC team to make it to the dance.
Also, somebody (Notre Dame, Auburn, or Nebraska) is going to come after CPJ within the next two years. So, TECH is in the middle of their best chance, RIGHT NOW?
collegeballfan
November 9th, 2009
9:47 am
My thinking on Lane Kiffin at UT exactly. Starting with his hire I thought UT had made a mistake. But he put together a pretty good staff – Monte Kiffin, Ed Orgeon, Lance Thompson are known good coaches.
Can he compete with Florida & Georgia? We will find out in the next few years. But his first year looks promising.
cccwww
November 9th, 2009
9:49 am
Whats even more crazy is how a big money market school like USC moves back into the top 10
and oregon who just beat the hell out of them dops 4 places behind them. College football has become only about money and in the process has become a big joke!!!!!!!!!!
College football = WCW wrestling
SCTexan
November 9th, 2009
9:49 am
Injuries have decimated the SC defense. But the pantry is filling up. I wouldn’t expect Spurrier to go this off season. The bottom line is why in the heck the O line can’t improve. They’ve been the Achilles heel each season
Trade School Junkie
November 9th, 2009
9:49 am
Not a Clemson fan, but some important facts to consider:
Clemson:38 Wake:3
Clemson:40 Miami:37
Clemson:40 FSU:24
GT:30 Wake:27
GT:17 Miami:33
GT:49 FSU:44
GT needs to MUCH better on D.
Nick Saban
November 9th, 2009
9:50 am
Stop your complaining about the LSU loss.
I’m the best coach in the land baby!!!
jkownit
November 9th, 2009
9:51 am
All you SEC haters out there should worry about your own affairs and quit meddling around here. Oh, and for all you nerds complaining, just WIN!! ACC is so lame. Get a life..
Big Dog
November 9th, 2009
9:51 am
Tony, it was 21-15 when LSU intercepted the pass. Should have been LSU ball with a chance to win the game but then Mike Slive and Rogers Redding decided that would not be good for anybody so they gave the ball back to UAT.
Denver Dog
November 9th, 2009
9:55 am
You Tech guys are right. There is no way TB knows much about the ACC when he credits Johnson as being a great coach. He is. Where the issue should be is that he thinks a win over Wake Forrest means anything, or a win over UVA, or over Vandy, or over Miss State, or ove Gardner Webb. Tech should finish fine and go to a Big Bowl. I’d take them over Cincy Boise, TCU, Texas and the Fla Alabam loser. They should be in the Big Game if they win out. UF may have a struggle in Columbia, in fact they will be lucky to win there. Auburn will be ready for Bama, do they have enough for an upset, who knows? The big question in the SEC Championship game will be “which team do we throw the flags upon, and which team do we let get away with the SEC championship. If the sorry job we are accepting as officiating in the conference this year continues, we will have 0, none, nada credibillity left with what just a few years ago was the best officiating crews in the country.
McDawg
November 9th, 2009
9:57 am
you have to remember that Crompton had elbow suregery a couple of years ago during the offseason and after that he had no arm strength-i think it has finally rehabed b/c as i recall he looked real good as a freshmen
S.E.C football is like W.W.E. It's Rigged!!
November 9th, 2009
9:57 am
Yes, There will be a S.E.C. teams playing for the National Championship. The S.E.C. even got its way with T.V. match ups with some crafty referee calling this season that ultimely decided who plays in the championship.
(1)Geogia,L.SU. They needed a T.V. match up with Florida & L.S.U. for the next week.(un-sportsmanship call on A.J. Green )
(2)Florida & Arkansas once an gin another un-sportsmanship call changing the total out come of the game.(Arkansas player blocking Florida player) Have to keep Florida undefeated .
The above calls were admitted bad calls buy the S. E. C. office. The officiated came under fire only because the calls were clearly so bad that everyone in the country was talking about it. (Insert Stevie Wonder comment here.)
(3) Mount Cody for Alabama ripping his helmet off and throwing it down on the ground when the whistle had not been blown yet during the Tennessee game. (Shocked there was no call on the Alabama player? I am not.)
(4)Alabama & L.S.U. game .Interception buy L.S.U.player .It was ruled a incomplete pass. Quote buy Ellie Gold on the Alabama radio network.”Buy looking at the replay the L.S.U. player’s foot is dragging grass and no white chalk and he has full control of the football in his arms”.
Is the S.E.C. taking lesson from Vince Mc Man? Next football season instead of watching S.E.C. football one can watch W.W.E.Both seemed to be rigged and the outcome is already pre decided for who gets to play for the championship. At least with W.W.E., they admit it is rigged.
wheelz007
November 9th, 2009
9:59 am
Tony,
The score was actually 21-15 when the Patrick Peterson play occured.
The ball was given back to ‘Bama and there was 1 more officiating mishap that helped ‘Bama.
On 4th and 6 ‘Bama punted from the 50 yard line. An LSU player ran into the punter causing a 5 yard penalty.
The officials actually moved the ball 5 1/2 yards to give ‘Bama a 4th and inches.
‘Bama picked up the first down and finished the drive with and game clinching field goal.
Go check out Tigerforums.com. There’s photographic evidence of the 5 1/2 yard penalty and the Patrick Peterson interception.
Having said all that, ‘Bama did what they needed to do in order to win the game. I’m proud of my Tigers for their effort. They almost pulled it off.
ReptilesRule
November 9th, 2009
9:59 am
Hey, the refs haven’t had a real good year (insert sarcasm) but folks…this scrutiny of every call is getting WAY out of hand. What next, do we have David Caruso and a forensic team go out and photograth and take soil samples for evidence?? Do we have a Google Earth satellite circle from outer space or have spy drones fly overhead to record every second??? That LSU interception was a CLOSE call and it was very difficult watching the replays to see conclusive evidence on which way it went. Now, I’m not saying that some obvious calls have been missed this year, but come on people!!!
happily retired
November 9th, 2009
10:00 am
Before the Sugar Bowl last year I would of agreed with you about the SEC teams, not anymore. They might be the best teams, they might not, who knows unless the play.
cuttysark
November 9th, 2009
10:01 am
Nice comments about Paul Johnson Tony. He is the best darn football coach in the country who can make a decision and go with it for a victory as opposed to sitting on a lead or hoping for a potential tie game in OT, as nothing is certain with a field goal.
Go to http://isportsweb. com for an article about Paul Johnson’s decision to go for the win against Wake Forest, as well as other Georgia Tech Football articles.
JB
November 9th, 2009
10:02 am
Come on Tony, if you don’t write a blog on the next Georgia DC, I’ll be disappointed. Mark does NOT want to fire him, but I don’t think HE has a choice. He really needs about 4 new coach’s. Never happen.
I hope Willie resigns ( as his friend) and saves him the trouble.
Joe Schmoe
November 9th, 2009
10:04 am
You think SEC refs suck, check out the WF vs. GT game, and see how much ACC refs suck. It was the only way WF kept scoring drives alive. Crazy, I never thought I would say Duke is our most important game on our schedule.
JB
November 9th, 2009
10:08 am
Tech has two problems coming up. 1. Getting a better,or as good of QB and RB as Nesbitt and Dwyer will be iffy. Those two guys are special. 2. As someone said earlier, johnson will be a hiring target for some AD at a “power school’. Yes, he’s that good. It’s a safe hire, and a sure bet at 5 mil a year, which is what he’ll be offered. If you follow football, you know that is looming.
Paul Johnson
November 9th, 2009
10:08 am
It’s all about the O, baby. Sure we could focus just as much attention on the defense, but what fun would that be.
Got 12?
November 9th, 2009
10:11 am
Let’s review a few stats:
FIRST DOWNS
Bama 24
LSU 13
TOTAL YARDS
Bama 452 (176 rushing, 276 passing)
LSU 253 (95 rushing, 158 passing)
Now, let’s not pretend that LSU was dominating and victory was eminent. There were only four reasons this game wasn’t a blowout. The four reasons were the four wide open receivers (Maze, Julio, Hanks, Smelly) McElroy missed for TD’s.
AlwaysAVol
November 9th, 2009
10:12 am
McDawg, that elbow injusry came about as he attempted to cut in front of a large man wearing orange at a smorgasboard. Seriousy, I think Lane Kiffin is turning out to be an excellent coach with an excellent staff and I am as thrilled with the discipline, attitude, and pride being instilled with my Vols as much as I wam with the W-L numbers. Also, look for a behind the scenes WWF brawl between Cincy;s coach and Urban over the job-formerly-held-by-Charlie-Weiss at the end of this season. Has anyone else heard rumors that Tuberville is under heavy consideration as UGA’s next DC?
Joe Schmoe
November 9th, 2009
10:13 am
JB
November 9th, 2009
10:08 am
Tech has two problems coming up. 1. Getting a better,or as good of QB and RB as Nesbitt and Dwyer will be iffy. Those two guys are special. 2. As someone said earlier, johnson will be a hiring target for some AD at a “power school’. Yes, he’s that good. It’s a safe hire, and a sure bet at 5 mil a year, which is what he’ll be offered. If you follow football, you know that is looming.
Nesbitt will not be as hard to replace, as there are QB in the system as freshmen this year. You might have a case for Dwyer, but we are always loaded with RBs, and have that Charles Perkins kid coming up for us next year.
David
November 9th, 2009
10:13 am
Here is another score to consider GT30-Clemson27
Lord of Yhe Lizards
November 9th, 2009
10:14 am
While I will give the Tennessee staff alot of credit for simpifying the offense for Crompton, I will reserve my judgement on Lane Kiffin and let the test of time be the judge. Next year, he loses his veteran QB and O LIne along with Berry and other very key defensive players. My sense is that they will go 7-5 this year but will struggle next year and go back to 5-7 or maybe get to 6-6 only because of Monte. A big victory over Memphis is no more impressive than UF smashing Charleston Southern. Let’s not get carried away, the third year will determine Kiffins future there…
Joe Schmoe
November 9th, 2009
10:14 am
I forgot, most likley Anthony Allen #18 will be playing B back is Dwyer chooses to leave. CPJ has got it going on at GT.
Got 12?
November 9th, 2009
10:15 am
Did I just read a post complaining that the refs gave Bama six extra inches on a penalty? How pathetic. Take the loss and move on.
LSU is going to lose to Arkansas anyway so this game really meant nothing for LSU.
MtnBama
November 9th, 2009
10:17 am
Tony, if you are going to join the ranks of the ” it looked like an interception to me ” crowd, as a journalist you should at least mention the fact that Julio was tripped THREE times after beating Patrick Patterson for likely touchdowns ,Mark Barron was blocked in the back on one of LSU’s scores and Javier Arenas was held and nearly pulled to the ground on the other. For God’s sake if you are going to call out the ref’s please post a critique of the entire game or at least ALL of the questionable calls.
Got 12?
November 9th, 2009
10:18 am
Joe,
Be careful. I recall UGA fans saying how easily they could replace Stafford and Knowshon this year.
Tide4u2c
November 9th, 2009
10:18 am
If I was LSU fans I would be questioning why the LSU players were gassed and wore out in the 2nd half.Poor conditioning?But NO! instead they want you all to think they would’ve won had that been ruled an interception eventhough they only put up about 9 yards in the 2nd half. They had 2 possessions after that ruling where they could’ve drove down the field like they think they would’ve had that been rued an interception.Good teams find a way to win and take the ref’s out of the game by making great plays,etc LSU had their chances and did’nt.
In 2007 I remember Matt Cadell’s diving catch in the Bama vs LSU game that was ruled incomplete inwhich Bama was driving to take the lead in that game and it was a much closer game than the game this past saturday and yet you did’nt hear Alabama fans making up conspiracies about how the ref’s helped LSU win eventhough it was a diving catch.
It's the refs.
November 9th, 2009
10:18 am
The only question is this? Can the S.E.C. get there refs to do the National Championship game so they can add that game to the list of games that they have changed the outcome on this season?
Any team that plays for the National. They better pray long and hard they do not get S.E.C. refs to do that game. They will not only have to beat Flordia Or Alabama they will have to beat the refs also.
JB
November 9th, 2009
10:21 am
Tubbs WILL not come to Georgia as DC…….Hasn’t coached in the trench’s in 20 years, has a bank full of money, and would take a chance to ‘tarnish’ rep even further. Also, has a bank full of money and that is an 80 hour a week job at 350,000 a year………….or about $9.00 an hour. ain’t happening
Zebra
November 9th, 2009
10:25 am
As I wrote a few weeks ago,,,,,,as soon as a significant call goes against either Ala. or UF I will take off my tinfoil hat. So far, that has not happened. I’m sure its just blind luck though.
Trade School Junkie
November 9th, 2009
10:26 am
CPJ will not leave GT for Notre Dame. Period.
What D-1 coach (who isnt Catholic) would want the ND job?
ND pays Charlie Weis $10 Million per year, and he cant get it done.
Remember when Charlie Weis was hired from the Patriots…to SAVE THE PROGRAM ?? Now look at it. This is what $10 Million per year has bought.
The ND job pays well, but a new HC wold be be trying to save a program, THATS IN A STEADY MULTI-YEAR DECLINE. (FYI, so is Michigan & Ohio State, for those that havent noticed).
Seriously. No one can doubt that ND has been in DECLINE for several years now. And, it will CONTINUE to decline, b/c ND can not get the talent they used to get.
The kids with talent that ND would like to get have many more choices now than they used to. So, in the MAJORITY of cases, the top recruits are not choosing ND. ND is BADLY losing the “recruting battles.”
Most of the top talent kids dont want to play in South Bend in 15 degree weather. Period.
Hell, they just moved the NCAA College Football Hall of Fame
from South Bend…..to Atlanta !! Hello ????????
For ND to go after CPJ now, would be damging for ND. But, it would be “judged” as a WORLD CLASS ADMISSION that ND can no longer get the level of talent they used to.
And thats based on CPJ’s tenure at places like Navy & GT, where recruting is always a challenge. ND would be “painted” with the same brush. Thats not good if you’re ND, the so-called Bastion of College Football.
It would be a “PERCEPTION” (PR) DISASTER for the ND program.
Now, thats not a slap on CPJ. He’s a stud. He could do it if he wanted. I dont think he’d WANT to do it. He’s succeeding at the D-1 level now. CPJ is 52. He’s not Catholic. He’s Baptist. CPJ can & likely will retire at GT. He’s from the South. Loves it here in Georgia. And can take AND KEEP GT at the top of college football for years to come.
D-RAD will come up with whatever $$ it takes.