If he gets the chance, Johnson will bring the hammer down on the Dawgs
Nobody asked me but:
1. If Paul Johnson gets the chance, he’ll bring the hammer down on Georgia. State rivalries like Georgia and Georgia Tech are always big recruiting games. Saturday night’s game at Bobby Dodd Stadium will be no different. But in his second year at Georgia Tech, Johnson has infused the football program with confidence at a time where Georgia’s confidence is at a pretty low ebb. There is all kind of positive energy at Georgia Tech. I haven’t seen this much negative energy at Georgia since Jim Donnan’s last year (2000) as head coach. College Football 101 says that when you have your rival in a weakened position, you put your foot on the gas. If Johnson can lay a pretty good number on Georgia, he will. Georgia has enough athletic ability to make this game competitive. But I wonder if they have the heart to fight back. I really do.
2. I think Bobby Bowden will be back at Florida State next season. There is no doubt in my mind that if Florida State had lost to Maryland last week (and the Seminoles scored with 32 seconds left to win 29-26) it would have been very difficult for Bowden to make the case to return for his 35th season as the Seminoles head coach. If he loses at No. 1 Florida on Saturday, and we assume he will, Florida State will be 6-6 and heading to a bowl game. I think there will be considerable pressure for Bowden to step down but he has made it clear to those who know him well that he wants to come back and pursue a final ACC championship. Florida State has promised Bowden that it will be his decision. But this much is also clear. If Bowden comes back, the 2010 season will be his last at Florida State. Everybody understands that.
3. I think Bob Stoops will at least listen to Notre Dame. On the surface, it appears silly to think that Stoops would entertain the thought of another college job. He has one of the best franchises in the sport as the head coach at Oklahoma But the profession has changed. After a coach has been in one place for 11 years (he is 114-29 with seven New Year’s Day or BCS bowls) his support starts to sag unless he’s winning the conference championship every year. It’s been a tough year at Oklahoma, which lost QB Sam Bradford and TE Jermaine Gresham early in the season and has not been the same ever since. Fans become unrealistic and don’t believe the program should ever have a down year. Stoops is a native of Ohio and so he knows the territory. Notre Dame needs a strong personality and a proven winner on the college level. Maybe Stoops, 49, has one more move left in him.
4. Look for Colt McCoy to put up some pretty big numbers against Texas A&M. The Texas quarterback has put himself in position to win the Heisman Trophy with some good games against some pretty weak teams (Baylor, Kansas). The Longhorns get another struggling team when they go to Texas A&M (6-5) on Thanksgiving night. Next week Texas plays Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game. Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has a very good defensive scheme against spread attacks so McCoy probably won’t put up huge numbers against the Cornhuskers. McCoy and Texas will be the only college football game on Thursday night and a lot of Heisman Trophy voters will be watching. Texas will turn McCoy loose and give him a chance to make his move.
5. Rich Brooks should get some votes for SEC Coach of the Year. With a win over Tennessee on Saturday in Lexington, Kentucky will finish 8-4 and in second place in the SEC East. That should be good enough to get the Wildcats into the Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day. When Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline went down with an injury on Oct. 10, Kentucky was 2-3 and it appeared the Wildcats would stumble towards the finish line. But Brooks elected to take the redshirt off quarterback Morgan Newton and, after a few games, the offense actually got better. Now Kentucky has won five of its last six. Kentucky began playing football in 1888. In all that time no coach—not even Bear Bryant—has taken the Wildcats to four straight bowl games. This will be Kentucky’s fourth consecutive bowl (they have won the previous three) under Brooks.
Please follow me on Twitter:
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
368 comments Add your comment
willie martinez
November 25th, 2009
11:20 am
Joe Hamilton, I hope they get mailed out, because I am gonna need one after the techstersput a whooping with TO thing. Has anyone figured out that high school offense, because I havent?
PTC DAWG
November 25th, 2009
11:20 am
Obviously, I need to meet up with some of the GT fans on this board and place a friendly wager…GT by 30-40-50 points being predicted. LMAO at some of you jokers.
That said, have a Happy Thanksgiving…..
Christian Dior Dogg
November 25th, 2009
11:21 am
Tony, i’m trying to plan my outfit for Saturday night. What color shoelaces do you think our beloved Dawgs will be wearing?
SEC Dawg
November 25th, 2009
11:21 am
Toga….if we stink next year,then you have an argument! Not this year! Stay over there in Alabama with Saban and your boys!! You make me want to pull for UF with your comments. But, I think Bama wins!! We will be alright and you might as well fire Bob Stoops in Oklahoma too! They are
6-5 this year too! Amazing that losing a QB makes such a difference! I hope Joe throws the winning TD with seconds to go to beat Tech!! CMR is a GREAT coach and time will prove me right or wrong! But, I will stand beside the man and fight for UGA daily! Go Dawgs!
another dawg in ptc
November 25th, 2009
11:24 am
johnson will run his offense, just like he has for 26 years, and wait for somebody to stop it. We can’t even stop KY with a freshman qb. As a native Atlantan and a Bulldog for over 40 years, I hate losing to GT. But unfortunately, the players don’t feel that way. After going thru a SEC schedule, the GT game has been a nuisance to the players. Maybe if Johnson puts 60 on them, it will get their attention. As fl used to say for 60 years, “Wait until next year!”
revwreck
November 25th, 2009
11:27 am
Dawg Central
not sure I agree that experts are not idiots…some experts had ugay at #1 preseasom 08…what idiots had ugay picked to beat us last year…I dont know who will win the game until its over but I do know being an expert doesnt keep you from being and idiot..kind like living in the White House doesnt make you a president…ahh nevermind
how2fish
November 25th, 2009
11:29 am
Well I guess it had to happen Nacho or some other Bug stole my name..never picked UGA for NC before a season ever let alone two seasons in advance..Nacho I take issue with the 36-0 prediction..I think Tech scores at least once..36-10 I think is more like it..and this is a better spot for UGA to be in than last year..no one really thinks they can win..they have 23 seniors that would love to burst the Bug’s ballon..rain on the Nerds parade and go out either 3-1 or 4-1 vs the Bugs…should be a great game and all this… if Tech gets the chance to score a ton they will…WTF..has there EVER been a Tech/UGA game that anyone too it easy on the other team??? I really hope no one on either team gets hurt and UGA wins by 100…but a 1 point win would be real nice too..
CatsFly
November 25th, 2009
11:32 am
This game will be closer than some think, and I, for one, won’t be surprised if UGa wins, though I would have to place my bet on Tech.
drunkle sam
November 25th, 2009
11:32 am
I can’t believe the dog fans are elated by only being 7 pt underdogs. wow, how quickly things change. . .
Tide Rising
November 25th, 2009
11:37 am
It would be kinda funny if Florida lost to FSU, UT lost to UK, Tech lost to UGA, Texas lost to Texas A&M, and Bama lost to Auburn. Well, maybe all of them except the last one of course.
how2fish
November 25th, 2009
11:37 am
Yea preseason National champions next year baby! We will try and make it competitive against those bugs, but im not sure we have the dawg guts to stop em. 36-0 tech unfortunatley.
Leedawg
November 25th, 2009
11:38 am
Never question a Dawg’s heart, particularly in print three days before the game. It sure is going to be quiet in town come Monday. More silence on the 6th after Clempson handles their business.
Tide Rising
November 25th, 2009
11:40 am
how2fish,
I doubt it was Nachos. Its Iron Bowl week and Nachos is too preoccupied with hatin on Auburn as all of big Tide fans should be. More likely a Tech fan.
GT JJ
November 25th, 2009
11:42 am
how2fish – what makes you think Tech will only score 10 points against uga’s D??? it may or may not be a close game, but you have to think that a close game would have a high score for both teams.
Go JACKETS!
Shelton Stevens
November 25th, 2009
11:43 am
Tony, I know you’re aware of the Governor’s Cup, presented by Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to the winner of the UGA/GT football game. Here’s some background on the history and significance that many are not aware of. If you have any questions or I can be of help, please give me a shout.
———–
Since 1933, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta has been giving the Governor’s Cup to the winner of a UGA/GT football game. For 60 years, it went to the winner of a Freshman/JV game played on Thanksgiving Day. Back in 1933, we were in the process of having to shut Scottish Rite (which along with Egleston and Hughes-Spalding makes up CHOA) down – at that time it was a charity hospital and we just didn’t have the money to keep going. So the two football coaches got together and decided to play this game to benefit the hospital. It was so wildly successful, that for the next 20 years or so, the proceeds from that game actually met the net operating expenses of the hospital and kept the doors open.
Today, CHOA is recognized at one of the very top pediatric healthcare systems in the country – by many standards of measure we’re number one. And there’s a very good chance that if it weren’t for the football programs as GT and UGA, this institution that means so much to our community and state would not be here today – as we know it.
That Thanksgiving Day game went away in 1994 – with scholarship limitations (85/105), there just weren’t enough players to play two games in one week. So since 1995, (after an extensive appeal process with the NCAA from both schools’ Compliance Depts. and the hospital), the NCAA sanctioned the varsity game, the big game as a “special event” – like a bowl game. With this approval, because of the long history between the two schools and the hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta can now present the Governor’s Cup to the winner of this game. ALSO, because it is a special event, we can now “celebrate” the Seniors playing their last game. We give the Seniors on both teams watches commemorating their participation in that game. The Seniors on the winning team receive a personalized, engraved replica of the Governor’s Cup.
Since 1995, UGA has won 10, GT has won 4.
A series of streaks: UGA won three in a row, 1995, 1996, 1997
GT won three in a row – 1998, 1999, 2000
UGA won seven in a row – 2001 to 2007
GT won in 2008
UGA Coaches Records:
Goff: 1 – 0
Donnan: 1 – 3
Richt: 7 – 1
GT Coaches Records:
O’Leary: 3 – 4
Gailey: 0 – 6
Johnson: 1 – 0
———————-
Thanks Tony and Happy Thanksgiving.
ss
don't you just hate it
November 25th, 2009
11:43 am
when your “ballon” burst?
Dog surprise: LG starts
revwreck
November 25th, 2009
11:44 am
gotta love the fact that mutt fans have become clemson fans when they hate them more than we do…its kinda like they are trying to talk someone into beating us up cause they cant do it…got news for you, dont put money on your buddy either.we laid down on a big lead first game…CPJ wont let that happen again…
Hayseed Dixie
November 25th, 2009
11:45 am
Richt is a good coach having an off year, and we will hammer him.
Paul Johnson likes it when his teams play, in his words, “nasty enough”.
I agree with Mr. Barnhart that should the opportunity arise, they’ll tear UGA a new one.
I mean, one that’ll hurt for awhile.
how2fish
November 25th, 2009
11:49 am
GT JJ I agree it would seem like this should be a high scoring affair, my post was in regards to Nacho stating it would be 36-0…tech.
GT
November 25th, 2009
11:54 am
Another motivational effort by Tony for his dawgs. Here is one for the mention, look at the scores when Georgia could put the hammer down. I think the last one was 2002. Georgia has treated Tech like a step child and rightfully so. Forrest fires are good for nature they say and these teams beating each other brings the quality of both teams up to a national level. The shoe has been on Georgia’s foot so long and the press favors the journalism school over the engineers so the hand has been heavier, but our day may be here to show the dawgs the lessons they have been so gracious to teach us. This Thanksgiving I give thanks to Georgia for making us the monsters we are and Tony for his ignoring our existence for all these years which has emotionally lifted us to a chance to hammer those who have treated us like the bugs we are. If we loose it only indicates we need to get better, if we win it will come back in a few years and wake us up when we start mailing it in like Georgia is doing now. Maybe in that lull time we can earn some respect from Tony and his boys, but how do you turn away from the school that gave you the degree to make the wonderful living being paid to do what I am doing for free right now.
revwreck
November 25th, 2009
11:54 am
I believe that this game will be hard fought as any and either team could possibly win. I have been to every UGA and GT game since I can remember, only in 1990 for me at UGA did I feel that UGA fans really believed they couldnt beat us. Every game the dawg fans are loud and confident, but I have to feel that this year will be the same as 1990 where in the back of their minds they have doubt in their team instead of believing they cant lose.
dap01
November 25th, 2009
11:56 am
Did not know that Paul Johnson invented football. Why should any team in the world ever try again. Paul Johnson invented football and is clearly the smartest coach in the world.
mansup01
November 25th, 2009
11:58 am
I’m a Tech fan, but, some of my fellow Tech fans are as obnoxious as we have all observed the UGA redneck, hanger-ons to be. First of all, I doubt the game will be one sided, and if it is, I just hope it goes in Tech’s favor. Second, PJ is concerned about winning. I’m almost certain that “putting the hammer down” would be far down his list. UGA has great personnel and MR has shown in the past he can have them ready to play. They won’t need much motivation for this one. I will be ecstatic if Tech wins by any margin at all. Go Jackets.
TechCrybaby
November 25th, 2009
12:00 pm
UGA will never “get things straight” after this year. Did Napoleon get things straight after Waterloo?
old hooker
November 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
PETA hates fishing also.
I think CPJ has his eye on the ACC champ game and might consider resting his horses.
Joe Schmoe
November 25th, 2009
12:01 pm
dap01
November 25th, 2009
11:56 am
Did not know that Paul Johnson invented football. Why should any team in the world ever try again. Paul Johnson invented football and is clearly the smartest coach in the world.
Well, we are glad you understand!
Bob/ Okeefe
November 25th, 2009
12:03 pm
Let’s not get the cart out in front of the horse folks. Remember this is a State Championship game and anything can and does happen–re Ky over UGA.If Tech wins 2 to nothing I’ll be happy.Just win.
DawginLex
November 25th, 2009
12:04 pm
Anyone who refers to UGA as Ugay is doing so to mask their own sexual issues.
dh
November 25th, 2009
12:05 pm
I find it funny that in past blogs uga fans all treated Florida as their main rival and Tech an afterthought. Doesn’t seem like that now.
In regards to being a 7 pt favorite against a 6-5 team, well it is a rivalry game. If you look at some of the past games where uga was probably heavy favorites but Tech kept it with 6-7 points, sans the 51-7 drubbing in 2002.
I do find it difficult to understand how fans can talk smack after their team just lost to a team at home for the first time since the mid 70s. I understand every team has obnoxious fans, but if some of you really believe some of the things you put on here for everybody to read, you have smegma in your brain and should just stay away from these blogs.
Go Jackets this weekend and I do hope uga has a better season next year, because I don’t know about anyone else, but I would like these two teams to meet in late November ranked in the top 10, with something really to play for like Florida & FSU had back in the 90s.
GT is a football school
November 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
the GT baseball team is starting a fundraiser drive for UGA baseball player Chance Veasey. nice story
Old Dawg
November 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
James: I made it all up. I used to be a sports writer/columnist/humorist. I now work as a PR dude. Glad you liked it.
GT Alum
November 25th, 2009
12:06 pm
Yep, Tony BrainFart is trying to get his dogs fired up. Lets call it like it is here. Pretty typical stuff BrainFart.
GTpak
November 25th, 2009
12:09 pm
I think the game will be won by the team with the fewest turnovers. Key for us will be to keep the ball, let our defense rest and wear their defense out. No turnovers, no injuries.
Go Jackets!!!!!
Here's what I love about UGA
November 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
They’ve replaced the 2 star recruit & high school offense & the you got lucky we’re gonna beat you down/reality check talk with, Miami and LSU beat you good and you’re only 7 1/2 point favorites over a lowly 6 – 5 team. It puts a smile on my face for the dogs to brag about only being 7 1/2 point underdogs and OTHER teams beating us LMAO.
Joe Schmoe
November 25th, 2009
12:13 pm
Ewww, might be bad if they dont get AJ Green back either. They need him. He is a must for them to have a chance.
Pitbull
November 25th, 2009
12:13 pm
Tech’s pass defense is suspect. If the Georgia offensive line and backs block, and Joe Cox has time to pass then I think we can beat Tech.
However if we turn the ball over a lot, have a bunch of penalties and the defense does not show up then we lose.
Finally, our special teams are going to have to cover on kicks and to hang onto the ball.
If Georgia plays with intelligent determination then they will win. If they do not, Tech wins.
Soulja Girl What?
November 25th, 2009
12:14 pm
You’re one to call Athens a dump! Anyone ever seen Legion Field? It’s a 100 year high school stadium “dumped” right in the middle of the hood and as for parking? What parking? The locals are out in droves like scalpers steering you into their front yards for $10.00/car where you can park on the grass. And they will “watch” your car for you so that when you come back, your car isn’t up on cinder blocks. Nice stadium you wham-her bam-hers have there. In essence, it looks more like a NASCAR dirt track park than a SUPPOSED high ranked football team. I’d be embarrassed if I were you guys! Roll dirt!!!!!!!!
how2fish
November 25th, 2009
12:15 pm
TechCrybaby…I’ve been watching the ebb and flow of this game for 40+ years…never heard anyone get it as wrong as you did..
Jeff
November 25th, 2009
12:17 pm
Wonder if this is a tech or uga fan?
http://www.twitter.com/notjoecox
Dawg Man
November 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
Bring it on Nerds!!!!!!! We Ain’t neva scuuuuured!!
Skin
November 25th, 2009
12:21 pm
Actually, Athens was recently profiled as one of the best quaint college towns due to its cultural coolness and musical roots of producing some of the greatest bands – REM, B52’s, just to name two. There is plenty of night life, arts, restaurants and musci in that “old” town charm. Tuscaloosa has what? A mechanical bull! Yeehaw!!!
Skin
November 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
And I’m neither a Dawg or Tech Grad….just stating the obvious.
UGA VII
November 25th, 2009
12:22 pm
You tech fans are in a lot of trouble.
I visited Mark Richt in the Athens tanning salon and told him to fire Willie,
He said only if I took one for the team to help them beat Kentucky.
UGA
Stinger
November 25th, 2009
12:23 pm
Let the stomping begin !!!!!!!!!!
DUFFERDAWG
November 25th, 2009
12:25 pm
No sh*t Sherlock ! Every team tries to put the hammer to the other if the opportunity arises….this year is no different….You are getting very lazy….
DS
November 25th, 2009
12:28 pm
It’s just sad that UGA football has gotten to the point that this game is not a given like in the past. We have no confidence going into any game and never know what team will show up. CMR is still perfect to win at UGA. Take him over CPJ any day. However, if he does not make changes in the coaching staff he will be gone after next year. 6-7 season might have been good for GT in the past, but it’s not good enough for us.
Tech will beat us this year, unless we pull one out of our butt, if so it will not be all that surprising.
Trade School Junkie
November 25th, 2009
12:33 pm
In ALL rivalry games, it pays to EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.
1. GT will beat GA (again, but closer than most expect) GT by 9 pts.
2. Clemson will beat USC (again, but very close)
Could be lots of passing/scoring here.
(Drumroll)
3. FSU will SHOCK THE WORLD with upset of Florida at The Swamp.
Retiring FSU DC Mickey Andrews will have “something special”
dialed up for Tebow & the Gators.
Gators miss the winning FG on the last play. FSU:31 FL:29
ACC will score the “Trifecta” on saturday
and go 6-1 vs SEC for 2009 regular seaosn.
Chester Lucks
November 25th, 2009
12:37 pm
Remember this is Tony the homer bringing up this hammer BS. Johnson just wants to win the game and doesn’t care about embarrassing anyone. Tony your comments are merely intended to try to stir up your beloved dogs. Why don’t you just question UGA’s manhood like Pat Dye did a few years back. Idiot, bedwetter. You should be writing for the Red and Black rather than for a so called major metropolitan newspaper.
UGA83
November 25th, 2009
12:38 pm
Tech is #7 in football rankings and #1 in school where you’re most likely to get mugged right outside your dorm!!! Ugly school, ugly stadium, poor part of town, but you do have the better coach. This is the dawgs last chance at salvation and I look for a shootout with lots of dawgs mugging jackets on the field. In fact a personal fould by the dawgs may be the turning point in the game.
ACL club
November 25th, 2009
12:42 pm
Somebody had to say something inflammatory for the UGA locker room. It sure wasn’t coming from Johnson.