It was a very good year at Georgia Tech
Some random thoughts before I get on the plane to West Coast, where it is warm and sunny:
1. It’s been a very good year at Georgia Tech. While last night’s loss to Iowa in the Orange Bowl was a disappointment to Georgia Tech and its fans, at some point today it will be time to put it into perspective with the rest of the season. Georgia Tech ran into a big, athletic defense that had had over 40 days to prepare. When quarterback Ricky Stanzi was healthy, Iowa was the best team in the Big Ten and would have likely gone undefeated if he had been available for the Northwestern and Ohio State games.
In just two seasons Paul Johnson has made Georgia Tech a player again on the national stage with an ACC championship, a BCS bowl, and a win over Georgia. While it can’t be a great year unless you beat the state rival, this was a very good year at Georgia Tech.
2. Time to give the Big Ten its props. The Big Ten has gotten beat up during bowl season lately, going 1-6 last year. Iowa was the only Big Ten team to win a bowl last season when it beat South Carolina. But this season the Big Ten has posted four pretty impressive wins: Ohio State over Oregon to snap the Big Ten’s six-game losing streak in the Rose; Penn State over LSU in the Capital One; Wisconsin over what was supposed to be a faster, more athletic Miami in the Champs Sports; and finally Iowa over the ACC champs in the Orange. Northwestern had several chances to beat Auburn in the Outback before losing in overtime.
3. Kudos to Rich Brooks. The former Falcons assistant coach has decided to step down at Kentucky after seven seasons. One of his goals when he took the job was to leave the program in better shape than he found it. On that point he was a huge success. The program was devastated by NCAA probation when he got there and after struggling (9-25) in his first three seasons there were a lot of people who wanted to get rid of him. But athletics director Mitch Barnhart and President Lee Todd stuck with Brooks, who then took the Wildcats to four straight bowl games, something never done in the football history of the school. I will never forget Kentucky’s upset of No. 1 LSU in Lexington in 2007. In fact, that season I went to Lexington three times to watch Kentucky play and saw three great games, including a four-overtime loss to Tennessee which put the Vols into the SEC championship game over Georgia. Brooks turns the reins over to offensive coordinator Joker Phillips.
4. Bama looking for first win over Texas. There is a lot of history that says No. 2 Texas can beat No. 1 Alabama in tomorrow night’s BCS championship game. The two storied programs have met eight times in history with Texas holding a 7-0-1 mark:
Year———————Winner
1902———————Texas, 10-0 (Regular season)
1915———————Texas, 20-0 (Regular season)
1922——————–Texas, 19-10 (Regular season)
1947——————–Texas, 27-7 (Sugar Bowl)
1960——————–3-3 Tie (Bluebonnet Bowl)
1964——————–Texas, 21-17 (Orange Bowl)
1972——————–Texas, 17-13 (Cotton Bowl)
1981——————–Texas, 14-12 (Cotton Bowl)
I’ll be in Los Angeles on Thursday where I will give you my five burning questions about the BCS Championship game.
5. Urban Meyer wasting no time. For a guy who was supposed to be taking a leave of absence, Florida’s Urban Meyer has been a busy boy this week. He has lost four assistant coaches since the end of the regular season—Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong along with assistants Kenny Carter and Vance Bedford are all headed to Louisville. Offensive assistant Billy Gonzalez left before the bowl game to go to LSU. He has been replaced by Zach Azzani of Central Michigan. Meyer and interim coach Steve Addazio have hired former Gator assistant Stan Drayton, who left for Tennessee with some hard feelings in 2007 saying that he wanted to coach in a more conventional offense. Drayton is a good recruiter and Florida needs that to hold this class together. D.J. Durkin, who coached the past three seasons at Stanford, has been hired to coach the linebackers, which was Strong’s position. We’re still waiting to hear on the defensive coordinator’s job although published reports say that current assistant Chuck Heater has a shot.
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588 comments Add your comment
Youbetcha
January 6th, 2010
4:37 pm
Joe – You my friend are the one that brought up the Kentucky game not me. We lost that game and I didn’t mention a thing about a moral victory but way to try and twist my words. The fact is we lost that game regardless if we dominated it or not. The great thing about the Tech game is we dominated that game as well but we were also able to get the W!
Joe
January 6th, 2010
4:56 pm
Agree to disagree. We just have different thoughts on what domination is
Kentucky game
January 6th, 2010
4:57 pm
Kentucky game can’t be no moral victory for dawgs. Not when your fans are leaving with plenty of time in the 4th qtr and your team only down by one score. That’s the most pathetic fan base I ever seen. The game is now where near over and the home team fans just plain give up. Unfreakingbelievable!
moron
January 6th, 2010
5:02 pm
Kentucky game,
Clearly you didn’t watch the Kentucky game. Because if you had, you’d clearly know why they left when they did. What a dummy
Kentucky game
January 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
Hey moron,
I watched the UK game and saw why they left you freaking idiot. they left cause the dawgs suck and cause their fan base is a bunch of quitters just like the dawgs. Tell me the dawgs don’t up and quit every time they go up against gators?
Suspended SEC Officiating Crew
January 6th, 2010
5:07 pm
Thanks for letting us work the Orange Bowl.
Advocare Multi-Marketing Bowl
January 6th, 2010
5:10 pm
How many dawgs were in Shreveport to support their team in a ( big time? ) bowl game ?
hahaha!!!
January 6th, 2010
5:19 pm
The tools couldn’t even fill up their allotted seats!!! Shameful display of support by the tool community. Biggest game Tech has played in 40 years, and the last big game they will EVER see. It was just sad
henry
January 6th, 2010
5:20 pm
Maybe Tech fans will now sympathize with UGA after experiencing just one game with those God awful officials.
Back to the Smurf Bowl you go!!!
January 6th, 2010
5:21 pm
I think we all know where Yech will end up next year, if they are even bowl eligible, Lol!!!
too good to be true!!!
January 6th, 2010
5:31 pm
Never thought I’d see a coach who’s philosophy turns off all the top receivers, quarterbacks and even the kickers!!! LOL!!! Nobody will be going to Yech as long as they have this barbaric and cowardly offense!!! I love it!!!
Paul Johnson has Moobies....
January 6th, 2010
5:32 pm
2 months ago it looked like tech was on it’s way up and UGA was on it’s way out. I’m not so sure now…. What program would you rather be? I would prefer Athens if I had my druthers.
Preston
January 6th, 2010
5:34 pm
Great year, indeed, for tech. Lose (as usual) to UGA and then get beat in a BCS bowl that you got by simply winning a pathetic conference championship. Iowa whipped your @sses while looking rusty on offense after a 40 day break. BTW, have you ever in your life seen a team have ZERO passing yards in an entire half of football? Especially in a bowl game! Pathetic. Love it!
BILLY JACK
January 6th, 2010
5:54 pm
It looks like Ramble-On- wreckmania-m-st simons and the rest of the nerds have run for the hills.
Tron Carter
January 6th, 2010
6:26 pm
I’ll tell you who’s running for the hills – Tech donors
They will no longer subsidize the hotdogs and cokes program to lure the tens of fans who attend their games.
Tron Carter
January 6th, 2010
6:29 pm
73-66
30-24
+ Orange Bowl Joke Offense Humiliation
A great year indeed.
You know it!
January 6th, 2010
6:57 pm
Tony the article should read:
It was a very good year at Georgia Tech……..compared to what Georgia Tech is use to!!!!!!!
or
It was a very good year at Georgia Tech……..for Georgia Tech standards!!!!!!
Mike48
January 6th, 2010
7:03 pm
Nnnneeeerrrrrrdddssss !!!!!!
Really impressive in Athens last nite !! Even more impressive was
the 14 fans who showed up while the rest of you called off the Physics
lab to watch the TV debacle. Three of the bumbles at the concession
stand could even speak English. Let’s listen to a brief excerpt:
“Hey Adnow : Yes, Abu.
If we put explosive in popcorn, maybe we can blow up Varsitee.”
See you in Athens next fall, losers
techgirl
January 6th, 2010
7:20 pm
If Tech is such a terrible team then why do all you “dawg” fans insist on reading and commenting on our stories? Do you not have anything better to do with yourselves? Probably not. I can promise you that I have never been so rude and disrespectful enough to leave a comment on a story about uga. In fact I heard the most trash talk about uga from georgia fans this season….you are sooo dedicated. Tech had a great season and I wake up thankful everyday that I’m a Tech fan and that I don’t “bark” at others. However that is exactly the type of classless and trashy thing that Tech fans have come to expect from you slobbery dogs….get a life. If you bark like a “dawg” then what’s that make your momma?
DOG Brad
January 6th, 2010
7:25 pm
30 24
Spike
January 6th, 2010
7:29 pm
techgirl.. You are my momma.
devildog
January 6th, 2010
7:35 pm
Wait’ll Johnson has only Johnson-type recruits. So what if Tech lost two bowls in a row under CPJ; how many did the Jackets lose under Chan Gailey?
And when people counter with the Great Dodd–and he was a great coach–let’s not forget that Tech had a lot of 7-3 seasons under Dodd. He was a great spin master, though, and by the time he was through weeping each year Tech fans and alum were happy for that 7-3 as long as they beat Gawga, which his teams did for eight straight years. Dawg fans don’t want to remember.
TV–ESPN–and radio talk shows have put so much emphasis on national championships that a conference title has been cheapened, too. Forget the TV wonks, a conference title is a BIG deal.
This year's best Tech highlights
January 6th, 2010
7:45 pm
#1 – Getting butts kicked by the Georgia Bulldogs 30-24!!!!!
#2 – getting butts kicked on the basketball court by the Georgia Bulldogs 73-66!!!!
#3 – getting butts kicked in the Orange Bowl by Iowa 24-12!!!!
$1.4 million Shreveport vs. our $14 million BCS Orange bowl
January 6th, 2010
7:47 pm
24-14!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
30-24!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
73-66!!!!! ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Georgia Tech and ACC being overrated! Priceless! ha ha ha ha
Eaasssyy
January 6th, 2010
7:48 pm
This blog has gone to he11. Well, it started that way.
Tech girl, while I don’t condone the Ga goons rubbing your recent misfortunes in your face, your fan base was well represented on Ga blogs for the better part of 09 rubbing your once in a decade three point victory in our face. THAT was pretty obnoxious. I guess payback is a motha…
Now to football, Tony, you write that Iowa had 40 days to prepare for this game as if it is an excuse for Tech. WTF is that all about? The boys from up north had the same amount of time didn’t they? Both teams knew exactly who they were going into the game and knew what they had to do to win. That’s what bowl season is all about. Nothing will change until a playoff is institute.
What it comes down to is exactly what I have been saying on these blogs since it was announced Tech was playing Iowa. IOWA WOULD, AND DID FOR THAT MATTER, OUT MAN YOUR WEAK FRONT LINE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BALL. This offense thrives on the fact that a weak to prepare after a tough game is really hard to do. Lets face it that’s how they pulled off the majority of their wins this year.
I predict Tech will struggle in every bowl game they play under PJ. With a month to prepare, all things are equal and the gimmick offense is neutralized. It comes down to who i smore physical after that.
We’ve seen who wins that matchup the last two years Techies.
In sum, don’t show your face on Ga blogs until you beat us again in November ‘10. Your only quality win this year was VT. Keep that in mind.
re: devildog
January 6th, 2010
7:53 pm
You bring up some ancient history. Bobby Dodd? Most of today’s fans never even heard of him! That was long before they were born. Heck, there once was a time when such countries as Macedonia, Egypt and Mongolia were world superpowers too! It’s called ANCIENT HISTORY! So Tech was great a long, long, long time ago! Tech hasn’t been anything in decades, Tech hasn’t won a major bowl since the 1950s!!!!!
Reality
January 6th, 2010
7:57 pm
So many haters on here from the ‘bulldog nation’. So many that only post negative stuff without any facts.
I think that most of these hate filled posts are by the same pitiful person that just changes handles. I would love for Barnhart to check his e-mail to see if it is the same for those different handles.
The bottom line is that ugag would change places with GA Tech in a heart-beat: conference champion, 10+ win season, BCS bowl. Any doggie that says otherwise is simply a liar. Tech will end up top 25 in football, and also likely in basketball.
Don’t be a hater…..
DawgNation
January 6th, 2010
8:11 pm
Reality you need to grasp some of that reality. It wasn’t a dream. Tech LOST 24-14. Oh yea in Nov I remember a loss 30-24 to one of the worst Georgia teams in recent memory. What does that say for your program? It is you my friend that has the Dog envy and want to trade places so remit and come to the light.
BamaDave
January 6th, 2010
8:13 pm
These UGA fans are funny… taking shots @ Georgia Tech in order to feel better about their own season. By the way- check the ’strength of schedules’ list, it may surprise you. How about finding a defensive coordinator before you worry about your rival.
BTW- Alabama and Florida would like to ask you to PLEASE quit riding the coattails of the REAL talented teams in the conference by yelling “SEC!” … you sound like a desperate cheerleader.
ROLL TIDE!
Huh
January 6th, 2010
8:19 pm
If UGA’s definition of “dominance” means beating up Ohio Valley schools and 2-10 Vanderbilt, losing to two teams that had to win a bowl game to get above .500, and kicking the crap out of a sub-500 Texas A&M, then you’ve got some low standards in Athens. The rest of the SEC is embarrassed that you’re proud of this.
Eaasssyy
January 6th, 2010
8:22 pm
Oh, Bamadave, don’t you worry about our D coordinator search. He’s making his big announcement right after you lose to Texas. Should be a great homecoming
Huh
January 6th, 2010
8:26 pm
It’s funny how UGA fans think a margin of victory less than a touchdown is dominance and “kicking butt.” The elite squads in the SEC defeat mediocre teams by more than two field goals. They win by 30 points. The only team UGA put up that kind of margin on was …. Tenn Tech. Gratz, Dawgs, way to prove yourselves. You’re here bragging about a 7 point victory margin in a regular basketball game? Ouch. Want to fire some zingers at us about how your dad can beat up ours?
Snellville Jacket
January 6th, 2010
8:34 pm
Thanks to CPJ and the Tech players for a great season. ACC Champs…11 wins…and a trip to the Orange Bowl. Yes, the season could ended on a better note, but it’s obvious that the program has come a long, long way!
“Well if I had a daughter, sir, I’d dress her in White and Gold
And put her on the campus to cheer the Brave and Bold.
But if I had a son, sir, I’ll tell you what he’d do –
He would yell, “To He!! with Georgia” like his daddy used to do!”
My oh my
January 6th, 2010
8:43 pm
To quote GeorgiaHawkeye: “It’s fun to see all the UGA and Tech fans mouth off here. Fact is, Iowa was just better all around, on both sides of the ball. Give us UGA too, I have no doubt the Hawkeyes would punch them in the mouth just the same…”
GeorgiaHawkeye, why in the heck are you in the state of Georgia? Did you get punched in the mouth by people up in Iowa? Stay classy like your fellow Hawkeye friends and show some respect, and they will show it to ya. Iowa played a great game, and the Hawkeyes deserved the win. They will contend with Ohio State in the Big 10 next year.
VOL Fan
January 6th, 2010
8:50 pm
You salty ass tech losers can leave my VOLS outta this. They took their L like men albeit to an ACC team but it is what it is. Sack up, you LOST. And you’ve got a helluva long ways to go before getting on our level, even at our worst. Now ramble on THAT.
BamaDave
January 6th, 2010
9:04 pm
granted the Vol program looks to be coming back… but REALLY? that arrogant so soon? georgia tech by all means DID have a better season than you.
Roll Tide
James
January 6th, 2010
9:33 pm
The rivalry is back – otherwise, all the ignorant dog fans wouldn’t be so obsessed about posting about Tech.
Elmer Fudd
January 6th, 2010
9:35 pm
Funny, while I will occasionally go to the UGA blogs to get a feel for the fan base and their attitudes about the team, I would NEVER consider posting the kind of crap that gets dumped in here. In fact, the only time I’ve posted on a UGA blog was to express sympathy for the passing of their mascot.
I realize that there’s crap shoveled on both sides, but both teams’ “fans” need to take the high road and cut the crap. I doubt the AJC will put up with being the distribution point for this kind of hate speech forever.
Top Dawg
January 6th, 2010
9:36 pm
bammerdave: Every Dawg (except tech, of course) has his day. Enjoy your moment in the sun. It may not last long.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:36 pm
Yes, Vols fan, we’ll “sack it up.” Whatever that means.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:40 pm
DawgNation, it’s not envy. Really, trust me. It’s not.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:42 pm
Reality, I wouldn’t bet on a top 25 ranking in basketball this year.
I’m just sayin…
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:43 pm
Oh dear, I just realized I’m the only one posting. Sports South is showing a replay of the Orange Bowl, so most of the UGA fans must have left.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:43 pm
This is spooky.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:44 pm
Crickets…..
browndog
January 6th, 2010
9:44 pm
Was pulling for GT last night. Would have made the UGA win better! Congrats on a great year and for being ACC champs! Football in Georgia will keep getting better because of GT and CPJ, but so will UGA football because of CMR. 2010 will be fun.
Ekim
January 6th, 2010
9:44 pm
FIRST!
The UGALY Truth
January 6th, 2010
9:50 pm
Highlights of UGAG Football 2009:
5) Losing to Kentucky and UGAG Fans flood the exits with a qtr to play and only down by 1 score.
4) Going 4-4 in SEC, mired in the middle of mediocrity.
3) Firing DC Willie Martinez after his best game of the year…Then CMR offering THE JOB NOBODY WANTS to 2 others, only to be DENIED…
2) A last-minute grab by the SHREVEPORT BOWL to avoid being selected by default for the WORST SEC BOWL, the Pizza Bowl…Wait a minute…Birmingham worse than SHREVEPORT? Don’t think so…
1) After UGAG Fans berate the Tech Fan Base year after year for not being able to fill up their stadium, UGAG only sells 7,000 tix for their SHREVEPORT BOWL…And many of those were to Aggie Fans who couldn’t find tix anywhere else.
Now the Top 2 Defenders on the team bolt to the NFL…
Some of you delusional Dawg Fans need a reality check of your own program. Of course that’s probably why you’re hanging around the Tech Boards. You like the smell of Conference Championships instead of non-relevant .500 conference play, huh?
Iceman
January 6th, 2010
9:51 pm
Paul Johnson’s “unstoppable offense”, as Fox called it, has scored a total of 10 points in 2 bowl games. Wow, someone hold back the raging, pumped Tech fans.
Oh, they don’t have any raging, pumped up fans…or any fans at all, for that matter.
UGA FANS
January 6th, 2010
9:55 pm
PLEASE GIVE US SOME ATTENTION. Can’t we just spend all day talking about who will be the next defensive coordinator at UGA or our new recruits ? Has anything more important happened in the past 24 hours ?