If the SEC asked, would/should Georgia Tech say yes?
Not long after the conference expansion issue really started to heat up, I found myself in a charity golf foursome with a couple of Georgia Tech guys. We were waiting to hit, so I just asked them point blank:
“If Georgia Tech got an invitation to leave the ACC and join the SEC, would you vote to go?”
Response No. 1: “In a New York minute.”
Response No. 2: “Can we go today?”
Now look, Georgia Tech has had a very good football home in the ACC since 1983. It is the defending ACC champions. And the situation got a lot better on Monday when the ACC landed a very good television deal with ABC/ESPN that will pay the league $155 million per year. In this economy, the ACC essentially doubled their money from the previous contract and that is quite an accomplishment. A number of people (this writer included) thought that the numbers might be lower so give the ACC kudos for getting that deal done.
Having said all that, there are two questions we will ponder today:
How/Why does Georgia Tech get on the SEC’s radar?
Why would/should Georgia Tech even consider leaving the ACC?
First, some history: Georgia Tech was a charter member of the Southeastern Conference in 1933 and remained in the league through the 1963 season, when the school withdrew and became a Southern Independent. We won’t debate the reasons why or the wisdom of Georgia Tech’s move. The fact is that Tech was a member of the SEC for 31 years.
People of a certain age will remember going to Grant Field and watching Georgia Tech, as a member of the SEC, play in some of the best rivalries in all of college football. The Georgia rivalry you know about, but did you know:
That Georgia Tech and Auburn have played 92 times? Tech first played Auburn in 1892 and from 1904 to 1987 the schools met every year but two (1905, 1943).
That even after it left the SEC, Georgia Tech also kept playing Tennessee? Between 1964 and 1987 Georgia Tech and Tennessee met every year but three (1974, 1975, 1978).
That there was no fiercer rivalry in the 1960s than the one between Alabama and Georgia Tech? Bear Bryant and Bobby Dodd were friends until the 1961 game, when Tech’s Chick Graning received a blow to the head from Alabama’s Darwin Holt. It broke Graning’s jaw and nose and put him in the hospital. The episode touched off a war of words between newspapers in the two states and drove a wedge between Bryant and Dodd. A year later Alabama came to Grant Field with an 8-0 record and ranked No. 1. Georgia Tech handed Alabama its only loss that season, 7-6. After the 1964 game the two teams did not play again until 1979. They played six straight years until 1984 and have not played since. They were scheduled for a two-game series in 2013 and 2014 but those games have now been postponed.
The point is that Georgia Tech has a lot of history with the current members of the SEC.
Here is how Georgia Tech could get an invitation from the SEC: If the Big Ten expands to 16 teams and exponentially increases its revenue (now at about $22 million per team), the SEC, which pays about $17 million per team, will have a decision to make. If the SEC decides that it must expand as well, some teams from the ACC could come into play if the SEC wants to strengthen its Southeastern footprint.
Whether or not the SEC would extend an invitation to Georgia Tech is a matter of some debate. The argument could be made that with the University of Georgia, the SEC already controls the state’s market place. But the same argument could be made about Clemson (because of South Carolina) and Florida State (because of Florida).
Why Georgia Tech would say yes:
1) More money. Georgia Tech needs it. Even with the ACC’s new contract, there will be about a $4 million gap in shared revenue per team. If the SEC expands, that gap could grow.
2) Easier scheduling. If Georgia becomes a conference game, then Tech has another non-conference game to play with. That would guarantee at least seven home games a season. That is also more money.
3) Better attendance: Bobby Dodd Stadium holds 55,000. With Paul Johnson in place, attendance is picking up as over 50,000 turned out for five of six games last season. The year before (2008) only one game drew over 50,000 (Florida State). But what if Georgia Tech were placed in an SEC division that included Clemson, Georgia, Florida, Florida State, Miami, South Carolina and Tennessee? How great would the demand for tickets be? How much more would people pay just for the right to buy them? More money.
Why Georgia Tech would say no:
1) The school has 27 years invested in the ACC. It has become a good fit for the Institute, both philosophically and academically.
2) Winning the ACC football championship is hard. Winning the SEC is harder. That’s just a fact. Writer Rick Bragg once said that every SEC game “is like a knife fight in a ditch.”
3) You can’t go back. As much as the old guard romanticizes about good old days the fact remains that it’s been 47 years since Tech left the SEC and the world has really changed.
So if you’re a Georgia Tech fan and you got a vote, would you vote to go back to the SEC if the invitation came? Or do you think the ACC is still the best place for the Yellow Jackets?
If you’re an SEC fan, would you like to see Georgia Tech come back?
The floor is yours.
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661 comments Add your comment
Yoda
May 18th, 2010
1:35 pm
“UGAY in the Papa Johns Bowl” …after reading reading your vile pompous crap I think you should seek professional treatment. I’m being very serious, I think you have some issues that are bordering on going out of control….you are a very sick individual….get some help before you hurt yourself or some else!
Taxi Driver
May 18th, 2010
1:35 pm
I saw Preston drinking at his trailer park in Shreveport
Facts for Clarity
May 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
Wanted to get this out there. Some seem to think GT is too “small” for the SEC. However, by enrollment Tech is not a fish out of water in the SEC. Yes, there are a couple mega-schools, but check out the following total enrollment stats. (source is Wikipedia’s home page for each school)
UF – 50k
UGA – 35k
Bama- 28k
S Car – 28k
Tenn – 27k
UK -27k
LSU- 25k
Aub – 23k
Arkansas – 19k
Ole Miss -17k
MSU- 18k
Vandy – 12k
That’s 8 schools larger by enrollment than GT and 4 smaller.
Also:
FSU- 35k
Clemson -19k
GT-20k
Miami -16k
Just puttin’ it out there. Have at it!
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
I’ve never suggested either game didn’t happen, dawgfan. I’m also not sure I’d call an offense that’s averaging 35 a game against my team candy azz.
Dismissed.
Hey Dogtards
May 18th, 2010
1:36 pm
@dawgfan
you didn’t “expose” anything. you just got lucky and pulled an upset. upsets do happen in sports. I’ll even give it to you that we pulled the upset in 2008.
as proof, uga lost to two teams (UK and UT) who lost to two teams (VT and Clemson) GT beat a combined three times.
uga just happened to play its best game of the season at the same time gt played one of its worst. I’ll give you credit for the upset, but as often happens in college football the better team did not win that day.
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:37 pm
Our defense was unquestionably terrible though.
Doug
May 18th, 2010
1:38 pm
POAD…do you really think that I would post my cousin’s name on here after I said that he’s dumb? He’s dumb, but weighs 300 lbs. Maybe you should post your real name for such an idiotic post.
POAD
May 18th, 2010
1:41 pm
I loved going to UT, USC, AU, and Bama games back in the day. I hate Bama and Tech are moving the 13-14 Home & Home. Didn’t make it to Miss State, but wanted to go to Ole Miss when they Changed/Backedout of their contract with Tech.
Preston
May 18th, 2010
1:42 pm
Taxi Driver, that was my evil twin that never went to school and trades food stamps for a ride in your cab. The family has disowned him for his behavior.
uga99
May 18th, 2010
1:42 pm
No “Hey Dogtards”, it was not an upset. You got manhandled and physical destroyed by a superior team. That’s not an upset.
POAD
May 18th, 2010
1:42 pm
Regan Christopher next? So you are scared of a TECH NERD? WOW, I thought all you DAWGS were the Bada$$ you claim to be. Guess I was wrong.
Preston
May 18th, 2010
1:44 pm
Taxi, he’s also a tech fan.
Goldenrod
May 18th, 2010
1:46 pm
I want D-Rad and company to stay right where we’re at, safe & snug in the ACC. We are more of a basketball conference than football, but nonetheless WE RUN THIS CONFERENCE!
Join the Southeastern Conference
May 18th, 2010
1:46 pm
Georgia Tech would enjoy the SEC Championship game right down the street.
GT already won the ACC,
MIGHT AS WELL WIN THE SEC ALSO
…………..Nesbitt for Heisman…………..
POAD
May 18th, 2010
1:47 pm
Preston his name is Travis Bickle & he is THE TAXI DRIVER! You Talkin’ to ME?
L S U
May 18th, 2010
1:49 pm
My sources in the GT athletic department told me that PJ stormed into the office when he heard rumor of Tech joining the ACC. A person close to the situation said that Johnson was irrate and was yelling, “Join the SEC, are you kidding? I thought I was hired to win conference titles! I couldn’t win 2 games in the SEC with these pathetic players.”
Just repeating what I heard.
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:50 pm
You heard wrong, L S U.
Don
May 18th, 2010
1:50 pm
From a Dog here, it would be great to have GT in the SEC. Talking about rivalries, this would ramp it up another notch.
Preston
May 18th, 2010
1:51 pm
Tech should join the Big East when the ACC is dissolved after the SEC plucks the REAL programs out of there. Miami, FSU, Clemson,and VT are worthy. Tech had there chance and they left because they didn’t want to share their money with the rest of the league. Sucks for them because the SEC makes more money than any other conference now. I hope the SEC doesn’t forget what happened in the past because tech doesn’t deserve another chance at membership. THWGT!
Rico
May 18th, 2010
1:51 pm
This is a “no brainer”! YES Tech should go to the SEC if given the opportunity, just ask Rutgers about the decision not to go to the Big East. Rutgers has lost millions!! Look, there would be a two year burn in period where the football team would need to build depth and dline size. However, the recruiting process would be somewhat easier. Any Tech fan that thinks staying in the ACC would not be better in the long term is nutty.
Tech would not loose a step in Basketball and Baseball. They would be instant champions! Just kidding all you Kentucky and UGA fans. Seriously, Tech would need a year or two to beef up for week in and week out SEC football success. But they would be immediately successful in all other sports. Not to mention all the financial improvements that moving to the SEC would bring Tech.
JUST DO IT!!!
GO JACKETS!
L S U
May 18th, 2010
1:51 pm
Don’t think so Dan. I have a very reliable source.
Ray Goof
May 18th, 2010
1:52 pm
Sure why not the SEC needs another Vanderbilt to beat up on…
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:52 pm
Then he heard wrong, L S U.
L S U
May 18th, 2010
1:53 pm
Dan, I’m sure just the thought of playing LSU on a consitant basis would be enough to keep ol’ “Turkey Neck” Johnson up at night.
Otto
May 18th, 2010
1:54 pm
GT Alum, UGA fans bought season tix for one game at arizona St. It was business decision, UGA has a school of business. The cost buying season tix minus selling off unwanted tix was worth sitting in better seats than the visitor’s section. Needles to say I don’t think UGA fans are looking to schedule Az. St every year.
Next off competitive with UGA? GT has been averaging 3 wins a decade for the past 4 decades.
Yes GT won the last 2 over Auburn but in the 70s and 80s it was all Auburn. 5-7 Miss St. under a 1st year head coach lost by 11 in a game they gave up 5 turn overs.
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:55 pm
Sure L S U. I’m sure Paul Johnson is terrified of Leslie.
POAD
May 18th, 2010
1:55 pm
Wait! If Miami joins the SEC how many Black Players from Ga. do you think UGA will sign then? Do I choose a Hick town in Ga. or do I go to the Ghetto on the Beach? The Cops in Miami don’t just have college kids to chase on South Beach.
L S U
May 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
Why wouldn’t he be? Do you have a short memory?
GT
May 18th, 2010
1:56 pm
The SEC will ultimately succumb to their own economic weight. You cannot support this kind of expenditure in an impoverished and under populated area. They have to expand to feed the thing and how Barnhart can straight face spin it any other way is amazing. If the ACC or the Big Ten or any major conference sits around for a while they will see the SEC diminish. Economic fact.
Baldy with the white cap
May 18th, 2010
1:57 pm
Paul Johnson won more games than LSU last year.
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:57 pm
Do you have a short penis?
uga99
May 18th, 2010
1:57 pm
POAD…or they could could choose the fair, lovely, family-friendly town of Atlanta. Right?
L S U
May 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
Yes PJ did win more games than LSU. And remind me, what conference was he coaching in?
dap01
May 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
SEC: Just say no. You don’t get anywhere by asking ugly girls to the dance.
GA Tech is an ACC school. Nuff said.
Dan
May 18th, 2010
1:59 pm
Only if you consider 2 in. to be short. Take that!
Dodging Stray Bullets on North Ave
May 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
Enter your comments here
Buzz
May 18th, 2010
2:00 pm
Dan – do you recall who the Mississsippi State head coach is? Do you know who his previous employer was? UF certainly didn’t play well in Starkville last year, but the fact that Mullen knew UF’s system and personnel inside and out might have had something to do with that.
L S U
May 18th, 2010
2:01 pm
Dap01 bring up a good point. Would Tech even be allowed to join the SEC with all of those ugly girls?
Sidetrack Silvera
May 18th, 2010
2:01 pm
How did GT fare in their last 2 bowl games? Please remind me?
Les earned a lot of fans with his call for the onside kick while kicking Tech’s arse in the Georgia Dome, 38-3. How ’bout that Triple Option? What a joke when good teams have time to prepare for it.
Can't we all just get along
May 18th, 2010
2:01 pm
lotta hatin going on today. Whatever happened to rational discourse without all the name calling? Not sayin be buddies. Just saying have some intelligent points without silly putdowns. Jes sayin…
Sidetrack Silvera
May 18th, 2010
2:02 pm
“I think the turning point was when we lined up and kicked off to start the game,” Georgia Tech Coach Paul Johnson said after the game.
Rambling wrecked: LSU crushes Georgia Tech – 38-3
underground railroad
May 18th, 2010
2:03 pm
Leslie needs to go back to Michigan
BamaU
May 18th, 2010
2:04 pm
“cant we all just get along” – you’re an idiot.
Roy Hartline
May 18th, 2010
2:06 pm
Tony,
Correct me if I’m wrong but the SEC is the only league in the country to have four in-state / out of conference rivals within the footprint of their current geographic region: GT, FSU, Clemson & Louisville. Wouldn’t these four schools be the logical entries into the SEC? What do you think?
POAD
May 18th, 2010
2:07 pm
Otto Auburn 42 Tech 41 3 ties. That is on par with the Auburn/UGA record. Auburn 49 UGA 50 6 ties.
L S U
May 18th, 2010
2:07 pm
After the LSU game, PJ was also heard saying, “Man, now that was an a$$ whippin’. I’m sure glad we are not in the SEC.”
Dan
May 18th, 2010
2:09 pm
You heard wrong again, L S U.
Facts for Clarity
May 18th, 2010
2:09 pm
“Can’t We”…I tried…no one was game. It’s all just blasting off and jockeying for position.
uga99
May 18th, 2010
2:09 pm
POAD: Remind us all of the UGA/Tech record since you’re throwing them out.
Imitation crab meat
May 18th, 2010
2:10 pm
Let’s see, GT was ranked 13 last year and LSU was ranked 17 and lost their bowl game.
Get real !
11-3 beats 9-4 anyday.