No. 14, and that’s not bad
Georgia Tech debuted, if that’s the right phrase, at No. 14 in CNNSI’s post-spring football poll, http://tinyurl.com/d77be7
Writer Andy Staples says defensive tackle T.J. Barnes was the star of the spring. I would argue that it was A-back Marcus Wright, but you can read more about that in Sunday’s paper.
Other notables in the poll: No. 1 Florida, Virginia Tech at No. 5 (which shocks me. I have some familiarity with the team from my days in Virginia. Always a good team, but never struck me as one that can put it all together). Alabama at No. 10, Georgia at No. 15 (Staples makes comparisons to the Shockley year), and FSU at No. 22.
My purely unscientific, haphazard, no guarantee, poll rankings for the ACC after the spring practices:
Atlantic (this division is a mess this year, in my opinion. Wouldn’t be surprised to see this finish totally backward from what is written here)
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. N.C. State
4. Boston College
5. Wake Forest
6. Maryland
Coastal
1. Georgia Tech
2. Virginia Tech
3. North Carolina
4. Miami
5. Virginia
6. Duke
Other tidbits:
35 athletes will graduate this year, according to a tweet from GT’s talented and always helpful Sports Information Department…four women’s tennis players will compete in the NCAA’s individual tournament, including defending champion Amanda McDowell (more on her season in next week’s paper)…the women’s basketball team is about embark on an 11-day trip to Tunisia and Paris (great city, but its subway system seems like it was drawn by a child with a box of crayons)…and a few football players are at rookie camps this weekend (hopefully more on that next week).
So, what are you post-spring football predictions for the ACC? Oh, and anyone watch Lost last night? Send me your theories about that, as well.
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108 comments Add your comment
William Casey
May 1st, 2009
7:52 am
SugarhillDawg: your obsession with “geeks” is indicative of your feelings of academic inferiority. Doesn’t it just p*ss you off when a guy can outplay you and outclassroom you? I’m old (59) but still go 6′-4′, 270 (20 lbs. of blubber) and think you would face a challenge. If not, my 6′-1′ 195 lb. 18 year old son who’s an all star in calculus will represent the “geeks” vs. you.
Reebok
May 1st, 2009
8:12 am
tech is getting some love in the pre-season chatter, but don’t forget how suspect our O-line is…LSU proved that a big strong defensive front can blow up our offense on the line of scrimmage. that being said, GO JACKETS!
Alabama Jack
May 1st, 2009
8:19 am
dawg fans suck
and that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
BadgerDawg
May 1st, 2009
8:51 am
14? I thought there were only 12 teams in the ACC.
Baba O'Riley
May 1st, 2009
8:59 am
There’s only 4 or 5 in the SEC
The Dude
May 1st, 2009
9:13 am
The same publication (CNNSI) ranked Tech around 80th to start last season, so let’s not be too concerned about that. The preseason rankings that matter for BCS consideration won’t come out until August.
Not Disappointed
May 1st, 2009
9:43 am
TJ Barnes will be a Beast this Fall! Things are looking good for the Defense! Ramblin Wreck!!!!!!!!
Little Joe
May 1st, 2009
10:03 am
Sure is hot outside. Temps have been in the 80s 5 out of the last 4 days.
Not Disappointed
May 1st, 2009
10:25 am
Well Drink lots of Liquid and you will be fine! Ramblin Wreck!!!!!!!!!!!
DA
May 1st, 2009
10:56 am
The road to the Coastal Division goes through Va. Tech. VT has played five ACC seasons so far, and outright won the ACC three times. 60% championship percentage trumps No. 14 preseason rating. In the words of Ric Flair – “to be the man, you gotta beat the man.”
NVAJacketsFan
May 1st, 2009
11:43 am
I have to completely agree with the shock of VT at #5. They still don’t have an offense worth mentioning.
Supersize that order, mutt
May 1st, 2009
12:13 pm
Damn, I guess I should be flattered. Somebody stole my name for a post. However, it was obviously a mutt who did it. I guess that shows how stupid they are though to post an anti-Tech sentiment under an anti-UGAG name.
wreckmaniac
May 1st, 2009
12:14 pm
Preseason rankings aren’t worth the bytes they are written on.
UGA proved that last year. Now that UGA is ranked somewhere near
reality they will probably end the season above this ranking. For
Tech, who knows. I want the ACC division champ and to beat UGA. The
end of year rank or the bowl means nothing. The BCS has turned the
bowl business into meaninglessness.
UGAIsSoLastYear
May 1st, 2009
12:23 pm
Lest we not forget 1990!!! As you all have. Preseason rankings, although seemingly useless, serve one purpose. Be as high up in the rankings as possible. It makes it much easier to move up the rankings with wins and, if you lose, you would still probably be in the Top 25. In 1990, it took Tech about 5 or 6 weeks, I think, to even crack the Top 25 on our way up to #2 prior to the bowls. Had we been in the Top 25 Preseason, we would have been a unanimous #1 going into the bowls and after.
Mathematician Reggie
May 1st, 2009
12:49 pm
Doug, did you get a chance to check out the G-Day game this year?
Doug Roberson
May 1st, 2009
1:05 pm
Reggie: No, I didn’t go to the G-Day game. Went to the T-Day game, though. Big hits throughout that game. Jaybo Shaw’s ears might still be ringing from the hit he took on the first play.
Couple of things I forgot to include in my first post: Softball and baseball have series this weekend.
The softball team, which leads the ACC, is taking on Maryland.
The baseball team, second in the Coastal, is hosting Presbyterian before next week’s big series in the ATL against Florida State, followed by a single game against Georgia at the house built for Ted. A few of GT’s baseball players have been nominated for prestigious awards.
Working on a piece for Sunday about 10 players who stepped up during spring practices in the ACC and SEC. Back to that, for now….
Ok, now that the American football fans are gone, this goes out to fans of the Euro footie: Liverpool will host Newcastle this weekend in EPL action. The Reds need a win in their Quixote-like quest to run down ManU at the top of the table. The Magpies need 3 points in their Quixote-like quest to avoid relegation. To give perspective on the possibility of Newcastle being dropped to second division, it would be similar to a college program such as Virginia dropping down to the CAA. Both are Proud programs, with some tradition, but neither has really scared anyone in years.
Bremen Bulldog
May 1st, 2009
1:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Yellow maggots
May 1st, 2009
1:55 pm
I hope they rank the humble bumbles as high as they can. Cause I know how hard you techmites fall when reality slips back in. You can’t win with the offense you run. Just ask LSU.
Bremen Bulldog
May 1st, 2009
1:59 pm
I never cease to be amazed at people like Ramble On. They can’t discuss their own school’s progress and prospects without bringing GEORGIA into the discussion. I think psychologists call it Obsession. Example: “Nah nah nah na nah…we’re ranked ahead of Georgia in some dumb assed poll. Ramble On, mark it down. Georgia is going to royally kick Tech’s ass this season. We’ve got better athletes, better coaches and God is on our side. And when it happens, CMR won’t be ordering some stupid rings for the squad. It will just mean that things are back the way they should and always will be. Georgia wins 7 out of every eight games against the North Avenue Ghetto fags. Take it to the bank, dude!
Bo Williams
May 1st, 2009
2:06 pm
Who u like best as QB, Joe Cox (from NC) or TJ Yates (from Ga)?
Seriously
May 1st, 2009
2:10 pm
God is on your side? BWHAHAHAHA! Yeah, god loves the felons on the mutt squad! Bremen- GT wins this year, and next, and CMR is on the hot seat. Thats a promise.
Bremen Bulldog
May 1st, 2009
2:17 pm
I love it, “Seriously”. I don’t think there is a better rivalry in the whole country. I’m following Tech closely this year. It will be an interesting 2nd season for Coach J. Must disagree about CMR though. I think he’s at Georgia for the long haul. He’s the kind of guy the college game needs.
Tech4Life
May 1st, 2009
2:29 pm
Anybody know where the ladies hang out here at GT? Any of you guys see my “never been kissed” ad on craigslist last year?? 45-42, 45-42, yeah yeah yeah. Watch out for the Robot!! We beat some team 222-0 almost a hundread years ago and we’re still bragging about it. As an alumni, i’ll be talking about our courageous win over UGA in 08 by a stomping of 45-42. Can i get a life??
MiltonDawg
May 1st, 2009
2:30 pm
Doug, are you going to have a seperate Europe Football section from now on or is this only special occasions?
stinger
May 1st, 2009
2:40 pm
I love me some tickle piles.
Obsess Much Dawg Fans?
May 1st, 2009
2:57 pm
Every TECH blog all you UGAy fans come over and read all the way through it and leave your lame ass little comments. I think you might be a little to pre-occupied with what our team and fans are up to. Might want to go follow your own team for a bit. We get it folks. You love the dawgs! Neato! We’re all real proud of your love for the dawgs…. So go over to your blog and express your love. You don’t need to obsess over TECH so much that you’re on our Blog day in and day out. It’s getting to be a bit sad really. How many TECH fans are on your blogs daily? For real? 2 or 3? I’m seeing about 20-25 different UGA screen names on the TECH blog today. That’s crazy right? Why are you reading so many TECH articles. I know nothing about your team and nor do I care to. I’m a huge falcons fan but I’m not on the Tampa Bay Bucs message board every day. Know why? Cause I’m NOT A FAN OF THAT TEAM! Get it? You seem like a smart group with your clever little “tickle pile” jokes and “you guys are a bunch of nerds and we’re not” (yet you’re on a TECH blog everyday…who’s the nerd again?) Go talk about your own team….your jokes are boring….the game you lost to tech was a half a year ago….TIME TO MOVE ALONG DOUCHEBAGS.
Hey Doug Roberson
May 1st, 2009
3:06 pm
Please take all of your boring comments about sissy style football to some UK message board. Not sure if you noticed but…not many people care about Soccer in the SOUTH! Sheesh….you think a journalism major would understand something that obvious. YOU ARE THE GEORGIA TECH BEAT WRITER. This is NOT LIVERPOOL. This is Atlanta Georgia. So please write about Tech. We don’t care about your fandom for a sport that couldn’t even be on ESPN4 in America. Thanks Cheif!
GOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!
Soccer is Gay
May 1st, 2009
3:14 pm
Tech and UGA fans can all agree on that….
MiltonDawg
May 1st, 2009
3:20 pm
Obsess Much: Unfortunately there are more than few Tech fans on the UGA blogs. I agree that it is pathetic and both sides should quit with the 5 yr old playground talk. Yes i’m a Dawg fan but I like to read about all sports in Atlanta. I’m born and raised here, so i’m gonna do my thing and read about what’s going on. I think your comments on UGA bloggers should also be applied to Tech bloggers.
Obsess Much Dawg Fans?
May 1st, 2009
3:25 pm
I’m never on the UGA blog so I wouldn’t know but if that is the case then my points are directed at both sides. I think ALL these people were picked on in school….
Doug Roberson
May 1st, 2009
3:28 pm
And….we’re back.
Ga. Tech will host Ga. Southern in football in 2015, Sept. 5 to be exact, according to both school’s sports information departments. Story going up soon.
“Hey” and “Soccer”…OK, I’ll quit with the soccer. It was just one part of one post, but if yall don’t want it, so be it.
KG
May 1st, 2009
4:47 pm
Sugarhill douche! You still haven’t come by and picked up my trash!
puppydawg
May 1st, 2009
6:20 pm
William Casey, does your garbage man know that you are raising his son?
AUGUSTAJACKET
May 1st, 2009
8:53 pm
Bremen bulldog G.T. is GOD TEAM Right down to the colors are White @ Gold like heaven, not Red as in hell like uga.
gtforever
May 1st, 2009
9:53 pm
Georgia Southern???? Good Grief, it looks as if were trying to really bump our strength of schedule… Come on DRAD put someone on the schedule that makes sense! Play a REAL D1 school, good grief I hate playing teams that we have NO business playing! Basically a NO WIN situation!!!
gtforever
May 1st, 2009
10:08 pm
And one other thing. Until our defense proves that it can stop anybody…… Yeah, that’s right anybody, we don’t belong in the top 15! Period!
macrotech
May 2nd, 2009
2:57 am
Bremen Bulldog, thank you for the ‘mark it down’ and ‘take it to the bank’!!! Without those little moments of vibrato, I’d have read your post like the dribble it equates to!!! Tech4Life, thank you for the heads up on your craig’s list opportunity….gonna HAVE to pass on THAT! ;0) puppydawg, what’s with the peoples’ court kind of questions?! SugarHill….PLEASE, go get KG’s garbage!!!! GO TECH!!!
Tony
May 2nd, 2009
9:37 am
I’ve been to Breman, Breman bulldog, and you are calling Atlanta a ghetto. There’s not a town in Ga more ghetto than Breman. They had to have there Representative threathen the GHSA so they might have a chance to beat the private schools in Debate. How did that work for you. Have you won any. Haven’t heard.
Supersize that order, mutt
May 2nd, 2009
10:39 am
Bremen, at least when Tech ends a streak, the entire team gets honored (I mean the rings). When the mutts finally broke Tech’s streak in 1957, they retired the jersey of the one player who scored the only TD in the game. I’m sure the sap (pun INTENDED) was thrilled, but what message does that send to the other members on the team. Didn’t the defense play too? Give me a break. What a silly waste of a number.
Brock
May 2nd, 2009
10:46 am
Breman. Your post was absolutely moronic. Let’s disect it so all your fellow fans can see what an idiot you are. We tech fans already know. First you say Ramble On is obsessed with GA, however, you are on a tech blog(hi kettle, it’s pot. BTW….you’re black). Second, what in the hell do you mean by the “God’s on your side” comment? Is this suppose to scare us? Ooh, an invisible man in the sky is helping Ga. win this year! Hahahahahahah..then…then…you speak of God and turn around and call us ghetto fags! Nice! Pretty much proves to me most Bible thumpers are hypocrites as always. Who uses the word fag anymore anyway? Is that suppose to scare us also. Ooh, he called us fags. If you have a son I hope he turns out to be homosexual. Then you won’t be so quick to write a word that could offend someone who may have a son, brother, cousin etc.. who is homosexual. Basically, think before you speak and read a f’n book sometime to educate yourself. So listen for once in your pathetic life. Your players will not help you, your coaches will not help you and your God will not help how pitiful your team will be this year. But, please, keep talking! It makes the win much sweeter.
Tony
May 2nd, 2009
11:28 am
Before you say something about my misusee of there, I knoww it should have been their. I changed my wording and didn’t change that spelling.
benthahun
May 2nd, 2009
12:40 pm
First off, good for you Tech for your success and beating us last year. You’re right, we ( and yes I can say we, I am a UGA alum )got physically beat last year. But, we will NOT get physically beat this year. I know some of you have to pay attention to football on a regular basis. And for the few of you who actually played football ( not on a computer, Playstation, or xbox ), you would understand the importance of owning the line of scrimmage. Which, ironically, is how you beat us last year. Your O-line and D-line dominated most of the game. Now, fast forward to this year’s game; our lines are MUCH better than what you have coming back/in. I’m sure Paul Johnson will scheme and have the team ready; but it won’t matter if you can’t control the line and you have no legitimate deep threat if we don’t have to commit our safeties closer to the line of scrimmage b/c we are shutting down your dive. Most of your offense runs of the dive, good d-lines and a disciplined D will keep you off the scoreboard just enough for our average qb to score just enough to win. Bank on it this year; you will have a 9-10 win season. But UGA gets the streak started again next year! and yes, before you say, I am employed and do not work for a Yech grad! Actually, Yech grads pay my salary occasionally!!!! Thanks for buying my alchohol guys!!!!
football fan
May 2nd, 2009
5:26 pm
Yes, gtforever, GSU. Whats the problem??? We are playing them for the same reason that UF plays Charleston Southern, The Citadel, and Florida Int’l. So please stop. And why so much grief for the D it was only there FIRST YEAR playing in that scheme that they were TOP 20-30 the whole season. Know facts before you get on here.
Anyway it is going to be nice to see UGA go 7-5 this season w/ Joe “I suck” Cox!!! And trying to get A.J. Green the ball when teams begin to roll a safety over the top him. So sad!!! THWG!!!
gtforever
May 3rd, 2009
9:05 am
football fan, I have NO idea what koolaid you have been drinking? Our defense SUCKED! Scheme, that’s just an excuse, the defense is either good or bad, they either have the horses to play or don’t, scheme may effect the offense, but the defense….Nah! We played one of the easiest schedules in D1 football and should have done better…. This year will be different as we only have two gimmes in JS and Duke. I am sick and tired of mediocre football! I don’t care what UF does or who they play, and by the way, they have won the national championship how many times…..
SugarHillDawg
May 3rd, 2009
10:54 am
Hey KG, Don’t call your wife trash, I’m too busy picking up the other Tech fans wives on this blog. Whew, I oughta get a medal for doing it too.And speaking of douche, I can smell over this computer that you need a good douching you BEEEyotch!!!!!See ya at the Beatdown in the Dump next November.
SugarHillDawg
May 3rd, 2009
10:59 am
Hey Obsess much dog fans, you are lying throught your several missing teeth! Go on the UGA blogs and recount how many of you Tech Geeks are STINKING up our blog. Why do you think we are over here? You IDIOTS just say such STUPID outlandish CRAP that we come over here and give you a reality check Dude!!!
Not Disappointed
May 3rd, 2009
11:58 am
VT won against Georgia Tech last year, but it was a close game. I don’t think they should be NO 5, but it’s SI’s opinion. This Year, North Carolina maybe a sleeper, Miami as well. It should be some strong teams in the acc this year. Ramblin Wreck!
GT
May 3rd, 2009
1:59 pm
So Va. Tech is favored over Alabama in game one? Ain’t going to happen, Alabama beats Va. Tech first game and like Clemson it wrecks the rest of the year. I say that but wonder what FB is seeing in those Utah films that tells him a few weaknesses that apparently Clemson didn’t know existed in their game. Va. Tech has no quarterback and my memory of the LSU blow out two years ago makes me think they are not number five. Va. Tech wouldn’t be on Saban’s schedule if he couldn’t beat them, he is too slick to schedule a Southern Cal like some of the SEC do every other year. Coaches like Saban make a living building up the opponents on a schedule they hand picked to look better than it is. Vince Dooley was a master at that as was Bobby Dodd.
Tokyo jacket
May 3rd, 2009
3:21 pm
GT: The difference between Clemson last year and VT this year against Alabama is simple: Frank Beamer. That dude just gets his team ready to play. If they do lose, and I think it’s a big if, then it won’t be the whooping Clemson got.
Also, I know the SEC fans are going to kill me on this one, Alabama played a down SEC schedule last year. (Pause to let the steam out SEC fans). I’m not saying the SEC was weak, but you guys were down. LSU didn’t play well at all until the chicken bowl. UGA gave up 120 points in three halves. Auburn played well enough to get their coach fired. And, Alabama didn’t have to play UF in the regular season. That’s not a terribly tough schedule. Against common opponents, GT was 2-1 and UA was 3-0.
Urban Meyer and Nick Saban are the only coaches in the SEC who can compare to Beamer; sorry, CMR just doesn’t prepare his talent well enough day in and day out on Saturday. VT vs UA should be a great game. I don’t know who I’m picking yet, but it won’t be a beat down.
Road Scholar
May 4th, 2009
8:34 am
Hey Doug, running a blog should include a new article/subject each day. While you are new to this blog, having the same blog for 4 days+_ is not adequate. I know you went to Georgia, so I have to ask….Won’t they let you off from your job at Mcdonalds to write a more current blog, or is that job just too demanding? What about a story on Baseball, Tennis, etc?