The calm before the buzz

Alright, you ramblin wrecks.

Four days until the players report on Sunday, and practice begins on Monday.

This will be the last blog until after practice on Monday. Going to try and spend some time with the wife and kids before the 10-month college sports season begins and I become scarce around the old household.

So, I’m apologizing now (now that it’ll matter to some), but this blog will be short.

First, no updates on Kyle Jackson yet. He did go to the doctor in Charlotte, but I haven’t been able to find out anything.

Other than that, the team is healthy heading into camp.

There was a lot of talk at the ACC football kickoff earlier this week about the lack of respect the ACC gets nationally. The prevailing reason seems to be because the ACC hasn’t had a team play for the national championship since 2000. And the league’s record in BCS games since then isn’t to be envied.

Throw in that FSU and Miami just aren’t the teams they once were, and there’s no reason to believe that they are going to ascend anytime soon to that once-certain place, it’s a recipe for yawns.

Virginia Tech has assumed the ACC throne, but they are not a team that will challenge for a national championship in the near future. The Hokies recruit well, but they just don’t bring in the consistent caliber of recruits that will help them breakthrough the phalanx of the usual suspects who sit atop college football right now. That’s not a criticism of Virginia Tech. What Frank Beamer and Bud Foster have done should be a model for any college football team looking to build itself into a quality program. And I’m not saying that off the top of my head. Before I moved back to Atlanta I was the sports editor of a paper in Virginia that covered the Hokies.

So, what’s the point of this little speech?

The point is this could be Georgia Tech’s time, and I don’t see why it can’t happen now.

The state has more than enough talent to supply two I-A programs, not to mention the poaching that goes on from other schools in the SEC and ACC, as well as the myriad quality I-AA programs in the state and south.

Georgia Tech has a coach and system that is not a gimmick. It has worked everywhere he’s been, and is based on the fundamentals of football: running the ball, and stopping the run. If you can run, they can’t score. And vice versa.

Plus, Atlanta is one of the largest metro markets in the country. Tech starts winning, it’ll start getting attention nationally. And attention, as we all know, is what puts teams high in the preseason polls and gives them a shot at starting off well in the BCS rankings. It’s not always fair, but that’s the way it is.

Of course, Tech does have the academic requirements that can put it at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting. But, because Johnson doesn’t always recruit the same type of players that other coaches recruit, that hurdle isn’t as big as it may sometimes seem to be. And, to be honest, it’s an extremely large pool of players to recruit from, and you can only sign 20-30 at a time (40 if you are Alabama or UNC).

So, anyway I guess what I’m trying to say is I’ve got a feeling this could be a very interesting year on the Flats, and I look forward to telling the stories. 

So, why do you think the ACC hasn’t gotten the respect of the SEC or Big 12 the past few years? Should the ACC be considered the equal of the Big 10? Better than the Big East? Is this Georgia Tech’s time? Let me hear from you.

Please follow me on twitter at ajcgatech.

153 comments Add your comment

ugablows

July 31st, 2009
5:00 pm

i don’t know his exact scores, i DO know that tech hasn’t allowed an exception since the o’leary days, and only two then iirc….obviously ugay offers a FEW of the same kids as tech, notre dame, wake, etc. but to say that every kid that you offer would also be admitted into tech is wrong.

our academic standards ARE in line with those that i listed, that’s not a weakness, it’s a point of pride…YOURS are in line with clemson, fsu, auburn, bama and every other football factory. not that i am making an excuse for our performance because of academics, hell we beat you last year so who needs one….dawg

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
5:16 pm

You’ll understand if I simply don’t take your word for it. Haven’t had the best experiences with Tech fans telling the truth.

All your student athletes are held to the same admission standards? Haven’t made an exception since O’Liary’? Man, there is no point debating you or any of you turkeys any longer. You are simply not going to man up and tell the truth.

Have a great, delusional weekend.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
5:17 pm

If you don’t know his test scores, why did you tell me to look it up? Is there some sort of database I can access. Please advise mr. blows.

BS Patrol

July 31st, 2009
5:21 pm

ugablows,
Don’t try to argue with Charlotte dog. He is an idiot. He has already made our case by not being able to spell or write grammatically. I mean, he has already misspelled “calculas” twice already as if he even knew what it meant.

ugablows

July 31st, 2009
5:29 pm

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
6:28 pm

BS Patrol, you techies misspell words all the time. I counted some comma splices in some of your posts. A good attempt to discredit my argument but other people are going to see right through that.

“840″. So Tech students are getting in with 840’s on their SAT? I can’t believe you even posted that as you totally just proved my point! No way a regular student gets in to Tech with that test score.

Can we consider this matter closed then?

But at least you were honest and didn’t get in a grammar pi$$ing match with me.

BS Boy, care to take ugablow’s lead and stick to the facts? Please try to prove me wrong with some tactic other than hinging on my grammar. I type fast. Misspelled words happen. Pompous a$$! You are convinced that your $hit doesn’t stink. Perhaps one day you’ll come down to earth.

ugablows

July 31st, 2009
6:37 pm

i thought we were comparing student atheletes minimum requirments… gt vs. ugay? what the hell does regular students scores have to do with any of this in this argument? nice diversion tactic j@ckass

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
6:44 pm

Ugablows, pretty sure you eluded to the fact that Tech has made no special admissions to student athletes. I think you just proved my point. No regular student gets into GT with an 840 SAT score.

So I have officially uncovered the fact that Tech does not have higher academic standards for their athletes than other schools. Boy Wonder and his 840 SAT score just proved that.

Some arguments from UGABlows that are now null and void:

” i don’t know his exact scores, i DO know that tech hasn’t allowed an exception since the o’leary days, and only two then iirc….”

He also said something along the lines of “Reggie wouldn’t have been at Tech if his grades and scores were bad.”

So please tell me, who is the jacka$$?

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
6:49 pm

“ugablows

July 31st, 2009
2:08 pm
look it up jerkoff, Reggie had decent test scores and academics or he wouldn’t ever have been here”

thanks for playing though.

I luv flukes

July 31st, 2009
7:08 pm

Charlotte dog, are you reaching out for sympathy for your loss last year or just simply acting like Huh? and trying to be an azz?

I also tire quickly about “smarts”…I like to talk about whipping you…again…in football.
All you guys calling players dumb type things seems foolish.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
7:19 pm

Nope, I’m reaching out for a tech fan to admit that Tech does not hold their athletes to this mythical, higher standard. Since they are not held to a higher standard, they are not at a recruiting disadvantage when it comes to academics.

That is what started this whole thing and led to my multiple posts.

I just want some honesty here b/c what the author of this article said is complete BS without the Patrol.

I’m not looking for any sympathy for last year. Tech won and Georgia was not going to beat them forever. Better it happen in a year where our goals were already out of sight. The loss to Tech summed up the entire year for the Bulldogs: No heart, poor leadership, poor coaching.

Looking forward to this year’s game with Tech. Unlike other blowhard UGA fans, I’m not convinced at all that we will win. But I think we can win. As long as Tech has PJ and UGA has Willie, Tech will always have a chance.

I think Tech is a great school and have respect for an actual student that went there and received a degree in one of the harder curriculums.

I just don’t like lies or BS and was trying to set the record straight. But as usual, nobody fessed up with honesty……..and I’m done.

Furthermore, I realize it is not cool or classy to ridicule a student athlete(or former student athlete) like Reggie Ball. Unfortunately, I found it necessary to “cite” him as an example to set the record straight.

There are many tech fans on and off this blog that will not refute what I have posted. Guess they are bigger men than others.

ugablows

July 31st, 2009
7:26 pm

our atheletes have to qualify at a higher standard than yours do, that’s a fact sir. and i thought that was what we were talking about here. the gap between actual students and football players is huge everywhere, except maybe navy and army

example reggie ball vs. wasshon easly

dismissed.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
7:39 pm

Prove it. All day, nobody has been able to refute my posts.

TECH HAS JUST AS MANY RETARD ATHLETES AS GEORGIA DOES! THAT IS THE POINT I AM MAKING!

NO, YOUR ATHLETES DO NOT “have to qualify at a higher standard than yours do”.

HOW HAVE I NOT PROVED THIS TO YOU? Hell you helped prove my point and thanks btw. I’m very aware of Ealey’s lack of academic prowess and you are now aware that Reggie Ball was a special admittance which you and other full of crap Tech fans will never admit.

Once again, prove it!

I luv flukes

July 31st, 2009
7:59 pm

GT Sports: Academic consistency – where is it? dated Thursday, 11 Sep 08

Like the report stated, “if you can tote the rock (at UGa), you are a lock”.

DAWGHATER

July 31st, 2009
9:56 pm

Hey Huh! UGAy will beat GT by 50 and Joe Phallic will throw 5 TD’s? NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. However, I think he can give 5 uga players BJ’s and swallow 50 times for your redneck team. LMFAO!

DAWGHATER

July 31st, 2009
9:58 pm

Hey Charlotte Dawg: get a clue, your team is overated and suxs azz! Go back to your doublewide trailer and eat your chitlins you neck!

VTHokie2012

July 31st, 2009
10:10 pm

Wow, why all the talk of academics instead of football? Look, we all know that some kids get in that shouldn’t normally, but there is nothing anyone can do about it so it’s not even worth getting that heated about it. Reggie Ball is gone anyways, just let it go.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

July 31st, 2009
10:54 pm

still haven’t proven anything. Just a lot of insults with no substance.

DAWGHATER, brilliant post. And so relevant!

superDawg

July 31st, 2009
11:49 pm

Well that was interesting charlotte.tech will hide any truth if they think it will help their program,it has been done before and will be done again.Check the cross over classes with Ga.State.

It Matters

July 31st, 2009
11:59 pm

Enter your comments here

BS Patrol

August 1st, 2009
2:09 am

I think that the reason doggies have such an inferiority complex to Tech is because they know they will never have the national respect & recognition that Tech has. (except in women”s gym & in the Wal-Mart clothing dept)

god and greyhound

August 1st, 2009
7:00 am

Why is the gt fan blog no longer updated? the uog one is updated FOUR (4) times a day!!

I luv flukes

August 1st, 2009
7:54 am

superDawg

August 1st, 2009
9:11 am

bs national recognition.UGA IS KNOWN WORLD WIDE FOR BEATING THE HELL OUT OF gt.By the way did your blow up doll wendy deflate at 2:09 this morning.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

August 1st, 2009
11:02 am

Still no substance from you BS. ‘Patrol yo’self son.’

Inferiority complex? Pot, this is kettle, your black! That was rich man!

Luv Flukes, thanks for the article but you’ll forgive me if I test the validity of a publication straight from Tech homerville.

Since that article analyzes 2004/2005 stats, lets look at 2003 for a control. Rivals used to list test scores and gpa’s if they thought it would paint a pretty picture of a student athlete. Since Tech is very hard to get into for a normal student, let’s see the credentials for the cats that were in Reggie Ball’s freshman class(just for a control since the article you posted analyzes different years).

I counted 21 recruits on that list.

Anoai-no mention….hmmmmm
Reggie Ball-I think I’ve proved my point on that one.
Patrick Carter-way below par compared to regular students
chris dunlap-no mention
Brian Fleuridor-good gpa, no mention of test scores(probably b/c they were not impressive for a student athlete.)
JOe Gaston-no mention
Rashaun Grant-3.0 gpa, 970 SAT-not close to being good enough for regular GT students.
KaMichael Hall-no mention, 3.0 gpa from a texas pubic high school doesn’t get a regular non-gifted atheletic student into Tech.
Nick Moore-no mention; again, if there was something to gloat about, it would be listed!
Lashawn Newberry-name of a future NASA employee for sure. no scores or gpa’s mentioned.
Adamm Oliver-no mention
Eddy Parker-his profile boasts a 3.24 GPA and an 840 SAT. Not really that great and certainly not good enough for a non-athlete to get in.
Let’s skip a few but not the ones that have academic credentials listed.
Matt Rhodes- 3.9, 1210 SAT-very good scores for a student athlete, i’ll give you that one. But I’ve known regular students that aspired to go to tech that did not get in with similar credentials.
Kenny Scott-again, terrible credentials and yet another exception which your article says there is only 9% of(or around that every year as the article would want you to believe)
Kevin Tuminello-good GPA but 19 ACT score is not Tech material. We all know Tech students have to have both (unless they are a football player)
Phillip Wheeler-950 SAT score so another exception(I think we are past 9%)
The rest of the 2003 recruits did not present data for my argument which leads me to believe the credentials did not paint a pretty picture.

I can absolutely prove 9 of those 21 recruits could not have received admission into tech if they were not football players. I have the stats from rivals.com. I don’t need a calculator to tell you 9 out of 21 is over the 9% that the article is boasting. And I’m convinced the other scores were not mentioned b/c they were most likely embarrassing.

And don’t bother posting back how dumb the UGA football players are. That is not what this is about. Again, Georgia has just as many knuckleheads on their team as Tech does and most definitely, vice versa!

Tech holding their athletes to a higher academic standard when it comes to admittance is a myth! It is a myth folks! We are not buying it and you shouldn’t be selling it.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a weekend to enjoy. Carry on with the deception and the lies. Don’t forget to look into the Quincy scenario either, ok.

I luv flukes

August 1st, 2009
1:24 pm

http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2008/12/ajc_investigati.php

The AJC report indicates about half of UG football guys were special admits…

This is the last comment about your favorite (evidently) subject. Lets talk about Cox…since you now live in his hometown. If he stumbles, can a freshman be far behind and will dog fans once again fall back upon a rebuilding year slogan?

DAWGHATER

August 1st, 2009
2:09 pm

Dawgs suc azz! However, I do think you will win the NC in basketball this year as your mens team is loaded. LMFAO! Oh no, it’s Lawal and Favors dunking over our losers. Tech 103 Ugag 65. You all suck azz!

DAWGHATER

August 1st, 2009
2:15 pm

Hey SuperDawg: Go get a bj from your awesome QB Joe Phallic. I hear he gives great head and swallows as well. You all suck azz! THWG!

DAWGHATER

August 1st, 2009
2:17 pm

45-42 enough said and the streak of 8 in a row still stands. Oh by the way, UF dominates you. Go Gators and Go Jackets. THWG! Ramble on!

DAWGHATER

August 1st, 2009
2:20 pm

Hey Charlotte Dawg: What did you score on your SAT 360, or were you given a 1400 by the college to get your blowhard azz in the school? What a joke. GT is much better in academics than UGAG. Look it up on a national basis. get a life. THWG!

Toh3llwithgerogia

August 1st, 2009
4:48 pm

Hey to any Georgia fans talking trash 45-42, we beat you, your next years predictions mean nothing, we are the better team now, get over it. You suck. Oh and Tech fans talk as much trash as you want we have the right for a year (then some more after we win again) don’t listen to what these mutts say, mostly because their brains are not fully functional.

Oh and not every UGA fan is a high school drop out but every high school drop out from Georgia is a UGA fan. THWG!!!

BS Patrol

August 1st, 2009
5:38 pm

superDawg is worried now about what time I go to bed! You guys are obsessed with Tech to the point of perversion!

CHARLOTTE DAWG

August 1st, 2009
6:18 pm

So you are going to present an article written by Mike Knobler, a Tech Homer? Man, that’s slimy.

A simple search of his name on google reveals:

“Mike Knobler, AJC sports writer, is registered as “n315I” on the Hive, a GT sports message board.”

And what does Mr. Mike do? He jumps right in to praising Hewitt and the Jackets. Well surprise, surprise.

And you Jackets keep nicely posting links that further my argument. From that article, it was said that “Schools with the highest admissions standards, such as Georgia Tech; the University of Virginia; the University of California, Berkeley; UCLA; and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, had the biggest gaps between the SAT averages for athletes and the overall student body.” So wait, doesn’t that kind of prove my point that you guys let the idiots into your institution in order to compete? Mind you, I never debated Tech was a bad school and not hard to get accepted(for regular people). I’m debating that you guys have just as many knuckleheads that really shouldn’t be walking the halls just like Georgia. And I’ve proven that.

The worst part of the study is that they don’t compare schools using statistics from similar years. Nice reporting.

YOu are going to debate me with this garbage? Proves nothing to me. Still can’t refute my points by I know this infuriates you Techies so much there is no way you are going to let me have the last word, so have at girls!

buggy style

August 1st, 2009
7:03 pm

My fellow nerds… the plan is still to meet tonite after the pokemon tournament… I’ll will bring the cookie to put in the middle.

BS Patrol

August 1st, 2009
7:38 pm

Charlotte Hush Hush.
You haven’t proved squat except for maybe “3 points & a cloud of dust”. Everything you have “eluded” to is total BS. Mental midgets like you should not be allowed on blogs. My Lord did you graduate HS?
FACT: Tech’s admission standards for athletes is lower than the general student population but higher than ga’s.
Now before you start with that lunacy give that thought a minute to sink in.
FACT: Tech is at a disadvantage but not an overwhelming one.
FACT: You are out of your league on the Tech blog.

Tokyo jacket

August 1st, 2009
10:13 pm

You don’t get respect, you take it. The ACC hasn’t taken it yet…very simple. We started to last year with Miss St, USC, UGA. But, we lost ground in Bowl Season, when the whole world is watching. Look for the ACC to take another step forward this year, probably to become the number 2 conference.

For that to happen, GT has to beat UGA (and Miss St + Vandy), FSU has to be competitive against UF, and the big one….VT must beat Alabama. I predict all this will happen, except UF vs FSU. Alabama’s youth will play into VT’s attacking yet disciplined defense. If VT plays Alabama at the end of the year, they get swamped. But, they will win at the start of the year. GT’s letdown, if at all, will be in conference. It’s quite conceivable that this year’s ACC has two BCS attendees w/ GT and VT (possibly FSU)…schedules are supportive.

Also, the ACC must win it’s BCS bowl and go .600+ in it’s 9/10 bowls.

You’ve got to realize that the ACC isn’t starting from ground zero here. We had a winning record against the SEC last year, the best OOC record of any conference, and 10 teams play in bowl games. If we can keep the parity but get GT and VT one or two more wins during the regular season, we’ll be at the top of the heap.

MALONE

August 1st, 2009
11:41 pm

UGA didn’t beat anybody good last year. All the good teams they played spanked them.

And yes, I include Tech in that bunch. A pre-season ranked #1 team doesn’t get outscored 26-0 in one quarter at home if it’s worth a ruddy rat’s behind.

GMan

August 2nd, 2009
12:59 am

51-7 HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

CHARLOTTE DAWG

August 2nd, 2009
3:35 am

keep trying! This is just so funny!

CHARLOTTE DAWG

August 2nd, 2009
3:38 am

The following is from a GT Dean’s List student:

“GT is much better in academics than UGAG. Look it up on a national basis. get a life. THWG!”

much better…..impressive.

jacket3

August 2nd, 2009
8:02 am

Coaches like CPJ come along once in a generation. Right now he not a legend on the big football stage but he is ascending to the top much faster than those folks in the ACC and in Mutt land would like to believe. He was unknown at Georgia Southern and through discipline and hard work garnered 6 trophies, then on to a great military school where football was an afterthought except when Army and Air Force played the Navy; With extremely limited football talent CPJ made them better every year, consistently.

Last year he came to the Flats, expectations were mixed in some circles, but anyone was better than Gailey’s mediocre effort. We were rewarded for our patients with an extremely talented “legend that will become”.

The flats are adorned with names of famous field generals of legendary status in college football. Coach Johnson’s name will be there one day along with Heisman and Dodd. Georgia Tech is in for a remarkable football journey. One day the national championship will come – Tech has already shown the Mutts, The Noles, the Canes an early example in just his first season.

Look out folks the Jackets are really well coached with a boatload of talent…maybe even a top 10 finish this year………

BS Patrol

August 2nd, 2009
6:28 pm

Charlotte doggie just can’t quite keep up. A shining example of “No Child Left Behind”. I’ll say this for him; he will not be deterred in the face of truth.

I luv flukes

August 2nd, 2009
7:01 pm

no one is as blind as the one that will not see…

macrotech

August 2nd, 2009
7:03 pm

superDawg, uga is known worldwide?! Seriously?! Montana’s own kid didn’t know anything about uga until he got a letter of interest….he grew up in california…the pups don’t register on the radar of california much less worldwide. It’s been a while since 1980…. you’re not known worldwide.

jeff grady

August 2nd, 2009
10:04 pm

If I’m not mistaken, GaTech has scored only 4 touchdowns against UNC in the past three seasons. Southern Pigskin Review touts UNC as having the top defense in the country for 2009. Why do people think Tech is going to handle UNC and their third-year record-breaking starting QB (from Ga.) in 09?

BS Patrol

August 2nd, 2009
10:21 pm

Doggies are barely recognized outside the State of Ga. except in womens gym & equestrian.

42-45 a fluke!

August 2nd, 2009
10:42 pm

2 Saint Simons

Why does Uga have new blogs everday but Tech has a new blog 2 times a week

Because Georgia is the flagship university,we have legions of fans,we lead the series 59-37-5,we have the bigger stadium,and if Tech went 14-0 and Georgia went 0-12 it would still be better to be
a Georgia Bulldog.And if you wanna be an engineer go to MIT.

macrotech

August 3rd, 2009
2:59 am

jeff grady, as a Tech fan…I am VERY leery of the defense of UNC. It’s been a long time since I’ve looked passed them on our schedule. I believe that this year, UNC could be the team that jumps up and bites us.

“42-45 a fluke!”, OR it could be that uga has a Bill King!

BS PATROL, don’t get too freaked out by superChumps assertions regarding your bed time…I’ve had him do the same thing to me and he is, merely, a frustrated mutt fan that brings NO substance to the table.

Anyone seen the Grinch, lately?

DamnGoodDog

August 3rd, 2009
9:35 am

Hi, Techies. First timer on your 2/week blog. Your guys seem to love to hang out on the Georgia Blog so I thought I’d return the visit. I, along with lots of other onlookers am interested in how PJ’s offense will fair over time in the ACC. I know that if Nesbitt can generate some passing yardage, it will make the offense really click on all cylinders. Good luck in the ACC this year. Kick butt! See ya November 28 for the next installment of Good Ole Fashioned Hate.

PS. “Of course, Tech does have the academic requirements that can put it at a competitive disadvantage in recruiting.” Shades of Reggie Ball! Give me a break. I’ve seen those “Marketing” majors on TV. Not many engineering students on the football squad.

CHARLOTTE DAWG

August 3rd, 2009
9:40 am

Just wanted to check in and see if anyone attempted to refute my posts.

Still nothing.

Thanks,