The remaining games
First, I think Georgia Tech is still on that never-ending drive that started against Virginia on Saturday. Last I heard they were at the Eastern Shore. A little tired, but still moving the ball.
I wrote yesterday, and have thought (as I’m sure y’all have, as well) that Tech is pretty close to being guaranteed a spot in the ACC championship game now that Miami lost again.
Switching to my Al Groh manner of speaking: to quote someone who works at a multi-faceted, multi-platformed sports and entertainment network, that circumstance may not be necessarily true.
Yes, the Jackets need to beat Wake Forest and Duke, which wouldn’t seem to be that difficult a thing to do considering past history and recent results.
But, the Deacons and the Devils have something in common that has given the Jackets some issues this season.
You know what I’m talking about.
Good quarterbacks.
Duke’s Thaddeus Lewis and Wake’s Riley Skinner are arguably two of the top four passing QBs in the ACC, behind Ponder and Harris. (Kyle Parker must be thrown in there too, at least on plays where he gets to throw right down the middle of the field as he got to do in the win against the ‘Canes.)
And, as Tech’s players and fans know: Harris, Ponder and Parker gave Tech’s defense fits to the tune of 890 yards passing.
Lewis has already passed for 1,972 yards this season. It’s like Spurrier’s back in Durham.
Skinner has 1,949.
So, while Tech’s offense has been doing its thing, keep in mind that there are still two really good quarterbacks left to deal with.
——————–
Tech is at No. 11 in the BCS poll, but be prepared to watch them slide in the next few weeks. The ACC’s back-end schedule isn’t the best, and even though the Jackets may keep winning, the computers will penalize them for the strength of the competition. Cincinnati and Boise State saw it happen this week.
——————–
You may not have been in your chair yet, but Tyler Melton caught a pass on Tech’s first snap. It was his first catch this season. Johnson said he wanted to get him the ball because he’s been blocking a lot. I guess it was a reward, so to speak.
——————–
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132 comments Add your comment
Burdell
October 26th, 2009
1:05 pm
Will Muschamp will head back to Darlington High School to coach his alma mater before he returns to UGA!!
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
1:08 pm
Burdell-
Funny, but I didn’t see an out in his contract for Darlington High School but did see one-the only one- for UGA.
amber
October 26th, 2009
1:13 pm
UGAX…dawg nation will be starting the chant “Fire Richt” how soon after the Tech game?
Cause they aren’t going to the Dome in December… And I like Georgia…a lot…but this is not the year so “why can’t we all just get along” and at least root for an in-state team for the BCS Game? Go Jackets! Go Longhorns…just ANYBODY beat Florida please! Bama proved they are NOT invincible more than just last Saturday…
Burdell
October 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
Glad you enjoyed that…my wife is a Darlington alum and Will is an old friend. He is exactly what UGA needs right now…enthusiasm and intellect.
Statue for CPJ
October 26th, 2009
1:18 pm
We will not lose to Wake or Duke. Tech will feast on these guys.
The SEC games are secondary to the remaining ACC games. Wake and Duke are more important than UGA Yes, I said it. I hope we win them all, but please don’t drop an ACC game.
Statue for CPJ
October 26th, 2009
1:23 pm
Burdell, I’m a Darlington Alum too. I Wikipedia’d Will one day to see if was the one from Darlington. Glad to see him doing so well.
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
1:26 pm
Good call Amber-
I’m pulling for Tech to win out (albeit one game) and would like to see Tech win the ACC championship. It’s hard not to like what Tech is doing this year and love the passion and fire that Paul Johnson coaches with. Could use some in Athens right about now. Muschamp will never leave Texas; he’s sitting on a gold mine and is their next head coach in waiting but would love to have him or Kirby Smart (and even GT coach Brian Bohannon) back in Athens one day. All three coach with fire and know how to motivate.
Burdell-
Met Will (through a mutual friend) few years ago; great guy and great coach. Just wishful thinking on my part……
Tech82
October 26th, 2009
1:46 pm
We absolutely need to keep focussing on one game at a time. CPJ has done a fantastic job of not allowing this team to look forward.
Having said that, the game that scares me is Wake. They have played Navy three times in the past 18 games (fortunately, they lost two of the three). They will be more familiar with our offense than any team we have played.
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
2:39 pm
Tech82-
No need to worry about Wake, Duke, or UGA (kills me to say that). Hoping that somehow the football gods are aligned and they play BC instead of Clemson (who is scary fast; see CJ Spiller hightlight reel from this weekend) or FSU (revenge? Win one for Bobby?). Run the table, play a nice BCS game in sunny Florida, and hope that Dwyer doesn’t turn pro!
superDawg
October 26th, 2009
2:47 pm
macro I predict clemson will be the acc champion.How do like that it should make you feel good since my predictions are so bad.UGA is going to show how to feel bad!and frankly I hope tek wins out until nov.28.
Tech82
October 26th, 2009
2:54 pm
UGAX – Please don’t mention Dwyer turning pro. I’ve had fingers, toes and other body parts crossed hoping that doesn’t happen. IF we don’t lose any defections to the NFL, we only lose four players from our two-deep depth chart to graduation. We could easily open the season in the top five next season.
But first, we’ve got to beat Vandy.
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Tech82-
If you bring back the same squad next year, you’re definitely top 5, maybe top 3. Only potential road bump is at Va Tech and maybe at Clemson (who should lose everyone after this year). No one knows how bad or good the Bulldogs will be next year with a new quarterback and offensive, defensive line replacements. Not expecting a whole lot out of Athens. Ole Miss at home is an interesting matchup but one that Tech should win. Of course, there’s always Miami (home) and FSU, which should be Bobby’s farewell tour, so that’s kind of scary. If they run through that schedule unscathed, they’ll get my vote (if I had one).
coach smith
October 26th, 2009
3:20 pm
Burdell
I thought Tech would lose to Miami, FSU, VaTECH, and UGA and go 8-4 (I did say I thought Clemson would be a toss up)
and said 37-28 loss to VaTech
I never predicted a “crushing” of Tech by anyone
coach smith
October 26th, 2009
3:25 pm
UGAX
are you sure you are a UGA fan?
UGA’s “offensive line replacements”?????????
What? The ONLY upperclassman UGA has on the O-LINE is Vince Vance
Everyone else is a Sophomore or a Junior (most are sophomores)
D-line we will lose Owens, Atkins, Weston but Return A. Jones, Tyson, Wood, Dobbs, Houston, C. Washington, Wheeling and several others
Everyone on Offense except Cox and Moore will be back (and will we miss them?)
OMG
October 26th, 2009
3:43 pm
I’m glad the story just came out how VT Coach Beamer and Kam Chancellor are crying that they were chopped blocked. It gives me another opportunity to mock these back wood inbreds and first losers by the way that too bad too sad. Coach Paul Johnson has already addressed the ACC officials last summer in a conference about what a chop block really is and what isn’t. You know keep up the boo hooing and you might not even be the first losers of coastal. Duke might take your place. Now go back to tending your sheep or blanking your sheep and shut up LOSERS
Pi$$onaDawg
October 26th, 2009
3:45 pm
I can’t believe I just read a VT D player is whinning about Tech blocking of him. I remember all the FSU and VT teams that Late Hit or Head-to-Head Hits to put QB’s out of the game. Virginia Tech must be really scared if they are starting to cry this loud.
Joe Schmoe
October 26th, 2009
4:06 pm
Talk about looking like little beaoches, VT is playing sore loser to the max! After the penalties they got away with last year, I dont think they even have room to talk.
Delbert D.
October 26th, 2009
4:37 pm
Where was I…oh yeah, BEAT VANDY!
BigTimeTECHFan
October 26th, 2009
4:42 pm
TCU Killed Clemson, we barely beat them.
I hope Tech wins ACC title but I was also hoping Miami would win out, end up in top 5, then that would have help Tech in polls with only loss to top 5 team. Miami handled Oklahoma who played head to head with Texas, any way these polls are a mess, Not saying Tech any better then 11th, it’s just who knows. Only way to resolve would be:
1. All teams play in one of Eight conferences.
2. All conferences have championship game with top 2 team.
3. Only winner of the Conf campionship goes to NCAA playoff of 4 games, then 2, then Natl Championship game.
8 or 16 team playoff will not work going buy polls, you think figueing out who the no 1 and 2 team are is hard, try to pick the 8th or 16th best team.
They should make it where polls play no part in playoffs, only conf winners play.
OMG
October 26th, 2009
4:42 pm
GT fans do not bother trying to comment about this story in the Richmond Dispatch newspaper about VT accusing GT of chop blocking. I tried. They won’t print your comments if your anti VT. Since these hillbillies have no newspaper of their own, I did not know where to respond but Richmond who has the article in depth but will not print your comments because they are SORE LOSERS hahahahahahahhahahahahha
VegasGT
October 26th, 2009
4:48 pm
The VT response is a joke. I respect Beamer as a coach, but he has become somewhat of a whiner and premadonna (sp?). If the illegal blocks happened that often during the game, don’t you think they were complaining about it then, when it mattered. If not, they better study the rule books a bit more. The illegal, below the waste, chop blocks, were a topic of specific discussion before the season and the object of a clinic given to the ACC refs by PJ at the request of the ACC.
Tech does get penalized for an illegal block a time or two a game which goes to show that they are looking for them.
Some of this is very subjective though, much like some personal fouls and holding calls. I saw a few hits by the VT defense that could also have been called helmet to helmet or spearing as well as one tripping call that were not “seen” by the refs. I wonder if Beamer bothered to point out those discrepencies, of course not, and GT would not worry about them as they were the winner. The only reporting that really needs to be done are the blatant, non-subjective calls.
Beamer and his team are just a bunch of whiners. They got the benefit of the two PF calls last year that were questionable, to say the least, and we got the benefit this year.
It should make next year’s game interesting though.
Delbert D.
October 26th, 2009
5:06 pm
Didn’t read the Richmond article, but are they saying it was a conspiracy by the officials?
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
5:15 pm
Coach Smith-
I bleed red & black but I’m also a realist. Last year we were ranked #1 in the season, had 2 of the top 12 picks in the draft plus 2 great receivers and we stunk up the place. This year we have a mediocre offensive line (yes, they are not seniors, but does it really matter?), a pitiful QB and no running game. Other than the missile Rennie Curran and Jeff Owens, the defense needs an overhaul. Our corners are shorter than the oompa loompas and hit like them, too. Next year? Are you kidding me? No QB with any experience what’s so ever, an offensive line that couldn’t block me or you, 1 decent running back (Easley), 1 running back that will proabably move to LB and have to start, the other an overrated prima donna that gets hurt on every other play. The ONLY thing we have is AJ Green. That’s it. The defense, with the exception of Brandon Smith and maybe Brandon Boykin will struggle. On the bright side, our special teams (kickoff returns, punting, and field goals) will be strong. It better be…..
UGAX
October 26th, 2009
5:17 pm
Coach Smith-
Don’t wont to mention the coaching staff who takes a top five recruiting class every year and wets their pants. Sorry, but I’m a little frustrated with the situation in Athens right now.
Johnny Test
October 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
Don’t usually comment on this blog but seeing to much of Burdell on UGA blogs lately. He says he has a PHD. He must be a tenured professor cause he has all day to blog. Those that can’t do… teach.
All Tech can do to support their cause is to keep on winning. There are many instances of unranked teams playing very highly ranked teams close. Tenn.vs Alabama, Miss St. vs Florida, Oklahoma vs Texas etc. That doesn’t mean those teams don’t deserve their ranking. And if they keep winning they will probably play for the national Championship.
If Tech wins out then you gotta beat Clemson again for the ACC championship. That’ll be tough but if you win that one you will probably play Cincinnati or Pittsburg in the Orange bowl. If you win and go 12 and 1 then you’ll finish in the top 10 somewhere, maybe top 5. Not to shabby for a bunch of nerds.
Delbert D.
October 26th, 2009
5:50 pm
Johnny Test – I strongly disagree, with a 4-letter word: IOWA.
1) 17-16 over Northern Iowa, 2 FG attempts blocked in final seconds of game
2) 24-21 over Arkansas State
3) 30-28 over Michigan
4) 15-13 over Mich. State
and
5) They are in the Big Ten
Question: Do extremely close wins improve the strength of schedule?
jacket3
October 26th, 2009
6:05 pm
This is funny..
Virginia Tech safety Kam Chancellor told the Virginian-Pilot that he was blocked illegally several times by Georgia Tech in the Jackets’ 28-23 win two weeks ago.
Chancellor said that “he was blocked below the waist at least four times, which is illegal in certain conditions when done within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.”
– Why do they call it blocking and tackling then?
“Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer told ESPN’s Heather Dinich that he sent tape that included more than four plays, and that one of the plays included Georgia Tech’s final touchdown in which Chancellor was blocked out of the play.”
Could it be that Chancellor was outplayed? There were no flags…..
COME ON FRANK…GET A LIFE..ADMIT THE JACKETS KICKED a little VT A&& !
TechDan
October 26th, 2009
6:24 pm
BigTimeTECHFan, TCU only beat Clemson 14-10. TCU did beat UVA 30-14, though.
Sonny Perdue
October 26th, 2009
7:38 pm
Just a shout to all you UGA boys on the Hope scholarship. Lets go Dawgs!
GT9
October 26th, 2009
8:21 pm
Beat Vanderbilt!
Coach Johnson has that excellent knack for getting enough points on the board and enough defense to protect a lead. He is totally focused on the game at hand. Currently, I don’t believe that he has a top ten defense in his war chest. He does have enough offense power to stay on the field with anyone. Yes, I know that he got crushed last year by LSU and this year by Miami. It’s my belief that LSU had the primary combination of athleticism and preparation time essential to defeating Johnson. Miami had a similar situation, with the possible exception of a Johnson coached team playing below their ability. Miami whipped GT on both sides of the ball and they played an excellent game. I do think that GT is capable of a better showing. Of course, all of that is irrelevant to my point.
Johnson is a game day coach who prepares well for each game day. He takes a defense that had given up over a thousand yards offense in two weeks and then holds #4 in the nation VT to 3 first half points. For people who enjoy college football, that was an amazing feat. Now he’s got a defense that didn’t give up a touchdown in their seventh win of the season. We knew that defense would be a big question mark entering the season. They are now playing on a very competent level. Our offense is potent: 82 yards, 18 plays, 10 plus minutes drive. (Maybe LSU is hanging on to that blueprint)
Beat Vanderbilt! (Tank ‘em)
(I got soaking wet at C’ville and loved it. Beautiful country up there. Visit Monticello soon.)
GTRealist
October 27th, 2009
2:35 am
Very interesting posts people. A lot of good points. The SEC with the multi-billion dollar contract with ESPN does get them more exposure, a one loss USC will be ranked, TCU plays in a cupcake conference, etc. The main reason those teams are ranked higher than us, and will remain higher, is because the ACC has a horrible out of conference record. MD losing to 1-aa schools, CU to TCU, VT to Bama, and so on. Of the 6 BCS confrences, we have the worst out of conference record. Of course we’re not going to get respect. I can’t exactly recall, but I think so far this season, the conferences with the best records are Mountain West, SEC, and then the WAC. Yes, the WAC. They won the most bowls. Look at what happened to Bama last bowl game. Until the ACC can win the bowl games, no voter will give us any respect over the conference teams that do win. Period.
TechwoodNorthwest
October 27th, 2009
3:15 pm
I love how every time someone starts talking BCS the transitive property of winning in College Football comes up. Its proven to be so reliable in the past.