Orange Bowl-bound and the future of the program
Georgia Tech is headed to the Orange Bowl with an 11-2 record.
Back in August, as I was driving back from a Falcons’ preseason game, I got a call from a national sports talk radio show that invited me to come on for a few seconds.
“What do yall want to talk about?” I asked.
“tech. My host thinks they are going to be the national champions,” the producer said.
“This year?” I asked.
“Yes” he said.
“Allright, I can see that,” I said.
And off we went.
Now, some 13-14 weeks later, the Yellow Jackets are the champions of the ACC.
But, let’s look back at the two losses. What would have happened had Tech not had three games in 12 days, with the last being at Miami? Would they have beaten the Hurricanes? Coach Paul Johnson said he watched film of the game a few weeks ago and that his players looked like they were running in quicksand they were so tired.
What if Tech had converted the fourth down against Georgia and kept its last drive going?
Ifs and buts, Ifs and buts. As Dwight Schrute says, “If ‘onlys’ and ‘buts‘ were candies and nuts, then every day would be Erntedankfest.”
I have no idea what that means, but we all get the point.
So 11-2 with two close losses. What does this mean for the future? Former Navy quarterback Chris McCoy, who played for Johnson, said he told folks that when Tech hired Johnson that they would win a national championship in three years.
What say you?
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172 comments Add your comment
Joe Schmoe
December 6th, 2009
8:12 pm
Cincy vs FL in Sugar
Joe Schmoe
December 6th, 2009
8:15 pm
Iowa vs. GT in Orange
The Grinch
December 6th, 2009
8:17 pm
30-24
droberson
December 6th, 2009
8:18 pm
GT vs. Iowa in Orange Bowl
Clint
December 6th, 2009
8:26 pm
Gee Buzz Lightyear- I think I just did. I tend to spend my remedial english time with those truly in need. Go back to watching South Park and dreaming of Vince Dooley.
NCR
December 6th, 2009
8:39 pm
Understand this Bulldog fans. Next year you start all over again with a new QB and a new DC. It’s gonna be a rebuilding year again. You won’t be in the top 20 pre-season, which means you’ll have no real shot of winning the NC (assuming you could actually win all your games, ha!). If Tech brings back everyone (big if!), we’d be loaded and Top 10 material right out of the gate.
Might want to start making your plans for the 2011 Independence Bowl also!!!!
Limelight
December 6th, 2009
8:40 pm
It’s interesting that beating Tech has defined UGA’s season this year, while Tech’s loss to the Dogs has had little impact on Tech’s season. Call us nerds and losers all you want, it’s nothing more than a bunch of drivel.
Yellow Jacket 89 MD
December 6th, 2009
8:44 pm
Way to go Jackets!!
UGA nice fluke, enjoy Shreveport (you know in your hearts that you’ll never win anything of significance with Richt as your coach) Roll Tide!
Joe Cox
December 6th, 2009
8:45 pm
Thomas, Dwyer, and Burnett are coming back. Morgan looks as if he will leave. Otherwise, Virtually every starter returns on offense and defense. Jackson, Hall, and Taylor will be back and the scholarship level will be back to normal in 2010. Plus the redshirt freshman this year come up. Perkins comes in and might play. Ayers will most likely replace Mario Butler. Ben Anderson, Kyle Jackson, and Sedric Griffin will be solid at linebacker. The secondary should improve with Taylor, Reese, Burnett, Ayers and Reid. D Line will be questionable. Thomas and Stephen Hill will be solid at receiver. Jones and Allen will return at A Back. Dwyer will return at B Back and of course Josh Nesbitt will return to run the offense.
BIG BEE
December 6th, 2009
8:48 pm
THE OTHER ST.SIMONS, just remember–you are only 1/1 against CPJ.As of Jan.1 you will be 0/0 against CPJ for 2010. Is this too complicated for you?
superDawg
December 6th, 2009
8:50 pm
macro you are regressing,for gods sake your in the acc.All Crud Conference.
JSS
December 6th, 2009
8:51 pm
TCU and Boise State got hosed… I heard a sigh of relief from down I-75…
Congrads Tech, but don’t be fooled, that is a NFL quality college coach over on that other sideline… Kirk Ferentz has done amazing things when given time to scheme and game plan. He is the anti-Big Ten coach. Also look out for that running back that they have from North Dakota, he is the little engine that could…
superDawg
December 6th, 2009
8:52 pm
wrong big nerd he lost plenty when he was at Ga.So.
Ezekiel
December 6th, 2009
8:58 pm
There’s so much luck involved in winning a National Championship and with the SEC being given 1 slot in the championship game every year it makes it tough for every other team around the country fighting for that 1 spot. Tech will range from very good to great every year with Paul Johnson as coach. Talk Tech football at: http://www.bbuzzoff.com
Limelight
December 6th, 2009
8:59 pm
superDawg: thanks for your insightful comments.
Buzzfan
December 6th, 2009
9:01 pm
IT’S GREAT TO BE A YELLOW JACKET!
Ranked #9 in the BCS & Orange Bowl Bound!
I don’t think Paul Johnson will let this team get overconfidant as they were last year coming off the big win against per-season #1 UGA. The loss to Georgia this year may have been a blessing in disguise. The team was fired up & anxious to redeem itself in what was a much bigger game than against the 6-5 dawgs. Next year I think we’ll be able to handle the dawgs AND win the ACC. The defense has to be fixed before we can challenge for a National Championship.
Dawg Fan
December 6th, 2009
9:03 pm
Congrats on the Orange Bowl. I think Iowa is a much better match up for you than TCU. Also, congrats on the conference championship and great season.
Sean M
December 6th, 2009
9:06 pm
Best championship game i’ve ever seen involved two non SEC teams and that was when USC and Texas squared off. Maybe the SEC champion has 2-3 losses next year and can do no better than the Sugar(nothing to sneeze at of course)
collegeballfan
December 6th, 2009
9:17 pm
Give me this year’s offense with a top 20 defense & I will show you a National Championship contender.
ron
December 6th, 2009
9:20 pm
First–why are there UGA fans on this blog? Why would Tech fans, Auburn, Tenn and so on invade the UGA blog? Just to talk trash and show what asses you are? Get a life. Trying to remember the big mouthed Clemson fan who came here ten days ago blowing off his mouth about how great Clemson was. Of course, they lost two games in the meantime. Mr. Bigmouth can still think of some ugly things to say about others, I am sure. Pitiful. Trash talk is for morons.
Second– Before Tech contends for a NC, they have to get bigger and stronger on both lines. UGA exposed Tech and Richt deserves credit for seeing it. Tech has more talent, but UGA is stronger on the line and Tech just could not stop them. To Tech’s credit, they darn near came back and won it at the end, but you see what I mean. Tech must get bigger linemen. They must find a pass rush. Tech has an amazing record considering they have an awful defense. I trust that CPJ will do something about that in recruiting. Hey, I am Tech guy and very proud of what they have done is so short a time.
Third– I still think that everyone connected with extending Gailey’s contract a few years back should be put in jail. I don’t think I will ever get over that. Tech has had some pretty bad coaches since Dodd retired, and I think Gailey is about the worst.
ron
December 6th, 2009
9:22 pm
and thanks to Dawgfan for his classy remarks.
Starring Peter Graves as Capt. Clarence Over
December 6th, 2009
9:25 pm
ron: Bill Lewis makes Chan look like a HOF coach.
ron
December 6th, 2009
9:29 pm
dont bother giving me facts. i hated Gailey so much that I am blinded to all logic.
AP
December 6th, 2009
9:37 pm
Enter your comments here
AP
December 6th, 2009
9:38 pm
Funny, this year Tech has become Georgia, and Georgia has become Tech.
GT87
December 6th, 2009
9:40 pm
Hey Joe, where did you hear Thomas, Dwyer, and Burnett are coming back? That would be great, but I’m not holding my breath.
With 4 weeks to work, we need to get better on D. We’ve proven we can score, but we need a few stops to make sure we get ahead.
Go Jackets!
GTRich
December 6th, 2009
9:42 pm
Thanks Dawg Fan, you’ve just proven that not all UGA fans are stupid and class-less. Enjoy your
bowl and let’s bash heads again next year. I’m sure both Tech & UGA will be in the top 20.
But first we need to get us a new DC or send the one we have on a defensive coaching development course.
Alabama Jack
December 6th, 2009
9:44 pm
If your family tree has no branches, you’ll probably be a dawg fan.
National Attention
December 6th, 2009
9:52 pm
At least the ACC is getting National attention; maybe not the attention you want, but hey, attention none the less:
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1025255
tommy
December 6th, 2009
9:54 pm
dawgs are mediocre cause they had and still have mediocre coaches. they still have some of the best talent in the country. it is asshamed how sorry they are this season with all that talent. if tech had that talent and depth of talent we would surely be undefeated. CPJ and tech are on the way up. 7-5 looks more like gailey than richt
ryanegt
December 6th, 2009
9:56 pm
I think it can be done. The coaching is there. The offense is almost there. The defense is going to need a lot of work. We need size and depth on both lines. I’m on the fence whether to give Dave Womack another season. Unlike Willie Martinez (who did less with more) I don’t know if our D had enough talent for Womack to work with or if it is indeed a coaching problem. Nevertheless, our defense was horrible and needs to improve for this team to get any better.
@tommy
December 6th, 2009
9:58 pm
not sure you intentionally spelled asshamed incorrectly, but it seems that your intelligence is what is mediocre.
Questionable D
December 6th, 2009
10:01 pm
ryanegt,
I agree that the problem with the D could be a talent problem and not a coaching problem, but the problem is I don’t see GaTech pulling anymore in the future years than the talent they have this year. If they want any success, they’ll have to continually do more with less.
Boring Orange Bowl
December 6th, 2009
10:02 pm
Unfortunately, GT versus Iowa makes me want to…yawn.
Orange Bowl
December 6th, 2009
10:04 pm
The Orange Bowl seems eerily similar to the ACC Championship…a game that no ones cares about. Is the game televised this year??
Grease Lightning
December 6th, 2009
10:08 pm
The only Starting Seniors GT loses are OG Cord Howard, OT Brad Sellers and WLB Sedric Griffin and they will be missed but I think Johnson can coach up the kids to take their places. I wouldn’t have blamed Thomas for leaving since he’s a 4th year junior but if Morgan, Dwyer and Burnett stay, wow, Tech will have the experience and talent to AT LEAST be a one loss team and a title contender.
O yeah, I forgot to mention that Demaryius Thomas told ESPN ACC Blogger Heather Dinich that he will return for GT’s next promising season.
Grease Thunder
December 6th, 2009
10:11 pm
Is there anyway Paul Johnson will coach up his neck so you can see his chin again?
GTOldSchool21
December 6th, 2009
10:16 pm
If Dywer and Thomas come back, Tech will be a preseason Top 10. If Morgan returns, they will be Top 5. UGA will be top 35.
Ranking
December 6th, 2009
10:19 pm
Because we all know that preseason rankings mean everything
A Rob
December 6th, 2009
10:29 pm
Morgan is the most important of those pieces on defense, so let’s hope he stays. As far as the Dline goes, #41 (tough name to spell) and Robert Hall returning with Cross and the other redshirts, should be OK at end. Like to see more from Barnes and he will hopefully blossom as he is one of those big bodies we need. As well as JC Lanier who was redshirted. The others that played inside this year got trucked against the good teams. Linebackers have pretty good depth. Griffin is gone, but he really has looked slow of late and gets beaten pretty regularly. The return of Jackson will help I hope with Munroe and Steven Sylvester plus the freshmen and redshirts coming up. DBs will be solid. They did not seem to be the main issue this year. The front 7 will have to get lots better for us to make a legit push at NC.
But as long as we have that offense, we just need the D to make a few stops a game.
Here’s to you JACKETS! Crush the HAwkeyes and the Big Ten!
Stinger
December 6th, 2009
10:33 pm
What Bowl Game did UGA get? Did you say Independence ? Ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha,ha. When is that game played? Dec 10th or 17th? Oh, one final question. Where is UGA rated? I can’t seem to find it. Ha,ha,ha,ha.
addicted
December 6th, 2009
10:34 pm
I think we are right where we should be. We aren’t as bad as UGAg and Miami made us look, but not national championship caliber yet. I mean, play the ifs and buts game, we won some extremely close too, that could have gone the other way.
The problem is that we lack a defense. If we have a game where our offense plays anything less than great, we have a high chance of losing. So our O has little to no margin of error.
kd
December 6th, 2009
10:34 pm
all this we run this state and butt whooping sh1t has got to stop.good GOD, i mean, u really think ur program is going in the same direction as tech’s? ha, now that is funny, u dawgs r totally losing ur minds. i’ll check back with u in another 2 years after pj has defensive tackles bigger than 200lbs.,linebackers that can run a 40 faster than 5.0, and an off. line that he not gailey has put together. ga. peaked a couple of years ago and those days r long gone and u know it! whooping? 6 points in a game where a drop pass was all that kept tech from winning that game? yeah now that’s a whooping! congrats preseason #1
Milton
December 6th, 2009
10:38 pm
Great year for the Jackets with BCS bowl game to cap it off. 13 consecutive winning seasons, 13 bowl games. We have been consistently winning, but this is special. Much like 1990, 1999 and 2000. Ignore the fans who claim they went to uga. Let’s focus on winning the Orange Bowl!
No Reason to Panic
December 6th, 2009
10:43 pm
You can’t can the DC when he loses 5 starters. Let’s face it, when an above avg D loses 5 starts the unit turns into what GT has seen for the last 2 games, pathetic. And we’re still Champs? The staff did a great job. I can’t wait to see what happens when the D is strong. National Title is coming!
Stinger
December 6th, 2009
10:47 pm
How much does the Independence Bowl pay each team? Maybe 2 or 3 Thousand dollars.I would decline before I would accept a bowl this lousy. Hell they should have played in the Mama Johns bowl in B’ham so a few fans would maybe go to.
BPhil
December 6th, 2009
11:09 pm
To put all “stupid logic” aside, last time I checked the scoreboard at Grant Field it read triple zeros with the score being 30-24 in favor of the visiting team. Also, if you guys want to bring up the score to last year’s game then lets just recap the past 7 years before that. All that aside, congrats to you guys that your technique of bottom-feeding in the ACC paid off culminating in the event of barely getting by a team that had to load up their best player with cortisone because he could barely walk but despite of that was able to run circles around your defense. On a side note that same team was run out of Columbia, SC by a team that the “underachievers” in Athens beat. Im sorry I was just using some of your “stupid logic”.
By the way are you guys gonna put the score of the Georgia game on your championship rings this year, too?
HOJO
December 6th, 2009
11:14 pm
You know things have changed in the state when a UGA win over GT makes their season. Lets keep winning 11 games a year and going to BCS Bowls and let UGA fans continue to live through FL and AL. The SEC incest will only grow here in our great state because the UGA program is a mess and FL and AL are going to reign for a long time. They will have very little to cheer about except conference affiliation. Coach of the year, All Americans, ACC Champs, 11 + wins, BCS Bowl. Its great to be a Jacket! WTGW!!!!!!!!!
Joe's place Joe speaking
December 6th, 2009
11:16 pm
We are going to be the least watched Bcs game in the history of college football!!!!!!! Why Iowa?????!!!!!! I know they are a good team but damn this is a boring game!!!!!!!! Iowa!?!??????????!!!!!!!!! I’m a HUGE Tech fan and even this game seems boring to me!!!! I’ll still watch every last second of the game but damn, Iowa?????????????!!!!!!!!!
GaTekDropout
December 6th, 2009
11:18 pm
Why are dawg fans dawg fans? Cuz everybody else is, and they just wanna be like everybody else. Plus the garb matches their necks. Sooooo koowool!!!!!!!!!