Georgia Tech bowl notes
Greetings-
A few notes about Georgia Tech’s berth in the Sun Bowl.
1. Chick-fil-A Bowl president Gary Stokan said that, after Virginia Tech was picked for the Sugar Bowl, making the Hokies unavailable, the choices were Tech, Florida State, Virginia and Wake Forest, all of which were 5-3 in the ACC. Virginia owns wins over the Jackets and Seminoles and has a better overall record than Wake Forest. That decided it, Stokan told reporters Sunday night.
So, it would appear, a win over Virginia would have likely put Tech in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Venturing into the “Tech beats Virginia” alternate universe, though, is kind of speculative. Maybe a win over the Cavaliers would have meant Tech would have lost to Clemson. It opens up a whole world of possibilities. Maybe if Tech had beaten Virginia, I would have won the lottery two weeks ago and I’d be making my first mortgage payment on my beachside mansion on Maui. I’d still be blogging, of course.
2. Virginia Tech getting the at-large big into the BCS is good news for Tech. It’s the first time the BCS has taken an ACC team an at-large bid and gives the ACC two chances to do some work on the league’s 2-11 record in BCS bowls. Clemson plays West Virginia and the Hokies play Michigan.
A second BCS bowl means some extra cash for ACC schools. The payout formula is a little involved, so it’s hard to say exactly what it will mean. But the ACC will get $22 million for the Clemson’s Orange Bowl appearance and $6 million for Virginia Tech’s participation in the Sugar Bowl, according to the ACC. After expenses and unsold tickets, the remainder is split 12 ways. If Virginia Tech’s expenses run about $500,000, that would mean an extra $460,000 for Tech. An interesting read about bowl expenses.
ESPN begins its contract with the BCS this year. As such, the Virginia Tech over Kansas State and Boise State decision makes a little more sense in light of ESPN’s many, many dollars involved. It would not surprise me if the network’s poobahs said something like, “You know, if Virginia Tech were in the Sugar Bowl, it wouldn’t bother us.”
3. Tech’s trip to the Sun Bowl will be its first game in Texas since losing at Baylor in 1992. Kind of an odd home-and-home. The Houston Chronicle called the Bears’ 31-27 win “an important intersectional victory for the Southwest Conference.” (For whatever reason, Google seems to be able to track down old Chronicle articles well. Kudos for the paper’s SEO guy.)
This isn’t relevant, but I have a friend named Taylor who went to Baylor. She, however, is not a sailor and doesn’t live in a trailer nor was she a fan of the Hartford Whalers.
4. The game will be on CBS, giving Tech national network coverage for its 2 p.m. EST start, always good for recruiting (particularly if you are winning). But it’ll be overlapped by the Meineke Car Care of Texas Bowl (Texas A&M-Northwestern) at noon and then the Liberty Bowl (Cincinnati-Vanderbilt) and the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl (Illinois-UCLA) at 3:30 p.m.
That last one should be fun, a game between two teams whose coaches have been fired (Ron Zook and Rick Neuheisel).
5. Utah has a 12-4 record in bowls, including nine of the Utes’ last 10. The one loss was to Boise State last year in the Las Vegas Bowl. Coach Kyle Whittingham is 5-1 in bowls, his first victory coming over Tech in the Emerald Bowl in 2005.
6. In the “which team has something to play for?” category, put this on Utah’s ledger: Utah has a 19-member senior class that has the second-most wins in school history at 40-11. Those players can tie the school record for wins set by the 2010 class, which went 41-9.
Tech can finish in the top 25 with a win and stop its six-game bowl losing streak.
7. In the all-important matter of Utah’s familiarity with the spread-option offense, the Utes have plenty. Utah played Air Force, which runs an offense similar to Tech’s, annually in the Mountain West Conference before moving to the Pac-12 this year. Whittingham is 5-1 against Air Force.
8. Not Tech related, but the finalists for the Eddie Robinson Award (national coach of the year from the Football Writers Association of America are LSU’s Les Miles, Michigan’s Brady Hoke, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney and Kansas State’s Bill Snyder.
Who gets your vote?
Thanks for reading. I’ll have Monday practice material up either late Monday or Tuesday morning.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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110 comments Add your comment
FHstinger
December 5th, 2011
4:20 pm
I sure hope our pass defense is better than the last three games.
5150 UOAD
December 5th, 2011
4:21 pm
Steveo…………could it be that Tech fans spend that money on their family or Dental needs(unlike SEC fans) over going to a football game?
Alabama Jack
December 5th, 2011
4:31 pm
I normally would go with the conference, but I think this time Gundy is the man.
Delbert D.
December 5th, 2011
4:32 pm
I was surprised, but pleased to see that VT got the Sugar Bowl bid. They are a team that could really be good as Logan Thomas matures. They lose 14 seniors on the depth chart, 7 starters on offense, including 4 on the OL. 10 starters return on defense, though.
Delbert D.
December 5th, 2011
4:40 pm
Ken – Great link on the bowl expenses. I read a story earlier this year about the issue, and Ohio State lost money the last time they played in the Rose Bowl. The seats for the bands are priced at full face value.
spider
December 5th, 2011
4:45 pm
i will attempt too tune in for every bowl game except the bcs national title game, darned if im going to watch two play ofr 60 minutes and kick a few field goals.
Bowl not bound
December 5th, 2011
4:53 pm
It’s my understanding that due to the timing of the bowl game, the allotment for travel and expenses that GT won’t send more than a pep band to the Sun Bowl.
$500K for VT’s team and band to go to the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans? Sounds low when the fb team’s hanger-ons will triple the number of regular team people and the 300+ band’s either flying or spending a week on the bus plus having to be in the Big Easy area ready to play on Jan 1 for Fan Fest related gigs.
SORRIEST EVER CONFERENCE
December 5th, 2011
4:54 pm
do any Georgia fans ever have anything good to say about any school other than UGA.
William Casey
December 5th, 2011
5:06 pm
Ken, thanks for a great year of covering the Jackets. Very informative and you “called ‘em as you saw ‘em.” Nobody could ask for more. If only there were a way to prevent “dawg wannabes” (not real UGA fans) from coming here and spewing silliness, life here would be grand.
gtcivil
December 5th, 2011
5:07 pm
No editorials this week Ken?
UGA = Yawn
December 5th, 2011
5:26 pm
No matter who won regular season game, GT
vs Auburn is a huge long standing rivalry. They
missed the boat on that one. The history of
college football escapes the CFA selection comm.
mwh6767
December 5th, 2011
5:27 pm
Gt athletics posted some pics on facebook a short time ago. Vad lee was at practice and getting reps. So if he is leaving he is keeping it on the dl for now.
Carl
December 5th, 2011
5:29 pm
We are 3 -3 1/2 point favorites fwiw
Ramblin Man
December 5th, 2011
5:34 pm
Spike, pathetic is living on a blog site of another team and constantly bashing them while also saying they are a waste of time. I actually wanted uga to win, but it was funny looking at fans faces as reality came crashing down. I just find it funny that most fans like you brag about beating a team you should beat and have no problem you can’t hang with teams you should be able to hang with. Good luck in your bowl game and try to find a life outside of living off what a bunch of other people actually accomplish.
Tom
December 5th, 2011
5:47 pm
Hey, Ken….
When’s somebody down there going to tell Carvell he’s not allowed to be wearing his “Super G” kneepads and lipgloss when “interviewing” prospects?
blazer
December 5th, 2011
5:53 pm
42 10 great sounding!
Paul in NH
December 5th, 2011
6:01 pm
Ken,
Great link on the Bowl expenses issue. Interesting that “tax exempt” organizations (aka Bowl Committees) shake down schools that are invited to their games.
Original Spike
December 5th, 2011
6:21 pm
Boy, you guys can sure dish it out, but can’t take it.
19
December 5th, 2011
6:30 pm
Original Spike, I’ll take Michigan State beating the snot out of the bullpups!
Original Spike
December 5th, 2011
6:51 pm
19, You are on. How much? And I’ll take the Utes. After six bowl losses in a row, it’s a safe bet.
All I remember is
December 5th, 2011
7:20 pm
8-4 Florida State beat ONE team with a winning record (7-5 N.C. State) and are ranked,
what a bunch of garbage.
19
December 5th, 2011
7:33 pm
Original Spike, don’t be such a Mook! LOL
19
December 5th, 2011
7:52 pm
All I remember is Georgia was supposed to win the MNC hands down! No was one had a chance against them. Then the pups lost and the CMR had to go ASAP! Then they win some and CMR is the golden boy…again! Then they get beat and he’s got to go…again! Then the DC hits himself in the face after losing to LSU! I also remember the dog nation wants that dude as HC! I agree, he fits your fan base perfectly…at least the delusional ones! You know those “fans”! The ones that have never even been to Athens and could not find it on a map. They post on the Tech blog more than Tech fans.
Jacket Man
December 5th, 2011
7:53 pm
Vad was at practice today, in case anyone was curious.
JacketFan
December 5th, 2011
7:54 pm
Dawgies are the funniest. Outside of seven year olds, they are the only people in th e world who think it is an insult to make fun of someone because they are smarter than they are. Yes, we are smarter, more successful and have a lot more going for us besides just football victories. You guys are losers in every sense of the word. The only thing you have is football wins agatinst us. Great, but you lose at everything else including your own conference. Yes, you beat us in football. We beat you in life. Now, you can back to working the fry machine at McDonalds. Not too heavy on the salt, please.
19
December 5th, 2011
8:03 pm
JacketFan, was IC at the dog’s practice? Was he in a green jersey? Did he find his “heart”? Did he talk back to his teammates? Is he in the running for the Heisman? Enquiring dog fans want to know? I don’t give a hoot!
That’s not completely true. I hope they recruit more like him!
JAWJeRDAWG
December 5th, 2011
8:21 pm
Good luck, Georgia Tech against Utah in the Sun Bowl.
With the Utes success against spread-option teams, this game should be a good one.
It would be nice for the State of Georgia to see both GT and UGA win their bowl game this year.
From this Dawg fan, here’s hoping!
Go Yellow Jackets! and Go Dawgs!
Tony
December 5th, 2011
8:46 pm
Tell Gary Crokan I didn’t want to be in the Peach Bowl either. That building has to be the worst for football. Not because it is a bad building but because of the constant blaring of music and unrelated information coming from I guess the public address announcer. I went to the last football game I will ever attend in that building when Ga State opened their 1st season there. The only time you could talk to the person next to you about the game was when the bands were playing at half time. Then during the SEC Champsioship game this weekend Crokan couldn’t even get the clock to run right. Crokan needs to go and let someone that has a clue run the bowl.
Birmingham Jacket
December 5th, 2011
8:54 pm
Hate to say it… Really…
But GT is as irrelevant now, as we ever have been in the past decade.
Paul Johnson interjected some energy into the program beating UGA season 1, and winning an ACC Championship— 2 goals Gailey never accomplished.
BUT:
1) 3 straight loses to UGA
2) 8 touchdowns this season over 16 quarters (240 mins) of football in our 4 losses.
3) No recruiting classes to date, that finish top 25.
4) 0-3 in Bowl Games, against legitimate teams.
5) Worst defense teams over 4 years in Tech history.
I bought into it. Thought Johnson would turn us around.
Not so sure anymore.
If Vad Lee doesn’t kick ass, and he doesn’t part ways with Al after this season….
I’m joining the FIREPAULJOHNSON.COM website.
Original Spike
December 5th, 2011
8:55 pm
A mook?
ty webb
December 5th, 2011
9:21 pm
Actually, Paul Johnson hasn’t won an ACC championship.
sports
December 5th, 2011
9:23 pm
If there was one team not worthy of a bowl, is was Georgia Tech!!!
Paul Hewitt
December 5th, 2011
9:25 pm
I see where the basketball team isn’t faring so well. Just wait until ACC season, then it will get really bad. I bet all of you miss me real bad by now.
bob
December 5th, 2011
9:35 pm
at least we beat kennisaw state
Bobby Dodds Ghost
December 5th, 2011
9:39 pm
Jacket Fan, Pompous , arrogant , ass , people wonder why every school hates Tech. karma is a MF coming your way. People who believe they’re smarter aren’t.
Ga Tech Old Timer
December 5th, 2011
9:56 pm
JAWJeRDAWG – Classy post. And here’s hoping for a win for UGA against Michigan St. in Tampa. Used to be in the old days that both sets of fans would pull for the other team during games other than “ours”. When we weren’t playing each other – we pulled for the STATE of Georgia to be well represented and win against who ever the teams were playing.These youngsters today don’t understand that way of thinking and good sportsmanship. Today – it’s all about who can “one up” the other side with trash talk and little boy posturing. Georgia fans can be proud of the DOGS winning out after losing their first two. Tech can be proud of beating the preseason forecasted results. We both had slip ups and games we could have / should have won but those chances are gone now and where we are now is due to both teams accomplished and where we should be. Let’s make the best of it and hopefully both teams come out winners with something to build on for next year.
GT ATW
December 5th, 2011
10:54 pm
@ GT Old Timer. Amen brother!
GT-UT
December 6th, 2011
1:01 am
Pretty good article Ken. Thanks.
I’m pretty excited about this bowl run. I hope the team is. Many are coming back and they need to be able to get started off in the top 25 so it matter A LOT. Its also a bit of a gauge on CPJ, IMHO. We need to finish and THAT is a coaching barometer…and I am a CPJ fan…so we’ll see
I’m excited about next year too…GO Jackets!!
Wreck Fan
December 6th, 2011
1:35 am
when i was growing up in the fifties, the ajc would give both teams the same amount of coverage, two full pages. they even had stop action photos of at least one good play. growing up, i had equal feelings about both teams. wallie butts and bobby dood. but, in the end, i went to tech because i lived in atlanta. we all wanted both teams to win. never heard of any trash talking like today. we rooted for each other, except when they played each other. we had friends that went to both schools. today, it is just to much hate in the world. i still like uga, but pull for ga tech. go to all their home games. for those of you that can only express yourself with hate talk, i feel for you. what a sorry life you must live. good luck to both teams in the bowls.
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December 6th, 2011
4:05 am
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JAWJeRDAWG
December 6th, 2011
6:04 am
Ga Tech Old Timer / GT ATW / Wreck Fan
It was good to awaken this morning and read your positive comments from my post.
I don’t usually post on the GT blogs, but wanted to show that not all Dawg fans live their life around the success of their football team, and the short-comings of their opponent; outside of football we are in fact, all Georgians.
I too, both grew up ‘old school’, with respect for both schools and always wished GT and all our SEC opponents playing outside our conference well except on game days against UGA.
And I know you are both right, Ga Tech Old Timer and Wreck Fan, I think mutual respect and civility are somewhat a lost trait among the younger generation.
It just seems that those who feel differently have not faced any adversity in life that teaches them that displaying sportsmanship, civility, and kindness to others with words and deeds will often help overcome life’s adversity and discomforts; at least it has me.
Again, thanks for the positive reply.
Hope we can both game-plan well against our bowl opponents, practice hard and focused, stay injury-free, win the bowl game, and recruit well for our positions-of-need for the coming year.
Wishing all a safe and healthy Holiday Season!
GT93
December 6th, 2011
6:48 am
Well said “JAWJeRDAWG” …
Jackson
December 6th, 2011
7:35 am
jawjer
you must be like 80-85 years old
Burdell
December 6th, 2011
7:38 am
Need more fans like Wreck Fan and JAWJeRDAWG…
awbuzz
December 6th, 2011
8:25 am
What a pleasent surprise not to read too much trash take, but to actually see some civiliaty in the banter. I think most GT and UGA fans are like JAWJeRDAWG, Wreck Fan, GT93, Ga Tech Old Timer, etc. Thanks for showing CLASS.
PS – Liked the tongue in cheek additions (Baylor / Tailor / Sailor)… makes us think just bit.
straightjacket 71
December 6th, 2011
8:26 am
Been a Tech fan for 57 years. Getting older now but still loyal to my Family, my company , my faith, and my football team; Georgia Tech….. Good luck to all the Tech football players against the Utes from Utah. I’ll be in the stands at the 40 yard line. Already got my $50.00 seats for myself and my wife, as well as (6) family members.
Tech has provided me many great football moments over the years. I remember them all and will always cherish those cool autumn days at Grant Field watching the fantastic football teams of Georgia Tech, as an independant, a SEC member and an ACC team… Great school, great tradition, wonderful people………………. How can you not LOVE the Ramblin Wrech and Buzz. Its as American as Apple pie and Chevrolet. And that fight song; “I’m a ramblin wreck from Georgia Tech and a hell of an engineer”.
It’s world famous just as Georgia Tech is………………. Go Tech………………..
rharper
December 6th, 2011
8:27 am
Guys, it is good to see that there are those of us out here that do support our state schools like JAWJeRDAWG, Ga Tech Old Timer and Wreck Fan! Now that the in state battle is behind us, let’s wish luck to both of our state schools to represent GA well in their respective bowl appearances. We both need our teams to go out there kick butt and come away with WINS for the state of Ga. There really are good people at both schools who do like to see talent excel!! Go
rharper
December 6th, 2011
8:28 am
DAWGS and Go GA Tech- sorry hit the button before i finished typing!
Wild Bill
December 6th, 2011
8:30 am
Thank you JAWJeDAWG! Same for me, grew up 18 miles from Athens but have always been a Tech fan, even made my own “Rat Cap” when I was in the second grade. I really do not like trash talking and when the players make all of the “look at what I did” gestures after making a good play. None of these actions work in the real and working world. What ever happened to the days when a player was congratulated by his team mates after a good play by the tap on the shoulder pads or butt?
Go all of the State of Georgia teams! Win your bowl game.
Saban
December 6th, 2011
8:35 am
Good luck Jackets in the sun bowl. Your future is bright unlike the cesspool in Athens.
Would it be fair to schedule another game with the Dawgs. Nah I hate seeing Richt throwing his purse at crowell and choakdawg eating 500 krispy kreme`s at halftime.
Miles was kind not to hang 50 on them but Michigan State will finish them off with a 30 point win.