Fitting MTSU loss into Tech history
In case you wanted more torment, I attempted to place Saturday’s 49-28 loss to Middle Tennessee State in Georgia Tech’s bad loss history. As some of you probably know better than I do, it’s historically bad. You could argue it’s worse than the 17-14 Furman loss in 1983, as the margin of defeat was greater and I don’t know that much was expected from that team.
The losses were based on two criteria – that the opponent be a lesser-caliber team and margin of victory. It excludes costly ACC losses or losses to Georgia, but my thinking is that a loss to Georgia or an ACC team (or opponents of the other leagues Tech has belonged to in the past) is more understandable than a loss to a team from the Sun Belt Conference or, in the case of Furman, an FCS team. I’m distinguishing between a bad loss and a costly or emotionally painful loss. Miami was costly. MTSU was bad.
“Lesser caliber” is difficult to determine, particularly the further you go back. The Sagaran rating for the 1902 St. Albans team is not readily accessible, for example. (Much of the information, particularly about opponents, is from websites that I deem to be reasonably reliable.)
1983 – 17-14 loss to Furman. The Paladins were, and are, an FCS (or I-AA) team, so would be even less expected to beat Tech than MTSU was. It remains Tech’s only loss to an FCS-level team. (The Jackets tied Furman in 1986.)
1981 – 28-15 loss to Memphis. (then Memphis State) The Tigers were an independent so I don’t know how you’d categorize them, but they were pretty rancid. Memphis (State) scored more than 13 points only once that season, and that was against Tech in its only win of the season. Tech also went 1-10 after opening the season with a win over No. 4 Alabama in Birmingham in Bill Curry’s second season. I know some about that game, but that’s a tough one to understand.
1968 – 35-14 loss to Navy. The Midshipmen were 2-8 against a rigorous independent schedule. They beat Tech in November, part of a four-game losing streak to end Bud Carson’s second season after the retirement of Bobby Dodd. Navy’s only other win was over Pittsburgh. Tech was 4-6.
From this point to the beginning of the century, Tech’s schedule was almost exclusively comprised of teams on its level, and the Jackets beat just about all of the more suspect outfits.
1902 – 17-0 loss to St. Albans (Va.). St. Albans lost to Virginia 15-0 and 10-0 to N.C. State and tied Furman 0-0, according to sports-reference.com, just two days after beating Tech at Brisbine Park. That Tech team was 0-6-2 under the leadership of Coach John McKee and captain Bully Young, so it’s hard to call this a bad loss, given that the Jackets weren’t very good, as was the case of most of Tech’s first teams. McKee did not return for the 1903 season, after which John Heisman became coach. Brisbine Park, possibly Brisbane Park, was about eight blocks west of where Turner Field now stands.
1900 – 23-0 loss to Nashville. I believe this is the University of Nashville, which Wikipedia says closed in 1909. Nashville lost to Auburn 28-0 and 18-0 to Vanderbilt that season. Tech was 0-4 that season and was outscored 107-6. Games were played at Piedmont Park.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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243 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
October 1st, 2012
7:34 pm
@ New Idea……your facts still do not support the fact that Tech can only admit students who first want to go to Tech, and second qualify for entrance at Tech. Those are the only facts that are pertinent.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 1st, 2012
7:37 pm
@ tech hater……..I guess you consider your 7:27 post to be intelligent. Well, that’s pretty much par for the course for dummies. They always think what they say and do is important and meaningful. You just proved in 22 short words that you are an immature little child. At least you didn’t misspell any of those 22 words; that’s more than be said for most of the trolls who post on here.
Delbert D.
October 1st, 2012
7:38 pm
Data on admissions, Georgia Tech (all colleges, 2011)
Acceptance Acceptance rate SAT SAT GPA
All Colleges (in-state) 2,318 47.42% 1398 2065 3.98
All Colleges (out-of-state) 3,523 56.69% 1424 2090 3.89
All Colleges (international) 522 25.13% 1394 2063 3.91
Supersize that order, mutt
October 1st, 2012
7:39 pm
@ New Idea……as I said earlier, what you posted about Tech may have been based on facts, but what you posted about UGA was only conjecture on your part. I bet you might be surprised at the makeup of the student body at UGA. I’d bet there is a much higher percentage of international and out-of-state students there than you realize.
Delbert D.
October 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
Something I saved earlier this year:
ajc 3/16/2012
High achievers admitted to Georgia Tech
By Laura Diamond
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Students are not imagining it if they think it’s harder to get in to Georgia Tech.
Related
Those admitted for next fall boast an average 3.9 GPA and a 1430 out of 1600 on the math and verbal SAT. By high school graduation these students would have taken an average of eight college-level courses, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate.
About 14,700 students applied for one of the 2,400 spots for fall or the 250 spots for this summer. The admitted class represents 86 countries and 49 states. No one from Wyoming was admitted.
The University of Georgia is scheduled to announce admission decisions by April 1.
LT
October 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
Ken, I understand the criteria you set forth, but I really think you are remiss to not include the 41-17 Duke loss in 2003. Yes, they were a conference opponent, but that didn’t mean much back then– I think they had lost 24 straight in conference when they beat us like a drum, so no one expected to lose to Duke back then anymore than losing to a lower level FBS team. Duke rarely beat anyone back then.
Sour Old Man
October 1st, 2012
8:14 pm
LESSON ONE: A.-Tech’s defense failed all game vs. MTSU. B.-It often
fails at the end of a game. C.- It often fails at the end because Tech does not have depth. D.- Tech does not have depth because recruiting is hard for Tech. E. – Recruiting is hard because players know at Tech they’ll have to study more than football. Last one out turn off the lights.
Delbert D.
October 1st, 2012
8:21 pm
That is a good synopsis. If a kid wants an easy ride through college, better look elsewhere. Chances are, an easy ride won’t be worth it in the long run.
yeller bug
October 1st, 2012
8:25 pm
Alright, everyone move along now…nothing to see here, nothing to see here…
ray gunkel
October 1st, 2012
8:26 pm
honestly, what’s the point of this…it was a bad loss – duh…are we that desparate for feedback that we need to rank it…really?
Delbert D.
October 1st, 2012
8:39 pm
Next, we will have a ranking of best losses.
GssiT
October 1st, 2012
8:39 pm
Ken—-24 hours is up! It’s over! Let it go! Nobody really cares! Why not dig deeper into all the unexplained injuries????? Go, Jackets!
Freddy Blassie
October 1st, 2012
8:47 pm
Just be glad that all our football players have engineering degrees to fall back on and be happy.
WnE
October 1st, 2012
8:59 pm
re:
Gus in Marietta
October 1st, 2012
5:34 pm
First, a disclaimer: I stayed home and didn’t watch Saturday’s embarrassment. Thank goodness.
Second, this is probably the worst loss in the last 40 years. I have been to nearly every home game (and a few road games) since 1976. I saw the Furman loss, the Memphis loss, a Duke loss on Halloween, etc. I saw the Bill Lewis team quit on him mid-season. So I have seen pletnty of crappy games.
But this loss is not an aberration. We are getting steadily worse. We just don’t have the talent to compete. The tricky CPJ offense is a thing of beauty and allows us to win some games we probably shouldn’t. The problem is that our players are not as big, fast, strong or talented as most of the teams we play. Certainly the elite teams are in a whole different category than us these days. We have always had several star players on the team — guys who would go on to play (and do well) in the NFL. These days, those guys are not wearing white and gold. How many of our players would crack the starting lineup at UGA? At FSU? At Clemson? At Miami? At Bama? (there’s a laugh!). Which of our offensive guys is that good? Who on defense? You don’t win consistently with inferior talent. Big plays are made by star players. Games are won with big plays. So until CPJ figures out how to recruit better or we change coaches, we are pretty much doomed to mediocrity or worse.
That’s it. Ugly and sad, but deep down those of us who bleed white and gold know it to be so…
__________________
YodaNeffect (YnE) says:
Strong the Force is, in this one.
I can see that the “gospel according to WnE” is lot more prevalent than Supersize, Fl Jacket, High Tech, GT Stein, 1 4 GT, and many of my other main detractors will admit to.
To the original poster that I responded to; great post sir, keep up the good work, I’m glad you can see GT FB & CPJ for what he really is.
Smyrna Gold
October 1st, 2012
9:21 pm
WnE is the most knowledgable person on this blog. The things he says are bitter for Tech fans but never the less true. Are Al Groh and CPJ still employed at Tech??
Rock
October 1st, 2012
9:26 pm
I am a UGA fan but went to the Tech – Furman game in 1983 with a buddy and his dad. It was a great day!
realist
October 1st, 2012
9:55 pm
I’m afraid this year we will see that 51-7 wasn’t as bad as it can get. We will get killed.
DawgNole
October 1st, 2012
10:18 pm
I Don’t Understand
October 1st, 2012
12:56 pm
Why hasn’t Groh resigned or been fired yet?
_____________________
Good question. Some ignoramus, on the other hand, posted that he was resigning at 4 p.m. today. Guess Groh didn’t get the message.
Smyrna Gold
October 1st, 2012
10:33 pm
Has DRAD been fired yet??
WnE
October 2nd, 2012
12:25 am
re:
Delbert D.
October 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
Something I saved earlier this year:
ajc 3/16/2012
High achievers admitted to Georgia Tech
By Laura Diamond
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Students are not imagining it if they think it’s harder to get in to Georgia Tech.
Related
Those admitted for next fall boast an average 3.9 GPA and a 1430 out of 1600 on the math and verbal SAT. By high school graduation these students would have taken an average of eight college-level courses, such as Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate.
About 14,700 students applied for one of the 2,400 spots for fall or the 250 spots for this summer. The admitted class represents 86 countries and 49 states. No one from Wyoming was admitted.
The University of Georgia is scheduled to announce admission decisions by April 1.
______________
Why WASTE YOUR TIME posting that data?
“Recruited” Scholarship Athletes in Revenue Sports are accepted to GT under a completely different & LOWER STANDARD.
This is the same at ALL COLLEGES that opt to play Big-Time Revenue Producing Sports.
Showing what the REGULAR STUDENT has to do to get into GT is immaterial to what is discussed on Sports Blog.
Once again the typical weasely GT Fan(not me of course) attempting to play the Academics Card at the wrong time in the wrong place!
Instead of Delbert D maybe you should use the acronym DD since you are obviously a bQQb?
1 4 GT
October 2nd, 2012
1:16 am
IMNTBHO…..all any fan has the “right” to expect from their team. To be competitive! To put itself in a position to win at the end the game! To compete for the conference championship! To actually be the champion every now & again! To be competitive against their #1 rival & beat said rival every now & again! Maybe be “lucky” enough to even be in the mix for the MNC every now & again & maybe actually upsey the applecart & win it! If the fan’s team can just be competitive, all of the rest will fall in place. Like any business, it was not created to give us a job. No college/institution was created to give us a sports team to cheer for….that is supposed to secondary. Do we want/expect more? Do we want/expect to win like Alabama? Many fans answer those questions yes. Will they get their wish? Not likely. Enjoy your team’s successes & hurt for their losses. And live with both. And always have pride in your”s & their achievements. Wear your colors proudly. Selah.
New Idea
October 2nd, 2012
6:20 am
Supersize,
UGA’s own statistics say 88% are Georgia Residents, I only found WiKipedia info that said GT has 50 to 55% Georgia residents, Our Charter say we are for Georgia, why don,t we serve Georgia? 50% is not serving Georgia or using the millions given to support GT by the State taxpayers. As a taxpayer I want to know why more Georgians are not in GT. If GT is not living up to its Charter, why?
I agree WnE has some real world comments. his last comment was right on.
Mitchell
October 2nd, 2012
6:58 am
For the record, the score of the Navy game in 1968 was 35-15. Tech got a 2 point conversion on their last score to make it ‘more respectable.’ I was 12 years old at the time and at the game with my 11 year old cousin.
Not only was it a miserable performance on the field, but it rained during the game and then turned to sleet and ice.
I remember it well, because we had to wait for my uncle to return for our ride home – he got caught in the traffic snarl caused by the winter weather. A long, cold, wet day for the 2 of us.
GT Albany
October 2nd, 2012
7:43 am
I don’t understand quitting in a game. Scholarship student athletes have a great opportunity and with that comes an obligation to play hard! But, after all is said and done there is a definite problem on defense and a lack of good senior leadership. Gailey was football smart, but couldn’t relate to college age players. I am not sure what Johnson’s deal is.
HighTech
October 2nd, 2012
7:58 am
YodaNeffect (YnE) says:
Strong the Force is, in this one.
I can see that the “gospel according to WnE” is lot more prevalent than Supersize, Fl Jacket, High Tech, GT Stein, 1 4 GT, and many of my other main detractors will admit to.
To the original poster that I responded to; great post sir, keep up the good work, I’m glad you can see GT FB & CPJ for what he really is.
———————————
Interesting that a “fan” would take such malicious glee in his team losing. YodaNeffect? Strong the force is? Boot Licking Toady? Kung Fu Panda? You sound just like the nerdy band geeks you accuse others of being. You said you were not an athlete at GT. You also said you were a volunteer coach at a high school but no longer have time for that. I wonder what the real story is there because you have plenty of time to spread your negativity on these blogs and on Twitter. Yet, somehow you are a CFB genius based on never being a collegiate athlete and only a part-time volunteer high school coach. The more likely story is you are a jock sniffing equipment manager wannabe and the type of icehole (another nerdy band geek word) that enjoys seeing others fail because it makes you feel better about yourself.
TeknocratNOTdemokrat
October 2nd, 2012
8:33 am
@newidea – have you looked at what it costs to attend the GIT? Please don’t go to the scolarship thing. My family couldn’t afford it back in the 70’s when it was supposedly ‘cheap’…that ands the fact that most kids want to go to a party school(which is a category that ugag falls into quite nicely) these days. But point taken.
I too want to know why there’s no announcement of CAG’s firing – I’m sorry but there’s no excuse for not firing him – if he’s the fly in the ointment, get rid of him. If not, get rid of him fo losing the team.
www
October 2nd, 2012
8:38 am
*sagarin, not sagaran
will you go to the prom with me, mom?
October 2nd, 2012
9:27 am
This loss has to be considered the most deflating, embarrassing and historic for sure. Being upset by an underdog is one thing but losing by 21 freaking points??? Are you kidding me? Worst loss in Tech history. 21 points is a beat down by a program that nobody has ever heard of. What a disgrace to the ACC and all Tech fans.
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October 2nd, 2012
9:40 am
[...] Fitting MTSU loss into Tech history [...]
It is What it Is
October 2nd, 2012
10:03 am
Can we please do away with all of the talk about how “smart” Paul Johnson is? The commentators just love to kiss his butt because he doesnt carry a play sheet. He is a LOSER. Please keep Wille Marti, er, I mean Al Groh for 10 more years.
brad
October 2nd, 2012
10:13 am
A back, B back, C back?????? How about a Q Back? and a R Back and a couple of good WR? THis offense is so done. Tech needs to hire a OFFENSIVE minded coach that runs a PRO STYLE. That is the ONLY way GT will be able to half way recruit good athletes. If I was 18 years old and pretty good, I wouldn’t want to play option football. You take too many hits in the legs.
Regina Lewis
October 2nd, 2012
10:37 am
You all act like it is such an embarrassing loss. MTSU may play in a smaller conference, but enrollment is more than UTK or Tech. The athletic program dominates the Sunbelt, and women’s basketball program has dominated every SEC team they have played over the past several years except for Tennessee. They drilled Alabama, split with GA, always beat KY, and are 3-1 against LSU. Yet, despite being in a smaller conference, I never see other schools call that embarrassing. Give the Blue Raiders a little credit. They were a field goal away from beating a top ten Virginia a few years ago, beat ACC Maryland two years ago , and beat SEC Ole Miss…just hive credit where credit is due.
Raid
October 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
The most embarrassing is the 222-0 win over Cumberland. Cumberland had ceased football operations and only played the game due to legal actions by GT. GT beat a frat team 222-0.
dry dirt road
October 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
worse loss ever for Tech; if MT lost to McNeese State this year, then Tech lost to McNeese State in worst loss ever for Tech; CPJ has them taking too long in backfield with multi fakes, has to go downfield to end zone, not side to side; Groh’s d is leaky Roof 3 man rush with no ability to prevent all passes, although some passes are defended ok by Tech, and LBs cannot run with receivers b/c they’re too heavy, they gotta blitz; blitz worked against LT of VT; Tech’s gotta pass from wildcat this week and pass alot b/c running game has been closed for the year by MT; Tech’s gotta wear unis from either the first game or the second game only, and no deviations from introductory light and dark unis; they tried to deviate in the Chick Bowl against LSU and lost; Tech always has an indentity crisis with unis, and are very disorganized with the unis; the BD 1952 reunion game could have had the white helmets since BD was the AD during the white helmet years, but he was not the actual head coach, however there were no blacks on any of BD’s teams, so why did Tech want to wear the gold helmets for the reunion game?; this is what I mean by beng disorganized; the first black player for Tech was Eddie McAshan the qb, and he wore no. 1 for first black Tech player, I guess; he also wore the white helmets for two seasons, never gold; Tech isn’t offering much this year for football entertainment; I wonder how the baby jackets are playing? CPJ has gotta go, he takes too long trying to fake it, and too long to pass it from los snaps, and this offense isn’t faking anybody out anymore; they also need a tight end to help block rushers
HighTech
October 2nd, 2012
12:05 pm
YodaNeffect (YnE) says:
Strong the Force is, in this one.
I can see that the “gospel according to WnE” is lot more prevalent than Supersize, Fl Jacket, High Tech, GT Stein, 1 4 GT, and many of my other main detractors will admit to.
To the original poster that I responded to; great post sir, keep up the good work, I’m glad you can see GT FB & CPJ for what he really is.
———————————
Interesting that a “fan” would take such malicious glee in his team losing. YodaNeffect? Strong the force is? Boot Licking Toady? Kung Fu Panda? You sound just like the n_erdy band g_eeks you accuse others of being. You said you were not an athlete at GT. You also said you were a volunteer coach at a high school but no longer have time for that. I wonder what the real story is there because you have plenty of time to spread your negativity on these blogs and on Twitter. Yet, somehow you are a CFB genius based on never being a collegiate athlete and only a part-time volunteer high school coach. The more likely story is you are a jock sniffing equipment manager wannabe and the type of icehole (another n_erdy band g_eek word) that enjoys seeing others fail because it makes you feel better about yourself.
Jerky Boy
October 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
You guys were giving MTSU all they could handle in the first half, then reality set in and you slapped around like the whusses that you are.
GT Albany
October 2nd, 2012
7:16 pm
49-28 sounds mild compared to 69-14 courtesy of ND at South Bend in 1977. It was the payback for the GT upset in 1976 in Atlanta. Good ole Pepper Rodgers
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October 2nd, 2012
10:16 pm
[...] Fitting MTSU loss into Tech history [...]
GT is a 4th rate High School Team
October 3rd, 2012
8:55 am
The rumor is MTSU are having rings made for this player for the ransacking of GT. LOL.
juan carlos diego raul sanchez
October 3rd, 2012
11:38 am
i hope we will start to play 2 QB’s…Washington is getting killed – he needs a break.
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icons pack
October 4th, 2012
1:26 pm
I can not participate now in discussion – there is no free time. But I will return – I will necessarily write that I think.