Tech handles Miami ban with little fanfare
There were no fireworks or confetti cannons. When Georgia Tech secured its spot in the ACC Championship game Monday, there may have been coffee.
“We were in a staff meeting this morning,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Somebody came in and said, ‘It’s official.’”
With that, Tech’s plans for the evening of Dec. 1 were finalized. Miami’s decision to self-impose a second consecutive bowl ban, an attempt to lessen the sting of potential NCAA sanctions from an investigation into a rogue booster, lifted the Yellow Jackets into the title game as the Coastal Division representative. The Jackets, who will play archrival Georgia Saturday in Athens, will play for its fourth ACC title against No. 10 Florida State in two Saturdays at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. (BCS ranking)
The berth alone is a considerable trophy for Tech, which six weeks ago was 2-4 and had lost three consecutive games in which it gave up 40-plus points in each, a first in team history. Johnson fired defensive coordinator Al Groh two days after the sixth game of the season, a 47-31 loss to Clemson.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Johnson said after Monday’s practice. “They won four conference games in a row and two of them on the road. It was a case of persevering and just keep playing.”
Following Tech’s 41-17 loss to BYU Oct. 27 that sank the Jackets’ record to 3-5, Johnson assured that “we’re not that far away.” Tech’s performance since then – three consecutive wins, the offense spitting out touchdowns and the defense showing signs of improvement – seems to confirm his assertion.
Since the ACC began divisional play in 2005, Tech is just the fourth team to earn a title-game spot with a 5-3 league record. Tech received a huge break when Virginia Tech, which opened the season with an overtime win over the Jackets, lost four league games for the first time since joining the ACC in 2004. Miami pulled out of the race with a 4-3 league record. Had the Hurricanes not done so, a win over Duke Saturday would have sent them to Charlotte over Tech.
Johnson said he wasn’t apologizing for anything. In response to a question about the line of thinking that Tech had won the division by default, Johnson responded, “We’re 5-3. Who else is better than that in our division? That’d be my answer. Miami’s not 5-3 yet, either.”
Tech and Georgia enter an unusual week in which both teams will be playing in their respective conference title games a week after their showdown Saturday. It’s a first for the rivalry.
“Right now, our focus is on Georgia, because if it’s not, we’ll go up there and get embarrassed,” Johnson said.
The ascension to the championship game clarifies Tech’s bowl picture, although not completely. The ACC champion advances to the Orange Bowl. By contractual agreement, the loser must go to one of the first three bowls in the ACC’s selection order after the BCS bowls – the Chick-fil-A Bowl, the Russell Athletic Bowl (formerly the Champs Sports Bowl) or the Sun Bowl, Tech’s destination last season.
However, if Tech loses both to Georgia and Florida State, the Jackets would fall to 6-7 and drop below the .500 standard necessary for bowl eligibility. Last year, UCLA, which was 6-6 going into the Pac-12 title game, sought and received a waiver beforehand from the NCAA to be considered bowl-eligible in the event of a loss. The Bruins played their bowl with a 6-7 record.
Monday, Tech and ACC officials were preparing paperwork to file with the NCAA in case the Jackets lose to Georgia to fall to 6-6. The conference office had already been in contact with the NCAA.
In August, the NCAA approved a process to address the situation in which there are not enough bowl-eligible teams to fill the 35 bowl games, which could be the case this year with several teams ineligible due to NCAA sanctions. It casts some uncertainty onto a potential Tech petition, but Tech and ACC officials were confident that they would be able to secure a waiver if necessary.
The championship game will be Tech’s third, following its loss to Wake Forest in 2006 and its victory over Clemson in 2009, a win that the NCAA vacated as part of sanctions stemming from an investigation into improper benefits to two football players.
Tech last faced the Seminoles in two memorable games in 2008 and 2009, Johnson’s first two years at Tech. In 2008, the Jackets stopped a 12-game losing streak to FSU with a 31-28 victory at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Safety Cooper Taylor forced a fumble on what would have been a go-ahead touchdown run inside of the final minute of play. The next year, Tech defeated FSU in Tallahassee, Fla., 49-44 in a game most remembered for a lightning storm that halted action and a play in which quarterback Joshua Nesbitt ripped the football away from a Seminoles defender who had recovered a fumble.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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120 comments Add your comment
Mike Bell 790
November 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
FIRST!!!!
TDone
November 19th, 2012
10:11 pm
Tech did not vacate the 2009 title because of improper benefits. It’s because Tech did not genuflect for the UNC-graduate NCAA investigator.
vampire bill
November 19th, 2012
10:30 pm
Trying not to laugh
5150 UOAD
November 19th, 2012
10:31 pm
Ken you really are P..ing me off with the Miami gave TECH a gift type of talk…..Get back to US after Miami beats DUKE then Miami not going to the ACC CG will be a thank you to TECH, but IF Miami loses to DUKE then TECH would be in the game on it’s own merits.
GT-UT
November 19th, 2012
10:34 pm
Personally I think the NCAA is a racket unto itself. The NCAA investigation of the championship game is proof of that. The transcript that I read was An embarrassment.
Ga Tech Old Timer
November 19th, 2012
10:50 pm
Well – I for one am glad all the analysis, what-if’s and could-be’s by Ken resulted in Tech’s berth in the Championship game in Charlotte!
Now, can we all get down to the task at hand and focus on UGA! We need to start making the winning of the battle of the state a priority for somebody beside the fan base. I am tired of Tech being a “no show” practically every time we play UGA. At this point – I don’t give a damn if we win a single ACC game. The one we should be looking toward every year as our first priority is UGA. When we can start beating UGA with the same consistancy as they have beaten us – then and only then will this program be relavent – and I promise you that if and when that happens – the ACC wins will come by the boat load!!
Delbert D.
November 19th, 2012
11:03 pm
There is no longer a current blog to put this info in, but I checked the Newark Star Ledger website (I used to get that paper on Sundays up there) and found this about Rutgers’ probable move to the Big Ten:
“Robert Barchi, the Rutgers president, said this morning if the school was to receive an invitation from any athletic conference, as a point of procedure, the school’s athletic director, Tim Pernetti, would not need the authorization of the Rutgers Board of Governors to accept.”
GTGirl
November 19th, 2012
11:15 pm
I agree with GT Oldtimer, this game is a priority! There is NO bigger game for us than the Tech-Ugag game every year. There is NO bigger fish to fry than than the dawgs. Go Jackets! Sting ‘em!
xx
November 19th, 2012
11:17 pm
vampire I can help you not laugh, bring your fangs over hear I have something you can suck on and keep your mouth full.
Paul in NH
November 19th, 2012
11:19 pm
Delbert
Interesting comment from the Star-Ledger. Either the Rutgers Board of Governors have already been informed on what is coming or we are looking at the biggest abdication of institutional control since Auburn boosters flew to Louisville for a middle of the night meeting with Petrino.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
12:23 am
If Tim Tebow had done that fumble recovery over FSU, ESPN would have a channel dedicated just playing it over and over.
I’m not even remotely joking.
chuck
November 20th, 2012
12:36 am
Ken, great coverage of the Jackets this year. Ken >>> what Roberson ever hopes to be.
...Take The Wheel
November 20th, 2012
1:12 am
I agree that uga game is big. We should never look past any team on our schedule. But I don’t think we should hold the dwags up so high. They aren’t more special than a conference title and/or a good bowl win to me. They’re just another notch on our belt! But I do want to BEAT THOSE dawgs.
I’m glad PJ is keeping them focused! Let’s go boys!!! Hope they’re eating well this week!
yeller bug
November 20th, 2012
2:17 am
I just hope when the season was falling apart in the first 6 weeks that CPJ out of self-preservation began contemplating how to beat UGA in case he ended our bowl-game streak or needed to beat UGA to continue the bowl streak. We need all the tricks out of the bag this week from A-back option passes to throwing it to the eligible tackle when we run an off-balanced line. We cannot play conservative on offense and win this game—time for CPJ to earn his big paycheck and outcoach St Richt.
A-mazed
November 20th, 2012
3:31 am
yeller bug:
I realize you are a fan, but get real. CPJ is preparing his team for the next game each week. Thats the way it works. Although we would all like to fatisize…..
A-mazed
November 20th, 2012
3:33 am
fantisize!
Sunbury Dawg
November 20th, 2012
4:23 am
Ever since that game Tech won and had rings made they have been cursed. Georgia is a better team that is on a roll right now. I hope this one gets out of hand early….
Georgia Tech is the big winner – ESPN (blog) | Blog Mas Rifky
November 20th, 2012
4:59 am
[...] at 5-3, which would tie them atop the standings. But because the Canes and Tar Heels are …Tech handles Miami ban with little fanfareAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)With Miami bowing out of postseason, Georgia Tech gets unlikely [...]
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 20th, 2012
5:23 am
I don’t think Tech will need any offensive “trick” plays to beat UGA. For the most part, our offense has played pretty well against Georgia for the last few years … oftentimes coming down to converting a critical 3rd down or something like that. On the other hand, our defense can use all the trickery they can find. We’ve got to come up with ways to control both the Dogs’ rushing attack and their passing game.
One interesting note … the UGA offense is ranked just ahead of Tech’s in total yardage, but they rank just BEHIND Tech in points production. If our defense can play for four quarters the way they played the last halves of the UNC and Duke games, then I believe we can come out of Sanford Stadium with a win on Saturday.
GT71
November 20th, 2012
5:41 am
yeller bug gets it right. This offense needs new variations on its theme to stay with UGA as the dawgs will score points – lots of them. Unless the D gets nasty, smart and flawless, we are in for a bad day. But they CAN do it.
As for Maryland, so what?
As for ND – ditto – so what. Every Tech man has no affinity for ND and its higher-than-thou attitude. One good year makes no one closer to the Imperial purple – especially those South Benders.
And I STILL want to know who threw that fish and hit Ara Parseghian. That’s an arm with a hand I’d still like to shake.
Island Jacket
November 20th, 2012
6:00 am
Old Timer… From a Semi Old Timer…. I agree with you 100%… Foget all the ACCCG talk and focus on winning at the Athens Correctional Institution this weekend.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 20th, 2012
6:31 am
I thought the UGAs backed into their conference title game, beating only an overrated Florida team and playing no one in the West. But Tech getting in is the ultimate back-in.
Blue Pants
November 20th, 2012
6:32 am
Hopefully, the top 5 upset bug will hit in Athens & Charlotte. Then with a little help from Durham on Saturday, the Jackets can do it up proper (coffee, tea, & doughnuts).
NOVAJacket
November 20th, 2012
6:41 am
Seriously, Ken read the NCAA report and quit perpetuating the myth. The NCAA never even determined that the clothing (which as returned upon notice) was in fact an improper benefit. They used the word “suspected”. The then 28-year old UNC grad, five years removed from losing to the Yellow Jackets on the field, got his nose net out of shape when he was “disrespected” by our 60-something year old counsel. From there, we were punished for not following his instructions not to inform the coaching staff of the investigation (not legal instructions by the way)as evidence of our not cooperating.
NOVAJacket
November 20th, 2012
6:45 am
Won’t know if it’s a back in until this weekend. Wouldn’t have had to worry about this discussion if we could have held fourth quarter leads in our three ACC losses.
NCAA
November 20th, 2012
6:59 am
Miami is not going to the ACC Championship becouse of NCAA Problems. Miami hopes that not going to the ACC championship the school will not get hit by the NCAA with a Hard probation. No problem… now ACC lets Georgia Tech (who is on a 3 year probation) go to the ACC Championship Game? Is this country Great or what?
White&Gold
November 20th, 2012
7:17 am
NCAA, can you remind me again what Tech’s crime was for their probation? Was it $312 worth of clothing divided among three players that was payed back? What was Miami’s penalties? Paying many many players, taking them strip clubs, providing them financial benefits, etc. Which one do you thing is a little more severe?
MC
November 20th, 2012
7:27 am
The talent gap between UGA and GT is massive and just getting wider. They have 3rd teamers and walkons that are better than our starters. Folks PJ can’t recruit and the talent level will keep falling. Anybody here who thinks we can ever catch up with him as coach is deluded themselves. Badly. The last 2 years is a pretty clear indication. The saddest part is we can’t afford to buy him out and get somebody that can recruit in here.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
7:27 am
@NOVAJacket and @GT-UT – Do you have a link to the NCAA report/transcript that you reference. I’d love to read it. From what I’ve read about it, the ultimate penalty was handed down for what the NCAA deemed as non-cooperation on the part of the Tech administration in the investigation of the improper gifts. It also seems like (oddly enough) that the penalties were at least partly influenced by the fact that we were still on (double secret) probation from the NCAA for the self-declared infractions regarding the GPA tracking fiasco. It all sounds a lot like Dean Wormer and Greg Marmalard.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 20th, 2012
7:27 am
In my estimation it’s a back-in because we happen to play in a division so weak that a three-loss team goes to the championship. And it isn’t because we’re all highly ranked and beating up on each other. We lost to MTSU for heaven’s sake.
But I’ll take it. Wouldn’t it set the college football world abuzz if such a poor record didn’t keep us out of the BCS Orange Bowl?
MC
November 20th, 2012
7:32 am
Lil’ Barry Bailout – OBAMAPHONE…we got STOMPED by MTSU. Some of you need to get your mouths out of overdrive. If GT gets destroyed by UGA and FSU do you realize what a joke this program is going to be nationally. Bowls will be falling all over themselves trying not to HAVE to take us. PJ is taking this program right down the toilet and all you so called smart guys are way too dumb to see it.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
7:39 am
@Lil’ Barry – It’s not a “back-in” if Duke beats Miami. If you get in by having the best record (and tie breakers), then it’s not a back-in.
It is, depending on your point of view, a bit of good fortune that we are the best of a pretty weak lot. Kind of like being an average looking girl and winning a beauty pageant only because the others are just plain ugly.
Frankly, I wish Miami would have chosen not to self-impose the post season ban. NCAA is just fickle enough to still hand down stiff penalties and not be move by what appears to be a step of contrition. It’s not as contrite as it appears. They are having a mediocre season also. They’re betting that the next couple of years will be better and that by forgoing a butt-kicking in Charlotte and a low bid bowl game this year, they will be eligible for bigger and better things down the road. I hope the NCAA actually sees this for what it is.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 20th, 2012
7:43 am
I fully expect to get stomped by both UGA and FSU. I just think it’s hilarious that a team with so many losses has a shot at a BCS bowl.
If we only had a defense and some special teams…..
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 20th, 2012
7:44 am
And totallyh OT…Is there no high school senior in the state of Georgia who can kick a ball into the end zone?
MC
November 20th, 2012
8:05 am
The Orange Bowl won’t be all abuzz when nobody comes to their game if the unimaginable happens Lil Barry Bailout. Here comes a new rule after the season I’ll bet you. It’s going to be embarrassing as hell when it’s called the Georgia Tech rule.
ramblingbuzz
November 20th, 2012
8:08 am
Lil Barry & MC = Ugag trolls
ramblingbuzz
November 20th, 2012
8:08 am
Don’t feed the trolls.
MC
November 20th, 2012
8:19 am
No ramblingbuzz…we’re realists. Unlike you.
tired from all the frustrations of being a yellow jacket
November 20th, 2012
8:19 am
Everyone crying that Tech backed into the championship game-just shut it up. Tech palyed the season laid out for them and this is the way it worked out. Instead you should be proud of the Tech team and COACHES who did not quit after two overtime losses that most teams would have quit on. Coach johnson is a fine coach and has everone on it s schedule worried about Tech’s offense which has a top 5 rushing game. Rushing games is where games are won and clock control is obtained. When tech is making blocking assignments, this offense cannot be stopped. get behind tech and quit your squalling.
doc
November 20th, 2012
8:22 am
5150 a point is the edge is off mentally for the canes and we arent sitting alone at the top. we all know it and should accept it. the canes are not playing for a chance to win a shot at another prize. it is anti-climax. kids are kids and might have a let down. looks better if they do lose but even if they do it smells for the kids on both teams because of a supposed adult knowingly screwing things up for his own ego and self serving distorted personality.
wish, we could have held serve in one of those earlier games to win it out right under any circumstance. it would be a moot point what miami does. we didnt know how to win yet. i can hope that has been an education in itself.
and i never give up hope we can beat uga. go bees!
MC
November 20th, 2012
8:22 am
If we get mortally stomped by UGA and the Noles isn’t that enough folks? This will be 2 years in row. Isn’t the handwriting on the wall? No way we go to the top with PJ’s recruiting.
MC
November 20th, 2012
8:24 am
PJ has NEVER had a D. Offense will not by itself win a damn thing. Look what happened to Oregon. PJ’s an arrogant egomaniacal loser.
GT
November 20th, 2012
8:27 am
Seems the NCAA attention is on the wrong side of the street. You have teams barely making bowl eligibility a far sight from football factories getting all the probations. Not quiet sure what we are stopping here or if the main goal is to find the path of least resistance to justify the existence of the NCAA.
BUZZ Fan
November 20th, 2012
8:32 am
The 2009 Championship was vacated due to arrogance and failed deception by the administration, NOT THE PLAYERS!!!!!!!
Veteran Fan
November 20th, 2012
8:39 am
MC, get some anti-depressants! This very young team is getting better and Coach Johnson has done an excellent job of keeping this team together and competing hard every week! We have beaten every team we should with the exception of MTSU, who played a very good game against us! Don’t forget, before the season started, we knew that September would be very difficult! Two overtime losses were tough, but our youngsters continued to play hard! Yes as a grad and a season ticket holder, I don’t know if we will win on Saturday. But I know that our team will show up and give it their best and I am satisfied with that! Our country cousins need to bring their best game, because the city boys from Atlanta will come to play! PS. There is a reason that uga is signing over 30 recruits this year. They have had so many players arrested, dismissed, or transferring out that many of their top 10 recruiting classes have been gutted! We do not need that type of student athlete on the flats! Go Jackets and THWG!
Caleb King
November 20th, 2012
8:46 am
The Jawja fans should not be talking about Tech. Decent team, but a joke of a program. Players arrested every few days. No control of players, just a bunch of thugs majoring in housing. Fulmer Tropy winners!!!!
Aaron Murray is my b-tch
November 20th, 2012
8:49 am
Fulmer Trophy. Nice one, Washaun.
ramblingbuzz
November 20th, 2012
8:57 am
After the MTSU game, I thought the players had quit on Coach Johnson and said so on this blog. I was wrong. CPJ and his players had confidence in the team and continued to play hard. Now they are reaping the benefits of their hard work. Unlike last year, when the team was in a tailspin at the end of the year, I am seeing some improvement on both sides of the ball. I like that. Does it mean we will beat UGA and FSU? Maybe yes, maybe no. But I’m willing to be patient and see what happens next year with a new DC in place and Lee as starting QB. CPJ has made the moves I felt like needed to be made if GT is going to improve.
Dadgum.....
November 20th, 2012
8:58 am
I know the GT v UGA game is real big to a few old timers on this blog as I am approaching 58 years of being a GT fan myself but let’s not kid ourselves here. The “rivalry” is severely watered down. First, you gotta win to bring it back even remotely close to historical form. GT has failed miserably at that. Second, the importance of the game is trumped by just about every ACC regular season game and most definitely by the ACCCG. Not to mention that the rivalry is seen as minimal on a national scale hence the 12:00 start.
Bragging rights of course is at stake as is fodder for blogs but the big ole fashion hate game simply is a shell of its once proud self. If I had a choice of a victory over FSU or Georgia I’m taking FSU and it ain’t even close. I’m betting the players and coaches would vote similarly. Lets just call this rivalry game important but say it tongue in cheek. Tech has a bigger game to play in Charlotte. Go Jackets!
Sideways 77
November 20th, 2012
8:59 am
I think we can beat UGA & FSU – IF the defense keeps improving. The problem that Coach Johnson has is finding a defense. It is hard to keep out scoring other teams consistently. Can you imagine what a great team we would be with a D! We are a top 5 offensive team with Tevin, wait till Vad takes the controls next year, especially if he learns the option! We need a D coach and some D players. A better kicking game wouldn’t hurt either. Let’s control the clock and wear them down.
I do hope our D shows up ready to play. Nothing is more fun than going to Athens and beating the puppies. We’ll see Saturday if Ga is for real and if the Tech D can step up. Go Jackets and the THWG. See you in Athens.
Like Tech doesn't have...
November 20th, 2012
9:02 am
…communications, anthropology, film , and one other major that was listed by band members Saturday that Tech folks make fun of at UGA…
Ken Sugiura
November 20th, 2012
9:15 am
NOVAJacket and Tdone – i didn’t write that the sanctions were in response to the benefits. i wrote that the sanctions stemmed from the investigation into the benefits.
5150 – i didn’t say that tech backed into it. i gave johnson the opportunity to respond to what more than a few people are saying. regardless, i think it’s hard to argue that virginia tech going 4-4 wasn’t a break.
Magic Touch
November 20th, 2012
9:35 am
Georgia Tech is on a magic roll. You could feel it in the second half of the Duke Game. There is a sense of quiet humility combined with a feeling of destiny. I’m not saying that this GT team is a better team than Georgia or Florida State. What I am saying is that when the clock ticks down to zero GT will have the higher score. And no, I haven’t been smoking anything.
don
November 20th, 2012
9:51 am
the pressure on uga players will be huge. this is a must win game or it makes the alabama game almost pointless. it’s all about alabama. i wouldn’t be surprised to see some nerves pop out of uga players and coaches when they start out bumpy.
GTVegas
November 20th, 2012
9:57 am
The UGA game is the most impotant game of the season for one reason, it’s the next game.
FOCUS and EXECUTION are the keys on both sides of the ball, and a bit of luck wouldn’t hurt the defense.
I really don’t give us much of a chance, but I do give us a chance. Do I expet a win this Saturday? Not really, but I do believe that they are capable of winning.
GO JACKETS !!!
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
10:02 am
yes KEN…..VPI being BAD this year hurt the ACC as a whole. We should not have been in this position. Beat VPI with 44 seconds and get a stop after taking the lead on Miami and the year looks great. Tech could be 7-1 but ended up 5-3 in the ACC.
Sorry I missed you last weekend. Dad wasn’t feeling good so I was late.
"It's Official"
November 20th, 2012
10:03 am
It sure is.
No more talk about UGA backing into a conference championship game.
I can hear the announcer ” And Now Your 6-6 (soon to be sub .500) Coastal Division Representative, of the imploding ACC, Georgia Trek”.
Thanks again for the laughs Tech.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 20th, 2012
10:05 am
Anyone else find it ironic that the NCAA investigation of TECH was led by an ex-UNC player that had to be aware of all the academic abuses that were going on in Chapel Hole, NC. Everything that is being exposed now about their program was happening while he was playing there. Just saying.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 20th, 2012
10:08 am
“Like”, TECH does not have enough students to field a band so that allow KSU, etc. students to play in the game day band. That is where some of the majors come from, now go away fella.
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
10:21 am
Is ANY blog coming out that will be full of the TECH vs UGa Jokes we all know and make?
Reebok
November 20th, 2012
10:29 am
Sure, Georgia’s better than Tech, but the best team doesn’t always win (see: Kansas State vs Baylor). Tech will play hard and Gergia MIGHT be thinking about BCS implications…I figure the final will be something like 42-24 Dogs, but GT does have a chance of pulling the upset.
crackbaby
November 20th, 2012
10:31 am
@Toe – I believe the Tech Marching Band no longer accommodates GSU, KSU, etc. students.
@Dadgum – completely disagree with you. A UGA win is MUCH BETTER than beating FSU for a meaningless ACC Title. If Tech wins in Charlotte, the O-bowl will be empty on the Tech side and the opponent will be the “last pick” of the BCS eligible teams. A meaningless banner with no special memories is all the ACC Title game would provide for Tech.
Beating the Dawgs this year stops the slide and the scene of an empty and SILENT Sanford stadium as the Jackets seal victory would be far more memorable and significant.
It’s actually better for the ACC if FSU wins in Charlotte and then wins its BCS game. Same for Clemson. I’m not going to root for the Noles on DEC 1st, but I would trade that game for a win in Athens 100% of the time – ALL IN!
Seriously, let’s take a poll – if Tech won 1 game out of the next two, would you have a worse hangover the day after the UGA game or the ACCG? ………… I rest my case.
Go Jackets!
Remember when
November 20th, 2012
10:42 am
Congrats to Tech. According to business insider Tech is ranked #11 on the top 25 most dangerous colleges list to send your kids. Tech was ranked # 2 in the forcible rape category. Again congrats.
George Stein
November 20th, 2012
10:48 am
All I’ve learned from this discussion is that we have some bad bosses in our midst. Grow up, people.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 20th, 2012
10:49 am
@ Remember when…….wow, I am so impressed at your ability to make up stuff. Maybe you should be working for the people trying to explain Benghazi.
North Ave Killer Beez
November 20th, 2012
10:50 am
FSU or UGA Seriously! it’s is not even close you have that part right. Beating UGA and tearing their dreams apart would bring the utmost joy =) Winning the ACC this year is like completing a marathon, you did it and your just glad it’s over.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 20th, 2012
10:59 am
@ Beez……I TOTALLY agree. Knock UGA out of any chance whatsoever for a NC, and it will be a victory that will go down in history. That would make my Thanksgiving a truly thankful one.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
11:32 am
Boil the UGA game down to pure math. Tech’s defense is allowing about 32 points a game against some shaky competition since Groh’s departure (including 13 points to a team with a linebacker at QB and 50 points to UNC). UGA’s offense is scoring around 38 points a game. So it’s fairly safe to assume that they will score somewhere between 35-38 points on our D (if not more).
UGA’s defense is allowing about 19 points a game. Our offense is scoring about 39 points a game.
The key appears to be how well our Offense can play against their D. Most football fans understand that more often than not, good defense negates a good offense.
The variables are special teams and turnovers. Unfortunately this season’s statistics in both of those areas favor UGA also.
UGA 42 – GT 20 sounds like a reasonable prediction. UGA gets one score off of a turnover and/or special teams play. Tech gets one score on a big play on a busted assignment by the UGA defense being out of position. The other scores come through some decent drives (at least 2 ending in short field goals when we get to the red zone but can’t punch it in for a TD).
ToeMeetsLeather
November 20th, 2012
11:47 am
@crackbaby, did you see the list of majors for the senior band members. A lot of those majors listed on the jumbotron at halftime are not offered at TECH.
Full Metal Jacket
November 20th, 2012
11:53 am
Thanks again for keeping Jacket fans in the loop on the Tech beat, Ken. The team has a great opportunity to complete an impressive turn around with a strong finish and to get a good start on next season. Ken, have you heard any rumors about other ACC teams considering defection after the Maryland jump to the Big 10? I have heard directly from one SEC and one ACC athletic dept official that there are rumblings that several more teams may be leaving the ACC for financial reasons and that the conference may find itself completely restructuring again in another month or so.
Full Metal Jacket
November 20th, 2012
11:57 am
As it stands now, Tech is going to face the No. 3 and the No. 5 teams on consecutive weekends to close the season and post-season. Pretty daunting, but also a great opportunity for positive exposure as long as the team shows up and plays hard, which I think they will. The second half of the season for both UGA and GT have shown renewed commitment and an “all in” attitude by the players and coaches.
Full Metal Jacket
November 20th, 2012
12:01 pm
gtne, if the TO works early and results in a couple of scoring drives, then the game could be close. If UGA gets out to a big (14+ points) lead early, it could be a very long afternoon, again, in Athens. Everyone remembers 2008 and the second half comeback, but we should also remember how unusual that was.
The Records DO Matter in this Rivalry
November 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
Contrary to the cliche “throw the records out the window”, there have been precious few upsets in this rivalry. About 90% of the time the favorite wins, and upsets by heavy underdogs are extremely rare. FMJacket is right, we all hope for another 2008 repeat, but it’s pretty much a desperate hope. For the last decade, the opposite focuses and trajectories of the Tech and UGA programs have been accurately reflected in the game’s results. Under Brane and DRad Tech has lowered its expectations and emphasis on football, and it shows when the two teams play head-to-head.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
12:07 pm
Anyone else find it ironic that the NCAA investigation of TECH was led by an ex-UNC player
I find it Ironic that Miami bows out of the ACC champ game because of NCAA problems and that places Tech in the game while they are still on probation and just had a title stripped away from them.
Its a strange world.
Either way you guys arent playing Middle Tenn St this weekend.
Time for your annual beat down. Try and take it like a man.
Look at it this way. You can still have a big fish fry with CPJ next week.
The Records DO Matter in this Rivalry
November 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
I’m a Tech fan and I hope to heck we beat the pups (if nothing else to win 365 days of relative quiet from the doggie banana republic), but it’s gotten to the point that I don’t feel compelled to travel to Athens every other year, and I don’t even ake special plans to watch the game on television. To be fair, I also don’t bray and brag when we do win. I leave the braying and barking to the canine congregation who have little else in their lives to talk about.All this “Old Fashioned Hate” crapola is just that, and neither a win nor a loss changes my family’s happiness or prospects.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
12:14 pm
@headley
And by ‘man’ you mean person who impersonates members of the armed services on anonymous internet message boards.
You don’t quite realize you fit the stereotype of the sociopathic UGA fan to a T so much it’s almost comical?
The Records DO Matter in this Rivalry
November 20th, 2012
12:17 pm
I am sure lots of UGA fans give head-ly lamar his due, and they are, in fact, the ones who actually enjoy “taking it like a man”. I think they actually look forward to all the happy doggy fashion fun they enjoy. Is that a UGA coed or Ned Beatty squealing like a pig……wait, Ned actually IS a UGA coed.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
12:18 pm
And by ‘man’ you mean person who impersonates members of the armed services on anonymous internet message boards.
Thats news to me
I never served but my Father did as did Grandfather since deceased.
Not something I would do.
MC
November 20th, 2012
12:19 pm
You watch folks. You gotta have the ball to score. You think UGA can’t control the ball as long as they want to in a multitude of ways. Our passing D is pitiful and they’ll run those big backs until we have to stop that to keep some clock and then bam. Everybody acts like we’ll have the ball all day long. LMAO!
Even in the ACC you don’t win with a sorry D.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
12:20 pm
Ill bet you got a purty mouth Records.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
12:21 pm
@headley lamarr
nice try, there bill clinton.
Ken outed you as ‘USMC Jacket’ not too long ago.
Did you ever figure out what an IP address was? Or was that graduate-level stuff at your school?
The Records DO Matter in this Rivalry
November 20th, 2012
12:22 pm
ditto Hayseed Dixie. And you know, they say that the inbred albino boy playing banjo in Deliverance was UGA’s valedictorian a few years after the film was made. Has anyone else noticed all the little “ay” stickers that have been retro-installed on the UGA “G” decals across Atlanta? Anyone know where I can buy them? They make a great clandestine gift to all your UGA friends’ vehicles, and for that matter, to the anonymous trucks and tractors in the local parking lots.
The Records DO Matter in this Rivalry
November 20th, 2012
12:23 pm
You’ll never find out, HL.
www
November 20th, 2012
12:27 pm
sportwriters take note – this is quality stuff:
“There were no fireworks or confetti cannons. When Georgia Tech secured its spot in the ACC Championship game Monday, there may have been coffee.
“We were in a staff meeting this morning,” coach Paul Johnson said. “Somebody came in and said, ‘It’s official.’”
With that, Tech’s plans for the evening of Dec. 1 were finalized”
nice work, sugiura!
www
November 20th, 2012
12:29 pm
lol. why am i not surprised that “headley lamar” lies about his many online personas?
www
November 20th, 2012
12:39 pm
i agree – nerves for uga players could very likely be an issue.
they can’t make many mistakes or the chance to play for a BCS title is out the window. that’s a lot of pressure.
robert
November 20th, 2012
12:40 pm
i hate the ncaa. I wish all of college football would abandon those assface politicians and set up its own structure.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
12:42 pm
Ken outed you as ‘USMC Jacket’ not too long ago.
Did you ever figure out what an IP address was? Or was that graduate-level stuff at your school?
Wrong.
Ken back me up. Ive never posted under that name.
Ever.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
12:48 pm
Just emailed Ken so hopefully he will post something on here.
I have never. Ever. Posted under anything but this name.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
1:05 pm
“Just emailed Ken so hopefully he will post something on here.
I have never. Ever. Posted under anything but this name.”
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2012/01/01/paul-johnson-quotes-4/?cp=1
“headley and usmc jacket – same guy.”
Read for yourself, buddy.
George Stein
November 20th, 2012
1:06 pm
Incorrect as usual, headley. You have posted several times as All Cupcake Conference. I guess having so handles with which to troll makes it difficult to remember, though.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
1:11 pm
@Full Metal – The formula for UGA’s offense will be to pound our undersized defense with the run until we are forced to stuff the box. We couldn’t even significantly slow down Maryland’s offense when we KNEW that they had to run because they had a linebacker playing QB. When we shift forward to stop the run Murray can just toss a few over our heads for a couple of quick scores. We’ve had no success in getting any consistent pressure on opposing QBs even in obvious passing downs.
Even if we get out to a good start offensively, the results will be the same. Their defense will make adjustments and slow it down or stuff it.
No…I don’t hold any hope for this one even being close at the end…unless they are predicting 6 inches of rain in Athens on Saturday morning.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
1:14 pm
Oooh, headley….that’s got to sting. Not only did you lie, you just got slam-dunk caught denying it.
NO CREDIBILITY. NO INTEGRITY.
gtne80
November 20th, 2012
1:15 pm
Thanks Hayseed. It would be nice to clean out a few more of these UGA trolls.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
1:15 pm
@headley lamarr,
Good lord, dude. Get some help.
Up at 3AM impersonating Jacket fans on New Years Eve? Really?
Now who lives in their mom’s basement?
BV
November 20th, 2012
1:20 pm
Get your arsses over to Charlotte folks. Show ‘em we can travel!
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
1:23 pm
@BV
Just getting a final head count, buying tix on Thanksgiving. We’ll be there.
1 4 GT
November 20th, 2012
1:24 pm
I’ll see y’all in Charlotte!
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
1:37 pm
@gtne80
No problem.
Many of these sidewalk-UGA fans are sub-mediocre people anyway, so why is it surprising that they’re sub-mediocre trolls?
GT Joe
November 20th, 2012
1:41 pm
Does anyone think we beat UGA with Tevin?
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
2:15 pm
, headley….that’s got to sting. Not only did you lie, you just got slam-dunk caught denying it.
Not really. Ive never posted as USMC jacket.
Doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. Obviously Ken made a mistake or someone in my building posted as USMC jacket and Ken saw it coming from the same public IP.
Either way. Wasn’t me.
ToeMeetsLeather
November 20th, 2012
2:18 pm
Ah Headless Lamar is back, must have gotten caught up on scratching serial numbers off of weapons for his beloved 5-star STUDENT(now that’s funny, I don’t care who you are) athletes.
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
2:21 pm
headley lamar…………….is all giddy……he is going to be the best SHEM at the Thomas Brown & WnE wedding this Friday. Join them at Bulldogs in Midtown for the Celebration. All 3 will be dressed in their wedding dresses at the GT vs UGa game in Athens. They are hoping to be on TV.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
2:22 pm
Just heard back from Ken.
He does show me posting as USMC jacket 4 times after the Sun Bowl. Honestly I dont believe that is true but whatever.
He also implied that I dont post under anything but this name and those are the only 4 he shows coming from me with a different handle.
Make of that what you will.
Doesn’t change the fact you guys are going to get beat…..again.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
2:23 pm
All 3 will be dressed in their wedding dresses at the GT vs UGa game in Athens.
Mine is the really really long white one.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
2:26 pm
Ah Headless Lamar is back
I never went anywhere.
Ken emailed me one day and told asked me very politely to back off.
Seems I had you Mary’s in quite the flutter.
Anyway so while I didn’t really go anywhere.
I did back off a good bit.
But hey its Tech week. The one week you guys matter in college football.
So things are going to pick up for you.
Then you’ll be back to being irrelevant.
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
2:33 pm
Aww headley. Your butt-hurt-ness in almost palpable.
Keep writing, girl- you can’t make this stuff up.
Must suck to have to pretend to be a Marine. Or a UGA alum.
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
2:35 pm
Must suck to have to pretend to be a Marine. Or a UGA alum.
Nah. Ive never done either.
www
November 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
i have an idea –
why dont you guys try talking about georgia tech football?
or just take the pointless trolling elsewhere?
Math is Hard!
November 20th, 2012
2:36 pm
Once Tech wins the next three games, we can focus on filling up the stadium next season. The boys deserve it!
Hayseed Dixie
November 20th, 2012
2:54 pm
@www
I think that’s a great idea. My apologies.
Much like a car wreck, or a mentally challenged person who’s just barfed on themselves in public, it’s kinda hard not to stare at posters like headley lamar.
But you’re right. Football it is.
Captain Oveur
November 20th, 2012
3:05 pm
Y’all have to excuse headley. He just got his back-to-back Eastern Division Champs T-shirt today & is SO PROUD of it like all the other inbreds!
BV
November 20th, 2012
3:24 pm
Kudos to Hayseed and 1 4. We need more! Party inthe CLT!
Dennis
November 20th, 2012
3:38 pm
Tech thy name is Lazurus. Playing with house money now. Food taste better, air smells sweeter, all is great when you were dead and now live. Amen!
headley lamar
November 20th, 2012
3:41 pm
Tech handles Miami ban with little fanfare
I thought Tech did everything with little fanfare ?
4 Tickets 4 Hotdogs 4 Programs 4 Cokes.
Skeptic
November 20th, 2012
4:02 pm
5150,
‘Bulldogs in Midtown’ is there really such a place or are you talking about some secret bushes in Piedmont Park
List Mama » Georgia Tech claims spot in ACC title game at 6-5 – Wilkes Barre Times-Leader
November 20th, 2012
4:06 pm
[...] second straight year, looking to lessen the sanctions from an NCAA investigation into its …Tech handles Miami ban with little fanfareAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Georgia Tech is the big winnerESPN (blog)Georgia Tech qualifies [...]
dwagdawg
November 20th, 2012
4:41 pm
Read for yourself. Skeptic……
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bulldogs-atlanta
Skeptic
November 20th, 2012
4:54 pm
LMAO
Glad I didn’t search for that one.
5150 UOAD
November 20th, 2012
5:39 pm
Thanks…………………..dWagDawg……..I had started pre-cooking & preparing for Thanksgiving so I was gone for a few.