Georgia Tech will receive a bowl-eligibility waiver from the NCAA even if it loses the ACC Championship game to finish at 6-7, according to a cbssports.com report.
The story cited two unnamed sources. Tech, ACC and bowl officials could not confirm the report. Without directly commenting on the news, acting athletic director Paul Griffin reaffirmed his confidence in Tech’s situation, reiterating a comment made Monday.
“We’ll be playing in an ACC bowl game between the 27th of December and the first of January,” he said. “We’re going to make sure we do everything we can to make sure that it’s the Orange Bowl.”
With a new NCAA rule in place addressing bowl eligibility, concerns arose that Tech might not be bowl eligible if it lost to Florida State to drop below .500, a standard to receive a bowl invite, even though UCLA received a waiver last year in a similar situation. If the Yellow Jackets were not granted a waiver, it would have put them in a situation of needing to win the title game to go to the Orange Bowl or be shut out of the bowl picture altogether. Griffin and other Tech officials maintained their certainty that they would be playing in a bowl regardless. It appears they had reason.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
154 comments Add your comment
Iluvnutella
November 30th, 2012
7:21 am
Please please please Tech brass, even if u win, STAY HOME! Getting beat by Kent State in a sorry bowl will bring the program to a low not seen since Bill Lewis.
just wondering
November 30th, 2012
7:28 am
@Diablo69 …..How did Tech earn the right to play FSU? It was given to them,
papadawg
November 30th, 2012
7:29 am
The Blue Field looks very nice with the Blue in GTs uniforms. Remember when you teckies had fun with the DAWGS going to Shreveport. Well we didn’t have to beg for a bowl. BAWHAW!
The Truth
November 30th, 2012
7:34 am
Papadwag…….you just need to stay focused on Bama, then you can get your hotel reservations for Orlando….
GT71
November 30th, 2012
7:35 am
Bad, bad, bad,
Bad – the AJC ‘journalists’. And it’s not just their disdain for TEch – where’s the count-down clock for the ACC?.
Bad – the NCAA decision – no team with a losing record should go bowling..no team with a 6-6 record either. Bowls are for WINNERS!
Bad – a Tech team that lost to MTSU and EVERY OTHER good team they played.
And REALLY bad that most of you don’t see this ‘reward’ for an unsuccessful season is bad for all involved.
I’m embarrassed to be a Tech grad. But they are ‘my’ Jackets and I love them. I just don’t respect their leadership.
danny
November 30th, 2012
7:41 am
Diablo, read your paper. This week, your coach questioned his teams effort against UGA. Of course, he had them prepared and his game plan was flawless. He is the only one questioning their effort, otherwise it comes back on him and his decisions.
The New ACC
November 30th, 2012
7:56 am
It is my fault. I make assumptions that MUST be wrong.
First, I assume that people posting on a sports blog actually know something about the sport. This is one about college football and specifically the ACC and GA Tech. Apparently very few folks posting here really don’t know anything at all about GA Tech, the ACC, the NCAA, or even the sport of football.
Second, I assume that most on here post to exchange real information regarding the particular topic. Again, this is specifically about the ACC and GA Tech football.
These assumptions are totally wrong. It seems that there are quite a few people (and I use that term loosely) that come here to post random and stupid comments just to waste their time and the time of people reading. This amazes me. I had no idea that there were so many people of “luxury” that actually had that much time to waste.
Maybe the economy in Georgia isn’t as bad as they tell us?
dick whiskey
November 30th, 2012
8:04 am
does this mean CPJ gets his bowl bonus now?
The New ACC
November 30th, 2012
8:08 am
GT71 -
You do not understand. Please allow me to explain…
The NCAA rule is that no team with less than a 0.500 team can go to a bowl. Any team can apply for a wavier for this rule.
GA Tech currently has a 0.500 record. This is from the regular season. If we ONLY look at the regular season, we would easily go to a bowl and no one would bat an eye.
However, in our division, we have two teams that are not allowed (or allowing themselves) to go to any post season play. This includes UNC and Miami. Next up is GA Tech. So, we are our division representative.
But, if we do go to the ACC CG, then there is a chance that our record falls below 0.500. Now, GA Tech could decline to go the ACC CG I think, but that would be silly and stupid. That would mean that an even a lesser team would represent the division. I just don’t think that the ACC would allow that or be too happy.
If we go to the ACC CG and GA Tech loses and our record falls below 0.500, then essentually we would be penalized for going to the ACC CG. Now, does that make sense? No. Why should any team be penalized for playing an extra game post season in a conference championship game?
This is why a wavier was required.
Should Tech fans be embarrassed? No. This situation has happened before (most recently to UCLA) and it will happen again to any large conference with a CG. It will/could even happen to the SEC.
Freddie Blassie
November 30th, 2012
8:10 am
I like Johnson and Tech is lucky to have him as their coach. He will get this defensive side of the ball and special teams straightened out in the next year or two and ,when he does, Tech will be back. These kids are not tough enough right now.
Brady
November 30th, 2012
8:16 am
The most ludicrous part is how much extra paul johnson gets for making it to the acc champ game. I wonder what he gets. He should not accept it but we know that would never happen. And I’m sure he gets a bonus for each lousy bowl tech loses. Thanks miami for keeping this lug around another2 years.
cpj
November 30th, 2012
8:31 am
Woo hoo, I get my bonus and enhance my “legacy” win/win for me and gtu comes out looking fairly foolish as always.
lanier
November 30th, 2012
8:33 am
wonder if they will show any effort against the noles or will it be uga all over again
Jacketnation Deflation
November 30th, 2012
8:34 am
Did anyone get a 3 dollar ticket to the ACC championship game? This league only has two ranked teams and we ain’t one of them. The coastal division is so weak maybe all teams should bolt for the Colonial Conference.
Ol' Buzz
November 30th, 2012
8:36 am
I guess the NCAA is trying to fill up those 35 bowl games with someone. Didn’t know that wins over non-FBS teams counted now.
juvenal
November 30th, 2012
9:01 am
Vandy? love playing schools that use real students……….
nobowl
November 30th, 2012
9:05 am
going to a bowl with a losing record??? embarrrassing—tech needs to turn down a bowl and regroup for next year and find a defense somewhere.
gt4ever
November 30th, 2012
9:07 am
If CPJ accepts a single penny for being in the ACC game, I will lose what little respect I have left for the man… If he wants to stay and turn this team around, he needs to find an offensive coordinator, a defensive coordinator, and a RECRUITING coordinator.. And then let them do their JOBS! If we beat FSU, fine, then we need to win the bowl game… Doubtful that any of this will happen, but I can still dream….
Dadgum.....
November 30th, 2012
9:08 am
I stand by my comment that Tech should not be going if they lose. Also, I feel the NCAA erred in approving the waiver. There is no grey area for me at all. Also the extra practice time a bowl game receives is a total cop out as validity to accepting a bowl bid. That’s a cry coaches have. Ask the players. Totally different response.
Just FYI. Tech can’t refuse a bowl bid to an ACC tie in bowl unless there is another ACC school to take its place. There isn’t. Tech will go to a bowl if selected. The Sun Bowl doesn’t want Tech and have been in touch with the Music Bowl to switch for a chance at matching up VT and USC. The Belk Bowl is out because with the 4th selection they are taking local boy Duke. Bowl has already lined up Duke to play probably Cincy. Keep in mind too that there is already an overage of qualifying teams. The Sun Bowl has notified the ACC that they don’t want Tech. Gonna get interesting to see if a Music Bowl switch can be pulled off. If I was the Music Bowl I would much rather have a VT / Vandy game. Stay tuned. Better yet….beat FSU.
The Shu
November 30th, 2012
9:09 am
Ellis Johnson is out there for us to possibly look at for DCord. He did really well with USC, despite what happened at southern miss this year. Just a thought.
Blue Ridge Dawg
November 30th, 2012
9:13 am
Way to go Techies… How about earning a bowl?? Just a thought. GO DAWGS!!
GTVegas
November 30th, 2012
9:24 am
I will support the Jackets wherever, whenever they play.
The waiver is a formality only. The NCAA could have easily just said that playing in a Conference Championship game does not count in the case where it determines a winning vs. losing record. You simply cannot penalize a team for playing in the Conference Championship. It makes no sense. Now, the issue of whetehr or not any 6-6 team deserves a bowl is another matter. I personally believe we have too many bowl games.
I will be in Charlotte this weekend and at the game. Do I think GT has a chance? Sure, but it’s a slim one. That doesn’t mean I won’t go to the game and hope to see something I don’t expect. Rather, I hope to be pleasantly surprised.
I like the offense, but would like to see it evolve to something more like Oregon. The defense just needs to start over. We would not even be talking about CPJ’s performance if the defense was average.
danny
November 30th, 2012
9:26 am
Get Ellis Johnson and then Tech can try to sell this to recruits, come play for Johnson & Johnson. He was 0 and 12!!!
wrecked again
November 30th, 2012
9:29 am
I don’t think Tech can afford Ellis Johnson, and why would anyone want to coach with PJ?
NGA Jacket
November 30th, 2012
9:54 am
There are only 30-32 teams that are bowl worthy.
Back in the old days going to a bowl was a real accomplishment.
Peadawg
November 30th, 2012
9:54 am
“They played hard and earned their trip to Charlotte and beyond”
They didn’t earn it. Tech is 3rd in their division. It was given to them.
WnE
November 30th, 2012
9:57 am
7 losses
5 losses
6 losses, with the potential for more.
That’s THREE YEARS where CPJ has averaged 6 losses per year, the 3 year run occurred in years 3, 4, & 5, not years 1 – 3, that means that CPJ has the program trending DOWNWARD and should be fired.
The year FIVE of the CPJ regime, he has “lifted” GT FB to the point where we need NCAA “welfare” in order to make it to a crappy lower-tier Bowl Game.
This is what CPJ has brought to the GT fanbase, only the BLTs would sit by and think that he is the right HC for GT.
The quicker we fire CPJ the better off GT FB will be!
aprilglaspie
November 30th, 2012
9:59 am
Lord how the Orange Bowl has fallen. This “waiver” reminds me of the antelopes with night vision goggles mocking the lion on that insurance commercial. “We can see you Carl”.
UGA = Yawn
November 30th, 2012
10:02 am
Diablo69 – well said!!!
buzzwax
November 30th, 2012
10:08 am
Christmas and the Holidays are times for miracles. How bout GT wins the ACC Championship AND the Orange Bowl to get to EIGHT wins!!! EVERYONE is writing off this years GT team………..Time for a few breaks and throw in a miracle!!!
GT65
November 30th, 2012
10:16 am
Time for Paul to go!..enough said.
gt4ever
November 30th, 2012
10:22 am
Just WAKEUP buzzwax… LOL
Reebok
November 30th, 2012
10:33 am
After the way the team stopped trying in the 2nd half against Georgia, I have come around to the conclusion that Coach Johnson has lost the team and will be gone after next season. I love the offense, but we can’t recruit for D or special teams, and the offense can’t score every time it gets the ball. Effort comes from the top, and if the players quit in a game (as they did against both UGA and MTSU), the head coach is to blame.
Tech Guy
November 30th, 2012
10:47 am
Radakovitch scewed Tech big time, and left Tech with a huge debt. The annual debt burden will be about one fourth of the annual budget. The remaining funds will be less than half of UGA’s budget. I’m sure he misled Clemson about the NCAA probation and vacating the ACC title. Certainly, Clemson would not hire him if they knew his true role in the situation.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2012
10:54 am
People are quick to bring up that we “backed into” the ACC title game because Miami took itself out.
But they fail to realize that if Miami did go to the title game, they would have “backed into” the game due to UNC’s probation.
If UNC was eligible, THEY would be the team in the title game, not Miami.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2012
10:56 am
….so if UNC was eligible, GT wouldn’t need a bowl waiver.
if Miami didn’t take itself out, GT wouldn’t need a bowl waiver.
and we may not need the bowl waiver ANYWAYS (if we beat FSU).
blazer
November 30th, 2012
10:58 am
Some other team is going to a Championship game and Bowl and didn’t play but two teams and
they lost to one of them!!
Steveo
November 30th, 2012
11:08 am
OH Boy!!….a waiver to go to the Outhouse Bowl….
bruce mac
November 30th, 2012
11:11 am
Go Jackets, as Georgians lets go 2 and O this weekend. I think the bet is Tech as they should win or lose by less than 14. That seems a no brainer unless they turn it over multiple times. If FSU couldn’t stop Florida’s running game how are they going to stop GT. Also, when a team does not see this offense ever and has one week to prepare, look out. Oh yea, Go Dawgs.
The New ACC
November 30th, 2012
11:15 am
If CPJ is fired (and I am not necessarily advocating for that), who could we get?
In addition, there are many other schools already looking and willing to fork over BIG bucks. Just look at the recent Arkansas offer for Les Miles ($26 million over 5 years). I don’t think that GA Tech has the money to compete with that!
I think that before we totally get rid of CPJ, we need to do something about our defense and special teams. THIS is were the problems on the field exist. It is not the offense at all – we seem to score points well enough!
Finally to the dog people posting here….. remember that it wasn’t too long ago that uga went to Shreveport for a bowl!!!!!
UGA = Yawn
November 30th, 2012
11:22 am
Peadawg, Tech is 1st in our division. Our division record of 5-3 is tops. Sure Miami and UNC also are 5-3 but all 3 had the top record. The tie-breaker, to determine who goes to the ACC Championship would have been won by Miami – since they beat us. They declined. But, that has nothing to do with what overall place Tech finished in our division – which was tied for 1st. Not sure where you got 3rd but you are UGA – so understandable that you aren’t that bright.
dawgfan
November 30th, 2012
11:24 am
Congrats on the handout Techies. What a proud moment for your football program. Oh the irony here. Some of the biggest critics of UGA’s success the past two seasons have of course been Tech fans. We didn’t play Bama or LSU (you didn’t either). We lost to South Carolina (you’ve lost to just about every team with players that have a living breathing pulse). After a solid year of running your big fat mouths about how UGA supposedly ‘”backs in” to SEC East titles, your joke program has now a) accepted a gift invite to the ACCCG because Miami backed out and 2) will be getting a waiver just to appear in a lousy bowl game. Please go ahead and insert your foot in your mouths now Techies if you have not already done so.
Techies, where has all of your jaw flapping about UGA ever gotten you? It seems to me it only makes you look like idiots more often than not.
Thanks.
GT Lee
November 30th, 2012
11:24 am
a little off-topic, bur since there is no baseball blog….our newest recruiting class looks pretty good (top 10)…
http://www.ramblinwreck.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/112812aad.html
GT Lee
November 30th, 2012
11:27 am
dawgfan = Fool From the Cesspool
UGA = Yawn
November 30th, 2012
11:39 am
GT Lee – I agree. Doesn’t the ajc have a blog for UGA fans? How sad the man that has nothing better to do then comment here. We are GT – we are fine with that. Sorry he isn’t but we are fine with that also and we don’t want him! He is not worthy to be GT. He is Cesspool.
gt4ever
November 30th, 2012
11:42 am
@The New ACC
Yeah, we scored a bundle of points in our last game with UGA… I can’t even fathom how anybody thinks this offense has helped… It only works against subpar teams… The offense has handicapped our recruiting efforts since he got here… I mean, think about it, he has all his players in place… Our record is dismal at best, and it will continue to get worse unless this coach adjusts. Adjust with a new offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, and recruiting coordinator…
The New ACC
November 30th, 2012
11:44 am
dawgfan,
You are too funny! Who do you think posts these “jawflapping” remarks on this GA Tech blog (to include yours)? That’s right – ugag fans!!!!
Pot, meet kettle.
Peadawg
November 30th, 2012
11:45 am
UGA = Yawn
November 30th, 2012
11:22 am
I get 3rd b/c of tie breakers…Miami and UNC would get in before Tech if they were eligible.
“but you are UGA – so understandable that you aren’t that bright.” – Cute
Peadawg
November 30th, 2012
11:50 am
I for one LOVE Paul Johnson. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE keep him around.
And give Reggie Ball a call…he can come back and help also.
Incoming
November 30th, 2012
11:55 am
UGA=Yawn,
UNC wins tie breakers. Sorry.
Now on to important stuff….
Where are the bees going after Sat.?? Back to North Ave., or to the B1G ???