UPDATED: Tech draws USC in Sun Bowl
UPDATED, 11:26 p.m. – A day after a tough but encouraging loss to Florida State in the ACC Championship game, Georgia Tech learned Sunday it will play another formidable opponent in familiar surroundings for its bowl game.
The Yellow Jackets were booked Sunday for another week in El Paso, Texas, for the Dec. 31 Sun Bowl. Tech, which lost in overtime to Utah last year in the Sun Bowl, will play Southern California in a game to be broadcast on CBS.
In their 16th consecutive bowl – tied with Georgia for the fifth longest active streak in the country – the Jackets will try to stop their seven-game bowl losing streak.
“I think we had a great trip last time, all except for losing the game in overtime,” coach Paul Johnson said. “I know that USC will be a formidable opponent with a lot of tradition, and Coach (Lane) Kiffin is an outstanding coach with some outstanding players, so that’ll be a huge challenge.”
USC began the season No. 1 and started 6-1 but collapsed down the stretch with four losses in its final five games of the regular season to finish 7-5. The Trojans and Jackets have one similarity – their seasons resulted in job losses for their NFL veteran defensive coordinators. For Tech, it was Al Groh, fired after six games and 2 ½ seasons. Monte Kiffin, father of coach Lane Kiffin, has resigned and will coach his final game in El Paso.
It will be the third consecutive game that Tech plays a team stocked with NFL talent, following Georgia and Florida State. Pending the decisions of a few juniors, the Trojans could have as many as five players taken in the first two rounds of the draft. The most notable is quarterback Matt Barkley, whom Kiffin said he expected to play after suffering a shoulder injury in the Trojans’ Nov. 17 loss to UCLA.
“I’m sure they’ll be excited to have a chance to play a program like USC,” Johnson said of his players.
Having played the Sun last year, Tech officials offered to the ACC to waive the rule that protects the ACC title-game loser from falling no lower than the Sun, which has third pick of ACC teams after the BCS bowls.
“I don’t think that was ever part of the discussion,” said Sun Bowl executive director Bernie Olivas of working with the ACC to allow Tech to drop. “We knew what the contract said. We were going to abide by the contract.”
The Chick-fil-A Bowl, which has first pick of ACC teams after the BCS games, took Clemson after it was passed over by the BCS bowls. The Tigers will play LSU. The Russell Athletic Bowl selected Virginia Tech to play Rutgers, leaving Georgia Tech for the Sun. The final two matchups were Duke-Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl and N.C. State-Vanderbilt in the Music City Bowl. FSU plays Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl.
It won’t be an easy trip for fans. On travel website kayak.com, the least expensive flight listed Sunday evening that departed Atlanta Dec. 29 and returning Jan. 1 was a nonstop Delta round trip for $472. For Dec. 30-Jan. 1, it was an American Airlines round trip with a layover in Dallas-Fort Worth for $584.
It’s a 1,400-mile drive from Atlanta, a drive made last year, among others, by the family of former team captain Steven Sylvester and the outgoing and incoming drivers of the Ramblin’ Wreck.
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184 comments Add your comment
Moobs Johnson
December 3rd, 2012
11:48 am
6-8 here we come.
UGA = Yawn
December 3rd, 2012
1:04 pm
I agree Moobs. Why should we suspect, even for one second, that Johnson could win a bowl game.
GT Joe
December 3rd, 2012
1:34 pm
Vegas odds are 3-1 that Tevin ends the game with an interception.
UGA = Yawn
December 3rd, 2012
2:02 pm
Right on GT Joe. I agree. You can’t coach having broad enough shoulders and determination to win a game when your backs are against the wall. That is an inherent personality trait that you either have or you don’t. Tevon does not have it. Not sure yet if Vad had it but I am hopeful.
Jacket Dad
December 3rd, 2012
2:03 pm
We can always dream:
1. That Johnson has a “revelation” and develops a passing game to go with the option attack. (Get someone who can develop players – does not seem to happen under CPJ.)
2. That Johnson will spend the next month preparing Vad Lee to carry most of the load and he has a “North Carolina” type game.
3. That our defense plays the entire game similar to how they did in the second half against FSU.
4. That our guys come ready to play and are on fire for 4 quarters. (If I hear “we just came out flat” one more time I am going to scream!!!!)
5. That we hire a great AD and DC that help turn this thing around.
Not saying I really expect all that, but hey, a guy can dream. In reality, Johnson is our HC for a while, so I hope he can adjust – not in his nature, but funny how nature can be adjusted with a little “heat”. If he gets a supporting cast that can help, I do think we can be competitive. I’m not asking for NC – just to attend a game and not spend the entire time with a sense of dread. Unfortunately that’s been our lot the past few seasons.
GO JACKETS!!!!!!
wrecked
December 3rd, 2012
2:11 pm
2 losing seasons in 3 years. Gailey never had a losing season and played tougher schedules.
Jacketnation Deflation
December 3rd, 2012
2:26 pm
we don’t belong in a bowl game. we stink! A losing record and we are in a bowl game because CPJ got a waiver? We can’t play defense, but when we do, the offense can’t score points. We do not need to be in a bowl game. We need to be out getting better ball players and finding a real D/C. Bring Giff Smith back to the flats.
JaxYJ
December 3rd, 2012
2:31 pm
Spider, I’m with you. Northern Illinois will be a snoozefest.
Technically Correct
December 3rd, 2012
4:00 pm
USC doesn’t have an “off week” to prepare for Tech, they have an “off month!” If CPJ really wants to shake things up, he should install a pro-style offense and figure out what got into his defense in the 2nd half against FSU.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
4:15 pm
I think the “week off” theory was debunked in Chapel Hill this year. It never was a valid theory to begin with.
carolinajacket
December 3rd, 2012
4:48 pm
The off week helps any team against any other team. It has nothing to do with the defense or offense played. In this case, both teams have an off month, so lets see who prepares the best for the game.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
December 3rd, 2012
4:58 pm
Tech’s beat North Carolina every year except two since 1998 so that game was nothing exceptional except for the horrible defense played by both teams. Most every other team that has more than a week to prepare for Johnson’s offense either shuts it down or stymies it enough to allow their own offense to outscore it. Need proof? Look at Tech’s bowl record output for Johnson’s first three years: 3 points against LSU, 14 points against Iowa, and 7 points against Air Force (!). Last year against Utah, the offense went most of the second half without scoring.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
5:04 pm
Against LSU, Johnson tried to get tricky and shot himself in the foot; the LSU defense was good, but not as good as the score might indicate. Iowa had an AWESOME defense, and until BYU this year is the only team really to shut down Johnson’s offense with pure defensive skills. Air Force runs the same offense, so naturally they know how to defend it; they didn’t need a month to prepare. We burned Utah all day, till we got conservative in the 4th quarter. I blame that one on play-calling. In general though, the off-month (NOT week, but MONTH), does more to hurt Tech than to help the opponent, because in that month, we seem to lose the rhythm that is so important to Johnson’s offense.
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
5:20 pm
@ Big Jim
..I suggest you go back and look at what I said and then you will see who the real moron is..I never said the offense didnt have anything to do with winning..that would be something a moron would say..we were talking about the number of fans at the game..I said the offense doesnt have anything to do with how many people are coming to the game..I said winning is what puts people in the stands..no one would have a problem with the offense if Tech went 10-2 this year and scored more against UGA..people will come no matter what offense you run as long as you are winning..please go back and read so we can decide who is the real moron
Silly Mutts
December 3rd, 2012
5:27 pm
Same ole’ song and dance! a) who cares about this game? b) Paul Johnson sucks c) GT Football sucks d) GT Football players suck. GT doesn’t care about winning. The HC doesn’t care about winning. The GT Football team doesn’t care about winning. Why should the fans care? Watching GT football is like watching Dirty Jobs while shoveling horse manure.
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
5:36 pm
I agree with Supersize..I would also add that no offense will put up many points when they commit 4 turnovers like GT did against AF..
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
5:37 pm
Thanks, GT TN
JC
December 3rd, 2012
6:41 pm
Someone on these board nailed it on the head. Every recruit that comes out of HS thinks they will make the pros. Since that is the case, going to a college with a triple option is not goping to get them to the pros. Too many other schools with pro offenses less than 3 hours away and a chance to get noticed. The gimmick is done – everyone seems to now be able to defense it. We will not beat UGA with this coach or offense. Georgia is fertile recruiting grounds so musch as every SEC team recruits here. We seem left the recruits that the SEC passes on (and Clemson and FSU).
New coach -= new attitude, rebuilding time – triple option works in the FBS not the big leagues
Navigator
December 3rd, 2012
7:21 pm
Maybe it’s just me, but why did Tech hire PJ. They fired a coach that was reasonably successful, but the fans didn’t like him. However, he recruited blue chippers, including a starter in Detroit, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Denver for a coach in the same time period that has one playing part time for the Jets. PJ has never understood what great coaches learned at the beginning of football history. You have to recruit a great team before you can have one. He has brought in nothing but second and third tier players since he was hired. Yes he did have two good seasons … with players recruited by the previous coach.
GTDog
December 3rd, 2012
7:36 pm
Congrats on your performance in the ACC title game guys. You guys had a rough year, but every program goes through tough times. I still think Johnson’s a VERY good coach, and I don’t see the sense in bashing the offense. It seems to me that you’re piling up good yardage and scoring penty of points in most cases. If you guys can get a D-great C who is also a lights out recruiter, it’ll be a scary combination with your clock eating offense. And guess what? Elite defensive players who want to go pro…could care less about what offense you’re running.
Best of luck in El Paso, be nice to see you beat up on USC a bit…..
GTDog
December 3rd, 2012
7:39 pm
Allow me to correct a fewthings:
If you guys can “get a great D-C” and, “plenty of points”
JP1957
December 3rd, 2012
8:50 pm
Been a GT fan my entire life and grew up in Atlanta. Now live in El Paso. We are excited to have Tech coming back to the Sun Bowl for another year. So often, teams dread coming here, but wind up pleasantly surprised by the nice dry weather, reasonably warm temps and great hospitality. So, come to El Paso and and enjoy a great game at the Sun Bowl!
Tom Luginbill
December 3rd, 2012
9:27 pm
Paul, please stop stealing from GT…do the respectable thing and LEAVE! This offense SUCKS!
Dig Up Bobby Dodd
December 3rd, 2012
9:29 pm
I would like to see someone exhume Bobby and place him at his card table at midfield. He could provide better coaching than ol’ PJ!
Chan Gailey
December 3rd, 2012
9:30 pm
Tech Nation, I am 4 & 7 up here in chilly Buffalo…want me back yet? Me, Curtis, D and Ciano are ready to make a triumphant return to the Flats.
Pie-Face O'Leary
December 3rd, 2012
9:32 pm
I know you still want to be Harvard Monday through Friday and Florida State on Saturday. With that said, I want to come back to the Atlanta. I promise, I won’t leave for another “dream job” ever again if you let me come back and assume total control of the foosball team.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
9:54 pm
JP1957, I went out there last year and had a great time. I HOPE I can come back this year, but finances may prevent me.
Dan Radakovich
December 3rd, 2012
9:59 pm
Enjoy staying in that sinking ship of a conference, suckas!
Tech goes for back-to-back wins over UGA | Georgia Tech
December 3rd, 2012
10:21 pm
[...] Tech draws USC in Sun Bowl [...]
YELLER BUG
December 3rd, 2012
10:42 pm
Agree with Supersize on Bowl game time before facing TO—correlation doesn’t necessarily imply cause. Tech would have lost to Iowa and LSU no matter what offense they ran. They were better teams. And most teams would lose if you fumble back to back punt returns as well as fumble on your opponent’s goal line (USAF) or miss a bunch of FGs (Utah).
It’d be interesting to hear CPJ’s thoughts (if he would give a candid answer) and perhaps Ken can ask this regarding player development—in particular Vad Lee: When developing a young player who has raw but gifted athletic abilities such as Vad, is it better to develop him slowly across all areas with emphasis on being well rounded, (broad exposure but not deep) or create a smaller, more focused role tailored to his talents where he contributes in every game (deep but not broad)?
TW made better reads and ran the TO more efficiently, but if you wanted to run a QB draw, then Vad is the guy. In the pistol and passing, Vad appeared to do better. I really think CPJ blew an opportunity this year to design about 20-25 plays that bring out Vad’s strengths and would give him consistent experience, plus give opposing D’s a whole subset of different plays to prepare for. Vad could have been the two-point conversion guy—with a series of rollout pass/run type plays or the two minute/hurry up offense QB which is geared to his strength as a passer and playmaker. Instead we shoehorn every QB regardless of individual skills into the generic TO running QB. I’m not convinced that is the optimum approach or strategy. Maybe we can change things up a bit next year with Vad & Thomas.
Arob
December 4th, 2012
8:16 am
Yeller,
That would make sense wouldn’t it? IMO, we wasted an entire season by refusing to adjust the TO to run plays that take advantage of Lee skill set. Cryin shame but here we are, and he has little game experience for next year. I’ve seen little to lead me to believe PJ will adjust anything in his beloved offense to suit the best playmaker on the team. His stubborn allegiance to this system is bringing the whole program down.
Technically Correct
December 4th, 2012
9:15 am
Since we all know that college football success is largely the result of good recruiting, Cavell has a nice recruiting post today on Georgia’s Big Board. I have to tell him that indirectly, since he won’t let me post on his blog anymore. I guess I have called him out one time too many on his UGA bias. That said, Carvell notes that Tech’s Big Board is to follow. My guess is that it is really a Little Board. I find it interesting that UGA is allegedly not interested in flipping any of Tech’s commitments…
Adobe, Car Made of Clay, Sun Bowl
December 4th, 2012
1:01 pm
We just looked at Paul Johnson’s Bowl record.
In retrospect, we should have checked that earlier.
Good luck anyway and enjoy the gift baskets.
VisitElPaso
December 5th, 2012
3:27 pm
The City of El Paso is excited to host this year’s Sun Bowl game between USC and Georgia Tech! We’ve got lots of fun activities available for visitors, friendly volunteers to help answer questions
and the weather here is a perfect, 70 degrees! Here is a few link to help you plan your upcoming trip to El Paso: http://www.visitelpaso.com