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
ECMom
December 2nd, 2012
9:13 pm
Time to redeem ourselves in Texas!!
ECMom
December 2nd, 2012
9:14 pm
Ooo, and I was first!
Buford T. Pusser
December 2nd, 2012
9:15 pm
First.
GA Tech
December 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
Ken, Which Bowl is South Carolina heading to?
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
December 2nd, 2012
9:17 pm
Prior to the 2nd half of last night’s game, I was hesitant about this team’s attendance at ANY bowl game. However, they showed me last night that they don’t give up, and that they are capable of competing against high-caliber opponents. I look forward to the game, and hope to be able to attend.
GT Lover
December 2nd, 2012
9:20 pm
This thing has got to turn around at some point or
Tech should give up the football program.
LifetimeJacket
December 2nd, 2012
9:21 pm
Please, let this be Paul Johnson’s last game as Tech head coach. Granted the team looked better against Florida State than Georgia, but a loss is still a loss. Enough is enough, it’s time to move on.
JC
December 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
I hope thatt tickets will be available at a reasonable price.
Yurtle_the_Turtle
December 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
I won’t attend. El Paso? on New Years’ Eve? Besides, I want to lose so that we have one more reason to fire Johnson and get rid of this stupid, High School offense. Perhaps a new coach will recruit some defensive players too.
White&Gold
December 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
GT Lover, things are rough right now, but for God’s sake, they’re not that bad. You’re making it sound like we haven’t made a bowl game in the five seasons. Things have gotta turn around, but let’s not start screaming witch.
Buford T. Pusser
December 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
OK. No first. Was at the ACCCG last night and I have to admit that Tech gave a good performance. However, like most Tech fans, I am tired of moral victories. Either beat USC or CPJ’s seat starts to become warm, maybe not hot, but we should expect better. Beating the slimebag CLK would be sweet.
Biff Pocoroba
December 2nd, 2012
9:23 pm
This team hasn’t shown up for a bowl game since “C”PJ has been here, so I don’t expect anything different this year. USC has a big defense and a month to prepare, so that spells disaster for Mr. Ego. If Vad doesn’t start and play the whole game, there is no reason to even go since Tech will only sell about 2000 tickets to watch a team with a losing record play so far away. The only reason to go is to get Vad some experience and get him ready for next year, so PJ will probably start Tevin and lose with Tevin since he is too stubborn to change.
JC
December 2nd, 2012
9:25 pm
Oopps never mind, thought Sun Bowl was in FL, Texas is too far.
LifetimeJacket
December 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
Amen, Biff! What’s with PJ’s dedication to Tevin Washington. OK, give his a start on “Senior Day”, but to continue putting him out there to toss yet another interception, or take another big loss goes beyond reason. It’s not personal, it’s Division One football.
Highly Respected Southern Troll
December 2nd, 2012
9:30 pm
0-5 in bowls coming up. Fire PJ, please.
Paul in NH
December 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
Matt Barkley Marqise Lee, Robert Woods and Silas Redd against the GT D? Uh oh.
SC Jacket
December 2nd, 2012
9:37 pm
I’m looking forward to this. Did anyone else see on GT website we were going to play USC during regular season and CPJ switched it for some other small school? It was under future opp. Sup to play 2013 /2014 HOME& HOME
gt4ever
December 2nd, 2012
9:38 pm
Complete embarrassment that we are even going to this bowl…. Does anybody at GT have any honor, or integrity…. Good Grief… What a JOKE!
BG
December 2nd, 2012
9:39 pm
Johnson needs to go. A new hire needs to be made ASAP.
different year same result
December 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
Georgia (’10), Va .Tech (’12), Florida State (’12), Virginia (’11), how many times is Tevin Washington going to throw interceptions at the end of the game until moron, aks, CPJ, is going to see that he isnt the answer. Johnson’s blind loyality to him is amazing, well I hope it is worth it, because it will probably cost him his job. If we dont win the bowl game, Johnson has to go, if not, there will be no one there to watch this team next year.
Mark (another one)
December 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
Monte is 72 and a proven commodity. It is doubtful his son fired him, and he may want to return to the NFL, which is his past. Many prefer the pro life.
Coach
December 2nd, 2012
9:42 pm
I would rather play a big time football power than some of those teams out there. I can of like going up against USC. We have a young team, folks. Look at the lineup. We are getting there…or we could scrap everything, start over, loose 3-4 years, play the same offense as everyone else, try to recruit for it, and then find that we can’t. Chan Gailey would still be here if he could have recruited a topline QB. Our offense allows us to recruit unique athletes that might not fit the cookie-cutter mold that everyone else wants. That is a plus. As for Tunuta, were you at the games?
Go Jackets!!!
spider
December 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
well at least we dont have to play northern illinois
gt4ever
December 2nd, 2012
9:46 pm
@Coach….
Coach of what? Are you serious? Young team my arse. We have the worst talent that I have ever seen, and I have been watching GT football since I was old enough to watch football. I went to school there, my family went to school there… 3 generations went to school there, and I have never seen football this pitiful! Period.
Buzz Belle
December 2nd, 2012
9:48 pm
I’m with Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket – The second half last night was a defense I haven’t seen in…4-5 years. Would love to see what Tenuta would have done had he stayed at Tech. But Kelly seems to have done something for the second half. I was kind of iffy on going to a bowl but just think….what if our Jackets beat USC and Lane the kitten. Wow! That would be fun!
hind tit
December 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
Why don’t you Tech guys get up a game of hid and seek out there in the desert and cpj be it and while he’s hiding his eyes and counting jump in the bus and leave him. Problem solved.
CPJ4ever
December 2nd, 2012
9:50 pm
BG…STFU. we need Johnson. But more importantly: I’m tired of my team being the second fiddle. This is Atlanta journal constitution. Last I checked we were in Atlanta. Yet I see UGA in bold letters about going to there bowl and us in small letters under it. This really makes me mad and makes me lose interest in this paper/ website. I bet in athens’ newspapers they dot Have “TECH IN SUN BOWL” blasted on the cover. Atlanta is a pathetic college city. Especially Hudson’s grille….which who sponsors us…yet…they all wear uga stuff on Saturdays. This city and state is a joke
Edge770
December 2nd, 2012
9:52 pm
I believe that the best thing Tech can do to show the coaching staff that their performance is unacceptable is to hold back bonuses from the Championship and Bowl games. Because really at the end of the day, we have NO business being in these games. The legality I am sure is questionable, but there has to be a measure of not acceptable performance.
I am hoping for a REAL AD that can take decisive and immediate steps to remediate the sad state of some of our teams in the program. All DRad knew how to do was inconvenience fans and gouge with poor products.
gt4ever
December 2nd, 2012
9:55 pm
If CPJ was a MAN he wouldn’t take any bonus…. He would say NO to a bowl… but hey, I am dreaming.. This coach has NO class or pride to do the right thing…
jabster
December 2nd, 2012
9:56 pm
On the ramblinwreck.com website, we still have Elon listed for ‘13 and Wofford for ‘14. Are we talking about adding Southern Cal or South Carolina next year? I know we have/had SC on the sked for, I believe, 2021 and 2022, in addition to home-and-homes against Bama, Ole Miss, and two H&Hs against Tulane in the next decade.
We also had a H&H with ‘Cuse scheduled which went by the wayside when they joined the ACC. Still no word on how the conference sked will play out with Pitt in the Coastal (are we playing them at home ow away next year?) and ‘Cuse in the Atlantic rotation (do we play BC, FSU, or ‘Cuse next year?)
tobacco road
December 2nd, 2012
10:00 pm
USC always refers to Southern Cal, not the Chickens.
PJ vs LK. Not exactly a dream matchup of coaches, is it?
Hal
December 2nd, 2012
10:01 pm
How could you not be excited about playing USC. What an unexpected thrill for our guys.
Wozzo the Wonder Dog
December 2nd, 2012
10:05 pm
Southern Cal players and fans have to face the reality that they have hit rock bottom – playing a 6-7 ACC team that lost to Middle TN State and only beat Presbyterian and other lowly ACC teams. I hope the Tech band is forced to go to El Paso otherwise there will only be a few hundred Tech fans in attendance, at best. I didn’t realize that Tech has lost 7 in a row in bowl games but I wonder if most Tech fans follow the football team enough to know that either. Good thing Tech was lucky enough to play teams like Syracuse and Tulsa back in 2004 or that would have 10 losses in a row.
GTNashville
December 2nd, 2012
10:06 pm
Please fire CPJ. This past embarrassing a long time ago.
Hairy Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
10:07 pm
Tech would’ve been stupid not to take a bowl game. It’s fun for the players, coaches, alumni, and fans. You also get a lot of extra practice time, which is never a bad thing.
CPJ4ever
December 2nd, 2012
10:10 pm
Wozzo…. clearly you are a dog fan. We cant help tech grads ( fewer than uga) move off and make money. Majority don’t even know what football is. I chose to be a tech fan when I was little because I wanted to be different. I didn’t want to be a bandwagon uga fan like everyone else.
rich
December 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
and the bowl losing streak will continue – but CPJ will get his bowl game bonus
List Mama » Georgia Tech to Hyundai Sun Bowl – ESPN (blog)
December 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
[...] for a bowl game despite after being granted a waiver by the NCAA. "Our players and …Tech draws USC in Sun BowlAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)USC will play Georgia Tech in Sun BowlLos Angeles TimesHassell [...]
Bananajacket
December 2nd, 2012
10:13 pm
Not a good match-up.
Elliott Brennon
December 2nd, 2012
10:21 pm
Not having attended either school, I have no stake in the outcome. At the same time, reflecting on recent Tech regular season and bowl performances, it is clear to me that the later in the season a Tech football team plays, the greater the likelihood that it will not only lose but also embarrass itself in the process. There is no reason to expect a different outcome this year.
bigdawg88
December 2nd, 2012
10:24 pm
CPJ4EVER, are you serious? You fall backwards into a game nobody wants to go to, and only get a bowl game through an NCAA exemption, and you’re saying you should have bigger headlines against a top 6 team that just lost to the best team in the country on the final play? Does your name stand for Cleopatra Jones, cause you are indeed queen of de nile!
Rico
December 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
You people are hilarious. Playing UGA, FSU, and now USC will do nothing but improve the team for next year. All top teams…Tech is still young. Vad Lee does need to play more. But he is not a Sho in for next year. Still learning option. Justin Thomas might give him a challenge for next year. Which is a great thing forte program. Competition between teammates and teams they play is the key to developing this team. Go Jackets!
Rico
December 2nd, 2012
10:32 pm
Hey bigdawg88….go play with NIU.
RonD
December 2nd, 2012
10:34 pm
Too much to ask that the article tell us the game start time?
71TechEE
December 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
@gt4ever “I have never seen football this pitiful! Period.”
Were you in a coma from 1992-94?
It seems to me like we need more help defensively than on offense. Of course, the head coach is responsible for that as well.
Currently, CPJ has the best winning percentage at Tech after Heisman and Dodd. (Not counting the one year or one game coaches)
http://www.nationalchamps.net/NCAA/database/georgiatech_database.htm
We have played in 2 ACC championship games in 5 years, winning one. Like most I am concerned about the direction of the program. I agree we need better athletes and or better coaching (both would be even better) to compete, especially on the defensive side of the ball. We need a defense that can win 17-14 games because we will not always score 24+ points. Losing the last 3 overtime games and to MTSU raises more concerns.
But “I have never seen football this pitiful! Period.” Man, you need to get a grip.
GT65
December 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
47 years a GT fan like gt4ever..My popa took my dad to games as kid. My dad took me to games as kid. I took my kid to games..Now he takes his kids plus me to games. After all that I can’t get excited anymore over Coach Paul Johnson’s football team. Its going in wrong direction south. He has lost the fans. I still support the players and wish them luck in Sun Bowl but don’t have any faith in CPJ system.
Coach z thanks for what u said last night..I would have loved for u to have been my son.
greg
December 2nd, 2012
10:38 pm
Has gt ever played usc ken?
Ga Tech Old Timer
December 2nd, 2012
10:39 pm
Ga Tech HAS chance to win this game – IF _ the team plays the whole game against USC as they did the last half of the game against FSU. AND – if CPJ is smart enough to play Vad Lee at least half or more of the game and especially in obvious passing situations. If either of these things don’t happen – Tech will end the season at 6 – 8 with not much hope for the future under CPJ because he can’t lead, motivate or make fundamentally sound coaching decisions about his players or which plays to run in any given circumstance. That’s it – plain and simple. No need to play the what if games or talk about how next year will be better. No need to discuss we need better recruiting (how many past blogs have we read about UGA having a ton of talent but MR and their coaching staff couldn’t take advantage of what they had through quality coaching) until this year when they started playing better ball.
This Sun Bowl game is a look at our future under CPJ.
1 4 GT
December 2nd, 2012
10:49 pm
The starts at 12:00 Noon MST (local time). Tickets are already available on ramblingwreck.com: at least the info is available. I imagine you can get tickets beginning early tomorrow morning.
FCB
December 2nd, 2012
10:51 pm
I am a Tech fan, but it’s a damn shame that Middle Tenn St. doesn’t get into a bowl and Tech does.
Willard Shmekel
December 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
Has Tech no pride? The Sun Bowl was FORCED to take Tech after NCAA morons granted a waiver for the losing team to be bowl-eligible and Tech jumped at the chance for bonus money. I hope USC embarrasses Tech on the field.
o-my
December 2nd, 2012
10:59 pm
I’m sure they wont sell out..lol
xx
December 2nd, 2012
11:09 pm
“Our players and coaches are excited about earning another bowl bid and for the opportunity to play a traditionally powerful team in Southern California,” coach Paul Johnson said in a statement. “The hospitality shown to us last year by the Sun Bowl and the people of El Paso was fantastic.”
Weee…….I am such a sucky coach they award mebowls for being a total douche bag.
1 4 GT
December 2nd, 2012
11:09 pm
Good grief but I get sick from all of these “long time Tech fans = 30-40-50-60 year fans” and their whining and crying negative comments. Well, I was born a GT fan on Nov. 3, 1944 and I’ll by God die a Gt fan. The guys are my horse if they never win a race. I may get discouraged and disappointed and pout for a day or two after a loss, but next home game I’m there cheering them on. Either get on board or get lost. Grow a pair and be fans or shut the hell up!
1 4 GT
December 2nd, 2012
11:11 pm
Oh yeah, if the shoe fits wear it. Y’all know if I’m talking to you or not!
A-mazed
December 2nd, 2012
11:16 pm
I am not happy with the teams results either, but we are doing about what we have done on the average for the last 40 years or a little better. Lets see if Paul Johnson can get some improvement in the next few years. Kid yourself not; We will never again recruit the athletes it takes to consistently be in the top 10. Nor should we.
And in case nobody noticed, GA is pretty damned good. I hate it.
Dwayne C
December 2nd, 2012
11:17 pm
Three things immediately come to mind for me here:
1. GA Tech, with a 6-7 won-loss record, doesn’t deserve to play in ANY bowl game
2. the Sun Bowl must be desperate if they have decided to include GA Tech in their bowl game this year
3. GA Tech’s performance in this game will be different than last year’s Sun Bowl, a game they were competitive in against Utah: in this game GA Tech will be lose handily to Southern Cal.
I’m done.
JC
December 2nd, 2012
11:23 pm
Well the shoe fits me and I am wearing it – just not to that flats on saturdays anymore. The coach accepts mediocrity and it shows with the team effort. New coach, I will reconsider picking up my season tix again. 6-7, had to get a waiver to platy a bowl game, forced a deserving team out of a bowl with the waiver, home loss to MTSU and hammered yet again by UGA – I am done.
ibidGT
December 2nd, 2012
11:26 pm
I’m excited, should be a great game to watch.
And I second what you said 1 4 GT.
Clyde
December 2nd, 2012
11:27 pm
Who cares what their record is! They got into a bowl, playing on national television, during the holidays against a historically great college program. What’s to complain about? It’s TW’s last game, the season is a wash anyway. Almost time to suffer through several months of nothing but basketball, hockey and baseball on the television. Thank goodness for NASCAR.
Paul in NH
December 2nd, 2012
11:28 pm
Some interesting commens about how GT should refuse to go to a bowl. As a member of the ACC who is bowl eligible, GT is obliged to go to a bowl – the conference could not fill their slots . GT is not like UM who withdrew from bowls this year to lessen any blowfrom the NCAA
Paul in NH
December 2nd, 2012
11:32 pm
GT is 1-2 all ime against USC.
Date Opponent (record) Result Score
9/22/1973 Southern California (9-2-1) L 6-23
10/25/1969 @ Southern California (10-0-1) L 18-29
9/22/1961 @Southern California (4-5-1) W 27-7
ignition
December 2nd, 2012
11:32 pm
How did this happen ??
This is gonna be a slaughter..
hjacket
December 2nd, 2012
11:40 pm
1 4 GT
Bravo Zulu for your comments and loyalty.
Hope we can purchase tickets for the military again like last year.
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS
December 3rd, 2012
12:06 am
I’m upset about the progress of our team as the rest of you, that said, please stop speaking negatively about those things that are positive. Going to a bowl game and getting an opponent like USC is a positive thing. Remember how everyone complained about the Braves not winning Championships. That was followed up with no post season playoffs for a couple of years. Anyway, this game needs to be about Vad Lee not Tevin. Thank you Tevin we appreciate you and all that you have done, now is the time to pass the torch and support your boy Vad. Vad work hard on your game. Your ability to pass needs to be backed up with your ability to be extremely accurate. Relax and throw to the receiver. Don’t get into bad habits of just throwing where you think the receiver is or aiming the ball. This offense is such a potent offense if played right. I see it every game. A missed block an errand route or pass, are the only things that make this offense seem inept. Get it together guys and have fun in El Paso. And remember, TECH IS STILL THE LAST TEAM IN THIS STATE TO WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!!! We really need to stop losing to those mutts and start regaining some respect on the FLATS. Oh, the only reason we are struggling is because the legacy bloodline has been broken. The mentality and know how of the 1990 program was severed by Dave Brain. DRad, Wayne Clough, and CPJ are all great in there own right but there is no one in the GTAA program that can tell these boys what it takes to win a championship. Why that is? Go figure. All I know is Coaches and AD’s come and go but those that Bleed White and Gold are not to be found on staff anywhere. Remember just because you played on a team or attended GT doesn’t mean you are loyal to the success of the program. It has to be embedded in soul. That is only when you Bleed White and Gold. GO JACKETS!!!
John driver
December 3rd, 2012
12:06 am
A 6-7 team going to a bowl? Are you kidding me? You Tech people have no shame! You should’ve turned it down! This team is not deserving of a bowl!
Tech Forever
December 3rd, 2012
12:12 am
I agree with 1 4 GT. Tech is what Tech is……and it will never be 1920 to 1960 again. So you either accept it and get on board and ceer for the program or not. But getting worked up over the things of GT football that will never be aren’t worth it. For you long time alums just keep being a fan of the Jackets. As a sidewalk fan I have no ties to Tech except for family attending there and my love of football. So it’s ultra frustrating for me because I recognize what Tech needs to do to keep up with the Joneses but I also recognize why you guys are resistant to making those changes. Like I told a friend…..just realize this means the sidewalk support for GT will continue to decline each and every decade. I’m pretty sure it’s about donw to nothing now and I’d be shocked if there were more than a couple thousand non-alum season ticket holders.
Having said that, USC will beat Tech by at least 14…..we have absolutely no way of scout teaming that offense in practice and Kiffin will throw out all the stops.
WnE
December 3rd, 2012
12:14 am
re:
Paul in NH
December 2nd, 2012
9:35 pm
Matt Barkley Marqise Lee, Robert Woods and Silas Redd against the GT D? Uh oh.
________________
Those names shouldn’t mean anything special, after all, CPJ the genius himself doesn’t put much stock in Recruiting Rankings anyway.
Each Feb. he tells us, “they all come highly regarded” while he yuks it up with Wes and the GT fanbase just eats it up, and then when we play UGA or USCw, then we talk about all the “future NFL guys” on the other team.
19 losses in 3 years (USCw will make 20 if it occurs), given how WEAK the ACC is, in YOUR OPINION Paul does CPJ deserve to keep his job?
Please let us know where you stand.
ChiefGT
December 3rd, 2012
12:16 am
All of you “GT Fans” need to shut the hell up, if you are truly a fan of any team you stick by them through thick and thin. Even when you have a bad season you continue to go out and cheer the team on. Grow a pair and start supporting the team. And all of you UsicGA fans under Tech alias need to get a life. This is more than about CPJ its about the players as well. They started out at 2-4 and fought back to go to 4-2 in the second half. They havent shown any signs of giving up and they sure showed that they have the ability to play up to par with a school that recruits far better than them in FSU. The players deserve to play in a bowl game that they earned and due to Miami imposing bowl bans they were thrown into a CCG that they almost won! Thank you to all the fans who showed up in Charlotte to cheer on the Jackets. Yall made the atmosphere there great despite the loss.
Tech Forever
December 3rd, 2012
12:17 am
WnE,
I no longer have an opinion on whether he should keep his job or not because I’m not sure making a coaching change for anyone would make that much of a difference. the current landscape of college football has passed Tech by completely IMHO.
WnE
December 3rd, 2012
12:22 am
re:
1 4 GT
December 2nd, 2012
11:09 pm
Good grief but I get sick from all of these “long time Tech fans = 30-40-50-60 year fans” and their whining and crying negative comments. Well, I was born a GT fan on Nov. 3, 1944 and I’ll by God die a Gt fan. The guys are my horse if they never win a race. I may get discouraged and disappointed and pout for a day or two after a loss, but next home game I’m there cheering them on. Either get on board or get lost. Grow a pair and be fans or shut the hell up!
__________________
You were one of the guys that thought CPJ would play for MNCs by his 5th yr. on campus and now you want us to support a crappy product that is also boring to watch.
When you were in Corporate America (assuming you might be ret’d.), would you have accepted such poor, mediocre results from a highly paid person (relatively speaking) that had to report to you?
All the GT guys that i have worked with in Corp. America are no-nonsense and very demanding, yet when it comes to our FB Program we (not me) accept the mediocrity that is CPJ and his 19 losses in the last 3 seasons.
To avg. 6 losses per season in the weak ACC, for a 3-yr. stretch is grounds for immediate dismissal!
Tech Forever
December 3rd, 2012
12:24 am
ChiefGT.
I think people are just tired of the “thin” far outweighing the “thick” the last 40+ years, and with each year it seems it gets harder and harder for a school like Tech with the approach it has chosen to compete in the realm of college football. I agree with you in that I don’t really understand why alums complain about it so much as they are one group I would think would completely understand why Tech has such a hard time in college football, but for the non-alum fans it is tough to watch the futility since our only connection with the school is athletics.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 3rd, 2012
12:31 am
Breaking News Jacket Fans
GA.Tech in Sun bowl playing the real USC ,imagine that if you can.So CPJ can schedule one more Fish Fry Pep Rally.However due to the slight turnout by Tech fans in Charlotte Saturday night the menu at the rally will have to be reduced. CPJ will have a sack of Filet-O Fish sandwiches but the supply is limited.So CPJ has enlisted the use of fish fry lottery. So all 25 tech fans who braved the trip to Charlotte ,bring your ticket stub ans you might win your own Filet -o-Fish sandwich. CPJ will still have the ACC Coastal Championship “Red Solo Cup’ available for the Tech faithful to drink their favorite beverage from. But remember it is BYOB no money left in budget for the usual case of Milwaukee’s Best Light.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:36 am
I’ve been a Tech fan for 60 years, and a season ticket holder for 45 years. Am I disappointed in the results of this season? Of course? But unlike all the others on here CLAIMING to have been a fan for 30, 40, 50 years, whatever, I STILL SUPPORT my team, and I have not given up on them or on Johnson, and I will not now either. I like his offense, although I do question some of his play-calling. Assuming he gets a DC who can get the defense to play every game the way they played in the second half last night, Tech will be fine. We will NEVER out-recruit the likes of UGA or most other schools in the southeast, but we never have either, and that has not always hurt us. Johnson can build an offense; I think he has proven that, whether some of you guys like that particular offense or not. The question yet to be answered is will he find a man who can do the same on defense that he has on offense. If anybody thinks he doesn’t care about defense and won’t go all out to find a man who can do that, then IMO there’s no help for you; you have made up your mind, and there is nothing that will change it. That being the case, go find somebody else to cheer for.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:38 am
@ Erk Russell’s Dogs…….I was in Charlotte last night, and from where I sat, there were more Tech fans there than there were FSU fans.
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS
December 3rd, 2012
12:40 am
JUST SAYING, AFTER ALL THE LOSSES THAT GT HAS HAD TO UGA, THERE HAS ONLY BEEN ONE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SINCE 1990 AND THAT TROPHY HAS GEORGIA TECH’S NAME ON IT. UGA, YOU STILL HAVE TO LOOK UP TO US BECAUSE WE STILL SIT ON TOP OF THAT MOUNTAIN. IF I COULD JUST GET THIS THROUGH THE HEADS OF MY BOYS ON THE FLATS WE CAN GET THIS THING TURNED AROUND. IN THE MEANTIME UGA FOLKS, MY DARLING DAUGHTER SAYS IT BEST. SSHHH!!!
Erk Russell's Dog
December 3rd, 2012
12:45 am
Supersize
So what you are saying is that no one was in attendance for the ACC championship except the 2500 kids from the Boys and Girls club of Charlotte and any Kroger shopper in he metro Charlotte area who found 4 tickets placed on their wind shields.Good luck in El Paso you can still get back to .500 with a victory.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:48 am
@ Erk Russell’s Dog…….Apparently you didn’t even bother to watch the game. Sure, it was unfortunately not a sell-out, but there were a LOT of Tech fans there. There was also a good representation of FSU fans at the game, but there were more Tech fans. I haven’t read any sales records, and I know that a lot of those ticket holders got their tickets dirt-cheap on StubHub, but so what? They were there supporting their respective teams, and it turned out to be a helluva good game.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 3rd, 2012
12:48 am
Supersize
I think Brian Van Gorder is available to be Tech’s D coordinator.Of course Auburn’s defense was almost as bad as Tech’s was this year.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:49 am
I am sure there are a lot of good DC’s out there. I hope Tech can get one.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 3rd, 2012
12:50 am
Sorry Supersize
I was in Statesboro celebrating the only college team in Georgia that actually won a game yesterday.
Go Eagles
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:51 am
Believe it or not, I for one think we have some decent athletes on defense; they just haven’t been coached. For the most part, they have played better since Groh was fired than before, although that’s not saying much
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:52 am
@ Erk…..I actually pull for the Eagles, and I’m glad they won. I’m also glad UGA lost, especially the way they did, because they probably should have won
1 4 GT
December 3rd, 2012
12:53 am
I can tolerate most any thing “Carnack the Magnificent” (WnE) says until he starts putting things in my mouth. I never said CPJ would have us playing for MNCs. I have said (I believe this is the fourth time) that all any fan of any sports team has the “right” to ask of or expect of his/her chosen team is be competitive and put themselves in a position to win & in a position to contend for titles of whatever type might be available to win. Would I like to see my team win everything out there? You bet your sweet butt. If my team or athlete is competitive, plays hard with all the energy he can bring forth and leaves all his effort on the field, I’ll support them. But sometimes, that doesn’t happen and I get down & discouraged and mope around about their shortcomings, but come the next event, I’m baaccckkkk. So “Carnack”, quit trying to put words in my mouth. I really would prefer that you not even address me anyway. BTW, as an aside, I can truly say I don’t boo them either, unless it’s a pro sport. My booing is more the “Aw, c’mon man!” type of thing.
GTville
December 3rd, 2012
12:54 am
Coach is right. You all expect a NC every year, but I have only witnessed 1 Orange Bowl in the 30 years I have been a fan…the coach was CPJ…CCG would have likely made the Orange Bowl that year too. CCG would have been there a few times had you not run him out of town for having a winning record every year. The number one problem with Tech football is the fans whine all the time. I remember many sub-500 teams and bowl-less years as a GT fan. If you can consistently compete for the ACC championship, then you will be in the running for a NC every 10 years or so. Curry to Ross was miserable for several years; Ross to Lewis sucked; Lewis to O’Leary had to be better and was pretty fun…O’Leary to Gailey was OK but a little boring….Gailey to CPJ….coaching changes can kill programs for several years.
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
12:57 am
@ GTville….lest you have forgotten, Gailey had one great chance to make it to the Orange Bowl, and somehow managed to lose to Wake Forest (WAKE FOREST???? OMG) in the ACCCG, even though he had Calvin Johnson. Gailey was a total loss as a coach
1 4 GT
December 3rd, 2012
1:01 am
I remember that WF loss. Sickening!!! WFs best year in forever & at our expense.
1 4 GT
December 3rd, 2012
1:02 am
UGH! Disgusting! Send cold chills up & down my spine!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
1:04 am
@ 1 4 GT…….I was there for that game. It was far worse in person than it was on TV. It was totally disgusting !!!!
1 4 GT
December 3rd, 2012
1:07 am
My pillows are calling! G’nite all!
Supersize that order, mutt
December 3rd, 2012
1:10 am
@ 1 4 GT……It’s early yet. LOL
USC Fan321
December 3rd, 2012
1:46 am
USC fan here. I like coming to the local papers/sites of opposing teams and scouting fan knowledge. From what I’ve gathered, you GA tech fans are very knowledgeable and passionate. That being said, I really hope that somehow you guys manage to EMBARASS Southern Cal. USC will never be elite with Lane Kiffin at the helm and a blowout loss to a 6-7 team would force Pat Haden to consider axing that baffoon. Even though it isn’t likely, I’m pulling for you guys for the sake of USC’s future.
Buzz-Off
December 3rd, 2012
6:06 am
I hate GT, but they will easily beat USC……maybe 49-17. USC has a horrible defense against the rush and their once vaunted offense has been whittled down by injuries (including their Heisman candidate QB). Big name team who will not show up to play so GT has a cakewalk.
Stinger 1
December 3rd, 2012
6:15 am
Supersize: I like your post @12:36. I have been a GT “street fan” since they beat Baylor 17-14 on Pepper Rodgers GG in the Orange Bowl Jan 1, 1952. Although, I have never been a season ticket holder, I have remained loyal, like you, through the worst of times a.k.a. the Lewis and the first couple of the Curry years. As old as I am, there will be no changes in my loyalty. Just hope that Johnson does hire a good DC and will let Vad use more passing in the spread option.
Old Blind Dog
December 3rd, 2012
6:48 am
Not that this is an earned bowl game but this old Dawg fan I will pull for TEK in this one – I hate Lane Kiffin – go Tekies.
Second snarky bowl thought of the day | Get The Picture
December 3rd, 2012
6:51 am
[...] The next time somebody tells you that college football doesn’t have a sense of humor, remind them that somebody thought it was a good idea to let Monte Kiffin finish out his college career trying to figure out how to defend the triple-option. [...]
BigTimeTECHFan
December 3rd, 2012
7:00 am
I hope Tech keeps Kelly as DC.
He’s done a pretty good job, give him an off season to put a full system in place and he’ll be a good one. Also the players love playing for him.
Als the bowl will be a good time to work offense to fit Lee and Thomas’s skills. Go prep with Lee as starter, let Lee take the game. Then when Tech is up by 21 to 28 points Washington can close out his career.
BigTimeTECHFan
December 3rd, 2012
7:02 am
Old Blind Dog – We’ll put it to Kiffen for you, if we do your dawgs gotta take it easy on us next year.
I have a feeling this was the “year before” for UGA. They will be something else next year.
blackandwhitestripes
December 3rd, 2012
7:24 am
Roll Tide first! Second, I really like Georgia Tech but they should not be going to a bowl. But college football has become all about money. This will be a good match up. I believe Tech will win this game if the defense will play football like the second half of the FSU game.
Iluvnutella
December 3rd, 2012
7:31 am
I cannot believe that people are on this blog defending CPJ. What have the last three years taught you guys/gals? For monetary reasons, he will be our coach next year. After that, we will have a new AD and all bets are off. DRad was one helluva fund-raiser, as a HR hiring man, meh, not-so-much. We hired a coach that CANNOT/shall not/will not recruit ofr run defense. He hired a DC that UVA laffed off campus, and a BBall coach that is periennial .500. In fact Dayton called and thanked us for taking him. As the Joker said in the first Batman. “This town needs an enema.”
THESE TWO
December 3rd, 2012
7:48 am
who should be going then? Auburn? Tn? bwahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
If Orwin is back, GT has a chance.
TechLB
December 3rd, 2012
7:59 am
Guys, seriously, are we going to question each others loyalty as fans? Come on…
No one’s happy with the state of our Football program. I am not defending CPJ and I am not accepting mediocrity. New AD should bring the hammer down, get better or get out, especially on Defense but all around.
I will ask, if not Paul, then who? Another young coach with a Pro-style offense? So then we’re running the same offense as everyone else. Are we happy then? OK. How much better could our recruiting be? Instead of ranking 49-50 let’s say we get to 39-40 a pretty good improvement. To expect to be in the top 10 in recruiting rankings is unrealistic I believe. Then what? We beat UGA every year? Doubtful, we are just not, and do not want to be, a football factory.
Let me ask you, this year if we had won the OT games beat MTSU, played UGA close and lost on a late TD pass or punt return, etc. then played for the ACC Championship – at 9-3 – and lost just as we did…would you call this a successful season or no?
My point is change is not always better and things are not as bad as they seem.
@WnE – Several generations of Tech men here as well, past player, alum…I AM NOT ACCEPTING MEDIOCRITY! I am saying let’s make a level headed decision when we have better options. Right now, I don’t know who that would be. Ideas?
OlGold14
December 3rd, 2012
8:13 am
I love the Sun Bowl. Anyone else here remember 1964? Georgia Tech and Lenny Snow versus Texas Tech and Donny Anderson.
Beautiful setting. Nice and clean stadium; mostly clean city – again, just stay north of Interstate 20, and do not venture across it. If you can see downtown El Paso, or the border, you are too close, so back away slowly but deliberately and you will have a great experience.
CloudmanJacket
December 3rd, 2012
8:19 am
We should’ve said NO to the bowl and CPJ should be fired. This team is a laughing stock.
Flak Jacket
December 3rd, 2012
8:21 am
Here we go again with CPJ and TW.Enough said.
WillGT
December 3rd, 2012
8:24 am
One thing is for sure, if CPJ were fired to please the fan base. Who would they hire? Hiring a young coach would be a mistake, they would just use Tech as a stepping stone and stick around for short while. Right now it seems CPJ is the best we are going to get. Im giving him one more season, this team is young. With a proper D coach, and new QB rising up things could turn around. Recruiting is another thing to be improved on, has Tech really ever had good recruits? Chan Gaily didn’t have great recruits either, 2009 might be the only good recruiting year for him as well
CloudmanJacket
December 3rd, 2012
8:25 am
@ TECHLB
You may not want to be a Football Factory, but I sure would like to see Tech make steps in that direction. Other high academic schools have done this. No, I guess I don’t expect to be in the top 10 every year, but it would be nice to win a bowl, beat UGA more than 1-2 times every decade, and not lose to the likes of Mid TN. St, Iowa, Air Force, and the list goes on and on under CPJ.
You ask if we want to run a pro style offense; I really don’t care as long as it isn’t what CPJ runs. How about something exciting like what Oregon runs; but a pro style would be much better than this garbage.
tgs
December 3rd, 2012
8:31 am
hey chief, it’s not one bad season. it’s 3 in a row. get it?
CloudmanJacket
December 3rd, 2012
8:31 am
@ WILLGT
Really; one more season? You haven’t seen enough. What will one more season prove? He has his players, his assistant coaches, and this trend is heading in what direction? He is destroying the program. WOW; one more season. You are another example of a fan who is happy being mediocre. I, for one, expect more. No, I don’t expect national championships, but come on. The ACC is garbage right now and this is the best that we can do. I am sure people will throw darts at me for this comment, but just look how many ACC teams are in the top 10, top 25, and look at how the top ACC teams performed 2 weekends ago against SEC teams…FL/FSU, S. Carolina/Clemson, and of course Tech/Mutts. The conference has really been bad the last several years. I wonder how bad CPJ’s record would be if the ACC was stronger. The misery.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
8:40 am
Who would Tech hire as a replacement? Joe Hamilton comes to mind first.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
8:51 am
I recall the 1969 game. It was televised. I was going to Tech as a Fall Quarter Freshman then. Tech received the kickoff, and the guy who caught it was in the middle of the field. Tech tried a double fake handoff with each player running from each side of the field toward the guy who caught it, and only one guy took the hand off. It didn’t fake Southern Cal off, and the Tech guy was tackled for no gain. I think if Tech wins the SB coin toss, they should RECEIVE, not kick. Be aggro from the start, not passive. CPJ elects to kick off too much, and Tech’s kicking game has been the worst Tech has ever had, seldom kicking it ino the end zone on kickoffs. Too many teams have received kicks and run it all the way to midfeld against Tech.
TechApp fan
December 3rd, 2012
8:52 am
Most understand the probability of firing PJ is low due the the binding contract but PJ is a running man to a fault. The last game is a prime example….needing to pass to make yards in a hurry, his team is ill equipped (expecially with the seemingly best passer not playing) to make pass plays.
His coaching skills are usually sufficient…again, late and needing to pass…cannot.
I surely wish Tech would pass more in the good times so they will be better equipped to pass in the bad times.
Tech can have a .500 season with a win…hopefully Lee sets some Sun bowl records and Tech wins!
.
WillGT
December 3rd, 2012
8:54 am
Like I said CloudmanJacket who would you replace PJ with? Im afraid a lot of coaches would just use Tech as a stepping stone to further their career and not actually make the program any better. as the above said Joe Hamilton might be an option, but thats just 1 so far. PJs overall record so far is better than Chan Gailys. I don’t know why some of you all are expecting Tech to be a big powerhouse like UGA, I just don’t ever see it happening. No I am not happy saying that or being Mediocre, but based on the past 15-20 years I just don’t see Tech being able to get the recruits when we have GA right next door and the powerhouse they have become
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:02 am
One thing Tech will have against USC is sweeps. I recall USC sweeps with pulling tackles/guards ahead of OJ Simpson, and Simpson of course running for huge gains or touchdowns. Tech runs sweeps like that almost exclusively, and if Smith is back, he will run them. Smith’s running style reminds me alot of Simpson.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:10 am
Hamilton has to be an option since he broke all the previous records at Tech and since he played on tv with Arena Football. He is young and leads Tech now, and as a black has overtaken Kimmy King and all the other white fellas like Lenny Snow, Johnny Sias, Billy Lothridge and Chick Granning. All the white fellas had to abdicate to Hamilton.
GTBEE
December 3rd, 2012
9:19 am
I guess that everyone has forgotten that Joe Hamilton was hired by CPJ one day and fired the next when he wrecked his car while smoking pot the very next day on Tech property??????
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
9:27 am
@ dry dirt road..I love Joe Hamilton as a GT football player..but he is the best you can come up with as a canidate for the HC job..he was arrested for a DUI and pot poss on campus..he has been a running back coach for 2 years ona horrible team..everyone is saying we need better recruits and you think Hamilton can do it..come on..if CMR is in a home after Hamilton do you not really think he would bring all this up
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:27 am
One of the many complaints I have against CPJ is when he dropped the all white and old gold striped, gold helmets unis in ‘09 for the LSU game, and then dropped them entirely the next year. Trying to get old gold from Tech is like trying to pull teeth.
roughrider
December 3rd, 2012
9:28 am
I support Tech when they are not playing UGA. However, after a loss to Middle Tenn. and a 6-7 record for the season, Tech should not be playing in a bowl game.Bowl games are supposed to be a reward for teams with a winning season.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:31 am
I heard about his arrest but thats over with now. He seems the most logical of anybody available.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:38 am
Hamilton might have kept his playbook from back then as national champs. He could bring back the same offense, which Tech needs to replace the current one. I’m sure he would install a shotgun and all kinds of pistols and wildcats. He was runner up for the Heisman I believe.
GTJohn
December 3rd, 2012
9:38 am
TechLB – I was there 66 – 70 and I like your thinking. Never accept mediocrity. I also hope the new AD brings the hammer down and we actually get a passing game – cannot win without it. I believe you should maximize the talent you have and Vad is a passer as well as a runner. This could be (have been) a great team with him at the helm and I will never understand PJ’s allegiance to mediocrity in using TW for other than a backup QB.
If PJ does not come around, then he has to go and I say replace him with someone who will stay for a while – a former Tech guy who is now a successful coach or even George O (although he is not my favorite). Of course there are others and if they use Tech as a stepping stone, then it means they have moved us in the right direction and a replacement would not be difficult for coming into a successful program. Look at what UF did by hiring Will Muschamp (a UGA Alum). The people choosing GT coaches need to quit worrying about where they played/coached prior and start getting the best skill available that will put the best product on the field and recruit the best players. PJ was hired too quickly and without near enough thought into the long term affects.
DEP1
December 3rd, 2012
9:44 am
Lordy….there isn’t gonna be anyone going to this game from Tech or USC…guess they’ll be more Mexicans sitting on the Mountain overlooking the stadium than paying customers!
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
9:52 am
@GT John..how cn you say that CPJ was hired too quick..have you ever gone by an looked at the list of canidates that we had when CPJ was hired..the top 2 canidates other than CPJ..1 was fired fromhis job the next year and the other was fired last year from his job..you want to fire a guy that is 40-27 in 5 years and hire a guy that is 59-50 over the last 9 years
@dry dirt road..why would Joe have a national championship playbook..he had nothing to do with that team
juvenal
December 3rd, 2012
9:55 am
bring back the Goose, if we can’t get the Whis………..
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:55 am
Hiring Hamilton would be like Auburn hiring Pat Sullivan, it would benefit Tech to hire a Heisman candidate guy(of course). Then I would like to see Hamilton hire a DC from the Tech former players such as Marco Coleman, Pat Swilling, Lucious Sanford and Phillipe Claybrooks.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
9:57 am
yeah, ok TN, but I think Tech won all the games that year; anyway, I Tech grad from 1973
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
10:03 am
Tech hires Curry as AD, has the other guys from Tech for football coaches, and we are back on track, the old cinder track.
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
10:04 am
Man did that cinder track ever have traction!
GTEnvE'12'13
December 3rd, 2012
10:04 am
This chicken little attitude is getting old. “Oh no the sky is falling, lets fire our coach and hire a new one with the money leftover from paying off CPJs contract. That guy will definitely give us ACCCs, NCs and wins over uGA in no time.” I’m not settling for mediocrity, but I see no sense in scrapping it all and starting over with new recruits a nda different style. The future looks bright to me, Vad can run and throw and has will to win that seems infectious (notice the difference in the other players when he’s on the field), and this D looks good when they get that same attitude in their heads. The game against USC will be tough, but is not unwinnable and with an offseason to develop our young guys I think next year could be special. If we get a repeat of this year then okay lets look around, but the sky is not falling! Look at Beamer’s first 5 years at VT (22-32-1 whereas CPJ *so far 40-26), probably should have fired him too huh?
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:05 am
@ Dry dirt..they did win all the games that year but Joe had nothing to do with it..Pat Sullivan has never been head coach at Auburn..Sullivan is 49-72-1 as a head coach..you keep digging a hole..just because you were a great defensive football player doesnt mean you are a great DC..
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
10:06 am
Nobody ever slipped on it.
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:06 am
@ Dry Dirt..what does being a Tech grad have to do with knowing anything about GT football
Jacket Detective
December 3rd, 2012
10:09 am
Joe Hamilton has some elligibilty left?
Kiding.
Johnson gets at least one more year because of his contract.
That a “welfare system” exists in college football and basketball for fired multi-millionaire head coaches is nearly enough to get me to give up college sports.
I have given up the pros.
If Tech beats Uga Tuesday night, I might sign up for the ACC season.
I did the Tulane/Uga package.
If u are a Tech fan within 50 miles of Atlanta, you ought to be there tomnorrow night.
All you commentators who do not attend games do not impress me much.
What kind of fan is that?
dry dirt road
December 3rd, 2012
10:11 am
TN, win all the games and not have anything to do with it? Sure, come on man. OK so Pat was coach of the Falcons. So was Glanville. I could have sworn Pat was Auburn’s coach. Anyway, I recall him beating the Hell out of us at BD. I went to those games.
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:18 am
@Dry dirt road..Shawn jones was teh QB when we won the national championship not Joe Hamilton..Joe wasnt even on the team
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:19 am
Joe wasnt even on the team
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:23 am
Pat Sullivan was an assistant coach at Auburn but never a HC..he also never coached for the falcons
GT Fan
December 3rd, 2012
10:31 am
After watching GT’s defense perform the way they did in the 2nd half vs. FSU, the Sun Bowl will be, IMO, Coach Kelly’s audition to become the permanent DC.
USC’s got tons of NFL talent on O … What better opponent for an auditioning DC to go up against.
If the D plays 4qtrs vs. the Trojans the way they played the last 2 vs. the Seminoles, Kelly will be the DC, IMO.
Footballrules
December 3rd, 2012
10:32 am
I remember that 1970 Sun Bowl….BUCK SHIVER, BRENT CUNNINGHAM, BUBBA HOATS, ROCK PERDONI and great uniforms….gold jerseys, white pants, white helmet with gold “GT.” CPJ has next year to turn this thing around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TechApp fan
December 3rd, 2012
10:32 am
coach pay….App State now has an opening…pays $230,000.
GTJohn
December 3rd, 2012
10:33 am
I say he was hired too quick because no one considered what his offense and lack of flexibility would do to the program. Most of his wins come Chan’s recruits, not his. If you think his offense is going to get recruits and put fans in the seats, dream on. If he comes out next year with sme modifications to take advantage of Vad and the receivers, I will be impressed but not holding my breath after his playing TW this year.
GT TN
December 3rd, 2012
10:46 am
@GT John..so whta he won with Chan’s recruits.does CPJ need to recruit better..yes..but Chan never won with his recruits..at least JOhnson did..the offense has nothing to do with putting fans in the stands..winning puts people in the stands..people were in the stands when Johnson was winning..
Stumpknocker
December 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
People are delusional believing that Tech can recruit the needed talent to run a competitive (pro-style) offense……..What football jock in his right mind would opt cramming for calculus exams as compared to taking pansy courses at other schools? ………….. surely not enough to make up a viable team. Ofcourse some are going to say that Tech has other study options, but the fact is those options are quite few. I would rather see them not go to a bowl game and instead fold up camp putting an end to this season.
kingster
December 3rd, 2012
10:48 am
WOW, USC has a pair of wide receivers that are NFL bound either 1st or 2nd round, a quarterback thats going to be drafted in the late 1st round, a great running attact and a fast defense…….as anyone notice GT’s pass defense this season, Rod Sweeting makes every wide receiver look great, besides he hates to tackle, any team that passes against Tech I notice the defensive back give up huge yardages, plus Tech only has one pass rusher # 45(heck he just started rushing the last 5 games) no middle inside push, TJ Barnes (wow, looks arena football bound), I love Tech, but its is what it is, bigger better players, recruit some 4 and 5 stars, get rid of Paul Johnson(Mr. Moral Victory), then fans would want to travel and come to games (that Middle Tennessee game made me want to jump off a building) how many times does the President and AD (when we get one) going to take this less than middle of road coach (he needs to be coaching a service academy team/but they all have good coaches right now)
Johnson is without question....
December 3rd, 2012
10:51 am
The WORST thing to EVER step foot on the GT Campus. He has killed the program, dead.
But thanks to Bama. There is simply nothing better than seeing a million crying whining Ugag fans!!! Whaa.whaaa..waaaaaa!!! HAHAHAHAHAH Fing HAHAHAHAHAH!
Since our team will probably NEVER beat Ugag again, that did help. Well at least not until we get rid of that bumbling retard of a coach and his stellar 2 min flopsion offense.
Someone do some research, how many games have we lost with a chance to win, or winning, and 3 mins on the clock?
You can NOT expect to pass the ball well with 3 mins to go, game on the line, when you have done nothing but run 3567 times in a row. Just stupid….
GT DID play Southern Cal in let 60s early 70s
December 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
Phenom HS QB Charles Dudish of AVONDALE DID play well vs USC in LA, back in the day but in a losing effort. In those days, USC was quite formidable. USC AD PAT HEYDEN might have been the USC QB in the GT game. He went on to NFL and Rhodes Scholar fame and Dudish quit ball to be a street minister.
UGA man hete
Crazy bunch of Human Beings
December 3rd, 2012
11:06 am
Do your job is a great idea, how many of you function at a high level each day as you perform your job. How many of you are willing to display your job performance on TV several times per year without the ability to dictate the outcome of the display. How many of you are willing to lose your job because outsiders have decided that you are not doing a good enough job, not a bad job just one that is not good enough. What is good enough an ACC championship every other year, NC every 5 years, 10 year winning streak against UGA? I doubt it. The offense suits this school, we must improve the defense, and we have begun the process of implementing a passing game. As you are more than willing to judge Coaches please allow them to come to your workplace and judge you. Coach Johnson and Coach Richt have done admirable jobs. As fans we want to see wins, the fans at the other schools do as well. But please get a grip, the sun will come up tomorrow.
Big Jim
December 3rd, 2012
11:09 am
Stumpknocker – true, GT has no Turf Mgt degree, but there are plenty of less challenging degrees at GT, read the catalog. The fear of “calculus” has very little to do with it.
GT – TN – get your head out of your arse. You are a moron. The offense has EVERYTHING to do with “winning”! It does NOT work in real football. That is why NO ONE else runs it!! No kid over 2 stars wants to play in it, O or D!!! Do you not watch the games? Or any other games?
Did you not see us run the 2 min drill? I would rather have a root canal. Have you not seen how uncomfortable our QB is trying to run the 2 min O? Or throw a pass any time really. Watch the genius next time, even he closes his eyes on a drop back.
Do you think any coach in the Fing world thinks they can go 85 yards with 2:30, no TO’s, running it up the middle 37 times??? Why no, lets pass it now says the retard….pathetic….
The iterception was a given. He has been done a dozen times inthe last 3 yrs.
carolinajacket
December 3rd, 2012
11:28 am
Its been a long, tough season, but I’m still behind the Jackets 100%. I think that losing Burnett and Hilton really hurt the defense more than some people realize. We just don’t have the depth that some others have. But looking at some of the players coming in/up next year, I think our defensive line will be much better and that we will be able to put more pressure on the qb. That, with more experience at line backer and d backs, hopefully, will improve our defense. USC will be tough, but we surely need a bowl win. Remember, when we were the top bowl team in the country? And, finally, Lennie Snow could really run with the ball. He was a delight to watch.
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