Updated notes: Tech fills 2013 schedule
1. Georgia Tech’s first-ever game against Alabama A&M will complete the Yellow Jackets’ 2013 schedule. Tech’s non-conference schedule will be comprised of home games with Alabama A&M, Elon and Georgia and a road game at BYU.
The FCS team will play Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium Nov. 23, a week before the Jackets play Georgia. Since the FCS level (previously known as Division I-AA) was created in 1978, this will be the first time that Tech has played an FCS-level team the week before the Georgia game. The Jackets have typically played an ACC opponent.
After the ACC voted to return to an eight-game league schedule in October from the nine-game plan instituted with the expansion to 14 teams, Tech sought home-and-home dates for 2013-14 with schools in the Big Ten, Big East and Conference USA.
However, due to the lateness of the search and the glut of ACC teams looking for opponents, school officials couldn’t find a potential FBS partner with openings or willing to create openings for the Jackets.
Alabama A&M is a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, a league of historically black colleges and universities. The Bulldogs finished 7-4 this season, losing to Auburn 51-7 in its only game against an FBS opponent. Alabama A&M is coached by Anthony Jones, formerly a coach at Morehouse.
It will be the first time that Tech has scheduled two FCS-level opponents since 2008, coach Paul Johnson’s first season, when the Jackets played Jacksonville State and Gardner-Webb. The Gardner-Webb game was also a late addition, the result of Army canceling its game with Tech in Oct. 2007. Tech will be able to count only one win against Elon or Alabama A&M towards its bowl eligibility.
2. The Tech athletic department released a message on Twitter from coach Paul Johnson Tuesday thanking fans who attended the ACC Championship game in Charlotte.
“As we begin bowl preparations, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your support in Charlotte this past weekend. We came up short in our quest for the ACC Championship, but our players and coaches were overwhelmed by the fans that made the trip. We were energized by the Tech faithful in the stands, especially in the second half. At the end of the game, we heard many words of encouragement. It was a great reminder of who and what we represent every time we take the field.”
3. Tech will begin practice for the Sun Bowl Thursday and continue with practices Thursday and Friday. … Tech was a 10-point underdog to Southern California as of Tuesday evening. … The Tech ticket office put Sun Bowl tickets on sale Monday. The school has an 8,000-ticket allotment which will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets cost $50 and $60. … In the Tech media guide, a survey of team members revealed that five players named USC as the team they would most want to add to the schedule, including outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu. Ironically, 12 players chose Florida State, which the Jackets played in the ACC Championship game.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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145 comments Add your comment
Also, Ken...
December 4th, 2012
2:36 pm
…how much is Tech having to pay Elon and A & M for those beatdowns – the usual $400K – $500K, which this year was the going rate for FCS team beatdowns?
1 4 GT
December 4th, 2012
2:36 pm
I expect ridicule for this too. After watching the games this year, early on it was obvious defense had some problems. CAGroan was dismissed at mid season. The defense slowly started playing better. In 4 of the last 5 games. the coaches have made really good adjustments at halftime & the defense played lights out (nextdoor to a shutdown defense IMO). No mean feat that! I believe that Coach Kelly at the very least deserves serious consideration for the job as DC. Yes, I said it. The man has done a good a job as interim DC. If this were a big business that you were in charge of, you would be a derelict in your duty as a smart boss to not give this man a serious chance to convince you why he should or shouldn’t get the job. IMNTBHO
RambleOn84
December 4th, 2012
2:37 pm
Y’all have it all wrong. This is GREAT, and I’ve been saying we should do this for years.
Not necessarily playing two FCS teams, but playing one late in the season…
This is what most SEC teams do, and it’s part of the reason they have done so well in their inter-conference matchups late in the season. We basically get an extra bye week before Georgie.
Really smart scheduling. I do wish we were playing a better opponent earlier in the season, though.
Spanky
December 4th, 2012
2:41 pm
What would it take to get a Tech vs Ga Southern match-up? Both run the same offense and have spotted D’s…that would be fun to watch!
10per
December 4th, 2012
2:46 pm
Does anyone complain about Alabama playing Western Carolina,Florida Atlantic and Western Kentucky this year? Did it affect their ranking and attendance when they outscored those teams 124-7?
Scheduling OOC cupcakes is not going to stop anytime soon. I would like to see another SEC team on the schedule but it’s tough to fill games late sometimes.
RocketCityJacket
December 4th, 2012
2:47 pm
www
does ANYONE in the GTAA know what they are doing anymore? it’s like interns are running a $50 million department. embarrassing.
__________________________________________________________________________________
You mean like the White House Administration
wrecked
December 4th, 2012
2:48 pm
The usual losses to UGA, Miami, VT, Florida State, BYU, and most likely Clemson.So GT goes into the season knowing it will not play in a bowl. Pj’s driven the Ramblin Wreck straight to hell.
Jon Koncak
December 4th, 2012
3:02 pm
With two FCS opponents, Tech can count only one win against Elon and Alabama A&M towards bowl eligibility.
Not sure if you can even count on having one of those as wins when considering the coaching, the recruiting, the offense, the lack of defense and special teams, lack of facilities, lack of financial support……
Jacket Attack
December 4th, 2012
3:05 pm
I thought I read somewhere that we were flipping the clemson game and going there again this year?
Buzzed
December 4th, 2012
3:14 pm
1 4: Will agree that no one wants to take the time out of playing real football to waste a week to prep for gt’s offense. It’s death by a thousand paper cuts, and does nothing to prove that gt has a good program. Until you guys get a defense, special teams and depth both on the field and in the stands, gt will remain a nuisance – not a team to fear.
dawgfan
December 4th, 2012
3:17 pm
“This is what most SEC teams do, and it’s part of the reason they have done so well in their inter-conference matchups late in the season. We basically get an extra bye week before Georgie.”
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you today’s winner of the dumbest Techie post of the day award. 4 of the past 5 years Georgia Tech has played DUKE before the Georgia game. The one year they played someone else, Miami in 2008, they beat Georgia.
Congratulations to RambleOn84. This is a very prestigious honor as there are always many many worthy candidiates to choose from and picking a winner is difficult.
Thanks.
GT in GoldTown
December 4th, 2012
3:19 pm
I pray for the day when we have the forward pass again. We need to eat the money we owe CPJ and SPEND some money to bring in a big name guy to Tech. If we win, the money will follow and the coach will pay for himself. The ACC is so weak and legit coach could come in and win the ACC. Plus with Georgia being the 3rd most talent rich state we could keep some home grown talent. I’m tired of being a .500 program and losing to UGA, VT, and our bowl game every year.
Oh Baby!!!
December 4th, 2012
3:20 pm
Can’t wait! Can I get my tickets now!
Bring back Jim Donnan
December 4th, 2012
3:22 pm
I read the headline and thought, “Kewl, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas A&M”! – 3 SEC teams to beat on!
You mean, dawgfan...
December 4th, 2012
3:24 pm
…the now 6-6 Dook team that is a FBS bowl eligible team, unlike the FCS, non-bowl eligible GA Southern team that UGA played the week before the Tech game? And, AL played Western Carolina, and UF played (and should have lost to) LA Monroe (and how does such a “win” qualify them for the BCS Sugar Bowl?)..
You may have tied Rambleon for the dumbarse post award…
Ken Sugiura
December 4th, 2012
3:48 pm
haven’t heard anything about DC. I’m pretty sure nothing will happen before the bowl, though.
good idea about special teams comparison. i was thinking about that a week or two ago. will do.
Jimbo
December 4th, 2012
3:50 pm
1 4 GT has the only sensible comments in the entire thread. It’s pretty hard to schedule a decent OOC opponent this late in the season, especially if they think there’s a decent chance that they’ll lose. It’s that simple.
Anyone want to find out which FBS teams actually had this weekend in their 2013 schedules available as of October 2012? We can make a case after that.
Jimbo
December 4th, 2012
3:56 pm
Case in point: Boston College (among other ACC teams) had the same issue. This blog post (bear with me) shows which teams had 2013 openings as of Nov. 2012: http://ajerseyguy.com/?p=3243
For the lazy, the list consists of: BYU, Central Michigan, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Mississippi, Tulane, UTEP,Cal, Arizona, Oregon State and Florida International.
BYU is immediately out, since they’re already on Tech’s schedule. Arizona, Cal, and Oregon State aren’t likely candidates for a regular season game due to geography. That leaves CMU, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, UTEP and FIU. Not exactly a slate of great teams, is it?
Jacket Detective
December 4th, 2012
3:58 pm
Most of u are forgetting that we’ll have the “messiah” as QB.
Just kiding Joe.
Actually I like the guy but did not want him to start, for example, at VT and Clemson until he got some experience.
I think starting as a freshman had something to do with Reggie Ball’s poor play vs Uga.
We asked him to do too much too soon.
UGA = Yawn
December 4th, 2012
4:00 pm
Jacket Attack – DRad was looking into that when we expand to incl Pitt and Syracuse. And now Lousiville and ‘ND’. He was hoping to break up our schedule. IE. all our good games are together – one year all at home, next year all on the road. He wants to divide up VT, Clemson and UGA. We play all 3 each year but all 3 together. To do this, either Clemson or GT was going to have to play 2 against the other on the road, in a row. Now that DRad is gone, I’m not sure what will happen. But our schedule is top heavy in odd years. 2012 – few great home games. 2013 – many great home games.
Pitbull
December 4th, 2012
4:00 pm
I guess the folks at Tech thought if Gene Chizik could beat Alabama A&M then Paul Johnson could too.
Or maybe Presbyterian was already scheduled out that year.
Paul in NH
December 4th, 2012
4:08 pm
The problem with scheduling a good team OOC is that they want a home and home. I’ll give you an FBS team with an open date on 11/21 – Navy.
Paul in NH
December 4th, 2012
4:09 pm
Oops – wrong year on Navy.
List Mama » Georgia Tech adds Alabama A&M for ’13 – ESPN (blog)
December 4th, 2012
4:11 pm
[...] The Jackets were forced to schedule a fourth nonconference game when the ACC announced …Tech fills 2013 schedule with Alabama A&MAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)Georgia (2-5) at Georgia Tech (4-2) (ET)Kansas City StarGeorgia [...]
Tech1986
December 4th, 2012
4:32 pm
I read somewhere earlier when the 8 game schedule came about that we would go to VaTech again next fall to even out the schedule. In addition to UGA and Clemson at home. we also have UNC, so if we have FSU on top of that, pretty good home schedule.
Pepper Rodgers
December 4th, 2012
4:45 pm
This scheduling makes no sense to me. TWO FCS teams? WTF?
Was Cedar Shoals or Grady not available?
GTBEE
December 4th, 2012
4:52 pm
Does anyone have a cork?
All we need is a cork!
We can plug the hole and save this sinking ship!
Oops! Looks like there might be more than one hole in this ship.
Anybody got a can of Flex Seal??????/
Eagle bait
December 4th, 2012
5:23 pm
They are too scared to play GA Southern…we would plant you in Dodd Field.
Big JIm
December 4th, 2012
5:25 pm
Makes no difference until the Cancer that is our pathetic head coach and his program killing, will not work, boring ass offense is gone…
Hedgewhacker
December 4th, 2012
5:44 pm
@Jimbo: “That leaves CMU, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, UTEP and FIU. Not exactly a slate of great teams, is it?” Most any of those teams would be a great deal more interesting than Alabama A&M and Elon. At least they’d be better name recognition and playing at the same level as GT.
tobacco road
December 4th, 2012
5:45 pm
Interesting that the more teams the ACC adds, the less times we get to play our conference rivals. Even more interesting is that GT doesn’t play any SEC teams in 2013 except the usual UGA game. Since 2007, Tech has played a grand total of 4 games vs SEC opponents: 2 vs Miss. State, 1 vs Vandy, and 1 (disaster) vs LSU in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl. Is your AD aware that you have other Division One schools in the Southeast?
You don’t build a top-level program by playing the likes of Alabama A&M and Elon at home, plus go to Provo. Looks to me like Tech fans would want to see the occasional game vs Alabama, Auburn, UT, SC or the Mississippi schools.
Thanks to John Swofford, Tech doesn’t show up on the Wolfpack’s 2013 schedule. We’ve played GT only twice since 2006, and it’s another good rivalry gone away, like our games vs Duke, UVA and now Maryland have. You guys keep Alabama A&M busy, and we’ll play out our 3-game series vs South Alabama. Nothing like playing those Alabama schools!
Come on, John, bring in Cincinnati and UConn. We need MORE teams!!!
Phys67
December 4th, 2012
5:56 pm
Keep hearing a playoff system would make the season too long, but teams continue to waste two weekends a year on games nobody cares a thing about. Unbelievable….
just the truth
December 4th, 2012
6:18 pm
GIVE ME A BREAK. You might want to pass on your thinking to the Falcons too. They make the season ticket holders buy the 4 exhibition games also.
Iluvnutella
December 4th, 2012
6:25 pm
I guess the surrogate AD wants to try and keep Fish-fry AFTER next years 6-6 season.
Delbert D.
December 4th, 2012
6:26 pm
I find it hard to believe that the SEC schools wouldn’t trade their November 23 FCS patsy to get Tech to play at their place.
just the truth
December 4th, 2012
6:29 pm
Obviously some people don’t know much about scheduling major college football games. When someone drops you from the schedule, you may get months to schedule a FCS school. To schedule a FBS school can take many years of which things can still go wrong and be deleted. Tech already has Ole Miss and Alabama scheduled in the future. If those games are played …………… we”ll just have to see. I doubt it with the new SEC and ACC realignment !!
Flak Jacket
December 4th, 2012
6:30 pm
Playing teams like these two are a waste of time.CPJ might just be able to handle these weaklings,but don`t bet on it.
Confused
December 4th, 2012
7:46 pm
I find it confusing that Georgia fans are on here trashing Techs schedule. I guess Georgia does not schedule FCS teams. The always play the toughest schedule. They play 3 ranked teams all year and they are 1 – 2 against them. The only reason Tech is play AA&M is because that is the only school that was available to schedule on that date. You just can’t say, “mmm I have an open date so I guess I will schedule ND.” They also have games scheduled. What a bunch of nimrods.
CPJ
December 4th, 2012
8:40 pm
Elon?? That’s a high school, right?
My jacket
December 4th, 2012
8:44 pm
Big whoop. No wonder we can’t sell tickets. Who makes these decisions?
yellowfever
December 4th, 2012
8:48 pm
That’s right Tech, just keep cramming this crap down our throats. Bad product against Bad teams. Makes me just want to run out and buy tickets again next year. NOT and I WANT.
yellowfever
December 4th, 2012
8:50 pm
BYU will kick our ass again. Bank on it.
Uh, Confused...
December 4th, 2012
8:50 pm
…you really are if you think it is UGA “nimrods” trashing this schedule – most of what I read is from Tech fans…and former students…
GT Man
December 4th, 2012
9:46 pm
We need an AD, anyone looking at a Stanford or Notre Dame assistant AD ? Both programs are high academics and winning in football, basketball, baseball and both womens basketball are winning for the last 3 seasons. Rad screwed us good with PJ and the probation, at least he got rid of Paul Blewitt
GTJeff
December 4th, 2012
10:04 pm
You know, people rag on Tech for not filling its stadium. Why can’t we adopt a new philosopy for our program? A “We’ll play anyone anywhere” fill those patsy games with the Michigans, Texas, Oregon’s & the like. Two SOLID FBS schools from the BIG, SEC, Big12 & Pac every year. Yes we may very well lose most of those games but I guarantee you that intrest in the program with those games on the slate. This philosophy of playing ding dongs for practice is absolutely meaningless.
1 4 GT
December 4th, 2012
10:25 pm
That leaves CMU, Marshall, Memphis, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, UTEP and FIU. _____________________________________________________________________________________ And how do y’all know the above teams had an open date that met our needs? _____________________________________________________________________________________Y’all are Tech guys! Think like Tech guys! This ain’t rocket science!
1 4 GT
December 4th, 2012
10:39 pm
I agree with GT Jeff. I don’t like playing the nobodies either, but I do understand the necessity of needing to fill out our schedule with whomever is available. I believe we tried to add UTn & they said no. The Bammer h & h was moved forward some # of years. I’m just glad I don’t have to wrestle with this as part of my job (if I still had a job!).
Tech Guy
December 4th, 2012
11:51 pm
Season ticket sales will take a hit next year.
Veteran Fan
December 5th, 2012
12:14 am
Proud of our very young team! Season ticket holder and grad will definitely renew and enjoy every minute of the next season. Remember folks, there is nothing better than a crisp Saturday afternoon in Grant Field cheering for the Yellow Jackets! We will do well next season and beat our country cousins from Athens as they will be rebuilding with very little veteran leadership. It will be a very good year, minimum 8 win season.
dry dirt road
December 5th, 2012
5:45 am
BYU coming up again. I commented here that BYU would have players from the West Coast with South Sea islander names who had nothing to do with BYU’s white founders, and would attend BYU solely to find white coeds, get married and mission to foreign countries to find one that allows bigamy. That lineman who is a candidate for the Heisman has a South Sea islander name and is an example of the BYU players I was commenting on.