Take Tech over Georgia right now in the long run
The Jackets have issues, but Jonathan Dwyer created positive foreshadowing in last game.
Sometime today, Mark Richt and Paul Johnson will speak at their weekly news conferences and assess for the world their respective football teams to this point. And if either has actually figured them out, that puts them ahead of the rest of us.
I’ve covered two Georgia games (Oklahoma State, Arizona State) and two Tech games (Clemson and Miami). I saw most or all of the other ones on TV. Both teams leave me thoroughly confused. Also somewhat dizzy.
Loading ...Tech has extended its personality changes from half to half (vs. Clemson) to game to game (awful vs. Miami; great vs. North Carolina). So I guess that’s progress. At least it leaves a week between games for therapy and makes for easier billing with the insurance company.
The Dogs can’t seem to figure out what they want to be: a solid defensive but offensively inept team (Oklahoma State, Arizona State), which makes it easy to dump on Mike Bobo or Joe Cox (or both). Or a relative video game (South Carolina, Arkansas), built for thrills and maybe the WAC, which makes it easy to dump on Willie Martinez.
Bottom line: Both have issues. Neither looks like a BCS bowl team. But if I had to take one over the other right now, I’ll take Tech. Here’s why:
♦ The Bulldogs are too erratic, too sloppy (minus-nine in turnovers) and still take too many penalties to lead me to believe they have any shot at beating No. 4 LSU this week, or certainly upsetting Florida. Two other games that once looked like gimmes — Tennessee on the road and Auburn at home — now look like potential landmines. And Tech has to be favored to win the last game of the season at Bobby Dodd.
♦ For Tech, I’m assuming the Jonathan Dwyer we saw before the North Carolina game was an aberration, and the one from last week is the norm. The defense is not great and probably won’t get a lot better. But if the Jackets run the ball, that keeps opposing offenses off the field. Further, Tech doesn’t have a can’t-win game on the schedule. The toughest opponent is No. 6 ranked Virginia Tech but that game is at home in a few weeks. The next most difficult game on the schedule is at Florida State, which just lost to South Florida.
The Jackets could always blame fatigue (three games in 13 days) on their worst performance of the season at Miami. I’m not sure what Georgia blames its worst moments on, other than just not being very good. (If Cox had the flu in Game 1, what did he have in Game 4?)
Right now, it’s looking like Tech will be the better team at season’s end. Agree or disagree? I’ve put up a poll if you want to vote, as well as comment.
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503 comments Add your comment
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:00 am
Tech sucks, We want you to be happy
Dooley's Cardiologist
September 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Did someone really just blame it on the rain??? If anyone was at a disadvantage in the rain, it was Arizona St. The team that plays in the DESERT. What a dumb statement, I am sure those two interceptions were due to the ball slipping. Give me a break!!
MikeJones
September 29th, 2009
9:01 am
Do your best T. Moore impression I see…
J.W.BULLDAWG
September 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Enter your comments here Yes the dogs look sloppy as all heck, but I still they will not lose to tech two in a row.Its not like they’re tech or somebody like that. Why don’t you keep your unadmitted bias for the nats on their page where noone will read it.
bamafan
September 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Gee – can M ever post an opinion without calling someone an idiot? Tech’s defense against Miami was the problem – the offense will be okay.
Paul Johnson is coaching well – Mark Richt is not. UGA has many problems with lack of discipline both on and off the field. Yes, UGA fans are living in the past (1980’s) but Tech still regrets its stupid decision to leave the SEC after 1964. Tech was the power of the SEC in late 50’s and early 60’s. Yes, I know Tech won share of national title in 1990, but what have you done for me lately? Tech seems to have an edge now but if UGA can finds its chemistry, it could be a fine team. Looks like a good game come November, but please let’s play some defense this year. Would Saint Simons please post “45-42 hahahahaha?”
coach smith
September 29th, 2009
9:05 am
I don’t understand what you are saying….The Jackets have been MORE UP&DOWN than Georgia has
I think Tech loses THIS WEEK to Miss St on the road at Starkville at night
and UGA has a great chance to beat LSU who’s defense is not good right now
Tech will likely lose to Miss St, VaTech, FlaSt, and UGA but should they win against MsSt or FlaSt they’ll finish 8-4
Remember this EVEN IF UGA and TECH BOTH finish 7-5, 8-4, or 9-3 with the BOWL GAME TIE-INS the SEC team will get to a BETTER BOWL
dawgster
September 29th, 2009
9:06 am
I wish i could address all of the off the wall comments about UGA on here but don’t have the time, so here are a few, Urban Meyer or Sabon would never let their teams fall apart like the dawgs did against Tech, lets see Utah over Bama, 2007 Gators, lets see what happened in the bowl game, Tech being demolished by LSU, Miami, my point here is all teams have bad games and do not play consistant in all games, sometimes you look all world and everyone thinks you are the greatest team ever, and other games you don’t look so good and everyone thinks you are the worst coached team there is, its a long season so we will see where both the dawgs and tech end up, and as far as for the comments about the recruiting decline, have you checked the committment list for next year, not getting 4 or 5 star players does not always mean success, but i can promise you the players that the dawgs recruit are sought after by all of the power house teams, we get some and we lose some, and whoever makes comments about Coach Richt and the type person he is should look at their ownself in the mirror, You may not agree with some of his coaching decisions or staff he has, but if you ever met the man and really knew his heart yuo would be ashamed to personal attacks on him, i believe the dawgs and tech both have very good coaches and both universities should be proud, and even though both have different personalities, they both are pretty good and getting wins, i hope the dawgs win against tech every year, but that is hoping for the best, and i just have to believe we will win our share, but tech probably will too, the dawgs biggest hurdle is challenging the gators and vols in the east everyyear, we have done pretty well against everyone except the gators, but i believe that will come around at some point, but we will see…
coach smith
September 29th, 2009
9:07 am
Actually RAIN slows down SPEED and with UGA being much faster than ASU, that part would be to their advantage
DawginLex
September 29th, 2009
9:09 am
Jeff,
I know you wrote this to stir interest and debate.
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
I don’t think you or anyone else on here really knows how this thing is going to shake out. Too much football left. What if Cox or Nesbitt gets injured? What if Dwyer gets hurt?
At this point the only word to accurately describe both teams is SCHIZO.
m, you are still an absolute 100% idiot. Only you are stupid enough to still be defending the ACC after the OOC losses endured to date.
tw3a
September 29th, 2009
9:10 am
As a long time georgia southern and Paul Johnson supporter. His offence will have some success in the ACC but it would never fly in the SEC. You get behind and you are looking at a possible loss. SEC defences are too far ahead of most od the other conferences in a whole
Tim Denney
September 29th, 2009
9:12 am
I don’t think Tech would do any better than UGA if Tech were playing UGA’s schedule. People get caught up in 9-3 being better than 8-4 without taking into consideration strength of schedule. I’m sure UGA would be 4-0 playing Auburn’s schedule of 4 relatively weak home games. And Auburn would probably be no better than 2-2 (maybe 1-3) playing UGA’s schedule. Your comparisons are just something to write about and proves that any idiot could be a sportswriter.
bobby1976
September 29th, 2009
9:13 am
Its the controversial headline of the day!
45ACP
September 29th, 2009
9:15 am
Well Jeff, you have been wrong brfore….
MS
September 29th, 2009
9:18 am
It’s way to early to make this prediction Jeff…shouldn’t you be writing about the Braves push for the Wildcard spot instead of expressing your crystal ball opinions (don’t you get to do that on Friday’s already?)
Neither team has looked great at this point. UGA is erratic & undisciplined. Tech got whipped by a Miami team that really might not be that good (Canes win over FSU not looking so good since South Florida did it too; last weekend in Va Tech wasn’t too good either)
I think a fair prediction now would be that the game is going to be a shootout and exciting to watch since neither team’s D can stop anyone.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:19 am
J.W.BULLDAWG, What did you say??????????
Dawgs Fan
September 29th, 2009
9:20 am
I hope this make the bulletin board this week over at complex. This type article is just what the Dawgs need before LSU. Of course we can beat LSU. Did it last year, even MSU should have beat them. I think we are better than MSU and we are playing at home. As for Tech being better, are you kidding me. Joe Cox will throw for 8 TD’s on that secondary, and all of them will be to the guys in Red! That high school offense is not match for any team ready to play.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:21 am
dawgster, stop living in the past. Not the same teams, players have moved on. That is the problem with you dawg fans…when things get a little tough you always look to the past.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:23 am
tw3a, ESPN is looking for an analyst. You would fit perfectly.
Reid Adair
September 29th, 2009
9:23 am
Jeff, you have to love it when these die-hard fans refuse to discuss the facts you presented in your post and instead choose to attack you, Georgia Tech, the city of Atlanta and anyone else they can think of.
little yellow bug
September 29th, 2009
9:23 am
I see at least 4 more losses for tech…Miss state, FSU, Va tech, and UGA…tech better make your reservations in nashville now.
judd
September 29th, 2009
9:23 am
yeah, both teams have been inconsistent this season, and i think it’s too early to know who will finish stronger. but i think both have very good coaches, so both should be able to right the ship.
even though i’m a tech fan, i admit georgia has a much tougher schedule the rest of the way. but tech’s is no cupcake either. it should be a pretty even matchup come the end of november.
to beat tech, a team must do these 3 things: 1. stuff the middle with big bodies, 2. have a good quarterback, 3. protect that quarterback with a good offensive line. if one of those 3 things doesn’t happen, tech has a good shot of winning.
wow! look, i’m a fan of one of the teams and actually had a non-biased, non-trash talking post. amazing!
Calhoundawg
September 29th, 2009
9:24 am
It never ceases to amaze me at all of the non-Georgia fans who incessantly fill up these blogs with over-the-top, pseudo-intellectual ramblings about how UGA’s program is in decline, inept coaches, always do less with more, and blah, blah, blah. Even a casual glance at the program’s success in numerous areas in the Richt era provides ample evidence to prove most of you haters to be ignorant fools who obviously have no avenues to comment on your own sorry teams. Georgia Tech? Give me a break. If it wasn’t for your in-state rival you would have nothing to talk about at all. The ACC is a football joke — admit it. What are you idiots going to say if Georgia beats a very average #4 LSU and goes 3-0 in the SEC this weekend? More blah, blah, blah, I suppose. You all keep on hating and we’ll enjoy watching our beloved Dawgs shoot for another SEC East title, another ten-win season, another bowl win, and at least, extending the nation’s longest streak of at least 8 wins per year to thirteen. Go Dawgs !!!
Joe Hamilton
September 29th, 2009
9:28 am
Just as long as I can get my drug deals done on the field with the coaching staff and all, I’ll be quiet about the cats that took classes for me. My degree is almsot as rock solid as Coach O’leary’s.
Got to love those gang members on the campus though, man they brought in some good stuff.
Chris M
September 29th, 2009
9:28 am
Tech has certainly looked like the better team. Ga is lucky to be 3-1. I think ga loses 4 more to finish with 5 losses. I think tech will lose one maybe 2 more. Tech won’t lose to ga. PJ won’t allow that to happen.
Metal Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:28 am
Isn’t it great that after all of these comments we still get to play the game. Morgan Burnett can’t wait to get to UGA’s offense. Joe Cox meet Morgan Burnett. GO JACKETS!!!!! I hope UGA doesn’t lose another game until Tech crushes them. THWG.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:31 am
They look like they are in decline don’t they Calhoun. I am still trying to find a school with a better record in the last 9 years. Theare are probabally a couple, but sure not from Auburn, Ala, Tech, UT, FSU, or anywhere else in the SE. or in the East Coast period. I think Ohio State may have a better one against the MAC.
dawgster
September 29th, 2009
9:34 am
AZ jacket, not sure what you don’t understand about my comments, but living in the past, lets see how many posts have the score 45-42 in it, last year right, yea we can move on but one win in the past 8 years proves nothing except you won last year, this year still to be determined, all you really bring to these conversations is that you personally attack everyone that makes comments that you don’t agree with, of course you are not the only one, and just how tough are things as you say right now, lets see the dawgs are 3-1 haven’t played great, but still 3-1 in and according to all the so called experts are playing one of the strongest schedules in the nation, lets see how it plays out, and at the end of the year perhaps you can crow again how you beat us two years in a row, but if you don’t what will you do, i know what the dawgs will do, they will get ready for a bowl game and prepare for next season, but i don’t know maybe things are tough over in athens, everyhome game we have over 90,000 plus and people begging for tickets, is tech at that level now, just a thought
Jake
September 29th, 2009
9:34 am
It never ceases to amaze me how in denial ga is about their team and how they act like they have won something of substance recently. 1980. 30 years. And let me repeat, the only ncaa rings on Richt’s hands that mean anything are the ones he won at FSU.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:35 am
Morgan Burnett? He is good, but only one player. Metal Jacket you are a loser. Your school is 4th in the state in Academics, and ranked behind the likes of New Jersey Tech in national rankings for engineering. Your football team is ranked behind UGA, your academics are ranked behind UGA, and as far as the eye can see Ga Tech is reaching up to touch the bottom.
BartBuzz
September 29th, 2009
9:35 am
I can only hope you are right. Paul Johnson is a perfectionist. And he won’t accept mediocrity. But that won’t get him a better kicker. The kicking game on Saturday (not to mention the refs) was just awful.
THWG!
MiltonDawg
September 29th, 2009
9:36 am
which UGA team will show up this weekend? I’m still scratching my head. Hopefully LSU will be more focused on hosting UF next weekend and lose sight. Jackets fans- last time i checked we have the same record.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:37 am
Jake, I guess the rings which you like are the ones which Tech got for winning against UGA. What a Pop Warner type deal to do. Gramatically, you need to say something before you repeat it you moron.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:39 am
Dawgs Fan, do you need BB material to get up for an important game.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:39 am
Hey Bart Buzz, looks like UNC couldn’t hit any three pointers. They should have run 1-3-1 trap instead of that man to man. It is a basketball school you doofus. How the heck could Tech not win.
JB
September 29th, 2009
9:40 am
My two cents………Tech 12-0……….Dawgs 0-12……………………………..I would still rather go to Athens and be a Dawg fan, enjoy that Experience, Root for the Dawgs than ever wasting a dollar, a second, a breath for Tech. they feel that way about us. Ditto here.
AZ Jacket's employer
September 29th, 2009
9:41 am
Haven’t I told you to get off the computer and get back to cooking those McNuggets? You’re never going to make manager if you don’t stop telling everyone about your trade school degree.
HS Offense
September 29th, 2009
9:41 am
I’m a true GT fan (grad. in 2000) and I’m proud of our high school offense. I don’t know why everyone makes fun of us? Just because it’s college doesn’t mean you have to play college ball. They should be making fun of our high school defense.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:42 am
Denver Dog, living in the past.
Cuz
September 29th, 2009
9:42 am
Jeff thanks for breathing life back into the Jacket fans. I missed the smack talk.
Jake
September 29th, 2009
9:45 am
Hey denver how the heck did you lose to kentucky and vandy 2-3 years ago? and almost lost to them last year? it’s a basketball school. funny thing is some of your top recruits come from the state of nc. as for the childish rings comment, i’ll pass. the seniors always get rings you dope. they weren’t because we beat your sorry team and will again this year.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:45 am
Denver Dog, last week they were the best defense and offense going…this week they are a basketball school. I think the dawg fans should worry about their team as it hits the tough part of their schedule. Stop worrying about what Tech will do. When Tech beats MSU this weekend I guess we can say they are a baseball school. What a bunch of morons.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:46 am
Not so AZ boy, but at least I have a past. I see your guys are going over to play the SEC west cellar dwellers, and then the SEC east cellar dwellers. Trying to get back into a real conference it appears. Remember yellow backs, you left the SEC becuase you couldn’t win there any more.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:47 am
AZ Jacket’s employer, your Mother is calling you. Time for your nap. Stupid post.
Tron5000
September 29th, 2009
9:47 am
That “high school offense” sure looked pretty good against a top-25 team. It put up over 300 rushing yards on a team that came in allowing fewer than 70.
Come the Saturday after Thanksgiving, UGA will have had an entire calendar year to figure out and get ready for said “high school offense.” Maybe this year the dogs will only give up 300 ground yards to the Jackets instead of 400.
GT Que
September 29th, 2009
9:48 am
wow…..everyone ir running HOT this morning!
This weekend will be a testiment to whether Jeff is right or wrong
This is a must win for both teams. If UGA loses a SEC game, the chances of them advancing to the SECCG are slim b/c of that juggernaut down there in Gainsville. If GT loses this game…..It will be a devastating, demoralizing event.
Wiley
September 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Are UGA fans saying our pass defense is weak?? we held UNC to 150 total yards! You held Arkansas to almost 500….If it was not for ASU having terrible QB play they would have beat you. Both teams are not great but I would take tech for sure.
ga_tech_92
September 29th, 2009
9:49 am
If you look at recruiting services, Tech has no chance. If they don’t play the game on paper, then I’ll give Tech a punchers chance to pull the upset again against UGA.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:49 am
Yeah AZ lame brain, they were really a great team, they had to get ACC officials to call a safety to be that national power UCONN. Which planet are you living on boy. What was it exactly you did when you played a team this year which was in the top 100, Oh yeah, the beat you in a blowout. If UNC is a top tier football team, then the Wash Nationals are going to the World series. You are the idiot that comes on here blasting UGA and like most of you pencil necked geeks, you start running away when someone calls you on your BS.
Tron5000
September 29th, 2009
9:51 am
“Dawgster,” falling back to the tired old “7 in a row” argument, I see. Did you guys have t-shirts made with that on it, or is that just the buzz phrase (like “climate change”) that some focus group thought would work? Only 2 games matter; the last one and the next one. We know who won the last one, and that same team will be victorious in the next. While you’re living in the past, remind me how great Herschel was…
Wiley
September 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Denver dog…we had more SEC championships than you till a few years ago. We left in the 60s and you finally caught up after 40 years! We left the SEC because of corruption, greed, and the desire to make tech football better. Bobby Dodd may have made the wrong decision but who cares.