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
TheItalianDawg
September 29th, 2009
9:51 am
First heeldawg, good post!
second, Georgia needs to focus on LSU! who give a crap about tech and their high school offense and by the way they need to pass Miss state this weekend first which I think its a landmine
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:53 am
Denver Dog, your ignorance preceeds you. Seems to me that you two SEC victories were not against the top of the pack in the SEC. SC and Ark. are not even mid tier and you guys lucked out winning those and you know it. Seems to me that you only look at one side of the equation before you start typing. By the way, good luck with Tenn. Tech…oh, you forgot they were on your schedule.
Facts are Stubborn Things
September 29th, 2009
9:53 am
For all of you who think UGA has a team full of 5 star players you are mis-informed. There are a total of of 5, 5 star recruits out of a traveling squad of 70 players: Kade Weston, Reshad Jones, Richard Samuels, Branden Smith and A.J. Green. Kade Weston is not a starter but plays a lot on the defensive line, Richard Samuels is not playing like a 5 star running back, Reshad Jones is a big hitter but can’t cover, Branden Smith is a true freshman. A. J. Green is the one true 5 star recruit that plays like a 5 star recruit. The rest of the team is 4 and 3 star and non rated players. Caleb King was rated 5 star till he broke his leg his senior year in HS. Then he went to 4 star. Georgia has had some really good recruiting classes but that whole ranking of recruits is a little mis-leading. Except for A.J. and possibly Branden Smith UGA’s 5 star players have been a bust.
ChrisinIndy says UGAs recriting is/will drop off… have you seen the 2010 class? It may be the best class recruited since CMR has been at UGA based on the same silly rating system.
Frankly I hope yeck wins all their games before we play them. It doesn’t make much difference anyway. They always play lights out vs UGA because their whole season is about beating UGA. When you have only beaten UGA 13 times in the last 44 years you become obsessed with beating them.
UGA does look a little ragged right now. Lots of mistakes. That’s the bad news. The good news is they don’t panic and they don’t quit and even though for some it may be hard to see they are getting better each week. We won’t know how good they can be till they play a complete game. Hopefully they’ll do it this week.
GT is walking into a trap this week and they will be fortunate to come away with a win. If they lose boy will I be on their blog giving them hell about losing to the worst team in the SEC.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Tron, they did look great against Miami, didn’t they. That is the only top 25 team which Tech has played. You Tech people need to understand that playing UNC and Wake is not the same as playing against UF and LSU. Maybe in your world it is, but it is not in the real world. UNC has never been in any kind of football championship, at least not in the last 60 years. Alabama, one of the best defenses in the country still gave up 250 yards to this Mallet guy, AT BAMA. So techies quite comparing UNC to an SEC team. The only one down in your conference that can compare may be Miami. Va Tech has played one already haven’t they.
Tron5000
September 29th, 2009
9:55 am
Isn’t it funny that the UGA fans get so worked up they resort to the likes of “lame brain,” “idiot,” “pencil necked geek,” “boy,” “yellow backs,” etc? It makes me smile.
And “AZ Jacket’s employer,” are you really, seriously alleging that Tech fans underperform in the job market as compared to UGA fans? Not really sure how to respond to that. I guess just, “Ha. Ha. And ha.”
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:56 am
Denver Dog, look leg humper, I did not call UNC a powerhouse. All the loud mouth dawg fans were doing the prior to our game with them. Then when we beat them they are now a basketball school. Lick I said before you are real good a leaving out 50% of the facts just to suit you pea brain.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:57 am
Tron you started that stuff, and you just can’t handle the truth now can you?
Jake
September 29th, 2009
9:57 am
Why don’t you call Tom Osborne and call it a high school offense. It makes you look stupid when you say this considering YOU LOST last year. Morons.
Marseilles Mutt
September 29th, 2009
9:57 am
JS-Like many of your bloggers, your mantra should be, “I judge your intelligence by how much (or often) you agree with me.”
Last I heard, Tech, plays a pretty good Ms.-up from Missy- State team, and UGA is entertaining ’suspect’ #4,LSU this week; and you cannot think of ANYTHING else to write about other than who would win a game to be played November? Forget the above and the Braves run, THIS is big news! Okay, I’ll bite, and,sadly I agree; with that my IQ went from waist size to room temp.
However, UGA could be a great deal better in November, because of the greater margin for improvement available. Now, how did they manage to have the outstanding SEC offensive ‘Player of the Week” two weeks running, and this week have the ‘SEC Player of the Week’ on defense(?) as well? Especially with all of thase crummy athletes!
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
9:57 am
Excuse me, like I said,
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
9:58 am
AZ maybe you should read your own post stupid before you start running with the keys. You Tech people must have a hard time looking in the mirror.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
September 29th, 2009
9:59 am
Come on man looked who the play! Give me a Break!! I hate stupid articles!! They Barley beat clemson, get smoked by UM, They will get smoke by VT, FSU, Let tech play in the sec every week
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:00 am
Marseilles Mutt, you really don’t know how….middle of the road opponents that they should have buried.
Tron5000
September 29th, 2009
10:00 am
Denver Dog, did I ever try to say UNC was inthe same league as UF and LSU? Considering they’re both ranked in the top 5 and UNC was #22 last weekend (that would be the other top-25 team to which I was referring, since they were, in fact, ranked in the top 25), that would be a ridiculous comparison for me to make. Which is why I didn’t make it, but you have to stoop to creating things that I didn’t say, which doesn’t very much advance your cause.
Dawg Fud
September 29th, 2009
10:01 am
I pretty much agree with everything you said, Jeff. hate to admit it but Tech looks much stronger and hungrier than the Dawgs this year.
It all comes down to coaching and we are currently weak in that department. The talent at Tech and UGA is comparable.
GO DAWGS!
Brian
September 29th, 2009
10:01 am
Talking football with a ga fan is like arguing with a liberal loon over health care.
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
10:01 am
AZ, look here limp stinger, read your own posts and then talk. Now get in here and clean up the booths under Ronald’s picture, there were some Bama folks in here and they left a big mess.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:02 am
Denver Dawg, Have a nice day….as I slowly pull myself back up after letting you drag me down to your intellegence level.
Saint Simons
September 29th, 2009
10:02 am
45 – 42 !!!!!!!!! haahahahahahahahahahahahaha
FRED
September 29th, 2009
10:02 am
SAD TO AGREE WITH YOU JEFF BUT YOU ARE RIGHT. AND YOU ARE RIGHT FOR ONE REASON AND ONE REASON ONLY COACHING.
wow
September 29th, 2009
10:03 am
Schultz, just be honest…you don’t believe this crap you just wrote. Tech? Are you serious, tech?!? There are so many dumb posts on here from UGA and Tech fans alike, but none dumber and more antagonizing than this AZ Jacket (who clearly has no job and no life). As a neutral fan, let me go ahead and say this: Tech, you need to worry about next weekend and that’s it. You say UGA will get punished by LSU. Tech fans, since you probably don’t watch football because well, your Tech fans, let me get this one out of the way. Miss St should have beaten LSU last weekend. Did you idiots not see that?????? You might be playing the better team this Saturday, and you will soon get a taste of what it is like playing a Florida offense. So I would be concerned about that you college football rookies, glad your relevant for once. Good luck.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:05 am
Dawg Fud, nicely said. I take Tech this year because they are home and hungry. I really don’t think we are totally at UGA level but it will happen…good coaching has helped us. As a true Tech fan I cannot pull for UGA but good luck to you.
dawgster
September 29th, 2009
10:07 am
Tron5000, reread my comments, i too am tired of bringing up how great we all did in the past, but as i said, on many, many of these blogs i see the same old tune 45-42, and if the dawg fans deserve that then so be it, yes the past is important we all should be proud of our great schools past achievements, but i said lets move on to this year and what the future holds, i never mentioned “Hershel”, you did…my thoughts are what this years team will do, but if people want to keep harping on what Coach Johnson did last year in beating the dawgs and how Coach Richt is second to Coach Johnson, then yes i am going to bring up past records as such, but i would rather move on and talk about the issues that both teams truly have this year and as far as the dawgs go, i hope they can improve as the season progresses….
Denver Dog
September 29th, 2009
10:09 am
Az Jacket thanks, people who have to boast about how smart they are usually are not. Sorry you can’t handle a good debate, Any time you want to try and match wits bring it on, or run like you did here.
Dooley`s Dick
September 29th, 2009
10:11 am
-Tech has more National Championships (4)
- Tech has more heritage and tradition (Heisman, Alexander, Dodd)
- Tech is the higher rated college in academics
- Tech grads on average make more money upon graduation
Uga is Tech`s fat red headed little sister.
Lol, those are facts!!!!
AZ Jacket's employer
September 29th, 2009
10:11 am
My you have such creative “insults”. Leghumper and mommy jokes, you’re such a sharp tack! No wonder we put you in charge of the drive thru.
ugajersey.com
September 29th, 2009
10:13 am
The difference maker is Uga VII and his awesome jersey and now YOU CAN GET AN EXACT REPLICA of Uga VII’s jersey for your dawg dog here:
http://www.UgaJersey.com
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:15 am
Denver Dog, not boasting. Learn a lesson from DawgFud.
UGAIsSoLastYear
September 29th, 2009
10:16 am
Interestingly, this year’s GT season seems to resemble previous ones under Chan – and that concerns me. Play one good game, lose the next, win the next, etc., etc.? FSU will be a tough game as it will be under the lights and on national TV. Their team and crowd will be definitley up for it. Hell, this week’s game at Miss St will be tough. Va Tech – tough. Johnson said Nesbitt ‘willed us to a win’ over UNC. But, can he do this week after week and can the team also? I don’t see it.
collegeballfan
September 29th, 2009
10:17 am
After 4 games? I ain’t that good of a guesser.
AltamahaDawg
September 29th, 2009
10:17 am
After reading all, and considering the options, I have made the decision that I will still be a bigger fan of Georgia, than GT, at year’s end.
Reality Check
September 29th, 2009
10:17 am
Jeff – I don’t disagree with you as Tech will continue to get coached up on defense and we will not. However if you are basing this on Tech performance against North Carolina I think you are misguided. North Carolina is AWEFUL and were lucky to be 3 and o agaisnt some bad teams.
dcp
September 29th, 2009
10:18 am
I agree that LSU is overrated and yet to be tested. They were outplayed by Mississippi State on the road in the conference’s least hostile environment next to Vandy. UGA should win on Saturday. Tech has not played a weak schedule – let’s get that out of the way. Clemson is a good, not great team, that has some NFL talent on that roster in Spiuller, Sapp, and Bowers, not to mention a good freshman QB. UNC and Miami were both ranked at the time they played GT. Tech played very poorly vs Miami – a good team bounces back and they did vs. UNC, which does have a good team. As a Tech fan I see both sides of the argument. Jax State is not a worthy opponent – by the way they would not have played J State if Ole Miss had not asked to move their game with Tech (that would have been an interesting game for sure). Look UGA and Tech are both good teams – everyone needs to chill – the two are not that far apart and on any Satuday, you never know what you will see. Just enjoy the season and stop comparing how one team would do in the other team’s conference.
Wiley
September 29th, 2009
10:18 am
Georgia Fans you say UGA has a tougher schedule but if you look at the teams they play its not that tough. You play UF who is really good and GT who will come to play. But LSU is obviously over rated, Oklahoma State was over rated, Arkansas sucks…look at what bama did to them, South Carolina is not good…neither is ole miss, UT lost to UCLA!!, Vandy sucks,UK sucks, an FCS school from Tennessee , Auburn may be ok, and ASU is not good they will be 5-7 again. Where is this tough schedule???because it looks about the same as tech’s. If it wasn’t for the pre season polls you would only play three ranked teams….Tech will end up playing four this year.
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:19 am
AZ Jacket’s employer, talk like a 5th grader and everyone will think you are a 5th grader. I have heard the Mickey D jokes about every school and even used them myself. Sorry I came down to your level in this blog. I must remember not to do that every again. No more inmature insults. Only next time you post please bring something to the table about the subject at hand. Have a good nap…darn..backslid.
Jake
September 29th, 2009
10:20 am
It’s funny how ga fans ignore the fact tech is a 4.5 point favorite at miss st saturday. and lsu should have lose and won by what, 4? sure is interesting.
falconsfan
September 29th, 2009
10:20 am
UGA fans way overstate the talent gap between the two schools. There is enough talent in the state of Georgia to field 4 top 25 teams. There are only two division I schools in this state.
And why do you put so much stock in a recruiting pay website. Who cares what that some dude on his couch thinks this guy is the 12th best RB and this guy over here is the 25th best running back? A good coach with a good eye for talent for his system knows way more than some guy that runs a website.
The thing is, both GT and UGA has been better at recruiting over the last several years. UGA picked up their recruiting around 1994 and GT picked up their recruiting around 1999. UGA was getting better talent but had poor coaching. They then went and got Mark Ritch and they have had their best decade in the history of the school record wise. GT had good coaching and a great QB, but not a lot elsewhere. The recruiting started getting better, but then they hired an idiot coach. Now the recruiting is continuing to get better and they have a better coach.
I know this is a big rivalry, but UGA fans just have to admit that last year GT’s entire defensive line, at least one linebacker, and at least 2 defensive backs would have been starting at UGA on defense if they played for them. GT does not have an AJ Green type receiver now (they used to) but their two best recievers are better than UGA’s next best guy. UGA really missed out on Stephen Hill, he looks to have their rare body control and athletic ability for a big receiver. GT might have three running backs better than UGA’s best running back. UGA does have a better offensive line, or was suppose to this year.
The big difference in talent between these two teams are not at the starting positions, but rather in depth. (I think UGA has had 250 guys drafted over the years or so, to about 200 for GT. A difference, but not much.)
Why do UGA fans think that they have a right to the top recruits? Both schools have a rich history. Tech even has more national titles in football and the most recent. Both cities are unique and can be an attraction for an 18 year old. Tech has a more prestige degree, and UGA has more major options. The only advantage is that UGA plays in front of more people on Saturdays. But I would hope that a recruit did not base his college by attendance numbers. GT still holds close to 60,000 people which is about the size of many NFL stadiums, (it is not like Vandy.) But surely a recruit is going to base more off of his relationship with the coaches and how comfortable he feels on campus through the recruiting process than he would on other things like stadium size.
Scott
September 29th, 2009
10:20 am
Tech over Georgia…good call.
Tech’s overall program, including coaches, is now the best of the 2 schools.
Georgia is VERY lucky that they have even won a game this year.
Tech75
September 29th, 2009
10:21 am
I think Denver Dog has defined a new low for UGA posters to limbo under…
AZ Jacket
September 29th, 2009
10:22 am
AltamahaDawg, good for you. Win or loose support your team. Some people forget.
Facts are Stubborn Things
September 29th, 2009
10:22 am
Dooley’s D. Be a good yeck fan and change the subject to anything that keeps you from having to suck down the truth… UGA ownes yeck 59/39/5… 44 out of the last 57, 7 out of the last 8, more Bowl games and victories, more Heisman Trophy winners, more top ten finishes… really more everything. You won three of the 4 NC before 1950. And guess what… I’d hope an engineer would make more than a liberal arts graduate but they won’t make more than a VET or an Attorney or a CPA or an MBA from UGA. That is a silly arguement. We’re tslking about football anyway.
orlandodawg
September 29th, 2009
10:22 am
Come on Schultzy…the question is who can change suddenly? Can GA Tech suddenly start playing at a higher level, are their players going to suddenly find themselves more talented and dominating? Or is it more likely that UGA can play at the same level, but stop dumb mistakes? I know they were sloppy all last year, but it is beleivable that penalties could slow, and skill players can protect the ball better for UGA…improving on fundamentals is more likely than jumping up in skill level overnight…if not for a few pitiful turnovers, UGA would have looked much more dominating in it’s first 4 games
BIG BEE
September 29th, 2009
10:26 am
DAMN, my sister BRENDA is on the loose again. She thinks since she is a UGA graduate that she knows something about every thing. OOPPPS, let me correct that, she thinks she knows more than anyone about every thing. Dad and Mom never should have adopted her.
2N4YEARS
September 29th, 2009
10:26 am
Let’s see….. Eni,Mini,mighty,moe….ole Crap!!
Facts are Stubborn Things
September 29th, 2009
10:26 am
Scott, yeck beats UGA 1 time in the last 8 years, gets hammered by LSU and a Miami team that gets hammered by a VT team that got hammered by ALA. and all of a sudden yeck has a better program. Now that is laughable. UGA hasn’t played even close to their potential and they are 3 and 1. If they jell and start playing the way they should be then we’ll see whose program is headed up or down.
Wiley
September 29th, 2009
10:29 am
facts…VT was leading in the fourth quarter….something UGA wouldn’t come close to against bama. This tech team still has not played to their potential….but just like last year they get better as the season progresses. By the end tech will once again be rushing for four hundred a game…on your defense that cant stop anyone. ASU stopped them selves…dont sugar coat it.
Forrest Gump
September 29th, 2009
10:31 am
There is no doubt that Tech is a better coached team, from the top down, and Georgia is back to dancing on the sideline and celebrating tackles after long gains by the opposing team. This is just poor discipline on Richt’s part. I guess he learned nothing from the end zone dance against Florida. The punishment for that bad sportsmanship will continue.
Chris
September 29th, 2009
10:32 am
Jeff,
There was a guy that posted a rational comment on here around 412am. One rational comment for every 30? What is the ratio by your reckoning?
But to his point, in ‘06 GA lost to KY and Vandy at home and then finished 9-4. In ‘07, after getting thumped by UT, we ended up a very serious football team that would have throttle LSU in the SEC title game had UT slipped. Once the AZ game got to 14-3, we looked like we relaxed as if we had it in the bag instead of ratcheting up the intensity and stepping on their throat.
They are baffling at this point in the year. I could very much envision a focused and intense performance to beat an overrated LSU team this weekend and then losing to UT the week after.
dcp
September 29th, 2009
10:32 am
orlando dawg – while the columnist has his opinion, the facts are true about a few things – UGA has been sloppy – if you believe they will suddenly stop turning the ball over and committing senseless penalties, that’s your right. I want to see that first before I feel it is behind UGA. Everyone has their ifs – well, if it wasn’t raining, if we did not get stopped on 3rd and inches, if we did not fumble – the ifs don’t matter. I believe UGA will correct what they have been doing as well, but if the game were played today, I’d be concerned. I’d also be concerned as a Tech fan as Tech also puts the ball on the ground a bunch with all the reads with the option and our kicker is very inconsistent, a CLEAR advantage for UGA – Walsh and Butler are aweasome. I don’t think Tech has to play up a level to face UGA – these players were highly recruited by many teams – Burnett, Morgan, Dwyer, Jones, etc.) Hang in there and enjoy the season – there are a lot of fun games left to play.
DirtyDawg
September 29th, 2009
10:33 am
Well Jeff looks as if you really didn’t have much to talk about so you thought you might as well throw the Dogs and the Bees into the pit and let ‘em hurl insults for a bit. Pretty lame subject given this stage of the season, but then you never seem to lack for lameness.
Regardless, I’ll have my say. This time last year all my Tech friends weren’t sure just what to make of Mr. Johnson – B4 Miss State. I tried to tell ‘em that the guy and his offense were impressive and that they could expect good, if not great, things. From then on you’d think that all these Techies had invented Paul Johnson…they couldn’t build wagons fast enough to add to the parade…of course that debacle against The Ewe cost ‘em a few of the ‘faithful’, but beating a mediocre UNC (with wins over those juggernauts The Citadel, East Carolina and UConn – by two) got ‘em back in the fold – that and that it appears that Mr. Dwyer may have finally gotten into shape to play football.
And as for a poll, what’s the point? There are almost more Techies hanging around here than there are cynical Georgia fans – which is saying a lot…I’ve never known our folks to bi**h so much about their team as this bunch of grads – I’d say the ones ‘post ‘90 or so – they all seem to have a chip on their shoulder and think that the coaches and kids – whenever something goes wrong – are doing it just to piss them off personally. Of course it’s not just the recent grads, it’s also, and maybe primarily, those that never graduated, and likely never attended, Georgia. Sure we love ‘em, we just don’t think much of their criticism. These are all the same folks that trashed the North Campus and destroyed the hedges following that Tennessee game a few years back – the only respect they have is for themselves and Jack Daniels…and I’m not so sure about ‘themselves’.
So, we’ll see how the season plays out and win or lose I’d rather be in Athens than running ’serpentine’ between classes and/or the Varsity on North Avenue…and as for ‘owning us in the classroom’, just remember, we want you to keep up the good work. All owners and developers have to be able count on competent builders to do stuff that we pay for – oh yeah, what’s the latest about that parking garage that collapsed on your new (OSOTC – Other Side Of The Connector) campus a while back? Was that your guys that engineered that? Just want to be sure before we add anymore stuff over in Athens…shoot, we may have to hire somebody else.