We’re live from Tech, Jackets have chance to take charge
The Jackets need to wait another year for a BCS title shot, but not for bragging rights.
Welcome to Opportunity Night.
Georgia Tech’s ability to become a national program is dependent in part on the ACC’s ability to develop elite teams and elevate itself significantly higher than it has been this season. But the Yellow Jackets never will have a better opportunity to take hold of their local rivalry.
Georgia fans don’t want to hear that. They view the Jackets’ 45-42 win last season and their ensuing hedge assault in Athens as some sort of aberration. All evidence is to the contrary.
This season has confirmed what we suspected last season: Tech is a program on the rise and Georgia is the one sliding. The Jackets are scrambling to keep their head coach, Paul Johnson. Mark Richt is not in trouble at Georgia but is expected to make changes to his staff.
Even if Tech had beaten Miami earlier this season and was entering tonight’s game undefeated, there’s a pretty good chance it would rank no higher than fourth in the polls, behind Florida, Alabama and Texas. That’s because of perceptions of the ACC. The Jackets would be sitting in that cluster with TCU, Cincinnati and Boise State, screaming for a playoff.
But let’s focus on the local landscape for now. The Bulldogs won seven straight games in this series (2001-07) before last season, and 14 of the last 17. But what happened last season at Sanford Stadium was not a fluke. If the Jackets win tonight, it also won’t be a fluke (they’re favored by 7 1/2).
The 2010 season is months away. But Georgia probably will be starting a freshman quarterback and Tech will return Josh Nesbitt and a blur of running backs in an offense that just keeps getting better. If you had to guess right now, which school do you suppose is going to be favored when the teams meet again next season?
This is Tech’s chance. It is the cliche statement game. Nationally, the Jackets certainly can make this a special season and say something about the program by defeating Clemson in next week’s ACC championship game and then winning the Orange Bowl. But closer to home, this is their chance to take charge locally.
Tonight’s game comes down to one thing for me: I don’t think Georgia’s defense can stop the Tech offense. The Jackets’ have defensive liabilities but I don’t see the Bulldogs matching the Jackets when they have the ball.
Do you agree? Weigh in and I’ll be back shortly.
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1,373 comments Add your comment
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 28th, 2009
6:39 pm
JEFF ////// FLAG ON THE POST!!!!!!!!!!!!! NERD DENIES SANE DAWG FAN LEGIT PERSPECTIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
Whos gettin the best grub shultz, you or Bradley, I assume you since youre covering the good guys.:-)
Clemson and UGA fans are just alike
November 28th, 2009
6:42 pm
gee, I would think CAPHEAD THE BOOGIEMAN, Mr. know it all, would have a laptop and tv in the same room. Geniuse like him usually do…
BitDogBarking
November 28th, 2009
6:44 pm
GP Burdell
November 28th, 2009
6:19 pm
Georgia Tech has the advantage on the field tonight. Georgia Tech also has a long standing tradition of winning on the national level that drives the UGA folks nuts.
HUH!!! Until this year the only thing that the rest of the country knew about GT was that you were that team getting your azzes beat on Thursday night. National level? LMAO!
Clemson and UGA fans are just alike
November 28th, 2009
6:45 pm
fans just alike but they won’t play each other, both like to run their mouths but won’t play each other on the field anymore even though they are 90 miles apart
GeorgianInMemphis
November 28th, 2009
6:45 pm
It is an odd twist about this game that Georgia Tech is indeed the team on the rise, as you say, under the tutelage of an Erk Russell disciple – Paul Johnson – against the team with which Erk initially established his legendary status. I lived in Statesboro during Erk’s great run at Georgia Southern. During Paul Johnson’s first year as an assistant there (his first college coaching job), Coach Russell told me after practice one day that he thought Johnson was going to be a pretty good coach. I’m thinking Erk was right.
GT For You And Me
November 28th, 2009
6:46 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8jSPYyTCEs GO Jackets
Paul in RDU
November 28th, 2009
6:49 pm
Jeff,
Let us all know if AJ warms up with the Dawgs.
I am assuming Rambo and Samuel will be out due to their concussions – they need to be 100% to be back whereas AJ doesn’t need to be.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
6:56 pm
Boogie – No posts have been flagged or deleted yet.
Bravissimo – I got steak and lobster. My standard pre-game fare.
Paul in RDU – A.J. is on the dress-out roster but I haven’t noticed him on the field yet.
Not Disappointed!
November 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
Jeff, outside close to the power station on the hill. Should be inside shortly! Just having some coffee and Kahlua. Have some all? Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
Steak and lobster??….I thought the AJC was having $$$probs like everyone else…but then “I know nothink”…Sgt. Shultz
Rock Perdoni
November 28th, 2009
6:59 pm
To hell with the balllickers.
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
Can you communicate with Bradley during the game?
…if so, tell him the dogs are gonna lose tonight
pilgrim
November 28th, 2009
7:05 pm
“We haven’t won anything yet.” –Coach with 10-1 record.
vs.
“We aren’t dead yet.” –Coach with 6-5 record.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
7:06 pm
I know this question has been asked before, but… I’m looking to buy ACCCG tix. Which side is the GT side?
GWH Rich
November 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Too early to tell what will happen next season, Jeff. However, since UGA chose to be loyal to Cox all season and refused to remove a redshirt from another QB, they’ll begin next season with a QB with little or no college-level experience. Even if they are strong by the end of the season, assuming the guy (whoever it shall be) learns early and shows rapid improvement, my guess is UGA will end with no better record than this season.
All I can say for now is, I hope Tech takes this one, Clemson, and then the Orange Bowl opponent. That’s more important right now than how this game will shape up a year from now.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Not Disappointed — I wish I could join u in the Kahlua part of that.
Dakota
November 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
sure has been alot of talk from pup fans who don’t think we are a big rival………
I think PETA will be protesting Tech this week for abusing animals…lol
BitDogBarking
November 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
Didn’t Furman Bisher once write that Rock Perdoni was so dumb he couldn’t even spell Rock?
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:08 pm
Bravissimo — I have a personal services deal. It’s tied into the world markets, very confusing stuff.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Pilgrim — “We haven’t won anything yet.” –Coach with 10-1 record. vs. “We aren’t dead yet.” –Coach with 6-5 record.
Very nice job.
GBO
November 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
What is the over under for the GA/GT game…I’m taking the over at 70…yards of penalties that is. I think the refs work harder having to throw all those flags every two minutes than WM’s defense does during the entire game.
Alabama Jack
November 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Respect All, Fear None.
Pound the Puppies.
Trample the Tigers.
Get some Horned Frog legs in Miami.
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
Yea I have one of those too Shultz…its called a WIFE…but it dosnt always cooperate.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:11 pm
Baba O’Reilly — Sorry, can’t answer that. You might want to send an email to somebody at the ACC. Try mfinn@theacc.org.
BitDogBarking — Don’t know. But Bisher’s here. I could ask him.
Go DOGS
November 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Funny! Mark’s UGA blog is on page 3 going on 4, with a lot of Tech fans on it. Still on page 1, I see?
Cuz
November 28th, 2009
7:12 pm
Hey Jeff, just thought I would stop by to say hello.
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
7:14 pm
GoDogs…thats because the dogs are ALL talk…
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
Nice to see/hear/read you Cuz. Stick around. Kick your shoes off.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:15 pm
Bravissimo — Sounds like we have the same wife.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
Go Dogs — Georgia pool runs deeper than Tech pool, I think we all know that.
Clemson and UGA fans are just alike
November 28th, 2009
7:16 pm
bet UGA was hoping it would be the Gamecocks that would be the SEC team to lose, sorry Dogtards it is going to be you
Meanwhile...what's the scoop Jeff?
November 28th, 2009
7:17 pm
Jeff I asked Mark, but since you’re covering the Tech side maybe you have the scoop.
Is there any truth to the rumor the Tech players have taken to calling the Tech punter The Appendix for this game, as for the most part, he’ll be a useless appendage?
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:20 pm
Meanwhile — hah! Hadn’t heard that but you can start the rumor. Better yet, maybe I’ll steal the line.
GT For You And Me
November 28th, 2009
7:20 pm
Beat Down Coming Dawgs: See ya,wouldn’t want to be ya………….. TOHWG!!!!!!!
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:22 pm
This important update: Georgia has come out in red jerseys and red helmets. I’m sure some of you were hoping for a blackout.
GT For You And Me
November 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Jeff,You’re the only reason I read the AJC…………….TOHWG
pilgrim
November 28th, 2009
7:23 pm
Solar powered robo-uga won’t work under the lights so they are going with the battery pack.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:24 pm
By the way, we don’t see AJ Green anywhere out there.
TechFan
November 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
What’s the good word?
GeorgianInMemphis
November 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
I think my numbers are right.
Paul Johnson in ‘rivalry’ games…
While at Georgia Southern, 4-2 vs. Furman
While at Navy, 6-0 vs. Army
While at Ga. Tech, 1-0 vs. Georgia
That’s a combined 11-2. Ya think the guy knows how to get his teams ready?
Bravissimo
November 28th, 2009
7:26 pm
Do you know how Dave Wommack came to be the DC @ Tech?…I dont recall him being on PJ’s staf anywhere.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
7:27 pm
ACCCg seating. The Tech side is the one with the lower #’d sections. I.E sections 106-115 and 206-215
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
7:27 pm
Chuck Dowdle just announced that neither AJ Green nor Rambo will play tonight.
Baba O'Riley
November 28th, 2009
7:30 pm
I don’t recall all the UGA fans’ love for Rambo until he was concussed.
GT - THWG
November 28th, 2009
7:30 pm
THWG! Go Jackets!
A lot of bullpup whining on the other thread!
TechFan
November 28th, 2009
7:30 pm
That just gives the mutt fans an out after we dominate tonight.
TechFan
November 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
Hey Jeff – What broadcast team did ABC pick to call the game tonight?
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 28th, 2009
7:32 pm
Which back-up quarterback do you think we’ll see under center first tonight … Logan Gray or Jaybo Shaw?
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2009
7:33 pm
GT for you and Me: Thanks for the comments. I read for the Food Section.