Can Georgia Tech avoid a Dog hangover against Clemson?
Paul Johnson's next challenge is helping Josh Nesbitt and others get past the loss to Georgia. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
Paul Johnson told everybody who would listen last week that the Georgia game would not define Georgia Tech’s season. Now all he has to do is convince his players.
The Jackets won eight straight games and had a chance to finish the season with a top-5 ranking. But they blew that by losing at home to Georgia Saturday, 30-24, creating the ACC’s worst nightmare: a championship game between two teams, Tech and Clemson, coming off losses to pedestrian SEC teams. The ACC title game now matches No. 12 (Tech, which fell from seventh) vs. No. 25 (Clemson, which fell from 15th).
But the bigger issue for Johnson is making sure his players get past what just happened. This easily is the biggest defeat the Jackets must bounce back from since he took over. It’s bigger than last year’s loss at North Carolina, and the even the early season defeat at Miami.
Three years ago under Chan Gailey, the Jackets were 9-2, then collapsed and lost consecutive games to Georgia, Wake Forest (ACC title) and West Virginia (Gator Bowl) to close the season.
Asked about a potential hangover, Johnson said Sunday: “It’s always a concern. When you have a big game like that one and you come out on the wrong end, and certainly it was a game we all wanted to win and we took seriously, you have to turn the page. We talked about that for eight straight weeks [during a winning streak]. We talked about it in the locker room [Saturday] night. We have to move on. The regular season is over. We finished 10-2, and that’s better than a lot of people probably thought we could do. Now we have a chance to play for the conference championship. We’ve earned it. Now let’s go play.”
Those were the right words. We’ll find out about the actions soon enough. I’m inclined to think Tech will bounce back. Question: Are you confident the Jackets can avoid a collapse similar to the one we saw in 2006?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
565 comments Add your comment
GT is a 4th rate high school team
November 29th, 2009
9:27 pm
GT LOST TO A TEAM WHO SAYS SHREVEPORT HERE WE COME. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHA FOREVER AND EVER
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
9:28 pm
Rings here we come…..24-30 it will read.
Since tech considered last year’s three point win an a$$-wipping, what is 6 points?
Something of star trek proportions? Let’s talk in terms you can understand.
Wonder what we stole from tech to get revenge for the hedges…oh yeah…their self respect and pride.
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
9:31 pm
Oh, here come the grammar lessons..Tech must have lost!
Hey…LMAO…what’s the square root of your ghetto apartment you share with Georgia State Students and a random crack head?
“Hurts so good…..come on baby…”
thurman
November 29th, 2009
9:32 pm
Tech blew the last drive, no need to go deep on 3 plays when they were having no problem moving the ball down the field. Even with 3 misfires, they were still a dropped ball from moving in and scoring. Dawgs had no answer for Nesbitt in 2nd half and after playing a lousy first half, Tech still ended up with time of possession advantage but for the last kneel down by the dawgs. Tech gave one away
cpj
November 29th, 2009
9:33 pm
Tech is overrated….cpj is an idiot…..3 mins to go 60 yards an u cant do it….Acc is weak…Great win for the dawgs!!!total domination….Ba ba….your having a hard time falling asleep arent you…you suck….Go dawgs sic um!!!!!!!! 30-24
Cuz
November 29th, 2009
9:35 pm
Just beat Clemson on Saturday. You guys will probably have to live with the smack talk for the next 364 days. Out of my control. Saint Simons, m and Yelow Fuzz did this to the Jacket Nation. Man I would hate to be them now.
HBTD
November 29th, 2009
9:37 pm
As I mentioned weeks ago, this one would be over at the half. Fortunately for tech, Dawgs kept tech in the game with two 2nd half missed tackles – Thomas (TD) and Hill(on the reverse). Tech was completely outmatched on the field and by the UGA coaches. Willie dialed up a perfect scheme for the dawgs and for the most part they executed even with a 3rd team FS, 2nd team CB and MLB. DL completed dominated and blew up most every dive play. Bobo also did a great job of play calling and committing to the run. I don’t think he saw a weaker defense all year. Just speaks volumes between the SEC and ACC calibre of play. Hopefully that argument has finally been put to rest and the ACC schools can begin turning their attention to basketball.
Hope you guys enjoyed the 2008 win because that looks to be it for a while. Remember, this was kind of a down season for the dawgs and they handed it to the ACC Atlantic champion. hehehehehehe!!!
Anyway, to Ramble, M, Yellow Fuzz and all the other obnoxious tech jerks who talked way too much smack last year, this ones for you. You deserve all the dawgpiling that comes your way. I hope you are reminded of it daily for the next 364. 31 – 24 DAWGS WIN!!!
LizDawg
November 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
Dawgs power running game 30, high school gimmicky offense 24. LMAO @ Paul Johnson totally abandoning the so-called “perfect option” and passing it on the last 4 plays prior to UGA’s victory formation.
yellowfever
November 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
this message is for AJC Sportswriters and bloggers who have decided it is okay to mock the GT players videos and dancing to their music and promo videos. Feel free to point fingers at the GTAA, alumni, fans and even the parents but choosing to make classless remarks about the players is crossing the lines. These kids developed their own unique style based from their culture and diversity. If anything, UGA players would more likely follow the same and develop their own. If UGA fans on these blogs think their players think like they do, I assure you they do not. It is fun to enjoy yourself and take part with the team on your home field. To allow these remarks to be printed by AJC is more shameful than the UGA fan remarks. To continue this abuse could be construed as racist. Enough of it.
Candice Jones
November 29th, 2009
9:38 pm
Dawg Nation I think you need to quit focusing on the ‘’sorry” jackets and the ACC and start focusing on your own SEC conference. So, you beat the ‘’sorry” jackets, good for you but that doesn’t really get you to where you need to be – SEC championship game, National Championship etc. Gloat all you want and call names but at the end of the day your season is basically done. What really matters is conference wins, divison championships,BCS bowl games, and national titles. Your team has a lot of improving to do, you should focus on that! Hook ‘em Horns!!!
30-24
November 29th, 2009
9:41 pm
What do ya’ll got to say now bitches???? “Oh….we’re goin to the acc championship…” It feels good beating the the best team in the Acc…Go dawgs!!!
Johnny Test
November 29th, 2009
9:41 pm
10 and 2 in the A-She-She is like 6 and 6 in the SEC. Tech had big wins over… Jax State, Duke, Wake Forrest (OT), Vanderbilt and Miss. State. Every one of those teams had losing records… Replace them with Oklahoma State, LSU, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina or Arkansas or Auurn and Tech would have 6 losses.
CPJ
November 29th, 2009
9:41 pm
Just wanted to say “thanks” to all the fans…I’m off to Notre Dame!
this is out of control
November 29th, 2009
9:43 pm
I am going to attempt to inject a little sensibility into this thing, which I understand is futile.
First off: UGA very simply took Tech out behind the woodshed last night. They wanted it more and it showed. The linemen blocked harder, running backs ran faster and the defense played an entire game.
Second: The game was not a fluke or a game that Tech gave away. UGA was never behind 17-3 at half. Although Tech made a valiant comeback there was very little question who was in control during the entire game.
Third: It has been a very very long season for UGA and the fact that we had to put up with a bunch of bs from Tech this year about how CPJ was a world beater and Tech was going to take over Georgia just means that redemption will be that much more swift.
Fourth: Tech really needs to look inward. You lost to a 6-5 UGA team with a ton of problems, mostly because they wanted it more. They came in and beat you at your own game 339 yards rushing. It doesn’t help that Clemson lost to a 6-5 USC team either. That means that your signature wins this year are against a Clemson team that got whipped by a mediocre USC team, a win against a V. Tech team that got beat by Bama, and a win against UNC.
Lastly: The ACC is in big trouble. Sure you beat the only two non bowl eligible SEC teams, but you will still play in a conference championship game that will be seen live and in person by about a third as many people as UGA Tennessee Tech. Both division champions got exposed by more physically dominant SEC teams struggling to keep their heads above water in their own conferences.
If Tech makes it to a BCS bowl then they deserve it. It just makes the win that much better for UGA, because winning the conference is a tremendous achievement unless it is the ACC. The SEC is the premier conference in the nation and UGA is the premier team in the state. Remember that without UGA Tech would be, but another Duke in the college football landscape. Be grateful for whatever scraps the Dawgs leave you.
Dawgz
November 29th, 2009
9:43 pm
Championship game? CHAMPIONSHIP????
UGA is the Champions of the ACC – we beat you (nerds) and SC who beat Clemson.
Oh yeah, SOOOOO much to look forward to! LOSERS!
DawginLex
November 29th, 2009
9:43 pm
still waiting on that mudhole that m promised was gonna be stomped on our dawgs.
For that matter, still waiting on ramble on, yellow fuzz, m and trade school junkie to even show up at all.
Rambler? i expected better of you. I thought you were at least a little bit classy.
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
I know who “Yellowfever” voted for! AAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA….hey…at least you won that won.
ACLU meeting next week..don’t be late…YOU TECH FANS ARE ALL THE SAME!
HBTD
November 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
CPJ. Say it ain’t so! Look at this year, you beat 10 nobodies and you still get to play another nobody for the ACC championship. As long as you don’t mind getting beat up EVERY year by the Big Dawg, it’s a pretty good gig over on the flats.
DawginLex
November 29th, 2009
9:46 pm
One more thing:
I’m also still waiting to see the supposed classless act that CMR did to one of the tech players. In watching the game, I saw CMR complain to the officials about something one of the tech players did.
10-2
November 29th, 2009
9:51 pm
I guess all you UGA fans can sit on here and post over and over again tonight because you don’t have to wash your Nascar shirt to wear to work tomorrow because you can wear you UGA stuff when you go to your construction jobs.
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
DawginLex,
Maybe he’ll give his players rings just like man boob PJ. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
Oh dear God..this is too good.
You Taliban techsters are going to have to deal with me for a while b/c nobody put a muzzle on m, saint simons, yellow fuzz, and pi$$boy.
t
November 29th, 2009
9:52 pm
The best comments I’ve heard so far are “Somewhere Reggie Ball must be smiling” and “Historic Mark Richt Field.” http://www.wedgeorgia.com
Elvis is dead and I don't feel too good myself
November 29th, 2009
9:54 pm
Shreveport is a real mudhole,
I’ll take South Beach any day.
…..Go Jackets
Beat Clemson
Beat TCU in the Orange Bowl
HBTD
November 29th, 2009
9:58 pm
Elvis. As is usually the case with your program, the tech faithful will be disappointed again with the season ending collapse – see 2006 replay – and will probably end up back in Jacksonville after Clempson takes your boys to the woodshed for the 2nd weekend in a row. Tigers win this one easy.
Jacket 56
November 29th, 2009
9:59 pm
All you dog fans are completely dillusional. You played your best game of the season while Tech was having one of their worst of the season and you still only won by six. Those thugs you call players purposely tried to injure Nesbitt. If he doesn’t sit out for two series we score at least one more touchdown and you know it. Any reasonable dog fan (not sure if there are any) knows that ya’ll escaped with a win, you didn’t “beat” anyone. For some reason CPJ went crazy and abandonded the run on that last drive. If he sticks to the run we win and you all know it and that bugs the crap out of you. Your best and our not so good go you a big 6 point win.
Duke
November 29th, 2009
10:00 pm
Tech’s defense is soft as Paul Johnson’s turkey chin…suck on it Saint Simons….30-24
Ron
November 29th, 2009
10:02 pm
No question now that “Saint Simons” is an AJC staffer (probably that doofus Bill King) who has posted for the last year to fan the flames of mutt revenge. What a childish act.
Clevon Little
November 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
Going to a rivalry game: $300
Winning the rivalry game: Bragging rights for 365 days
Running the ball down the throats of the nations ‘best’ rushing team: Priceless
GATORS OWN UGA
November 29th, 2009
10:03 pm
Hey Techsters,,,yep ya got beat…but hey your stillgoing to a TOP bowl game and the butt lickers are ,well they will be playing around Dec 23 or something like that..GT had a great season and hope yall pound Clemson…I wouldnt worry about the idiot Jaw jaw punk bloggers,they like to think alot of teams are their rivals and i see where they talk about beating yall alot…its just we whip them annually and u dont hear from them then…Tenn and FSU are our biggest rivals,UGA is a has been,they know it and every other SEC school does also..Hey if GT is a 4th rate high school team Ugay is a 10 rate high school teamm,,hey Uga girls yall remember that Fla Ugay score???YESSSSSSSSSSSS hahahahahaha..get use to it puppys…bunch of low class punks EVERY SEC school HATES and it aint because your good ..LOL hahahahahaha..
Get Real
November 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
So Yechs signature win was over Va Tech but the Hokies are still ranked ahead of the nerds and with one more loss. What does it take for Yech to get a little respect? How about a decent football team and not playing in a Mickey Mouse conference…………
James Brown
November 29th, 2009
10:05 pm
Jacket 56, yeah, you just keep trying to convince yourself….LMAO
HBTD
November 29th, 2009
10:07 pm
Jacket56. LMAO. Go Dawgs!!
Bobby Night
November 29th, 2009
10:09 pm
Jacket 56, So, questioning CPJ play-calling are you? Perhaps you should apply for a coaching job to ‘help out’.
Bishop Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:09 pm
(((( 30-24 )))) hahahahahahahahahahahaha
Steve
November 29th, 2009
10:10 pm
The season is over, who cares about the ACC Championship game now. Even if Tech wins it and wins the Orange Bowl game, we still lost to the mutts. They will let Tech fans know it every time we try to brag. I would rather Tech go 1-11 and beat UGAy than go 11-1 and lose to UGAy. Last night was more than a game, it was the season, and CPJ and Tech blew it. Maybe its time to switch to being a Gator fan, at least they can beat the mutts almost every year.
GATORS OWN UGA
November 29th, 2009
10:11 pm
10 to 1 about 8 teams from the ACC would whip UGays simple minded Butts …lol hahahahahaha..FLORIDA GATORS OWN UGAY….what was that score again pups…cant remember..what was it???
this is out of control
November 29th, 2009
10:12 pm
Jacket 56: Just say you beat us at our own game in our own house, please.
17-3 at halftime
There was no dirty play on the Nesbit injury
339 yards rushing is a dominant performance
Sure you had a chance at the end, but the difference between winning and losing wasn’t just the last drive. It was the whole game. You had a 76 yard TD catch, we answered with a 75 yard run. You couldn’t stop you and we did.
You are just angry that your best year wasn’t good enough to beat UGA. Don’t be a small person, just say you got it done when it mattered and we didn’t.
this is out of control
November 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
Gators own, were you they guy cupping Tebow’s balls on Saturday?
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:13 pm
“AND THE GEORGIA TECH DEFENSE IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.” Well back at you (itch!
Jackets56..you awful jacka$$! Cry me a river. Oh…another chop block. A coach that teaches his players how to chop block. ESPN commentators don’t even appreciate that technique!
So who has the thugs? We get pulled over on MOPEDS, “ya’ll people” get pulled over for drugs/dui(hamilton).
Yeah..thugs…oh and you have such higher academic standards bla, bla,bla…BS!
Big Fat Lady with the bald-headed willie baby
November 29th, 2009
10:14 pm
Willie and Bobo should get raises for helping get the pedestrian 7-5 trembling puppies to the big game in cosmopolitan Shreveport.
It ain’t over til the Fat Lady sings.
The MAN
November 29th, 2009
10:14 pm
People, OK, here are the facts: As Jeff has pointed out, Clemson (Co-ACC Champioin) just got spanked by South Carolina (mid-teer SEC), GaTech (Co-ACC Champion) just got schooled by UGA (mid-teer SEC), and Florida State just got blown out of Florida. SO, what exactly does this say about the ACC?? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Good Day.
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:15 pm
GATORS OWN UGA,
Must have been a Dawg victory over the Taliban. A tech fan switching to his Florida alter-ego to feel sufficient once again.
OH IT IS GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG!
Ekim
November 29th, 2009
10:15 pm
I posted this elsewhere, but it was so good I had to drop it in here, too.
Dear UGA fans,
Your conference is better, deeper, wider.
You have more talent, now and forever more.
LOTS more money.
LOTS more students.
Your stadiums are bigger, and size matters.
You’re smarter and have better social skills than anyone else in the world.
In eight — no, nine — no, no, ten out of ten cases, your worst team could beat an all-star team of players picked from our five top teams. If you played poorly and we played our best game ever, we might keep the margin under three scores.
We bow to your greatness.
Congratulations on your big win. You deserved it. We were outplayed and outcoached.
We were embarrassed on national TV. Worldwide TV, actually. No, no, it was actually broadcast to the International Space Station. The astronauts saw it, too.
I don’t even know why we bother to field teams. No other conferences should be allowed to exist. No, really. Let’s liquidate all football conferences except for the SEC. The top 6 SEC teams can go to three bowls, all on New Year’s Day. ESPN would surely go along with that!
Did I mention we bow to your greatness? (I don’t remember. I have a very small nerd brain.)
GATORS OWN UGA
November 29th, 2009
10:17 pm
Gators ..Gators..Gators..thats all u pups need to know….Gators own us ..now repeat Gators own us and ALWAYS will….come on pups..ohhh btw..what was that score again???LOL hahahahahahaha…Hmmmm i smell dog …hahahahaha..Whos your Daddy uga…GO GATORS…2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS>..hey pups yall every one one..ohhh yes ..1980..good lord…has beens..GATORS
GATORS OWN UGA
November 29th, 2009
10:17 pm
Gators ..Gators..Gators..thats all u pups need to know….Gators own us ..now repeat Gators own us and ALWAYS will….come on pups..ohhh btw..what was that score again???LOL hahahahahahaha…Hmmmm i smell dog …hahahahaha..Whos your Daddy uga…GO GATORS…2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS>..hey pups yall every one on..ohhh yes ..1980..god lord…has beens..GATORS
Charlotte Dawg
November 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
I like Ekim above…..but he’s probably a talibany techster so i don’t know……GOD…that crowd really was a bit “international” last night.
Geeez!
InsectInside
November 29th, 2009
10:19 pm
First time most dog fans have stayed for 4 quarters this season. The ridiculous mutt exaggerations have started. For a team so unimportant to them, they sure are attentive.
Ekim
November 29th, 2009
10:20 pm
The New Jersey Nets’ head coach has been fired. So has the Louisville Cardinalls football coach. This is because the SEC is so good, there’s no point in even going on with the program.
debutante
November 29th, 2009
10:20 pm
Thugs have Learner Permits and Motor Scooters Cruising and Abusing.
Ekim
November 29th, 2009
10:21 pm
TYPO ALERT! “Cardinals” only has one “L.”