With Georgia Tech loss, ACC struggling for attention again
This was the sad scene in Jacksonville at the 2007 ACC title game. Attendance was announced as 53,212.
The ACC wanted to be the SEC. It wanted the money, the clout, the conference championship game, the TV contracts and pollsters to give mid-level ACC teams the benefit of the doubt because, well, they were in the ACC.
But once again, the ACC looks like a souffle that keeps collapsing.
Georgia Tech lost to Georgia Saturday. Clemson lost to South Carolina. So both halves of next week’s ACC championship game in Tampa lost to mid-level SEC teams that are headed to third-tier bowl games. That’s not how a conference gets money or clout or a big TV contract or the benefit of the doubt.
Meanwhile, the SEC title game matches No. 1 Florida vs. No. 2 Alabama.
While Tech coach Paul Johnson tries to figure out how to motivate his players after Saturday’s lost to the Dogs, ACC commissioner John Swofford needs to figure out how to spin this almost annual disaster into a positive. Good luck with that.
The conference has never received the marquee Miami-Florida State match-up it was hoping for when it expanded and split into two strangely divided geographic divisions (Atlantic and Coastal). Here’s the ACC’s brief championship game history:
♦ 2005: The first game has been the high point. It was a good game (FSU beat Virginia Tech, 27-22), was well attended in Jacksonville (72,749) and TV ratings that exceeded the SEC and Big 12 title games.
♦ 2006: Tech and Wake Forest were the surprise finalists and played a dreadful, touchdown-less game (won by Wake, 9-6). That year, just as this year, the Jackets were coming off a season-ending loss to Georgia. Announced attendance on Jacksonville dropped 10,000 (62,850).
♦ 2007: Two teams from the distant north (Boston College and Virginia Tech) caused attendance to continue to plummet. The No. 5 Hokies won, 30-16, so at least it gave the conference a highly ranked team going into the bowls. But then Virginia Tech was upset by Kansas in the Orange Bowl.
♦ 2008: The game was moved to Tampa. But it was the repeat matchup the ACC couldn’t afford. This time, B.C. and VaTech drew only 27,360 — which means half of the tickets distributed/sold weren’t even used. The Hokies won, 30-12. Not that anybody noticed.
♦ 2009: This week’s losses and the economy likely will hurt attendance. Regardless, the game would’ve garnered a lot more attention if Tech and Clemson were coming off victories.
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468 comments Add your comment
Rotten Egged
November 29th, 2009
5:02 pm
All you drunk redneck UGA fans can be proud of your team, but one thing remains unchallenged: Tech is the harder school to get into and produces graduates that earn more money. Now stick that in your pot pipe and smoke it, rednecks.
mrlee
November 29th, 2009
5:03 pm
DOGS are so stupid and can’t spell. If you are so good, why didn’t you beat Gators?? At least Tech got to play in a bowl game.
Reality Check
November 29th, 2009
5:03 pm
Ga Tech toots their horns for wins against Vandy and Mississippi St. I guess that makes them the #10 team in the SEC. Nice try at spinning that 5-2 record.
Michael
November 29th, 2009
5:05 pm
I agree with those that say move the game to Charlotte. I’d love Atlanta, of course, but that’s a bit selfish. Plus, the SEC championship game will always dominate, even if they find a way to make it a different date.
MIT grad
November 29th, 2009
5:06 pm
It’s funny how Ga Tech turns to academics when they lose on the football field. There is only one Tech and you wouldn’t come close to getting in.
We Own You
November 29th, 2009
5:07 pm
Washaun Ealey just ran for 12 more yards….and another Tech defensive player was carried off the field. LMAO
DawginLex
November 29th, 2009
5:09 pm
WHERE IS “m”?
Paul Johnson (the new sheriff in town). He only has one bullet in his gun and he used it last year. I keep looking for the mudhole that was gonna be stomped by GT. I keep looking for that ACC dominance vs SEC.
I also keep looking for yellow fuzz, trade school junkie(nice pick there of FSU over florida), RAMBLE ON and stinger(the one who laughed about UGA dying).
I can’t find any of the above.
m,
What mode of transportation are you going to recommend this time to ship your coach on? Train? Delta? since Greyhound already got used, I thought I would ask.
Say What?
November 29th, 2009
5:09 pm
To SeattleJacket:
If you truly believe Georgia’s best beat Tech’s worst, then you must also believe in the Tooth Fairy! That has got to be the absolute dumbest thing I have ever read. Rationalize all you want– you still got beat!!
Spike
November 29th, 2009
5:14 pm
DawgsinLex… GATA!! Suck it M!!
Alabama Jack
November 29th, 2009
5:14 pm
Johnny Test, go pimp your sister and sleep with the sheep. Yes, your team was the better one last night, by 6 points, a hurt QB and a dropped pass – bit most of you dawg fans still suck, and you Sir, are an inbreed singled digit retard of the first order.
In the meantime, we have to continue to pick up all the crap you dawgs left on our campus. Too bad, this breed of dawg can never be house broken.
Seattle Jacket
November 29th, 2009
5:15 pm
I love the Battle of wits on here. I just wish guys like Josh and South GA Paul HAD wits to battle with. I’ll start with Paul. Explain to me how you could go from worst to first in penalty yards in ONE WEEK? great parctice? CMR’s pledge that penalties will get you bench time? Give me a Break. AJ Green was missed by you guys, and our guys relaxed due to it. I admit that. But you slam Thomas for being a mouth? I seem to remember him flat out embarrasing your corner on the long run. And OUTRAN Jones on that play. Dwyer had a bad night. Ingream from Alabama had a bad day Friday. That happens when you are the defenses key ALL GAME. As far as Dirty, look at the tape my friend. Yes the pil;e fell on him, but the tackler did twist his body even more on the ground. Why do you think Anthony Allen came up grabbing your thugs off the pile.
Yes your worst in a decade beat us last night. Problem is where do you go from here. Do you think Murray is the answer? Kid doesn’t even understand half of the playbook. That’s Richts OWN WORDS! He was here in the spring and fall, and doesnt get it. He will be OK, but he isnt the answer. Martinez did get out of his own way last night, and I hope it saved his job. Our best in a decade was bad last night. And just think our decade will only get better. I expect this state to be better for it. Both teams in the National spotlight year in and year out can do nothing but good for all of us. I respect Richt and UGA, but idiots like you Paul give the whole Dawg nation a bad name. Crawl back into your clapboard shack, bum a dip of snuff off of your sister/wife, enjoy the local sheep beauty Pagent and don’t clutter up the real world with your idiot rants. THWG and Paul, GO TECH!!!
DHD
November 29th, 2009
5:16 pm
I wonder if the AJC runs this same comparison during basketball season? Of course the SEC has better teams. Who EVER said they didn’t? Since there is no SEC vs ACC all-star game, who cares?
It is a typical no brains article by the AJC.
Person
November 29th, 2009
5:18 pm
I hope “Reality” and “Seattle Jacket” know that every comment they post just makes us smile even more. You guys can’t stand it…and that’s why all of us are smiling today while you just keep trying to think of anything you can to take away from the fact that you LOST to a very mediocre team at home. So keep talking…your futile attempts to attack UGA are very funny to us. “All the way, turnt up!” Hee hee!
1970Dawg
November 29th, 2009
5:18 pm
Seattle Jacka?? (Jacket), if you think Dwyer and Morgan will be back,
you need to read a little more about next year’s draft projections by
Mel kiper. Both are projected as first rounders. So before you start
referring to someone’s intelligence, you might want to do a little research.
SAV Dawg
November 29th, 2009
5:18 pm
I see Tech coaches are already leaving GT. It looks like Johnson should go back to GSU. He should have taken the job in Statesboro.
Reality
November 29th, 2009
5:19 pm
This blog has become a sad display of pitiful ugay fans. And anyone wonders why Tech fans retaliate at all? Just read the messages on this blog from the ugay fans!
Most do not see reality in the face. Most don’t understand sports at all. And, I can gather that most have a maturity level below 15 yo and an IQ of below 100.
Yes, ugay beat Tech last night. Does that make ugay ACC champ? Oh really?
Yes, Kentucky beat ugay. Does that make Kentucky’s football program superior to ugay? Oh really?
You should at least use some reasonble stretch of logic when making your ‘claims’. Otherwise you just continue the knowledge that ugay fans are idiot red necks.
thunderbull56
November 29th, 2009
5:21 pm
Who,who,gives a FAT FLYING RAT’S A#$! You had your chance and you CHOKED IT! JAWJA the bigesst POS of the new millenia and you D@$#% CKOKED IT! AT HOME, none the less! Now go and ckoke up tha ACC Championship Game and your lower than low tier Bowl Game! Whoo Hooo!Am I a fan? No, I’m critic.Once upon a time I was a Fan!
Reggie Ball
November 29th, 2009
5:22 pm
Shultz, we’re running out of oxygen out here. Please write a great story about how the loss isn’t really that bad for GT and how Richt will never match up to PJ.
Reality
November 29th, 2009
5:23 pm
1970Dawg,
Prime example of an idiot ugay fan! Just because some group publishes some projection of who “might” be selected in next years first round does not mean at all that said player “will not” be returning. How completely stupid of a statement is that?
Did you really attend ugay? You need to go back and try again to get some sort of education – or your money back!
Bruno
November 29th, 2009
5:24 pm
‘their lost to the Braves’ ? I thought journalists were supposed to be better at this than we are. I saw another typo on the AJC front page today. 20 years ago that would have been nearly unthinkable. I guess standards are dropping everywhere.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:24 pm
REALITY= BIG HAT
Decatur Tech Fan
November 29th, 2009
5:26 pm
Dont worry Tech fans…its closin in on 6 pm and the ex Ugay players and their trailor trash fan base have to log off and get to bed…the trucks start rollin in to walmart at like 4 am, so these guys need their rest, they got some unloading to do….we can talk jackets after they go to bed. hartwell…tell ur mom I said HI!
Seattle Jacket
November 29th, 2009
5:26 pm
Say What: How can you even argue with that? We were as flat as a pancake. You had nothing to lose… Look I am tired of arguing with Brick Walls. Yes you beat us. It’s called and upset. It’s called Any Given Saturday. Enjoy it. The past speaks volumes. I can’t argue with the fact that UGA wins most of these games. I can’t argue the fact that UGA has more top tier Athletes than Tech. But the fact still remains. THIS GAME WAS YOUR SEASON. Congratulations. Now, you get to sit home till Dec 22nd and play your Music City Bowl against UNC or BC. I wish you luck. BUt this was one step in our progression. Yes it is a goal to beat UGA. It’s a goal to go undefeated. We didn’t acheive that goal. Now we have to get ready to go for the bigger goal. ACC Championship, and Orange Bowl. Throw rocks all you want. Enjoy your win. Show the type of CLASS fans you really are.
Dawg Central
November 29th, 2009
5:26 pm
Paul Johnson has more chins than Ga Tech had rushing yards last night……lol…Tech fans make all the excuses u want…..but beating your”DADDY” is no small feat…..nothing to be embarassed about Tech fans….u should be use to this by now……lol
SAV Dawg
November 29th, 2009
5:27 pm
And reality thinks he is so smart? He must be a dropout from GT that can’t spell. Reality hurts?
It shows who has the dominate program.
THWGT !
Way to GOOOOOOOO DAWGS!
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:27 pm
CPJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJJ SEZ…………….. WITH 1:02 ON CLOCK I WANT A TIME OUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IM GOING FOR IT ON 5TH DOWN………… WHAT A HAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
matthew
November 29th, 2009
5:29 pm
“Reality” -
Kentucky beat Georgia in Athens for the first time in 22 years – that’s an abberation. Georgia beat Tech in the Joke by Coke for the fifth straight time – that’s a trend.
So suck on that knowledge and have it engraved on your ring.
Hmmmmm
November 29th, 2009
5:29 pm
I thought they were moving the ACC game to Charlotte and that Tampa was an interim site. Charlotte is a much better location.
IMHO that is the best photo evah! Maybe they should play the Championship game after a Duke/Carolina b’ball game. More attendance for sure.
Reggie Ball
November 29th, 2009
5:29 pm
Look you MF-in.. UGA fans. The scoreboard said it was 3rd down. Nuff said.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:31 pm
DECATUR tech FUN========== SORRY I PI$$ED YOU OFF ========= LEAVE MAMA OUTTA THIS========= DONT HAVE ME TELL FOLKS ABOUT YOUR GRANNY AND ME………
SAINT SIMONS DOES M
November 29th, 2009
5:31 pm
Come on Seattle, Come on Decatur & Reality….keep on posting that it doesn’t matter and that it doesn’t bother you. Each post just proves otherwise. M & I are holding “it doesn’t matter hug session at “historic grants tomb.” Come bee our Flag BOY TOY!!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Louis Skolnick
November 29th, 2009
5:32 pm
Booger, funny how the ajc writers have turned on Tech so quickly. 24 hours ago they all thought uga sucked.
Listen up dog fans
November 29th, 2009
5:33 pm
Good upset win 4 you. Let me try to get you guys to understand the view from Techs side. Tech has gone 6, 7, 8 seasons loseing to UGA.When our guys win one its BIG. Most reasonable Tech fans know the ACC does not match up with the SEC in fan base and big bucks to support the sports teams. Last year Tech and that offense slipped up on you guys. Not this time. UGA beat Tech by the same way most SEC teams win, Not cheating refs. Not bad playcalling, not a lack of good coaching. They won by overpowering Tech. Big front line, big power running backs. Look at Fla. Look at Bama. You guys can’t tell me that when you beat UFLA. (and you will) after a long dry spell some of your fans are not gonna be as loud and obnoxious as any fans anywhere. Everybody thinks everyone else fans are the worst. We all have our dumb azzez don’t we? Good luck next season, (except for that last game)
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:34 pm
4 TH AND 8…………. LOGICAL CALL……. WE CAN MAKE IT…….. WE CANT CATCH IT BUT I THINK I CAN MAKE IT !!!!!!!! CPJ
Booger
November 29th, 2009
5:34 pm
True. So uga wins and now the world has become dogg-crazy again. Hey Louis, when do you need the dogg robot finished?
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:34 pm
ITS BOOGIES KIND SIR
Louis Skolnick
November 29th, 2009
5:36 pm
yeah , I mean they’ve still got willie makin the calls. When do they give up on him? I mean so what – he figured out that the triple option means nesby has three choices, and one wasn’t there.
Booger
November 29th, 2009
5:37 pm
Bradley is smokin dogg biscuits if he thinks the chicken bowl want uga.
B. Dodd
November 29th, 2009
5:37 pm
Dawg Central: I wonder why you brag about being in an outfit for 20 years whose motto is ” We’re looking for a few good men”.
Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
5:37 pm
30-24: A-she-she… I would say that’s funny, but my wife, daughter and mutt (also a female) would kill me.
Louis Skolnick
November 29th, 2009
5:38 pm
Oh yeah, I see Nashville clearly. Thats a good trip, except when its 32 and snowin.
Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
5:38 pm
Ctown Dawg — Have any stocks I should play? Mutual funds?
Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
5:39 pm
Ty Webb — Yeah, but there’s a screen on it now.
Booger
November 29th, 2009
5:39 pm
Louis – hey schultz is actually readin this crap.
Louis Skolnick
November 29th, 2009
5:40 pm
yeah – unbelievable. must be a slow news day. Are the birds playin today?
Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
5:40 pm
Herschel — Maybe I’m in the minority but I didn’t have a big problem with it, given the time remaining, the timeout situation and the fact Georgia’s secondary stinks. Also, remember, Thomas dropped a pass that would’ve been a first down and kept the drive going.
BOOGIES THE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 29th, 2009
5:41 pm
GOTTA GO CHECK BACK TOMORROW…….ITS BEEN A BLAST
Jeff Schultz
November 29th, 2009
5:41 pm
Calvin — I think we’re on the same page.
Booger
November 29th, 2009
5:41 pm
Louis – Did you hear about tiger woods? Crashed the family car. I still want that fully analyzed. That is real news Booger. I knew he sucked as a driver, but that was awful.
Dawg Central
November 29th, 2009
5:42 pm
Reality……u are rambling about every damn thing from queers to IQ’s…..talk about how bad Tech sucked last night in the game or the last 9 years versus UGA, or how bad the ACC sucks…..stop rambling and calling people gay and rednecks…..You are just pissed cause Ga. Tech freaking sucks…..and you know in your heart UGA owns Ga Tech…..facts don’t lie…..UGA OWNS the Yellow Jackets….you will never win this debate……unless you go back to talking bout gays, rednecks, etc……lol