Georgia Tech’s winning shouldn’t be a surprise by now
Georgia Tech, led by Paul Johnson and Roddy Jones, is off to a 5-0 start. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
Georgia Tech is 5-0 and ranked No. 13 in the nation. We can’t really know what that means yet, other than the obvious, as stated so eloquently by coach Paul Johnson: “We’re better than the five teams we’ve played.”
Western Carolina, Middle Tennessee State, Kansas, North Carolina, North Carolina State.
We’re not talking about the right side of the menu. None were ranked in the AP poll at the time Georgia Tech defeated them. None are ranked now. None can even cling to hope in the “others receiving votes” category.
But to focus on any of that is missing the point about what is going on at Tech. This is Johnson’s fourth season. While it’s true most of his first freshman class in 2008 were recruited by Chan Gailey, the vast majority of the players on this team were brought in by Johnson. These are his guys, brought here for his scheme, schooled in his mindset.
If you’re looking for a reason to feel good about Tech’s future, it makes as much sense — if not more — to look at this year’s team than even Johnson’s first two seasons, when the Jackets were 20-7 and won an ACC championship (later to be stripped) with Gailey’s players. The foundation, the structure, the direction — that’s all Johnson.
Johnson is not the projecting type. He’s not going to speculate how good this team is or can be, other than to say: “I told people I thought we’d be better than everybody said we would be. But I didn’t know how much better, and we still have half a year to go. Trying to pick games is like trying to pick in recruiting. Nobody knows until three or four years how good classes are. So we’ll see how we finish this out.”
Tech wasn’t supposed to be very good this year. But now we look at the schedule and conclude it should beat Maryland on Saturday and Virginia next week. That would bring the Jackets to 7-0. Then come the three games that will decide their fate in the ACC and level of bowl game: at Miami (winnable); Clemson and Virginia Tech (both difficult, but at home). Then comes Duke, then Georgia.
Regardless of how the remaining games fall, the win total should exceed what most projected.
Things like this don’t happen by luck, not in a coach’s fourth season. This isn’t a star-laden group. They’re talented, but young. There’s chemistry. They like each other. But most of all, they’re following Johnson. He has a track record at Tech now for players and recruits to see.
“Most of them know what they signed up for when they came in,” he said. “So now it’s not about trying to transition. I’m not trying to talk them into everything when everybody was telling them it won’t work. That’s the biggest thing we fight here: [Perceptions that] it won’t work, you can’t do this, you can’t go to the NFL. Like I said when I got here, once you’re here, everything will take care of itself.
“The other thing about the fourth year is, they know, this is the way it is. It’s no big deal when you have to run at 6 a.m. for not going to class. It’s no big deal when you have to practice in pads twice a week. Nothing’s a surprise.”
Johnson wasn’t in a good mood this week. He didn’t like the way the team played at North Carolina State, he’s bothered by a cold and, well, he can just be a moody guy. When the rankings came out and the Jackets jumped from 21st to 13th, he hardly blinked, and he made certain his players didn’t blink.
“They know every day from the way I coach them that they haven’t arrived,” he said. “I’m on their butt all the time.”
By Year 4, it’s not a surprise. Maybe the winning shouldn’t be, either.
By Jeff Schultz
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318 comments Add your comment
uga = sec doormats
October 7th, 2011
5:16 pm
mikey pooo – last year you lost your bowel game to a conference usa team coached by O’Leary who owns uga..
uga = sec doormats
October 7th, 2011
5:17 pm
uga will never compete for a national championship as long as they have mark richt. They will always by chumpions in the state of GA.
GT in my blood... always
October 7th, 2011
5:27 pm
This needs to be reposted frequently to remind dawggies what a grotesque embarrassment they are.
Georgia Tech had the nation’s best average SAT score for football players, 1028 of a possible 1600, and best average high school GPA, 3.39 of a possible 4.0. But because its student body is apparently very smart, Tech’s football players still scored 315 SAT points lower than their classmates.
Many schools routinely used a special admissions process to admit athletes who did not meet the normal entrance requirements. More than half of scholarship athletes at the University of Georgia, the University of Wisconsin, Clemson University, UCLA, Rutgers University, Texas A&M University and Louisiana State University were special admits. . . At Georgia, for instance, 73.5 percent of athletes were special admits compared with 6.6 percent of the student body as a whole.
Why doesn’t the AJC ever ask McGarity or Richt about those “special admits”??
Ha
October 7th, 2011
5:34 pm
UGA Joe is a pickle smoking ball juggler.
Tech Fans
October 7th, 2011
5:41 pm
Trust me. We’ll never get used to winning.
Tech Fans
October 7th, 2011
5:42 pm
But…
We’re academically superior.
Why, our basketball players are so smart that they complete their entire college education in a single year!
RipK46
October 7th, 2011
5:44 pm
These SEC fans absolutely kill me. You guys always praise your conference. I know all about the championships. There are other good teams out there fellas – i.e. Boise State.
Just remember, conferences cycle every so often. Teams that have been on top (Florida, Tennessee and Auburn for that matter) are not what they used to be. If you use any kind of logic and look at the game for what it is, teams like Tech and Clemson, should be extremely concerning for any team facing them as we reach the midpoint and home stretch of the season. Coach Johnson is the real deal AND he’s getting his recruits into his system. Get better on D and they are tough to beat.
heeldawg
October 7th, 2011
5:47 pm
I don’t disagree that CPJ is a good coach–and his system works great for Tech. But Mark Richt is, in your estimation, “on the hot seat,” and I could nevertheless almost guarantee that Georgia would also be 7-0 against Tech’s first seven opponents–and that Tech would be either 5-2 or, at best, 6-1 against Georgia’s first seven opponents (I don’t see them beating Boise under any circumstance). So is the CPJ genius designation truly earned here, or just a function of the soft ACC schedule? If Richt had played the same schedule and gone 7-0 to start the season, would you be proclaiming that the Dawgs were back?
Personally, I think either proclamation is premature.
It’s no surprise that Tech is winning. I’ll agree with that. But it’s no surprise simply because they have played a lineup filled with creampuffs. I’ll rest my judgement until after they have played against Virginia Tech, Clemson and Georgia. Win those games and we can talk. Making this sort of pronouncement now is like George W. Bush’s “mission accomplished” statement of a few years back–just a wee bit early.
wreckmaniac
October 7th, 2011
5:47 pm
The new SEC aligment will have UGA, both Mississippi’s, Kentuck, Vandy and two other lightweights so that UGA can be in a division it can win.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
5:50 pm
Where does this special admits info come from?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 7th, 2011
5:52 pm
heeldawg, I don’t believe anybody is claiming that the mission is accomplished. The point is that the mission is in action and progressing with success. Meanwhile, while Tech is progressing, Georgia seems to be regressing; they are certainly not getting any better, although with the relatively easy schedule that they have this year, a lot of fans and neutral observers are thinking that things are looking better, when in fact, they are not.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
5:53 pm
Tulane is under consideration by the Big 12. I read that in the NYTimes site last night. They have put a lot of money into facilities upgrades. For those that are too young to know, Tulane was in the SEC.
GTBob
October 7th, 2011
5:59 pm
So is the CPJ genius designation truly earned here, or just a function of the soft ACC schedule?
Most of the so called experts picked GT to finish in the bottom half of the ACC. We lost 5 of our last 6 games last year. We recruit mostly 2 and 3 star players. We lost our starting QB. Yet we are 5-0, ranked, and putting up monster numbers. If a coach’s team performs at a higher level then most expect then the coach is going to get credit. Sorry but that is how it is.
RipK46
October 7th, 2011
6:02 pm
In reference to @heeldawg. This is what I absolutely HATE about football right now. I’ve got to look at who my team has played and then “wonder” or “guess” what their record would be if they played your opponents. And to add to this goofiness, then we have to say – “well if your team played in my conference you would only be 6-1 or 5-2 or 4-3″. Soooooo stupid and a waste of time.
When Paul Johnson coached the Eagles down in the ‘boro, he just focused on winning football games. When he got to the PLAYOFFS, his Southern teams took care of business there too. When the dust had cleared, Ga. Southern was the last team standing – end of story – undisputed National Champions. I know, I know, this is a whole other argument. My point is that what Tech’s record would be if they played in your conference is irrelevant. Let’s settle it on the field!
heeldawg
October 7th, 2011
6:07 pm
Supersize, having been to four Georgia games this year (and having suffered through the ignominy of the past two seasons), here’s my take: Georgia actually is better this season, especially on defense. They are horribly inconsistent on offense, but the team overall is improved. Had it not been for a ridiculous turnover-fest against USCe, Georgia would be 4-1 right now with that one loss to a team that is a legitimate top ten team (and a team which would beat either of our respective squads 9 out of 10 times). That being said, the mental errors have to cease, and the team needs to move the ball consistently on offense to beat a good team. The Georgia team of 2011 is not anywhere near the Georgia teams of the 2002-2005 era, but it is getting there. Like Tech, they are very young, and make many of the mistakes that young teams make. Richt has done a good job of rooting out the thug elementthat should never have been there in the first place–note that Cornelius Washington’s arrest last weekend was the first one this season (as opposed to 14 last year).
That being said, I don’t to take away from what CPJ has done at Tech. This is not smoke and mirrors; Tech is actually better than the sum of its parts, which is more than I can say for my alma mater. If we could combine your team’s offense with Georgia’s defense, that would be a team worthy of challenging Alabama or LSU. Sorry it doesn’t work that way sometimes….
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
6:11 pm
The whobeat.net rankings are finally out for Week 5. Georgia Tech still at 14, tied with Auburn now instead of Florida.
snapshot
October 7th, 2011
6:15 pm
Don’t know how this year will play out but when Paul Johnson was hired, someone from Navy said that we were getting a great coach and in 4 or 5 years, we would see his magic on the football field begin to work. Maybe this is the first year of great things to come.
Go Yellow Jackets!
heeldawg
October 7th, 2011
6:15 pm
@RipK46: It doesn’t take an engineer to calculate that Georgia would probably sit at 7-0 with Tech’s schedule. My major point is that Tech hasn’t really played anyone good–and won’t until they hit that VT/Clemson/Georgia stretch. If they win those games (and they might), then CPJ’s done a truly great job. I’m merely getting onto Jeff for writing a fluff article which is largely based on exactly what Coach Johnson said is true–Tech’s better than the teams they have played. He’s stating the obvious and calling it insight. This is NOT an indictment of Tech or of CPJ, who has clearly done a good job of getting the most out of his players.
And GT Bob, as I said, CPJ deserves the credit for what he’s done. But there is a double standard at work here. That’s all I’m saying.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
6:21 pm
Correction: Auburn has 16 whobeat wins, and Georgia Tech is in a group with 15 including Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Carolina.
Alabama leads with 27 whobeat wins, and Clemson and Michigan are tied with 26.
heeldawg
October 7th, 2011
6:25 pm
Supersize, having been to four Georgia games this year (and having suffered through the ignominy of the past two seasons), here’s my take: Georgia actually is better this season, especially on defense. They are horribly inconsistent on offense, but the team overall is improved. Had it not been for a ridiculous turnover-fest against USCe, Georgia would be 4-1 right now with that one loss to a team that is a legitimate top ten team. That being said, the mental errors have to cease, and the team needs to move the ball consistently on offense to beat a good team. The Georgia team of 2011 is not anywhere near the Georgia teams of the 2002-2005 era, but it is getting there. Like Tech, they are very young, and make many of the mistakes that young teams make. Richt has done a good job of rooting out the thug element that should never have been there in the first place–note that Cornelius Washington’s arrest last weekend was the first one this season (as opposed to 14 last year).
That being said, I don’t to take away from what CPJ has done at Tech. This is not smoke and mirrors; Tech is actually better than the sum of its parts, which is more than I can say for my alma mater. If we could combine your team’s offense with Georgia’s defense, that would be a team worthy of challenging Alabama or LSU. Sorry it doesn’t work that way sometimes….
GT/FL football fan
October 7th, 2011
6:26 pm
heeldawg you guys would do good with our schedule, but your loss would be to North Carolina, because that is a good team with one of the best defensive lines in college football. Georgia would have problems protecting Murray against them.
Cdpridg
October 7th, 2011
6:33 pm
See Shultz…this entire message board is about the Dawgs. The bug fan can talk to one another about football….they quickly bore from the lack of enthusiasm and knowledge about football…..we forgive you this once but you have been in the neighborhood long enough to know better…tech and some other crap acc schoolmlike Maryland or a true southern rivalry like UGA/UT…..trying not to bust on you too bad but come on….must be feeling empathetic and blah on a happy hour Friday before a big game in Neyland
RipK46
October 7th, 2011
6:35 pm
As stated as such, does this mean at UGA, with all the $$$, top recruits, resources, etc. Coach Richt is not getting the most out of his players? But, on the other hand, these bulldogs would just run rampant through the ACC? I love it. It’s that conference, strength of schedule, my team has it so much tougher than you do kind of nonsense. It makes about as much sense as UGA fans cheering for UF or LSU in their bowl games – ’cause they want to see the SEC conference when a bowl. It’d be a cold day in hell when you’d see me root for another ACC team to win their bowl game. It’s about how well your team does, nothing more and nothing less.
GT/FL football fan
October 7th, 2011
6:41 pm
Yup cdpridg in which you guys will lose that game, and continue to be behing us in the standings. you’ll get another loss from us in a couple weeks.
GT/FL football fan
October 7th, 2011
6:42 pm
Hopefully Brantley will be healthy by that time though.
Cdpridg
October 7th, 2011
6:48 pm
GT Fl fan….stay out of this…this is between Jeff and I. You are obviously the worst of fans…a true Tech fan trying to include a team that can actually compete with the Dawgs….cause your true love….the bugs….don’t stand a chance..
GT/FL football fan
October 7th, 2011
6:56 pm
With the way your offensive line is man, I can’t see why we can’t beat you guys in Atlanta this year. It won’t be like last year when Murray had all day in the pocket, that will change this year. I see the score being 24 to 20 going either way.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 7th, 2011
7:04 pm
CDpridg, since when is a blog reserved for a fool like you posting crap to Jeff, but nobody else should have anything to say. You, BUBBA, are among the worst examples of a POS I have ever seen. Stupid, arrogant, redneck trailer trash—that’s what you are.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
7:04 pm
“GT Fl fan….stay out of this…this is between Jeff and I”
Send him a private email, then. jschultz@ajc.com
gt45
October 7th, 2011
7:04 pm
Little baby jawja fans having a ppn contest. The beautiful thing about us winning is it keeps about 98% of you off our blogs. I love the fact that noone says anything about PJ winning only with Chan’s recruits. I know, we ain’t played anybody. But we won. You will lose, AGAIN, tomorrow night, rest assured. I am confident we can win every game except Clem, and it may be the last man standing. You guys can’t be confident about anything. You wake up every Saturday with your fingers crossed!
Cdpridg
October 7th, 2011
7:08 pm
GT defense is no better…UGA defense is starting to resemble old junkyard D’s of the past. Just need to see it against better competition. Therefore I don’t believe the tech offense will have great success. The addition of Crowell the best back UGA has seen since Knowson…I don’t know man. maybe if UGA shoots themselves in the foot with penalties and Murray fumbles and throws picks…but isn’t that the only way Tech ever trips up and beats UGA…seems about right to me
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
7:09 pm
Chuck Oliver did a feature on Georgia’s O-Line this afternoon on 680thefan. He talked about the 2008-2010 guys not living up to lofty expectations, and how much better this unit is doing with “6 guys that can be counted on”, 3 vets plus 3 young guys.
gt45
October 7th, 2011
7:13 pm
cd, you ain’t played anybody but boise, and you sure stopped them!
Cdpridg
October 7th, 2011
7:14 pm
Supersize…I live in a 2 story home in Alpharetta…quit stereotyping…proves your ignorance son…..I never go on a Tech blog….just felt like it today to see if I could get a rise out of an insecure bug fan such as yourself. Mission accomplished supersize…lol and you are the perfect candidate with a smug thinks of himself as better than with a sign on like that….have fun now…your hopes will be squashed in November
threetrone
October 7th, 2011
7:15 pm
Ken banned me from his columns. I guess he wants choir boys to comment and does not want a male Tech grad with healthy threetrone expressing his health. Well sorry Ken, I not choir boy, and I’ve read alot worse in these Tech columns when Tech and Georgia fans go at it.
GT/FL football fan
October 7th, 2011
7:16 pm
Yeah should still be an interesting game though in November. Looking forward to the Florida/Georgia game though, hopefully you guys drop one to Tennessee, we have are hands full tomorrow with LSU, and can’t afford to lose another conference game.
Ken
October 7th, 2011
7:18 pm
wow what a catch by the az center fielder
gt45
October 7th, 2011
7:18 pm
Look at gt getting all this media love, except for Palmer and Po-lock! Ain’t it sweet gaggers?
GT FAN
October 7th, 2011
7:33 pm
Thanks for your words, Jeff. I feel good about GT. I’ve been a fan since 1962, and so far, this has been a feel-good year.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 7th, 2011
7:45 pm
Cdpridg, I don’t care where you currently reside, you are still redneck trailer-trash scum. Deal with it.
Jacket Man
October 7th, 2011
7:47 pm
Considering the Yellow Jackets are the second youngest team in the Nation, they’re setting up nicely for the future as well.
http://blog.philsteele.com/2011/06/07/2011-starters-broken-down-by-class/
Dumb rednecks
October 7th, 2011
7:54 pm
The reason why our defense gives up more points is simple and it’s amazing some of you don’t realize it.
The opposing team in many cases gets the ball 3-4 times as many times as they would in a normal game because we score so quickly. When you average 55 points, the opposing team is going to score some. And about 35 points we’ve given up this year were on fluke plays. If you were scoring 55 a game you would be scored on a lot too… Like a drunk ho at johnnys hideaway.
FrankJacket
October 7th, 2011
7:57 pm
Great article, Jeff. I’ve never doubted our “high school offense” with a track record like CPJ’s. He’s a winner. Let’s just take care of Maryland tomorrow and get bowl eligible.
Alan
October 7th, 2011
7:58 pm
Wow jacketman. We will be really good next year and 2013. Exciting time to be a gt fan.
Factchecker
October 7th, 2011
8:00 pm
@Delbert D.: “Where does this special admits info come from?”
http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/paper-trail/2008/12/30/athletes-show-huge-gaps-in-sat-scores
walter
October 7th, 2011
8:18 pm
UGA JOE
Well it looks like the doggies are finally coming out from under their rock (that outright whipping by Boise State).
Supersize that order, mutt
October 7th, 2011
8:20 pm
walter, they’ll go back under the rock (Rocky Top) that is, after Dooley Junior sticks it to them tomorrow
G
October 7th, 2011
8:22 pm
I think CPJ’s ACC championships, his winning bowl record, his winning record against the in state rival and his winning record against top 10 teams should speak for itself… Wait a minute….
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
8:24 pm
Factchecker – Thanks a lot.
Delbert D.
October 7th, 2011
8:26 pm
Super – Some posters are sociopaths, plain and simple.