Potential first: Georgia and Tech both playing for titles
Mark Richt and Paul Johnson have their teams in position for title shots. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
This didn’t seem possible when Georgia opened the season with losses to Boise State and South Carolina and Georgia Tech followed a 6-0 start with losses to Virginia and Miami: But both schools can all but assure themselves of a ticket to their respective conference championship game this week.
The Bulldogs and Jackets never have played for conference championships in the same season since the SEC (1992) and ACC (2005) split off into divisions, nor have they ever won conference titles in the same season.
Here’s the backdrop:
• Georgia (5-1 in SEC plays) holds a half-game lead over South Carolina (5-2) in the SEC East and is a whopping 12½-point favorite over Auburn Saturday in Athens. If the Dogs win, they need to only beat Kentucky at home the following week to clinch the East. The Gamecocks’ final conference game is against Florida, which was Georgia’s last SEC victim. They hold a tiebreaker edge should the Dogs lose one of their two conference games.
• Georgia Tech’s route is a little more difficult. The Yellow Jackets (4-2) trail Virginia Tech (4-1) by a half-game. But they play host to the No. 10 Hokies Thursday night. Most lines have Virginia Tech as a one-point favorite. Georgia Tech’s only other remaining ACC game is at Duke.
(UPDATE: Just to cover all bases: Virginia technically holds a tiebreaker over Georgia Tech. But the Cavaliers would need to sweep their remaining three games against Duke, Florida State on the road and Virginia Tech to win the Coastal.)
The Jackets are coming off an upset of then-No. 5 Clemson. Can they do it again?
Tech has been to the ACC championship game twice since the conference split into divisions in 2005: It lost the title game to Wake Forest in 2006 and defeated Clemson in 2009 (official records now show that championship as vacated by the NCAA, pending appeal).
Georgia has played in three SEC championship games: The Dogs defeated Arkansas in 20o2 and LSU in 2005, and lost to LSU in 2003.
In no year have the two schools won a football conference championship in the same season (both were in the SEC until Tech became an Independent in 1963 and later joined the ACC).
So what are the chances both pull it off this week?
And then what would the chances be that both win championships? The likely opponents in the conference title games would be LSU for Georgia and Clemson for Georgia Tech.
Or should we just go one step at a time?
By Jeff Schultz
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320 comments Add your comment
GTBob
November 7th, 2011
10:52 am
Auburn is probably the 2nd best team that UGA has played this year and they are coming off of a bye week. How in the world does that translate to a 12.5 point spread for UGA? Aside from the cupcake games UGA’s largest margin of victory was 14 over the Mississippi sisters. Seems like the lock of the week if you get in early.
doug dawg
November 7th, 2011
10:52 am
as much of a dawg fan and loyal alumnus as i am, i have problems with that 12.5 spread; i’ll believe it when i see it. and not with putting that lazy, untalented thug crowell back at no. 1 rb. i just wish we could have the spirit we saw this past weekend with the young guys. i’d take that, even with a loss, any old day. that was dawg football as some of us remember it. ah, an island of hope, in a sea of mediocrity. this coaching staff is not committed to putting ‘the best on the field.’ otherwise, crowell would be on the bench for the rest of the season, and so might mr. murray. let the REAL dawgs eat, for heaven’s sake.
Hooper
November 7th, 2011
10:52 am
Auburn 34, Athens Correctional Institute (AKA The Cesspool) 24
chan gailey
November 7th, 2011
10:52 am
All Saints and your coach was stripped of his ACC division title because he runs a clean program?
DC
November 7th, 2011
10:53 am
Oh buddy I cant wait…I’ll be in SEC 107 row 1 with my #5 jersey sporting it proud…UGA has #1 run defense…but couldn’t stop Latte..and I’ll say it again Dyer is better than Latte. Latte cant handle running against a big line defense..Dyer can. Plus we got McCaleb on the sweeps…
ATLER (Ramblin Wreck)
November 7th, 2011
10:54 am
THWG, they haven’t beaten a ranked opponent all year, but now the mutts think their in the same class as LSU and Bama. News flash: (The SEC East/Big East) is down this year. No one fears the SEC Least (East).
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
10:55 am
I think the -12.5 is the Over/Under on the Personal Fouls in this game.
It is going to be DIRTY and UGLY.
The Dawgs will be running their Mouths from the start and will probably get A 15 yarder in the first Defensive series.
Top Row Dawg
November 7th, 2011
10:57 am
We may not have beaten any ranked teams, but we did beat Tennessee and Florida in the same year and we are back on the ESPN scroll as a relevant ranked team. And we did win 7 in a row. And Mark Richt has always won 10 games with a returning QB. And Aaron Marrey just threw for 5 TD’s in 9 minutes while Tech has maybe 10 TD passes for TD’s all year.
6 of last 7 if we beat Auburn.
21 of last 26 if we beat UK.
18 of last 21 if we beat Tech.
Go Hokies.
Notice one program has to go to High School Junior Varsity Thursday night to get on National TV. Abandoning the South Georgia Fan.
The other program earns a prime time slot on Saturday when the big boy schools play football. The whole state can come to watch without taking time off from work. We get the recruits, we play a Pro game, we put players in the NFL and fans in stadium twice as big.
No it won’t be good if BOTH teams succeed, there needs to be a continued clear choice between good and bad for the recruits to chose from. We got the babes.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
10:58 am
The UGA -12.5 is to get the money to move. Vegas wants almost even money on each side of the bet. That number will move down closer to the game.
SmyrnaBob
November 7th, 2011
10:59 am
This is what both fan bases look for at the beginning of each season. It is nice to be holding your own fate in November. Good luck to both teams.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2011
10:59 am
Steve — 12.5 surprised me too. I figured like would be 6.
East Alabama Gator
November 7th, 2011
11:00 am
My congrats to both teams. Both have put together solid seasons, especially Georgia after the 0-2 start.
Georgia-Auburn and Tech against Tech will be two good football games. If I were a betting man (which I am not), I would never place bets on the Georgia-Auburn game. You never know what is going to happen.
Best of luck to everyone.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2011
11:01 am
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan — If you go to Vegasinsider.com and go to college football odds, you’ll see a few different casinos. The AJC goes by the Glantz-Culver line (which we get on the wires), and it also has UGA by 12.5.
Omnipotent One
November 7th, 2011
11:02 am
UVA must lose to FSU or VT….which they will lose both. GT takes care of business on Thursday night and we’re ACC Championship bound!
We beat UGA and we’ll be SEC East Champs as well! Two titles in one season! Go Yellow Jackets!
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:02 am
I think the -12.5 is the Over/Under on the Personal Fouls in this game.
It is going to be DIRTY and UGLY.
The Dawgs will be running their Mouths from the start and will probably get A 15 yarder in the first Defensive series.
Well, now they reset the Clock and the new posts are in between the old posts. I guess we will have to wait until after 11:20 to post so the order is right. LOL the AJC got to love them and their Computer/IT people.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:03 am
Tech ins’t IN CONTROL. Tech has to win, but like UGA needed, Tech now needs UVa to lose. Beating VT & Duke is only part. UVa HAS to lose to FSU or VT for tech to get to the ACC CG.
ScamFairly
November 7th, 2011
11:03 am
What happened to the best team that money could buy? Oh, that’s right…….he is now playing in Charlotte. Payback time……….Give the 12 and smile!!
ScamFairly
November 7th, 2011
11:05 am
hello
BBQ MAN
November 7th, 2011
11:06 am
neither team wins their division and GT upsets the heavy favored dags on the 26th…… 47-32 BANK IT
BILLY JACK
November 7th, 2011
11:06 am
Bet against UGA sat as folks did this past sat-how did that work out for you.Point spread is just about right.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2011
11:08 am
Robo — Correct, I’ll clarify that wording. Went from ACC to Independent in 1963 to ACC after 1979.
JCD
November 7th, 2011
11:08 am
Schultz, you are an idiot………………as usual.
Check your facts, when GT joined the ACC they did so as an independent.
They bailed out of the SEC in the 1960’s
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2011
11:09 am
UOAD — I would expect it to move down (it actually originally opened at 13) but I doubt it would budge more than a couple of points. We’ll see.
GT Joe
November 7th, 2011
11:11 am
Bet the HOUSE on Auburn. 12.5 is ridiculous.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:11 am
DON’T POST UNTIL AFTER 11:21. IT IS TO CONFUSING TO GO BACK AND READ THE new POST MIXED WITH THE old POSTS. hahahahahhah
ramblingbuzz
November 7th, 2011
11:11 am
UVA will lose to either FSU or VT. It would be great if GT wins out. Kinda worried about Duke on the road, the Jackets haven’t played very well on the road this year.
DesignerJacket
November 7th, 2011
11:12 am
I’m not gonna buy that Georgie is all that good until I see them beat Auburn (which carries a BCS ranking). I’m also not buying that VPI is all that good until I see them beat GT (IF that’s even possible given our newfound defense and their scoreless second half on offense against Duke). I’m not saying GT’s a legitimately solid team, but…..VPI and Georgie oughta both be worried about coming to Bobby Dodd Stadium for some Johnson and Groh football.
murfdawg
November 7th, 2011
11:12 am
VT always looks good until they play GT. Beamer and Butthead(the defensive coach) have never figured out how to stop the Tech offense. As much as I hate to say it, I think GT wins this one.
Auburn is Auburn, and they always play lights out in Sanford Stadium. I think the Georgia defense will be up to the task, after the first quarter. Malzahn has had two weeks to prepare for this game and will hit the Dawgs with every trick play he has ever dreamed of. But Grantham will adjust and handle the Plainsmen/Tigers/War Eagles in the second half.
However, Murray in a big game is a train wreck. Auburn will be like USC if they get an early turnover and will kill Murray. Murray gave the Gamecocks 21 points. If he gives AU 7, we lose.
ramblingbuzz
November 7th, 2011
11:13 am
Thanks EA Gator. Nice post. Unlike some of the drivel that gets posted on this blog.
BobDawg
November 7th, 2011
11:15 am
Jeff, Look at the total pts The Barners have given up as Vegas does… Now you know why it is at 12.5 pts…Vegas ain’t stupid…plus they know when teams are peaking and healthy….Go Dawgs!
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 7th, 2011
11:17 am
The talent in college football must be down this year. I didn’t think GT deserved to be #12 and Vt is not a #10 and UGA is not a #14. If LSU and Alabama are two of the best in the nation and they don’t have an offense then the talent is down for sure.
ramblingbuzz
November 7th, 2011
11:17 am
I think both AU-UGA and VT-GT will be tough, hard fought games. But the home teams get my nod in these 2 games. Definitely not convinced that UGA should be a 12.5 pt pick. Hey Schultz, you gonna give us a sneak preview of your picks, or do we have to wait until Friday? Which way you leaning?
BobDawg
November 7th, 2011
11:18 am
@ GTBob, this week is probably better for us as we held a “controlled scrimmage” in Sanford Stadium this past Saturday… Watch how sharp we come out against The Barners on Saturday…..
ramblingbuzz
November 7th, 2011
11:19 am
Hey, your blog clock needs to be reset to EST.
Steve
November 7th, 2011
11:20 am
Easiest bet of the weekend was Arkansas – 5 1/2 over South Carolina.
Jeff Schultz
November 7th, 2011
11:20 am
East Alabama Gator — I agree on Georgia-Auburn. UGA should win but it’s not a given. Auburn has beaten both South Carolina and Florida and folks are burying them now after blowout losses to Arkansas and LSU.
PureEvil
November 7th, 2011
11:20 am
Wait… I thought Boise State was in 1st place in the SEC east?
Bamajacket
November 7th, 2011
11:20 am
You just play the game. If we don’t beat VT, it makes no difference what UVA does. I hope coach has them ready.
Dr. Phil
November 7th, 2011
11:20 am
The Georgia-Auburn series has been a great one over the years, in spite of Pat Dye’s firehoses and the whining about Nick Fairley last year. It should be a good game with a lot of scoring and probably 3 points difference at the end.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:21 am
FIRST
FIRST at 11:21
IT Dawg
November 7th, 2011
11:21 am
Look for bigtime payback by UGA for the dirty play by auburn last year. Ga will run up the score to rub it in good. Dawgs win big.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:21 am
Now the blog post are in order again. Much better.
xdawg70
November 7th, 2011
11:22 am
Dawgs are in great shape and could win SEC East even with a loss to Auburn (if South Carolina also loses to Florida, also this week). That would give UGA 2 conference losses, SC and FLA 3 each.
killerj
November 7th, 2011
11:23 am
Nice to know another year passes and Ugaly has no chance at a National Championship……..”4 to 1″ pups where it matters! I love that North Avenue trade school,like a bee in the butt of a dog! Sting,em! Roll Wreck! THWG!
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:25 am
@ITdawg……………….your team started the dirty plays. your team started running their mouths. your team got a personal foul penalty on the second play.
Auburn just gave the same crap back to the mutts and HARD.
Will MURRAY be wearing his “Don’t Hit Me” Skirt again for this game?
Dawglasville
November 7th, 2011
11:26 am
2010 BCS CHAMPS – Are you going to disappear from the blogs if UGA somehow beats the almighty Tigers on Saturday? I know you will be here if Auburn wins.
5150 UOAD
November 7th, 2011
11:33 am
It will be some great football this week. I lot riding for both teams. VT has late hit our QB’s over the years and I don’t like it when no Flag is thrown, but hearing 1 SEC team calling any other SEC team Dirty or a Cheater is too damn funny. It is like 1 midget calling another midget short. It maybe true but 1 ain’t but an Inch taller.
1eyedJack
November 7th, 2011
11:34 am
2010 BCS CHAMPS will be here. He’ll just assume the name of a Kentucky fan and then the next week he’ll be his true GT self until they lose that game and then he’ll be an LSU fan.
Sailordawg
November 7th, 2011
11:39 am
Auburn has beaten both South Carolina and Florida and folks are burying them now after blowout losses to Arkansas and LSU.”
AUs only losses are to top 10 teams. UGA, not so much. Also, for AU to be 6-3 is pretty awesome since most of the so-called experts had them only winning 4 games all season.
hey 2010 champs last time I checked boise state was ranked number 5 when UGA played them and USC were ranked 15. You cannot help who you play. That is the way it played out. the only thing that I have to say is that you guys have 3 losses and when you went up against LSU and Arkansas you were blown out. Our only blowout loss of the year was to Boise St. I admit I do not think that we are ready for the Natl title game but I will say that we are better than your team and we can win without hesitation or and argument
DC
November 7th, 2011
11:42 am
I find it humorous that you UGA fans think just b/c someone is a fan of another school that isn’t UGA that they are GT Trolls…or trolls in general…Dyer>Latte>anything UGA runs