Paul Johnson says SEC’s superiority all about perceptions
Paul Johnson says the SEC isn't the overwhelming beast it's made out to be. (Johnny Crawford)
The same week that the top of the BCS rankings are punctuated with three SEC teams and the overwhelming shadow beast of Athens prepares to bring its football team to Georgia Tech, Paul Johnson said precisely what we’ve come to expect from him.
To capsulize his thoughts: Whatever.
Johnson, whose weekly news conferences can be relative standup comedy dotted with sarcastic jabs, was unusually low key Tuesday. But afterward, he addressed perceptions of the SEC’s Godzilla to the ACC’s Bambi, which filters down to the annual Georgia-Georgia Tech game. This subject has been one of Johnson’s pet peeves since he arrived at Tech in 2008 (and won at Georgia in his first season, after the Jackets had lost the previous seven in the series).
“It’s all perceptions,” Johnson said. “People will think what they’re going to think. There’s nothing I’m not going to do to change their mind.
“Personally, I think the conference thing is way overblown. How are you going to evaluate? Are you looking at the top two teams in the conference or are you going to take the conference as a whole? There’s four SEC-ACC games Saturday. Let’s see what happens. Who’s favored in the Clemson-South Carolina game? Who’s favored in the Florida-Florida State game? Wake-Vandy? I don’t know. But you see what I mean? Now, if we’re just talking about Alabama and LSU, that’s different.”
Johnson makes a point. While you can make a case that the SEC is the nation’s superior conference, the strength at the top – and certainly five consecutive BCS titles – exaggerates the differences between conferences from top to bottom. Not to diminish the accomplishments of Georgia during this nine-game winning streak, but even the most ardent Dogs supporter recognizes that the East Division is down this year.
Perceptions certainly play into this week. Johnson figures to milk this for all its worth to players. He’ll talk about how nobody’s giving Tech a chance, how Georgia’s already looking ahead to the SEC title game, how the Jackets have punched the Dogs in the mouth before and they certainly can do it again.
“Every coach does something,” he said, without getting specific. “You always take anything you can find or post, things that you think will get your guys ready to go.”
This is Johnson’s fourth season. Tech’s senior class is 34-17, including 1-2 against Georgia. In 2008, the Jackets won 45-42 as an underdog in Athens. In 2009, they lost 30-24 as a favorite in Atlanta. In 2010, as a 12½-point underdog in Athens, they accumulated 512 yards in offense but committed four turnovers and trailed 35-34 (on a missed extra-point attempt) until a touchdown by Washaun Ealey with 1:29 left.
The point being, there hasn’t been much difference between the two programs over the past three years.
Two years ago, Tech was where Georgia is at this week. The Dogs will pay for the SEC championship next week. In 2009, the Jackets had secured a spot in the ACC title game. The Georgia game was secondary in importance (as foreign a concept as that may be).
When asked if that played a role in the loss, Johnson said, “I don’t think that played into it at all. That was the week we had the NCAA [investigators] in here. That played into it a great deal. That played into it far more than [looking ahead to] the ACC championship.”
This year, there’s no question. This is Tech’s final game before a bowl. Johnson spent part of Tuesday reaffirming that while he thinks the Dogs are good, it’s not like Tech has been facing middle schools.
He was asked about the strength of the Dogs’ defensive line. He responded with some praise but added, “I don’t know. We’ve played some really good players. [North Carolina's] Quinton Coples is a first-round draft pick. [Clemson's] Brandon Thompson is a pretty good player. This won’t be the first good players we’ve seen.”
He was asked about Georgia tight end Orson Charles. He responded with some praise but added: “We’ve played against other tight ends who are really good. The tight end at Clemson [Dwayne Allen] is probably an early-round draft pick in the NFL.”
Johnson realizes his words won’t change perceptions. But the last thing you’re going to hear from him is any suggestion that his overshadowed program from the overshadowed conference can’t win Saturday. And, truth is, the past three meetings have affirmed as much.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,026 comments Add your comment
SEC West Teams
November 22nd, 2011
4:15 pm
We think the SEC East should just go ahead and join the Big East.
DesignerJacket
November 22nd, 2011
4:17 pm
Dawgs are either going to beat us by a mile or get stung in the final minutes. I don’t see room for a whole lot of GT dominance in this one. Determining factor will be GT’s defense. If Groh can scheme and adjust our young secondary into the game (like against Clemson) then the O will do the rest. If this is not the case, Tech’s chances are slim as always. No, we do not have the raw talent. We may never have that advantage over them. What we do have is a relatively exotic offense that is tough to simulate in practice, is efficient in the redzone (this year anyway), and provides defense through clock-control. Turnovers and special teams will be the subplots that have a big effect too.
Old School
November 22nd, 2011
4:17 pm
Jeff, not trying to hijack your column but have you heard the Richt to retire at the end od the season rumors?
ScoutDawg
November 22nd, 2011
4:18 pm
You nerds are great. Thanks for the entertainment.
You say what?
November 22nd, 2011
4:18 pm
Look, the red and black will be on the attack in Atlanta. Be warned, this one will get ugly quick.
Schultz, remember this post, it will not be pretty for the Jackets.!
PTC DAWG
November 22nd, 2011
4:18 pm
The GT fans talking chit are HIGHlarious. Thanks for the laughs.
ReggieBallisMyHero
November 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
What’s your favorite memory of the Dawgs during CMR’s tenure and his 9 out of 10 wins?
1. Reggie Ball 4th and Dumb
2. Minter and Oliver stone-cold locking Calvin “2-Catch” Johnson down?
3. Stafford to Massakwa
4. 51-7
5. Justin Houston’s INT last season to seal the Dawgs’ 42-34 win
6. Reshad Jones picking off Jayblow Shaw to secure the latest win in ATL
7. Tony Taylor recovering Ball’s fumble for a TD
8. Reggie getting kicked out of the second half while David Greene lit up the Tech D
9. DJ Shockley stuggling but Greene coming in to relieve him and wrap up yet another Dawgs win!
SupremoDawg
November 22nd, 2011
4:20 pm
Goldenrod- You say it’s your TIME, then get the clock fixed by your engineers, it never WORKS! Kind of like your OWS folks. Also, only a bunch of Tech engineers could have seats BEHIND posts, and an overhang where you can’t see a punt, kick or high pass(Check out lower east stands if you don’t believe me). That dump is the worst of the worst. My family refuses to go because they’re SCARED of the whole damn hood!
GTBob
November 22nd, 2011
4:21 pm
The game is being played at noon to protect the fans and get them out of there before dark.
Nah, it’s being played at noon to try and prevent UGA fans from getting too drunk and creating dangerous driving conditions.
Man
November 22nd, 2011
4:22 pm
Jeff, did you intentionally put “Georgia – Georgia” game? I guess that’s what is has been historically.
VT>GT and neither holds a candle to UGA
November 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
so when Tech won the championship they lost to UGA and Clemson Lost to SC who were both Middle of the pack at that time. If that doesn’t Prove the SEC is better what does?
harold
November 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
ANY TRUTH TO THE PUBLISHED STORY THAT DERRECK DOOLEY WILL REPLACE RICHT WHO IS CHOOSING TO STEP DOWN?
AS SPURRIER ONCE SAID: YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHEN TO GO. THEY LIKE YOU LESS AND LESS AFTER 10 YEARS. SPURRIER KNEW WHEN TO GO. FULMER DID NOT.
IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO & BE REMEMBERED AS A GOOD COACH!
bug spray
November 22nd, 2011
4:23 pm
10 outta 11, 10-2, 8-4. Those are the numbers I expect after sat. All you retarded tech fans(not all)we dominated Carolina and lost. Get ready for the same old same old. Deep down you know it too!!!!!! Dawgs31-tech13
SupremoDawg
November 22nd, 2011
4:25 pm
Reggie, Mine has to be 51-7 when Tech QUIT! Course I was there in 1968 when it was 47-8 and they QUIT then too. Best ever was in 1966 when Bobby brought his boys to Athens, undefeated at 9-0, and got their butts handed to them 23-14. Kim wasn’t King that day and Lenny’s Snow melted! SEC and Cotton Bowl Champs lost one game by one point that year!
Gregg
November 22nd, 2011
4:25 pm
I would not have expected anything else from “Mrs. Doubtfire”. By the way, 9 out of last 10 over Tech. 30 victories over Tech in last 41 games. Looking forward to Saturday with 25,000 Georgia fans at “Grunt Field”.
Ludakit
November 22nd, 2011
4:26 pm
Good question Reggie, I would put the CMR era wins over tech in this order:
1. 51-7
2. Reggie Ball 4th and Dumb
3. Stafford to Massakwa
4. Tony Taylor recovering Ball’s fumble for a TD
5. Minter and Oliver stone-cold locking Calvin “2-Catch” Johnson down?
6. Justin Houston’s INT last season to seal the Dawgs’ 42-34 win
7. Reshad Jones picking off Jayblow Shaw to secure the latest win in ATL
8. Reggie getting kicked out of the second half while David Greene lit up the Tech D
9. DJ Shockley struggling but Greene coming in to relieve him and wrap up yet another Dawgs win!
SEC West Teams
November 22nd, 2011
4:26 pm
SEC East- Please quit riding our coattails.
Dr. Morpheus
November 22nd, 2011
4:26 pm
Johnson is a funny character and a proven winner (#8 all-time winning percentage among active coaches with 100+ wins). The game is likely to be close and GT could win. The Dawgs will need to heed the advice of Larry Munson and “Hunker down one more time!” Watching the video of Matthew Stafford, Danny Ware, and Mohamed Massaquoi leading the winning drive in 2006 with Munson’s calls narrating would be a great addition to the Energy Bus as a motivational tool.
SupremoDawg
November 22nd, 2011
4:27 pm
GT Bob, it’s starting at noon to keep the rapists away from future victims. You a Sigma Nu?
Dr. Morpheus
November 22nd, 2011
4:27 pm
@SEC West Teams- The Dawgs will be more than happy to oblige as soon as they finish with Tech…
Ludakit
November 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
Reggie Ball – you left one out – when Tim Jennings picked off Reggie to seal the game in ATL, maybe that was your Calvin “2-Catch” Johnson game.
DesignerJacket
November 22nd, 2011
4:28 pm
I really think Tech needs to come out of the gates in some other offensive formation. Like, start the game in shotgun, try a safe pass or two, then run the TO out of shotgun when the D has begun to back off. Then on the next possession line up Flexbone but throw it some more. It’s gotta be tricky or we’re gonna get matchup issues all night long.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:29 pm
Good lord. Nothing fires UGA fans quite like the whole conference thing. His comments weren’t even derogatory. I’ll never understand the passion y’all have for your conference as long as I live.
Chuck
November 22nd, 2011
4:30 pm
Yeah, the Jackets know all about throwing a punch
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:30 pm
UGA was called for like five pass interference penalties when we had Calvin. The idea that he was shut down is crazy.
Big Country
November 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Our hope is that Tech can play with the same effort and precision that they did against Clemson. If the Dogs play average, then Tech should win. If effort is not there or they put the ball on the ground or throw pop up passes, then it will be a long day. My hope is that they play well and inspired and make more plays. I just don’t see UGA being 9 out of 10 wins better than GT but they have made enough plays to make it that way. It is time that pattern changes!
SEC West Teams
November 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
George Stein-
“Nothing fires UGA fans quite like the whole conference thing”
This is all they have to cling on to. It’s been kind of an empty year otherwise.
Brad
November 22nd, 2011
4:31 pm
Wish Tech played in the SEC; they would be down there with Kentucky and Ole Miss. Maybe win 3 games a year. ACC is high school compared to the SEC.
In Memory of Munson
November 22nd, 2011
4:32 pm
Stafford to Massaquoi to win the game in 2006, complete with the 2-pt conversion – has to be my favorite!
Great list, Go Dawgs! WE RUN THIS STATE
dawgfan
November 22nd, 2011
4:32 pm
YAWN. Doesn’t Paul Johnson say something like this every year about this time? I’m pretty sure I’ve heard him run his mouth about this before. You are entitled to your opinion coach and we’re entitled to hand you your arrogant azz on a silver platter for the 3rd time in 4 years on Saturday. But a 1-3 record against the Dawgs will just be “perception” and a figment of everyone’s imaginations. Paul Johnson said so.
This guy is a joke.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:32 pm
Yes! Let’s do something we never do to start the biggest game of the season. Awesome idea, DesignerJacket.
Question
November 22nd, 2011
4:34 pm
As Bradley said earlier, this game has really become less important to Dawg fans, they’re damned if they do, damned if they don’t – no win situation for UGA as they’re supposed to win. SEC Championships are the equivelent to BCS Champ, way more important than playing your step brother…
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:34 pm
Speaking of jokes, dawgfan just showed up…
oPiEDawg
November 22nd, 2011
4:35 pm
Ah, Calvin “2-Catch” Johnson that is hilarious! I forgot how the Dawgs held him to 7 catches and one TD during his career against UGA. SOLID!
Kris Durham > Calvin “2-Catch”
SatchelBuzz
November 22nd, 2011
4:35 pm
I CAN NOT WAIT TO GET ME SOME.
This is a game of Humans versus Zombies, right?
Football, oh gosh we can’t bet UGA at football!
DesignerJacket
November 22nd, 2011
4:36 pm
George Stein, the solidarity thing really is crazy sometimes. I heard a mom ask another mom what the SEC was because her son was choosing his college based on it, “He will only go to an SEC school. I’m so proud he’s done his research and chosen an academic accrediting board that he really believes in like that. He’s insisting on SEC member schools only.”
My mind was blown.
Question
November 22nd, 2011
4:36 pm
per Bradley, rest Crowell for the real game.
DesignerJacket
November 22nd, 2011
4:37 pm
Oh c’mon, GS, the ski-gun thing isn’t that far-fetched. I’m sure we’ll pull something, though. We have to strike first in this game if at all possible, in my opinion.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:38 pm
It doesn’t make sense to me, Designer. I mean, if Bama fans rooted for Auburn in the Fiesta Bowl last year or UGA fans rooted for Florida, I would question whether a rivalry really exists.
Atlanta Jackets
November 22nd, 2011
4:39 pm
I expect Kevin Washingtom to have a great day on the field. He will throw and run for equal amounts of destruction. I expect to beat the mutts in good fashion.
I do enjoy this week greatly.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
I honestly don’t care if we strike first. Just score one more point than they do.
And I don’t believe deviating from what we do well is a sound idea. But we can agree to disagree.
Question
November 22nd, 2011
4:40 pm
Meant Shultz column, not Bradley. This game doesnt matter that much anymore to UGA – rest Crowell for LSU
Ronald 1981-1988
November 22nd, 2011
4:41 pm
Bulletin Board Material? Give me a break. If any team needs bulletin board material, it’s Tech. Georgia’s fans and even their players don’t respect Tech. I say Tech takes it personal. Georgia just too sensitive. Truth hurts. Go Jackets!
IE'66
November 22nd, 2011
4:41 pm
If I come across one more cry baby Ugag fan telling me how great some old dude was I’m going to spew bloody chunks. Grow a pair.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
4:42 pm
SupremeMutt, it’s obvious you haven’t been to a game at Grant Field in years, if ever. The posts and the overhang have been gone for 5 years.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
4:43 pm
Atlanta Jackets, it’s TEVIN Washington, not KEVIN Washington
john
November 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
Yeah I don’t really get what he said that was derogatory either. He just pointed out that they have played against some good players. How is him stating that Coples, Allen, Paige-Moss, and Watkins are good players locker room material? That’s just stating fact.
Gregg
November 22nd, 2011
4:44 pm
God, I miss Reggie Ball!!!
Atlanta Jackets
November 22nd, 2011
4:45 pm
LOL Supersize mutt, I am talking about the quarter back. You will remember his name after the game.
DesignerJacket
November 22nd, 2011
4:45 pm
Yeah it’s not like their players are gonna say those guys on the UNC and Clemson lines suck. SEC teams probably recruited a couple of them.