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
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 22nd, 2011
7:17 pm
UGA could only put up 19 on a weak Kentucky team. Not exactly going to make an opponent stay home. GT-38, UGA-24. Murray who? Crowell won’t see the 4th quarter. ” LET’S ROLL JACKETS “
Georgia Tech secondary requiring improvement – Atlanta Journal Constitution | Hot Tech Blog
November 22nd, 2011
7:18 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
MADawg
November 22nd, 2011
7:25 pm
I wish all this chest-thumping about toughest conferences would just stop already.
As a lifelong UGA fan, let me say to the rest of the SEC: I hate all of your guts. I want you to lose every game you play. Hate you all.
macrotech
November 22nd, 2011
7:29 pm
All you leghumpers keep trying to “warn us” about Jarvis Jones. We ain’t scared. In fact, Jones is overrated. There I said it. Attaochu is a legit All-American candidate, not some kid that flunked out of USC so decided to get into the easy admissions of the Cesspool Up North.
Jarvis Jones WILL get cut block on Saturday, I promise you that!
BullDawg Rick
November 22nd, 2011
7:32 pm
When you get your a$$ handed to you for so many seasons & the one year you do “win” your pathatic concerence & get smacked by your instate rival & the conference that has ruled college football this century like no other…. What the he!! are ya gonna say…
UGA will punk the NATS 31 – 17…
THen the fans will say they have the ‘better coach’, yatta yatta yatta…
SOS….
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
7:32 pm
macro, I thought you had company
macrotech
November 22nd, 2011
7:35 pm
I lied – somebody’s got to bring these leghumpers back down to earth after they’re riding high from winning the SEC lEast.
I just tweeted Randy Waters from Ch 11 and he says Jackets in a rout!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
7:37 pm
macro, you should be listening to the CPJ call-in show on 790 the zone. you can get i online. about 25 minutes left on it
1969 Graduate
November 22nd, 2011
7:39 pm
I always worry about the NATS insects because they sometimes bite us. Even a lowly yellow-bellied mini bee has a stinger, right.
It is silly though for them – let’s assume they can do basic math – to act as if they’ve been dominant over the University. What are those numbers again? You know them, Techies, they add up to 10.
Go, Georgia. Hunker down.
lo
November 22nd, 2011
7:41 pm
tellem the truth Paul and doggies it does hurt
davidinloganville
November 22nd, 2011
7:41 pm
macrotech
November 22nd, 2011
7:29 pm
All you leghumpers keep trying to “warn us” about Jarvis Jones. We ain’t scared. In fact, Jones is overrated. There I said it. Attaochu is a legit All-American candidate, not some kid that flunked out of USC so decided to get into the easy admissions of the Cesspool Up North.
yes the rabbit puncher is an All- American candidate, right. Jones is a Butkus Award finalist, and no one can flunk out in one year even Kenny Anderson lasted two years.
Goldenrod
November 22nd, 2011
7:42 pm
I watched part of UGAg’s game against fellow SEC least competitors Kentucky. Let me tell you that the leghumper’s offense sucks bloated goat. They can’t move the ball AT all. Meanwhile we’re gonna rush for at least 427 yards on them. Their Def coach sucks and better not start talking trash to Coach Paul Johnson or he WILL get punched in the mouth after our post-victory handshake.
We treat folks with nothing but class – except for UGag coaches, players and fans that is!
davidinloganville
November 22nd, 2011
7:45 pm
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
7:37 pm
macro, you should be listening to the CPJ call-in show on 790 the zone. you can get i online. about 25 minutes left on it
You forgot capitalization and “get i online” should be “get it online” if you’re going to be the grammar and spelling nazi get “it” right.
Dawg Fan
November 22nd, 2011
7:46 pm
Whatever, if that make CPJ feel better about his losing record to Georgia then good for him. He’s a man, he’s at least 40, he can handle another loss. Go Dawgs!
Arrogance
November 22nd, 2011
7:48 pm
So, I’m torn. What is the biggest slap in the face for Tech? UGA running up the score or putting in 2nd and 3rd string players in the 4th quarter??
The Truth is 9 out of 10
November 22nd, 2011
7:48 pm
FACT: Coach Richt has NEVER, EVER lost at the Joke by Coke.
FACT: 42-34 – Dawgs STILL Run This State!
Dawg Fan
November 22nd, 2011
7:48 pm
Goldenrod, hey wake up, wake up…you’re dreaming. Not take that rod out of your rear and stick it in your mouth.
Strange Murphy
November 22nd, 2011
7:50 pm
And Johnson’s record vs. the SEC is…………….?
Strange Murphy
November 22nd, 2011
7:52 pm
You Tech folks are stupid. 1-10 vs. Georgia this century and you talk like you’ve done something. Just STFU!!!!
ATLien
November 22nd, 2011
7:53 pm
Now this is funny, CPJ and his gimmick high school offense thinks it’s just “perception”. Hey Johnson, let me clue you and the rest of these insects in. You are a joke of a program, with a joke of a coach running a joke of a offense. It takes a UGA team asleep at the wheel in a bad year for Tech to even have a chance. You delusional insects, and coach of insects, keep thinking it’s perception. The NFL, oddly enough, doesn’t agree with you.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
7:53 pm
loganville, the “i” instead of “it” was a typo, and I just didn’t think it was worth the time to correct it. The lack of capitalization was just a spur-of-the-moment choice. Sometimes, like now, I capitalize where appropriate. other times, like now, i don’t. DEAL WITH IT
Paddy
November 22nd, 2011
7:54 pm
MADawg…….I agree, I hate every team that UGA plays. No matter what the conference affiliation. I must admit, I do admire CPJ, no coach speak. He just says it and if you don’t like it, he could care less. Sorta reminds you of that coach at S. Carolina. Gosh, I love college football!
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
7:55 pm
I can never be beat
Im the great Small Johnson
SatchelBuzz
November 22nd, 2011
7:55 pm
On this day we give thanks,..that they gave the ball to Jasper Sanks!..ugag fans are so easy,….you know you haven’t beaten anybody,..your record is a scam,……bring it,….can’t wait.
THWG!!!
JM
November 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
The SEC has some really, really, BAD teams this year. Really Bad. Georgia beat alot of them.
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
My offense cant be stopped
Im the great Small Johnson
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2011
7:56 pm
From the AJC first page:
“BCU band announcer Horatio Walker concluded the Wildcats’ show by telling FAMU’s Marching 100 band to “do what you do best ‘roll over, crawl away and die.”
Don’t need to hate that much. A FAMU band member was killed.
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
7:57 pm
We blow away teams like
Kansas
Middle Tenn
Western Carolina
Im the great Small Johnson
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
7:57 pm
Murphy: CPJ is 4-3 vs. the SEC. Chump.
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
7:57 pm
All this tells you is that CPJ does not look to win the MNC. He knows that Division 1AA offense he runs will never compete for a championship at the highest level. You know it, I know it, hell we all know it.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
7:57 pm
OOOOOH, is anybody listening to the cpj call-in show? He just leveled a stupid mutt who called in and barked. His first comment after the “Hello? Hello? woof woof woof” was “Hello? Hell? I just got off from WalMart.” His second comment was, “anybody who calls in like that and barks has got to be a retard.” I LOVE PAUL JOHNSON !!!!
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
7:58 pm
The ACC is an awful conference that has only won 2 BCS games
But
Im the Great Small Johnson
GT, soon to be SEC least champs
November 22nd, 2011
7:58 pm
Does not mean much though…dogs had to have SC lose to a team the dogs did not even schedule. Guess even dogs can get lucky.
When was the last random test?
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
7:59 pm
Everyone wants to know how you know about Paul’s Johnson.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
7:59 pm
HILARIOUS
Flounder
November 22nd, 2011
7:59 pm
more CPJ quotes [from 790TheZone Radio Show]
“anybody who gets on a radio show and barks is either retarded, or doesn’t have a life”
Talk amongst yourselves…
davidinloganville
November 22nd, 2011
7:59 pm
stupersize DEAL WITH SATURDAY and when the game is over if it don’t go you’re way don”t pitch a fit and threaten to quit on your team like you did after the Miami game.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:00 pm
Love it. I agree with CPJ. Anyone who woofs is a retard.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:00 pm
Ha. I just posted the same thing at the Tech blog, Supersize.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:00 pm
don’t the mutts wish they had a coach with gonads?
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:01 pm
Whose the real retard?
Th one that is outcoached by the team he calls retards or the so called retard barking
Im the Great Small Johnson
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:02 pm
I’m pretty sure CPJ beats down pencil neck spray tan boy in a fight.
Go Jackets
November 22nd, 2011
8:02 pm
The Georgia people should really stop talking about the ability of GT to fill the stadium. I have seen Georgia games on TV this year and there have been large empty sections in the upper deck. When the Tech / Georgia game is in Athens it never sells out.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
loganville, I don’t know what you are talking about regarding quitting on my team after the Miami game. I have NEVER quit on my team. Unlike the majority of the mutts who gave up on Richt and UGA after the Boise State and USC debacles.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
anybody who gets on a radio show and barks is either retarded, or doesn’t have a life” I’m the Great Paul Johnson
True Tech
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
Didn’t Georgia Southern put 24 points on Alabama the other day? Oh, and what Offense do they run? And Bama’s D is a lot better than Georgia’s.
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
The ACC is terrible in bowl games
But this conference thing is all overblown
Im the Great Small Johnson
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
45ACP – That’s a timely comment. Johnson just said, “You know it, I know it and everybody knows it…we’re headed for 4 16-team conferences, and that becomes the BCS as we know it.”
Then, let the conference champions participate in a playoff and stop this mythical poll champions onec and for all.
The Truth is 9 out of 10
November 22nd, 2011
8:03 pm
If the Dawgs don’t blow the maggots out, I would like to see Coach Fish Fry go for it on 4th and long on his own 30 yard line like that arrogant turkey neck is so fond of doing.
Jarvis Jones will fly across the line and force Washington to fumble YET AGAIN.
Dawgs win and make it 10 out of 11. Mark Richt OWNS tech!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:04 pm
anybody with a name making reference to another man’s anatomy is either a retard or a pervert. Which are you?