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
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:04 pm
Delbert, so you heard the show too. Great
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:05 pm
4th and long, truth? It was 4th and 1.
But that mutt coach Bozo loves running the ball on 3rd and 12. DRAW!!!
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
Anyone who woofs is a retard. I love my coach.
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
The Georgia/GT game never sells out in Athens
LOL
What year was that Retard. Never seen that before
Im the Great Small Johnson
Dawg
November 22nd, 2011
8:06 pm
Who the heck has Alabama played this year besides Arkansas? Everybody talks about Georgia benefited from the schedule but UGA had a strong schedule than Bama with just playing USC and Boise St. If UGA had kept Louisville on the schedule rather than Boise St, UGA would be set to play for the National Title if they win the SEC.
GTBob
November 22nd, 2011
8:07 pm
anybody who gets on a radio show and barks is either retarded, or doesn’t have a life
lol. I love Coach Johnson.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Small Johnson: you woof, don’t you.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:08 pm
Small Johnson: did your wife name you that?
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:09 pm
I dont know how to beat UGA since Willie Martinez is gone and gave me that one win
Tech fans be prepared to punch a UGA fan in the mouth again. Thats all I know how to do to beat them
but hey
Im the Great Small Johnson
Sik of Dawgs..
November 22nd, 2011
8:09 pm
THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG! THWG!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:10 pm
Pervert, the game in Athens last year was not sold out, or at least there were a lot of fans there disguised as empty seats. It happens every game there. Y’all claim to sell out every game, and yet every game I have seen from Athen on TV for the past 3 years has empty seats all over the upper deck.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:10 pm
Small Johnson: I hear there’s some “enhancement” pills that will cure your “little” problem…
How bout them BEES!
November 22nd, 2011
8:11 pm
The SEC and it’s fans remind me of a pack of little boys. There may be one or two dominate ones in the bunch that the rest stand behind and run their mouths about what they’re going to do, but if you pull the dominate ones ( LSU and Alabama) to the side all you have is a bunch of snot nose little punks. CPJ is right on. All you Georgia fans that want to run down CPJ, are idiots, and you’ve probably never coached anything more that a little league team, if that. If you pull LSU and Alabama out of the SEC, it would be nothing more than average. THWG! GO JACKETS!
Sik of Dawgs..
November 22nd, 2011
8:11 pm
Bees… Kick their A$$! CPJ. No more going for 4 and 1 inside your 40, please!
Goldenrod
November 22nd, 2011
8:11 pm
What the hayull does GATA stand for? Something about your D Coordinator being gay?
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:12 pm
The Institute will run for the hills after his beatdown Saturday and will be nowhere to be found
but hey
Im the Great Small Johnson
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:13 pm
Small Johnson: don’t worry, just keep this thought in your head “size doesn’t matter”
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:13 pm
you mean, you’re the great troll pervert
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:13 pm
Enter your comments here
david
November 22nd, 2011
8:14 pm
HHAHAHAAHAHAA.
Hey Paul; Johnson and AJC Paul Johnson loving columninsts – don’t let the facts get in the way…
being 1-2 does actually confirm that uga is superior since johnson got there.
Canes 24-Jackets 7
November 22nd, 2011
8:14 pm
Don’t worry Dogs, we’ve already curb-stomped GT once. Just watch our game film and you’ll see what bigger, more physical athletes do to them. Coach Johnson was huffin’ & puffin’ all over the sidelines.
Most classless group of fans in the ACC, no doubt about that! We held Tech to less than 150 yards rushing, and I’m sure you guys will do the same.
Go U!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:14 pm
The Institute, that’s not what his wife said regarding him last night when she finally met a real man
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:15 pm
The Institute
Enhancement pills, really? Will you hand them to me on the sidelines Saturday. That might be just what I need to make this a close loss.
I will leave you a sideline pass
Signed
The Great Small Johnson
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:15 pm
You’re right, Small Johnson. The only bowl games the ACC seems to win are those against the SEC.
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:15 pm
Paul Johnson knows what he is talking about. The SEC is Bama, Lsu and Ark. Gt will kill UGA. GO Jackets and THWG!!!!
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:16 pm
Anyone who gets on a radio or blogs about the Jackets winning this game is a re-re!
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:16 pm
ACC 3-0 vs. SEC in the last 3 games
Probably goes 5-0 this year vs. the SEC.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:16 pm
45ACP: call up CPJ and start woofin’… please.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:17 pm
Actually 4-0, Institute.
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:17 pm
Try to not mess up the ATL too bad before U leave.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:17 pm
Small Johnson: I was wondering why your wife is always in a bad mood…
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Since there are enhancement pills for my issues
Does anyone no if there is anything for my Turkey Neck
Signed
The Great Small Johnson
Robert Bradberry
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Who will win? As a UGA fan for 65 years, it always boils down to making the plays and not turning the ball over. If Tech can beat Clemson, they certainly could beat Georgia. I’m hoping for a UGA victory to carry the momentum into the SEC championship game.
Pee Pee U = UGA
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Someone please ask Mark Richt to remind Israel Troupe not to urinate on Grant Field. The Tech police WILL arrest the punk. This is not Athens.
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
I’ll woof if he will gobble back like the turkey he is.
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
We will maul the Midget on Saturday….GT 41 – Uga 30.
How bout them BEES!
November 22nd, 2011
8:18 pm
Paul Has A Small Johnson said; “Im the Great Small Johnson” OK if you insist d**k head.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
You’re a child, 45ACP.
A Guy
November 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
The last few years, CPJ’s teams have been more physical than UGA. Uga continues to win. GT watch out! These guys are “letes”, physical, and fast. UGA 45 GT 10
11/22/2011 Evening Edition | collegefootballnewswire.com
November 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
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Sam
November 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team.
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
BiggdawgK
November 22nd, 2011
8:19 pm
supersize you lie constantly on these blogs. You are delusional and pathetic and I really feel sorry for you even though you are a loudmouthed moron.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Pervert, you sure do obsess over other men’s anatomies. No wonder your wife is out walking the streets every night looking for a real man
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
The Institute
My wife is always in a bad mood because I have a losing record to UGA and cannot win without cheating. She is also mad because I cant win in this lousy ACC conference
but hey
Im still The Great Small Johnson
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Yeah and CPJ is the leader of Joke By Coke!
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
“A Gay” you know not what u speak. GT take uga down…
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
BiggmuttK, ok, tell me a lie I have told.
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Speaking of Moobs, my goodness his nips are hard!
http://www.redandblack.com/media/2010/08/0827-grantham-300×199.jpg
DawgsRunThisState
November 22nd, 2011
8:20 pm
Dawgs vs. tech in the Coach Mark Richt Era:
Nov. 24, 2001 UGA 31-17 Atlanta, GA
Nov. 30, 2002 UGA 51-7 Athens, GA
Nov. 29, 2003 UGA 34-17 Atlanta, GA
Nov. 27, 2004 UGA 19-13 Athens, GA
Nov. 26, 2005 UGA 14-7 Atlanta, GA
Nov. 25, 2006 UGA 15-12 Athens, GA
Nov. 24, 2007 UGA 31-17 Atlanta, GA
Nov. 29, 2008 GT 45-42 Athens, GA
Nov. 28, 2009 UGA 30-24 Atlanta, GA
Nov. 27, 2010 UGA 42-34 Athens, GA
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:21 pm
What are you getting out of this, Small Johnson?