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
Soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
….and we will kick your butts in basketball this year…losing by 30 to Cal…what a bunch of losers!!
ATLien
November 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
Man Tech fans are delusional. I’d like to take this opportunity to give thanks for the trade schoolers and the endless laughs they provide each year before the game when they stick their chests out and act like they think they are somebody. Only to crawl back into the woodwork after they loose, like good insects do.
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
Running this offense (gag) which was the last team to win the MNC? Oklahoma or Nebraska back in the 80’s….
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:22 pm
News Flash: Grantham starts a fund for his own breast reduction
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
ATLien, no need for mutts to “stick their chests out”; Grantham’s chest is permanently stuck out:
http://www.redandblack.com/media/2010/08/0827-grantham-300×199.jpg
Get that man a bra, someone!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
For any of you mutts who get off by berating me or calling me names or whatever childish antics you stoop too, I consider it an honor to be so reviled. And for those of you who think my name is a sign of….. whatever you think it might be, I only created the name in response to jerks like you, knowing it would tick you off.
Dawg
November 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
I thought johnson said the Georgia game didn’t matter. I guess it only matters when teck wins it every 10 years or so
bdawg
November 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
I guess having your stinger handed to you 9 out of 10 years makes you grouchy..
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:24 pm
Let us all know how many MNCs Mark Richt has won, 45ACP.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
I see what you did there, bdawg.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
The Institiute, I think Grantham is probably more in need of stomach and head reduction than breast reduction. He’s got a big gut and an even bigger head.
Bill Dance
November 22nd, 2011
8:25 pm
Hey Paul: I got a mess of croppie we can fry for the team at the Diamond Nut Almond Bowl in San Francisco. Since you always want to have a fish fry at getting beat by them there Dawgs.
soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
We kick your butts in basketball too….losing to Cal by 30….how pitiful…
51_7_Dawgs
November 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
Never fails to crack me up all the delusional nerd fans that think their wreck of a football team can somehow compete with UGA. John Jenkins will eat Washington for lunch.
Aaron Murray, Orson Charles & Malcolm Mitchell will light up your D for even more than Caleb King and Washaun Ealey did when they ran all over the flats.
Dawgs RUN This State, and don’t you ever forget it!
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
45ACP, Florida just won the MNC running the spread option. And you see what Tebow is doing…
How’s the “pro style” offense workin for ya?
Augusta Jacket
November 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
Yes we have free Hot Dog and Coke,Because U.G.A People can’t AFFORD them and we don’t take food stamp. Also J.B. if you afraid to come to Atlanta Keep your ASSSSSSSSS IN SMALL TOWN Athens
soon to be SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
That Grantham is one ugly MF!
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:27 pm
Any other recycled “insults” you wanna use, Bill Dance?
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
triple option, flex bone, wish bone, ankle bone, lol…..all went the way of the dinosaur over 160 million years ago…just sayin….but that’s a good offense for y’all.
Goldenrod
November 22nd, 2011
8:28 pm
Once again “DawgsRunThisState” is another delusion leghumper that tries to make a point based on past history. Those wins by Helen Hunt mean NOTHING when toe meats leather on Saturday!
You heard it here first – Jackets 52-mutts 17 – Jarvis Jones gets knocked out for the season on a cut block.
Pat Hill
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
Didn’t Tech have to forfeit the 2009 victory because they got caught lying, cheating, and trying to cover it up? Yep, that’s right. They did
James
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
@ Tech Man
Caleb King is with the Vikings.Guys end up where they are because of choices they make.I really admired the way the Tech nation stuck behind Joe Hamilton when he had DUI hit and run a couple of years.I guess forcing him to resign was just the help that he needed.Nice payback for for all the nice games he had for you.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
What’s funny, Institute, is that they think their system is a pro-style offense. Lining up in an I-formation does not a pro-style system make. Anyone that thinks their receivers are adjusting routes based on the coverage in the secondary is an idiot.
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
Working just fine with 9 in a row!
Paul Has A Small Johnson
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
The Fish Fry will be at 12 Saturday
Everyone is welcome
Clean restrooms are provided by our Sanitation Engineering Department.
Please throw your trash in the streets for more decorations to North Ave
Signed
The Great Small Johnson
godoggo
November 22nd, 2011
8:29 pm
I don’t have a dog in this fight…..but i will say…..even if Jawja does Win on Saturday……they are gonna get shellacked at the SEC Championships.
Im predicting 45-6 LSU on Top……..In fact, if i was Coach Miles, i’d go ahead and get the players ring fingered sized and ready…..just sayin : )
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:30 pm
No, that’s not why, Pat. You can read the NCAA ruling if you’re so inclined, though.
Bill Dance
November 22nd, 2011
8:30 pm
Hey George: Thanks for your help on my BUI. Youre the best! See you in San Fran!
GT ATW
November 22nd, 2011
8:31 pm
The Jackets will beat the Dawgs, no doubt. UGA is as overrated and inflated as ever. It will be a very sweet victory. THWG!!
BILLY JACK
November 22nd, 2011
8:33 pm
Have you ever heard so much talking from nerds who have been so humiliated in this decade-it is a real pleasure stomping you queers.
Flag Boy
November 22nd, 2011
8:33 pm
Oooh…godoggo…Ive been “ring fingered” in our Tech tickle pile! Wanna join?
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
You’ll get jail time next time, Bill.
SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Goldenrod, if your dirty players truly did cut block Jarvis Jones and knock him out for the SECCG and bowl game I promise you that there will be some he!! to pay on the field.
Jenkins and Geathers alone could knock your entire OL out cold.
If you play with your usual cheap shots (like Vandy did) expect some retribution, but hopefully not enough to have any Dawgs from being suspended from the GA Dome. After all, Georgia has “bigger fish to fry” than just this game as your smart-arse coach is fond of boasting.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:34 pm
Nerds and queers! Nice. You’re stupid and a homophobe. Classy, BILLY JACK.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:35 pm
No one’s going to intentionally hurt anyone, SEC East Champs. The cuts are legal. If you need that explained to you, spend some time on Google.
Sharkman
November 22nd, 2011
8:36 pm
Wake v.Vandy??? Really? LOL!!!
Bill Dance
November 22nd, 2011
8:36 pm
Dang, George….Didnt know that trade school offered high falluting lawyer degrees.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:38 pm
I got my law degree at Georgetown, Bill.
SEC East Champs
November 22nd, 2011
8:38 pm
Stein, I am talking about Goldenrod’s direct threat that Jarvis Jones will be targeted to knock him out of the game.
Bill Dance
November 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
Heck man, thats Athens GA aint it…George-town or did they name that school after you?
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
I’m pretty sure he’s not on the team, SEC East Champs.
45ACP
November 22nd, 2011
8:39 pm
The Institute
November 22nd, 2011
8:26 pm
45ACP, Florida just won the MNC running the spread option. And you see what Tebow is doing…
How’s the “pro style” offense workin for ya?
Oh so you do admire the SEC, just the reverse of what the author and your coach are speaking about. Too funny, you can’t make this stuff up!
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:40 pm
Hilarious, Bill. I’m dying here. Got anymore material for me?
BG
November 22nd, 2011
8:40 pm
Richt is 9 out of 10 against Tech! Nuff said!!
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Any comment that ends with “nuff said” was made by a person with an IQ in the 80’s.
Chris
November 22nd, 2011
8:41 pm
wow i saw a comment that said sec is a bad conference they have two good teams lsu and alabama and one ok team assuming they mean arkansas and the rest are ok-pitiful!!! ya we have 1,2,3,12,13, 24 ya not very good right there. ALso its a down year for auburn florida and tennesee with tyler bray and vandy are repsectable they’re better than virginia…
Bill Dance
November 22nd, 2011
8:41 pm
George: You want me to bring some of that “low trans fat” oil to fry them croppie in…think ol Paul might could use a little of that before his head explodes like in that movie “Scanners”. Saw it on the cable last week.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:41 pm
Your comment makes no sense, 45ACP.
George Stein
November 22nd, 2011
8:42 pm
More recycled material. Awesome! Tell us more!
Chris
November 22nd, 2011
8:42 pm
coach johnson will be impressed with georgia at about 3: 00 once the games over. We are way better than tech