Our first Guest Blogger: Why Tech will finally win at UVA
Today we present something new on the ol’ MB blog: A post written by someone other than MB. (For many of you, this will represent the best development yet.) Our first Guest Blogger is Matthew Harrison, who won the right to write by answering a trivia question that turned out not to be so trivial. He grew up in Atlanta and lives in Midlothian, Va. He started going to Georgia Tech games at age 5 with his grandfather, who had season tickets.
Matthew’s two favorite things regarding Tech games: “Before the games we would sometimes go to Krystal [or the Varsity]. I remember how excited I was when I could finally eat 2 Krystals! Another thing that was neat? I got to say a bad word at the Tech games with my grandfather. ‘Helluva engineer’ — love that fight song!”
As was part of the guest-blogging arrangement, Matthew got to pick his topic. And here, by golly, it is:
Nineteen years is too long
By Matthew Harrison
In 1990, gas was $1.16 a gallon; “Murphy Brown,” “L.A. Law and “Northern Exposure” were on TV and the top movies were “Dances with Wolves” and “Goodfellas.” In the fall of that year, Scott Sisson kicked a field goal with seven seconds left to lift Georgia Tech over then No. 1 Virginia. That was the last time the Yellow Jackets beat Virginia in Charlottesville. That’s a long streak, and one that will come to an end this year.
There are several reasons why Tech will beat Virginia:
• UVA will be running a new offense this year — a spread (I guess imitation is the sincerest form of flattery) and Jameel Sewell, the projected starting quarterback, has not played in a year because he was not in school last season. He has to get back into playing shape while he learns a new system under a new offensive coordinator. So the area that is the one question mark for Tech — the defensive line — should see an offense that is a pale imitation of what it’s used to seeing in practice. That also means, hopefully, that Coach Paul Johnson and Coach Dave Wommack will be better equipped to defend against this offense.
• Three starting Virginia linebackers completed their eligibility, so if Tech can keep the Cavaliers guessing, they should be able to run the ball into the secondary.
Guest blogger Matthew Harrison. (Photo courtesy of same)
• Tech has had a year to grow with this offense and Paul Johnson has said that he will be throwing the ball more. Virginia’s secondary is young with one senior starter, so that will also be an advantage for the Yellow Jackets. The one question mark will be Tech’s offensive line especially since it lost both starting tackles. Let’s hope Dan Voss at center is healthy.
• The biggest reason is this: Coach Johnson plays to win, as opposed to Chan Gailey playing not to lose. I was at the game in 2007, and Tech had plenty of chances to win. After taking a three-point lead, it began to play conservative football and that ended up contributing to the loss. I am aware Tech lost to Virginia last year in Atlanta under Coach Johnson. Cedric Peerman had a big day, rushing for 118 yards; Mikell Simpson, the tailback slated to replace him, gained 262 yards all last season.
Virginia is a struggling program that really should not have won last year. Tech is a contender in the conference, while UVA will finish with five wins. Al Groh is on the hot seat while Tech has its coach for the future.
There will be two streaks broken in 2009. The Atlanta Falcons will finally have consecutive winning seasons, and Georgia Tech will finally beat the Cavaliers in Charlottesville.
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228 comments Add your comment
Huh?
July 17th, 2009
1:35 pm
“Hey UGA fans—when did the size of the stadium have anything to do with win or lose.”
Oh, lets say 1893. That’s the first time UGA and Tech played and Tech has only won in Athens 15 times since. You Techies act like 45-42 is just business as usual, which makes me question your intellect. True story.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:36 pm
UGA FL hasn’t been much a rivalry either in past years..but more of one than UGA-TECH has been.
@Sting ‘em Buzz “The 7-1 is irrelevant considering the new administration at Tech was not responsible for the 7 losses, just the 1 win.”
Old losses don’t count for the new administration? Ok then neither do old wins, national championships included.
@Gatortime Our time will come, I can be patient and enjoy 10 win seasons during the wait.
.
sandsstorm
July 17th, 2009
1:38 pm
I love how UGA fans have no comment about the “rivalry” of UGA v FL over the decade or 2 – but like to claim that the UGA v GT rivalry is no longer as significant because they’ve won 7/8.
If you’re going to apply that 7/8 logic – do we also say the UGA v FL is not a rivalry anymore because of the Gator domination over the last decade or 2?
I’d say more GA fans than not would claim FL as their #1 rival – but its not really a rivalry game is it?
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:38 pm
One thing I’ll always remember is how Tech fans were soooo ready to yell “45-42!” after beating UGA for the first time in 8 years. Did I run around screaming “7 straight! 7 in a row!”? No. Because I have class as a college football fan and I can respect other fans. It’s fun to rub it in a bit, but to be posting it on UGA stories/blogs the summer after the win? Do you Tech fans honestly think we care that much? We won 7 straight…we know how to act like we’ve been there before. 7 times in the last 8 years, to be exact.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
1:41 pm
Dawgs, I can see another national title coming to the state in the very near future. Either of the two teams could be the one that provides it.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:41 pm
@sandsstorm Rivalries are about more than records. It’s about the passion the fans feel for the series. UGA-FL has a lot of heat each year bc it’s technically a neutral site game with half UGA fans and half FL fans. It gets a lot of national attention. Richt spiced things up with the “stomp”.
On the other hand, UGA-Tech got boring as of late. Finally, Tech beat us this year. But for 7 years before that, UGA won. Sure there were some close games, but it became the annual bowl tune up for UGA. Hopefully Paul Johnson can keep Tech competitive and highly ranked. That way, the rivalry will heat up again.
MyWhiskeyClear
July 17th, 2009
1:42 pm
sandstorm – I think rivalries that are on the streaky side or have a lopsided overall record tend to be rivalries perceived only by the underdog until said underdog snags a win or two…then the historically dominant team gets emotional and tries harder due to the loss of a bit of its pride. Watch this happen over the years with GA-GT, GA-FL, UT-A&M, etc. etc.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
1:43 pm
Dawgs, I’ve come across plenty of UGA fans that don’t act like they have been there before. I have not chest pounded because of the win. I took it in stride and go about by business. I don’t use the score of the game.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:44 pm
@Sting ‘em Buzz As a dawgs fan, I wont make predictions for Tech (I’m wary of making any predictions, ever.) But one prediction I will make is this- SEC title for UGA in the next 3 years, and national title in the next 5 (maybe sooner for both). Your tech predictions?
Big Bee
July 17th, 2009
1:45 pm
DAWGS, HUH, You have more high rankings in the pre-season to back up than we do, so either do it or shut up. Now Mr HUH, it feels about like being owned by the Gators. See how we feel? We will never be owned by the Dawgs again. You guys criticise others failures but never look at your own. What a bunch of fruitcakes.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
1:45 pm
I see a run at the ACC title as possible this year, at most 3 losses during the regular season. I see 2010 as having GT winning the ACC and getting it’s first BCS bowl appearance.
MyWhiskeyClear
July 17th, 2009
1:48 pm
“You Techies act like 45-42 is just business as usual, which makes me question your intellect.”
No, we SAY it is, but the fact that we relish it so beautifully shows you that we’re ACTING like it is very VERY special. I have no problem admitting that it is a beautiful thing to me to hold local bragging rights for a year. I know I may not see this again for a while, but then again I may…it’s not really up to me, is it? So just see our parading it around not as pathetic or delusional but as our way of celebrating an occurrence that has been very rare lately. And be secure if you think your Dawgs are going to turn things around against us. After all, we all see the historical record and Tech will need 20 wins to tie the series overall. Breathe. We’re just enjoying it.
PS- I have faith that we can keep chipping away at that 20-win lead.
Big Bee
July 17th, 2009
1:49 pm
DAWGS, woops I forgot, 8 in a row is more than 7 in a row, however CPJ 1, CMR 0. This is what you have to be concerned about. As you have said, 8 in a row was ancient times, but 1 in a row is the present. Figure it out!!!
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:50 pm
@Big Bee…uh, wow. “We will never be owned by the Dawgs again.” Foolish. Tech will be blown out by UGA, just as UGA will be blown out by Tech in the future. If you’re going to post, post intelligently. UGA fans are VERY aware of Florida’s dominance, just as Tech fans should be aware of UGA’s dominance. Don’t be ignorant.
@Sting ‘em- I’d like to see Tech AND UGA get into BCS bowls, unfortunately that’s unlikely due to the timing of our annual game.
UGAGRAD02
July 17th, 2009
1:51 pm
Tech fans are like heroin, they all do it and then they die off. UGA rules this rivalry. Sure Florida has our number but at least its a team that wins national championships. This ariticle talks about UVA. Seriously, UVA hasn’t been good since the 90 team Isn’t that the year Colorado won the national championship. They had 5 downs and Tech couldn’t beat UNC.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
1:52 pm
@Big Bee- I highly doubt that your “CPJ 1, CMR 0″ stat keeps Richt up at night. Paul Johnson seems to be a great coach, for your sake let’s hope he can keep the triple option fresh because I, for one, see the Power I coming back in a big way at schools that live and die by the spread.
MyWhiskeyClear
July 17th, 2009
1:54 pm
“one prediction I will make is this- SEC title for UGA in the next 3 years, and national title in the next 5 (maybe sooner for both). Your tech predictions?”
Man, I hope so. Your Dawgs have gotta stay good so this rivalry (and the state it plays for) can be back in the limelight. I’d say that Iron Bowl has had enough time in the sun…Clean Old Fashioned Hate COULD be the next great thing in college football if both teams stay highly ranked and consistantly win their divisions.
So my Tech predictions: Same as yours, sir. Under CPJ it’ll be an ACC Championship in the next 3 years (maybe more than one of those) and the Crystal Football within the next 5.
Here’s hoping both teams are Top 10 ranked in November!
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
1:55 pm
ideally it would be incredible for the state if the two could have a rematch in a BCS game….such as the BCS National Championship game. But as you said, it is not likely with the Thanksgiving date of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.
dawes
July 17th, 2009
2:03 pm
mark bradley if you think tech will uva this year you need youd check by a doctor
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
2:05 pm
I would love for Tech to rise to national prominence again so that the great state of Georgia would be seen as a powerhouse football state (as is the case with our high school football). Who knows, maybe Georgia State will be good one day :p Until then, we can only hope for UGA-Tech matchups where both teams are in the top 10. Imagine the national attention that would garner!
Marta Evangelist
July 17th, 2009
2:11 pm
To Huh? You are obviously trying to get a rise out of people instead of trying to have a real debate, good for you. Since the calculus thing obviously bothers you, I will give you a definitive answer. The overwhelming majority of Tech players major in Management. All management majors are required to take either Calculus I or Survey of Calculus. This is easily verified with a simple web search.
Honestly, I see more UGA fans bringing up academics than Tech people…for the most part. I don’t think an objective person can argue that many D-1A schools have a harder time recruiting, qualifying, retaining, and graduating athletes than Georgia Tech when we have zero “easy” majors like consumer sciences, turf management, physical education, or the arts. I don’t expect any bonus points for this…GT has chosen to compete at the highest level and I think overall we do a great job. I’d love it if nobody from either side brought up academics again…this is a sports board after all. Same thing goes for starting salary (and yes I know GT folks bring that up more often than not).
UGAGRAD02
July 17th, 2009
2:11 pm
Good point Dawgs! I would love all the state schools to be ranked and finish at the top of there conference. This state has alot of talent and for some reason neither Tech/UGA/Southern shows it like other schools with hometown heros. Valdosta State is the only one who has been on TV recently for a national championship game.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
2:15 pm
Now that Tech doesn’t have a moron coaching them, they may get back the national spotlight coming back this way. Here’s to having Game Day at Grant Field just after Thanksgiving!
jarvis
July 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
no
Mister T
July 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
Huh?, we don’t have to question your intellect.
Smart Jay
July 17th, 2009
2:18 pm
Lose once and the Dawg fans slobber all over themselves with either 1)excuses, or 2)reasons why the rivalry isn’t important. Think about how you all feel when you beat Florida, and that’s kind of the same as Tech beating UGA, except, we’re really not at the same level as UGA, a school sho should be competitive with UF and not routinely battered by them. Anyway, Dawg fans, my message to you is – we all have our burdens to bear. As for relative academic strengths of the schools – Georgia is a great school if you’re a liberal arts major, but, other than vets and lawyers, generally, the engineers are beating you in salary. Nothing wrong with that, just the way it plays out. Ya know, my other issue with Dawg fans is with the VAST, VAST, VAST majority of them who never stepped foot on the campus. Easy to cheer for a winner, and the state university that enrolls 30k+. That’s easy.
As for Tech/UVA. I didn’t realize that ‘90 was the last victory there. Proud to say I was at that game, and the UVa fans thought they had it won at half time (up 28-14). If memory serves, they were #1 at the time, so it was a pretty big deal. It’s kind of tough times for the Cavs these days, so, this could be the year.
Smart Jay
July 17th, 2009
2:22 pm
Perhaps UGA fans are also angry that Richt is being passed by in all these great coach polls.
Look, the guy’s a great coach, really, he is. Recall, though, that he competed in this state against Chan Gailey for much of his career, so, compared to that, he looks really, really great.
However, up against Urban Meyer and Saban and Miles. Not so great.
BOLD Prediction: Lane Kiffin wins a National Title before Mark Richt.
Parting shot: Aren’t guys from that 1980 team starting to die of old age?
Mister T
July 17th, 2009
2:23 pm
dawgs, I am still trying to stop laughing at your putting uga on the same level nationally with regard to “branding” to the likes of Texas & SoCal. Next you are going to be comparing your branding to Norte Dame.
No doubt that uga sell in the state and perhaps even a little into border states, but the fact is that most uga grads stay close to home.
Tech may actually have a broader fan base nationally and internationally than uga. I will have to get the stats from CLC.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
2:24 pm
@Smart Jay
The difference between UGA finally beating FLA and Tech finally beating UGA is this.
After we beat FLA 2 years ago, I didn’t run around throwing it in gator fans faces. Yes, the win was exciting and it kept me pumped up about our team all the way through the Sugar Bowl and beyond, but the reason I didn’t gloat was the following. All I gator fan had to do was say “so what, you beat us once, look at the record over the last 10 years.” I kept my mouth shut bc of that and stayed humble, hoping CMR could produce another win in Jacksonville soon.
Tech fans, however, act like the last few years never happened. They aren’t humble, and they act like the rivalry is back in full force and Paul Johnson is their savior who has come to beat Richt and the Dawgs down year after year. My God people. Enjoy the victory. You came to Athens, to my college campus, and beat the Dawgs. That’s great, go celebrate. Go downtown after the game and grab a beer. Don’t gloat about it for months! We have won 7 of 8, keep that in perspective! Stay humble as a fan and hope that CPJ can make (not keep) this rivalry hot.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
2:27 pm
@Mister T-
I said UGA was on the rise, I’m not ignorant enough to think that UGA is as big of a brand as Texas or USC…yet. However, our gear sells in the top 5 Nationally, not just in the great state of Georgia.
If you think Tech is a bigger brand than UGA in the state of GA, nationally, or internationally, you are an absolute moron and I have no reason to respond to you from here on out. Good day.
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
2:31 pm
@ Mister T
@Any Tech Fan
http://www.clc.com/clcweb/publishing.nsf/Content/Fiscal+Year-End+Rankings+July+1%2C+2007+-+June+30%2C+2008
In terms of “branding” UGA ranked 7th and GT was 39th. GT is a bigger brand? You are delusional.
Otto
July 17th, 2009
2:39 pm
Since when was it Texas? Texas is a career 2nd best team. OU is king in the Big 12 and the other big name with USC for teams outside the SEC. UF, USC, and OU are the current brand names in CFB.
GT Alum
July 17th, 2009
2:42 pm
Nice article Mathew, but you misinterpreted one point. Paul Johnson did not state that Tech would pass more. He stated that the entire play book was not used last year (including most passing plays). He even said in an interview that they would do what needs to be done to win games, passing or not. It was the simplicity last year in learning the new offense scheme that kept most passing out of play. When Tech receivers out matched the defensive backs we threw, i.e. Demaryius Thomas vs Duke.
Trouper
July 17th, 2009
2:43 pm
Thanks for response Mark and I understand. When can Tech have a blog by a Tech fan?
Smart Jay
July 17th, 2009
2:46 pm
Love to pile on, but have the Richtophants considered this:
Against Spurrier, Fulmer, Meyer, Miles, Zook (?), Saban, Gailey, and CPJ, Coach Richt is 17-14. Take out Gailey and he’s 11-14. Take out Gailey and Fulmer,and he’s 6-11.
Sting 'em Buzz
July 17th, 2009
2:47 pm
WTH, I don’t see Southern Cal on there.
Chris Broe
July 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
I love the Yellow Jackets, how ’bout U?
gtfan1951
July 17th, 2009
2:49 pm
Coach Dooley wanted to move the Tech game to Sept. some years back is there a chance for that to happen? To me both teams should end with a conference game. When I was in Texas last year for a church conference I found Tech stuff in a mall but not UGA. I thought you all would like to know. I hope UGA,Tech, and Georgia Southern all have at least 9 wins. I’m really tired of hearing about any team from FLA.
Tom
July 17th, 2009
2:50 pm
The minimum math requirement at Tech for all students outside of the engineering/science disciplines is a combination of either Survey of Calculus (MATH 1712) or Calculus I (MATH 1501) and either Calculus II (MATH 1502) or Finite Math (MATH 1711).
So, yes, everyone at Tech takes calculus regardless of degree program, just not necessarily the same calculus. Everyone also takes two lab sciences. There are no BA degree programs, just Bachelor of Science.
Dawg
July 17th, 2009
2:51 pm
Trouper- got to find one that can spell!!! And if you get someone to do the blog…. what are they going to do when they have to go back into hiding again after they play UGA this year?
Otto
July 17th, 2009
2:51 pm
I think one thing we can agree on is, when will GT get a blog? Please keep them off the UGA blogs.
MatthewH
July 17th, 2009
2:51 pm
Thanks for the clarification, GT Alum
Smart Jay
July 17th, 2009
2:55 pm
Dawgs – The problem with your reply to me is you equate YOUR (” I didn’t…”) personal actions to what a group (”Tech fans…”) is perceived (by you) as doing. Maybe you ought to reconsider how those are not apples to apples comparisons.
My post is pretty clear. UGA, with 30k+ students, clearly more varied academic options, and the support of the entire state – SHOULD WIN MORE. Tech fans (mostly) accept that. We think we’ll be much more competitive with CPJ, but, I’m only expecting a .400 winning percentage against UGA.
However, your days of having a massive coaching advantage are over. CPJ knows how to wring results from a talent deficit and make the team exciting. Grant Field will become filled with Tech fans again, but a school that is only 1/3 the size of UGA, with not nearly the in-state following (see, I agree with you), with no journalism school to pump out sympathetic sports writers, just isn’t going to have the built-in fan base as the giant state university. To those who say otherwise, you’re welcome to remind them that it’s not 1956 anymore.
But, shared or not, our last title was 1990, and yours was 1980. And, we did win the last game played. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
@Smart Jay…
You’re argument is that we have a bigger fan base and more support, so we should win more? Boo hoo. Michigan has the biggest stadium and and USC has fans all over the country, therefore they should go undefeated every year, right? All you’re saying is that we have better fans. I won’t argue with you there. Student body size should have nothing to do with the success of a football team. Yes, it helps with recruiting, $$, and other factors, but having a huge school doesn’t guarantee success.
Tech has garnered some attention because your coach is using a fun offense. Great. That ranking won’t hold up once Tech drops a few. Next year, the excitement will have worn off. Meanwhile UGA is winning 9 games in rebuilding years, and 10 games in seasons with high expectations. I’ll take it for now. Eventually we’ll be in the National Title game and I’ll be there rooting them on, not thinking of GT once.
Someone with Statistics
July 17th, 2009
3:12 pm
Ahhh, it’s so funny how UGA fans are “we had a 7 game winning streak so we don’t consider it a rivalry anymore.” Do you know who has had the longest winning streak between the two teams? That would be held by Tech. Also, let’s take a look at the past two GT vs. UGA games a little closer (in the transition from Chan Gailey to Paul Johnson). The talent between the two teams didn’t change much between the 2007 and 2008 games and the score went from Tech losing 17 – 31 to Tech winning 45 – 42. Do you think that being defeated fairly heavily could have changed to a win just by “flukes” or changes in players? Let’s also look at 6/7 of the games in your winning streak. Chan Gailey NEVER beat Georgia in his 6 years of coaching. Change is coming, be prepared.
/endrant
Dawgs
July 17th, 2009
3:13 pm
@Someone with Statistics- bring it on. It’s easy to say something is coming. Look at what has happened. Not 20 years ago. Now. 7-1.
Boulderstudent
July 17th, 2009
3:14 pm
Actually Tech was not the outright national champions in 90. You shared it with us. You tied UNC and we had 5 downs. It was a screwed up year, but UGA won it outright in 80. Sorry Tech you might want to go back to the leather helmet days to have a real national championship. Tech good Luck this year and UGA fans see you in Boulder next year.
Tom
July 17th, 2009
3:16 pm
“Georgia fans are passionate, but let’s face it – they’re not the brightest fans. Passionate, but not bright.” – Eric Zeier, November 21, 2001
Tom
July 17th, 2009
3:18 pm
5 downs? Try….
5 downs
Phantom clip vs ND
and a LOSS.
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/media_content/m-8194.jpg
Boulderstudent
July 17th, 2009
3:20 pm
Tom, You don’t have to prove a point. Face it, you didn’t win outright. Sorry, you don’t be mad because you know it’s true.