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
jacketbacker
July 18th, 2009
11:37 am
ugag sux…
45-42!!!
THWG
Carolina Gator Lover
July 18th, 2009
11:51 am
Dawg,
I guess 16-3 since 1990 or 7-1 from 1990 to 1997 means that Florida isn’t a rivalry either. Do you only have rivalry’s with teams like Vandy or Ga. Southern?
nopron
July 18th, 2009
12:42 pm
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July 18th, 2009
1:21 pm
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TECH SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 18th, 2009
1:52 pm
GA TECH IS FOR LOSERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nopron
July 18th, 2009
2:06 pm
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Reality
July 18th, 2009
4:44 pm
Who cares about GA Tech? Why, simply look at all of the postings by ugay people on this Tech blog!
macrotech
July 18th, 2009
6:12 pm
TECH SUCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!, we didn’t lose this past season…. at least to the bull pups!
Dawg
July 18th, 2009
7:39 pm
Michael…. look across the country and a lot of teams (including Georgia) spell there team name with something other than the proper spelling. But I guess you would have to know sports to know that.
And by the way idiot…. there are hardly any full service gas stations anymore!!!! and if there was I certainly don’t think you can afford them with your food stamps!
If you are going to blog with people that know sports then you need to say things that make sense!!!!!!!!!!!!
macrotech
July 18th, 2009
8:00 pm
Dawg, not to call you our or anything….truly, can you name a lot of schools with improper spelling…other than Georgia? I’m sure they’re out there, I’m just brain farting on it. I think it’s an interesting thought.
dan
July 18th, 2009
9:55 pm
I’m a UGA fan, but an objective one. So I’ll weigh in on the Jackets upcoming season:
Ga. Tech is like South Carolina to me, in that they are two of the toughest teams to gauge. I thought for sure that Tech would go 5-7 in 2008, but Tech every year beats teams that they arguably shouldn’t( Clemson and UGA) and lose to teams they shouldn’t( Virginia).
Honestly the Jackets have a pretty favorable schedule. Clemson will be an early test, and will set the tone for the season like the Oklahoma State game for UGA. If Tech loses to Clemson badly, they’ll finish 7-5 or worse. But if they beat Clemson they can win 9 or 10 games no joke. Miami has talent but I’m not sold on Randy Shannon as a coach.I say Tech can beat them, North Carolina, Mississippi State, Florida State IF they take care of business. If not then they’ll lose one of or two of those games. They will then have a tough 4 games vs. Va. Tech,Virginia, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. I might actually call for Tech to upset the Hokies and then lose to either Wake or Vandy.
If Tech wins all 4 of those games and the offense is rolling going into the UGA game, they will beat the Dawgs. But if they struggle down strecth and barely beat Duke, then the Dawgs will win. Overall, I think Tech can go 8-4 or 9-3 with a shot at the ACC Championship.
GT Fan
July 18th, 2009
10:48 pm
OK…GT holds the all time streak of 8 in a row over uga. But some say that’s not “modern” enough. Here’s modern, 45-42. GT has more national championships, AND the most recent one. During the time GT was in the SEC, only Alabama was as relevant as GT…uga was an insignificant weak sister in comparison. Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech is known and has been sung by celebrities, dignitaries and other famous people, featured in several movies, and is unique to GT. Ugy’s little song was whistled by the Yankees during the Civil War. and is used by a number of other colleges that also lack the ability to come up with something original.
Had Jan Kemp come along about 25 years sooner, uga would also trail GT in the overall series record. Oh well, uga does lead GT in cheating. Hat’s off and congratulations little doggies. BOOLA!
CalculusTruth
July 18th, 2009
11:20 pm
Ahope3- From what I hear, that Calculus IS a requirement for the M-Train (Management majors). At Tech, the management major is seen as the easiest major, and it still outranks UGA’s program. Therefore, our athletes are students who can play football, not football players who take classes.
There are no “crib majors” at Georgia Tech. No majors that someone would ask, “Yeah, but what would you do with it when you graduate?” Looking through a program at a GT/UGA game, more than half of the UGA players’ majors were “General Studies” or “Undecided”. As for Tech, I think I only saw one.
dan
July 19th, 2009
12:29 am
I don’t know GT Fan,
Some of those early Bill Curry and Bobby Ross teams were pretty bad, as in 1-10 and 2-9 bad. In fact the 1980’s were really not a good decade for GT football, and the area around Tech was BAD! The 1980’s was a great decade for UGA, not just as a football team but the town of Athens in general. Great music scene! The 1980’s was definately the decade of the Dawg.
GM
July 19th, 2009
9:14 am
Dawg: I didn’t realize food stamps could be used to pay for gas. How did you manage that one?
ahope3
July 20th, 2009
8:34 am
CalculusTruth,
I’m a student at Tech. Calculus is not a requirement for all athletes because they can take finite math. It depends on what trek through management you are taking. I’m a computer engineering major so it doesn’t really matter to me, but I have numerous friends that are on the team and know what they go through.
Go Dawgs
July 20th, 2009
9:57 am
Doesn’t Virginia OWN Georgia Tech? I mean, 19 years is a very long time. That’s absolute humiliation. Do the Virginia players take the Tech cheerleaders home after the games too? Do the Virginia fans give the Tech coaches swirlies in the visitor’s locker room?
I think Tech fans like you should just shut the hell up until you win something.
Trade School Junkie
July 20th, 2009
1:19 pm
GT will go 12-0, and beat NCSt for ACC-CG.
Go Dawgs
July 20th, 2009
1:23 pm
Tech is irrelevant but I read every blog and article about them…
Wait that sounded retarded….oh well
Dawg
July 20th, 2009
7:05 pm
GM….. I own six gas stations and I see people with Tech hats try to pay with food stamps everyday!!!! I need to take a shower … I am done with this site. I will try to wash off the tech stuff!!!
UVAOWNSGT
July 21st, 2009
8:25 am
Facts: UVA 14-7 against GT in the past 20 years. 10-1 in C’Ville during that time. And no, you won’t win this year either, sorry. UVA OWNS YOU. WAHOOWA
David Francis
July 21st, 2009
8:28 am
Yeah , right, UNC has been saying that for over 20 years, Has not happened yet! UVA31-24 book it!
UVAOWNSGT
July 21st, 2009
8:33 am
Oh, and you Georgia fans are pathetic. You are just like VT fans. You get on other boards and talk trash and waste our time. blah blah blah. But we know you gotta try and trashtalk somebody since Florida rags on you constantly. Clowns
UVAOWNSGT
July 21st, 2009
8:35 am
Thats right David…UNC is still lookin for that elusive win..hah
UVAOWNSGT
July 21st, 2009
8:46 am
I love how these GA people in general are like..” We should never lose to a team like UVA” and “who cares about UVA” hahahaahaha…we have had a couple bad seasons recently, (not including the 07 GAtor bowl appearance) and now we are a joke? UVA is 2-3 vs. UGA in the last 25 years so that is not an owning at all. And we mark a W before every GT game. Enjoy.
Hoo in Atlanta
July 21st, 2009
2:56 pm
A well written and well thought out analysis. The issue not discussed, however, is the curse. Let’s be honest, many times, if not most times over the past 17 years, GT has brought a more talented team and arguably better coached team into c-ville and lost. The Hook and Ladder game comes foremost to mind.
GT hasn’t lost in C-ville because of lack of talent. Rather, its Karma payback for the pain inflicted in 1990. That kick still ranks as by far the most painful moment for any UVA sports fan in any sport. I’m not saying GT won’t win this year, but the fact that you have a better team is not a good predictor in this rivalry.
nopron
July 21st, 2009
5:05 pm
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Hoo Herd
July 25th, 2009
12:19 am
NERDS! Why is anyone talking about what classes the players are taking? We’re talking football, not “calc”. UVA’s going to win and then take your milk money as you leave the game. NERDS, NERDS, NERRRRRRDS!
You hit it perfectly “Hoo in Atlanta”! We can’t beat our “Tech” so we just share with Georgia on kicking your butts.