SI has Tech No. 12 and UGA No. 15, and I say, “Close”
Two good Jackets: Josh Nesbitt dodges Derrick Morgan. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
A year ago Sports Illustrated, like pretty much everyone else, ranked Georgia No. 1. This year the venerable magazine has the Bulldogs No. 15, three spots behind Georgia Tech. And I saw that yesterday and said to myself, “That’s pretty darn close.”
The USA Today coaches’ poll was released last week, and it surprised me. Georgia was No. 13, two places ahead of the Jackets. And that, you should know, made me go, “Hmmm.”
Flying home from the Capital One Bowl, I did a back-of-the-envelope estimate and guessed, without Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno, Georgia would be ranked No. 21 to Tech’s No. 9, but I realize now I might have been suffering from jet lag. (Yeah, I know. Orlando’s in the same time zone. But it’s only excuse I can find.) I probably had Tech a tad too high and definitely had Georgia too low.
Were I doing the same computations today, I’d put Tech No. 10 — I think this is a Top 10 team that will win the ACC and play in the Orange Bowl – and Georgia No. 15. I think the Bulldogs will lose four games, each to a team SI ranks above them, but no more. So that’d be, in my mind, a good 8-4 season. (I know from the tenor of your response many among you don’t feel there’s any such thing.)
I also agree with SI’s choice for No. 2 — Texas. (In fact, I see Texas, which was also No. 2 in the coaches’ poll, beating Florida in the BCS title game.) I think the magazine has Virginia Tech and Ole Miss way too high at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively, and Alabama a bit elevated at No. 8, but other than that I have no real disagreement. But I do have a mathematical quibble:
Loading ...SI has both Tech and Georgia finishing 9-3 and second in their respective divisions. (Tech to Virginia Tech, Georgia to guess who.) The magazine also has Georgia going 5-3 in SEC play, which would mean finishing unbeaten against non-conference opponents. Which would mean beating Tech. But if Tech and Georgia both go 9-3 and the Bulldogs win at Bobby Dodd Stadium, shouldn’t they be ranked higher?
The magazine also has Oklahoma State, which it ranks No. 7 in the land, going unbeaten in non-conference play. Both things cannot happen. Either Georgia or OSU must lose Sept. 5 in Stillwater. And with that I’ll step aside, mindful always of what Agent Mulder once told his winsome partner:
“Nobody likes a math geek, Scully.”
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304 comments Add your comment
Another Vol
August 13th, 2009
6:50 pm
I do not know what GA will do, but I have not noticed today in the blog the one possibly chink in the Dawg’s armor…the WMD. You just cannot continue to give up those kind of points (unless you are the old “Spurrier and FL”) without paying the price. Last year, GA could have easily lost several more games if the offence was not so potent. If Joe C. and company can’t put up 40+ a game, MB might be just about right with the 8-4 season….if no one comes out of the shadowns that you are not expecting and bites you also. IMHO
puppychow
August 13th, 2009
6:54 pm
Dawgs are O V E R R A T E D again! Shocker!
militarydawginDC
August 13th, 2009
6:58 pm
Oklahoma St 45 UGA 3,
what do you expect, you live in Georgia. I just moved from OKC to WashDC and the ou fans drove me nuts. The same could be said for your fan base. According to your fans, you have never lost a game to a better opponent. Even the 2004 USC game was a sham…If you are sick of the Dawgs I would suggest moving back to the dust bowl…
T-Rav and the Eastside Grainger
August 13th, 2009
6:59 pm
If Texas is gonna beat UF in the title game, then they better find a secondary. The only weak link for the Longhorns is that worthless POS Muschamp bringin his douschebag pass defense. Leave it to a dog to ruin everything.
militarydawginDC
August 13th, 2009
7:01 pm
hey stir stick bradley, did you do a story on the poll that matters? the usatoday coaches poll?
dawgs BITE cowgirls
August 13th, 2009
7:05 pm
Oklahoma State has a sorry defense. Can the defensive coordinator they imported from Kansas
help?
DawgsOnTop
August 13th, 2009
7:10 pm
Big 12—way overrated. Dawgs blow out Ok State and boone pickens money—GA 38 OK St 20. End of story.
mudcat
August 13th, 2009
7:10 pm
Too bad GT can’t switch schedules with Penn State. No wonder JoPa wants to coach forever.
Larry Munson
August 13th, 2009
7:10 pm
I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
Volman
August 13th, 2009
7:12 pm
“Jealous”…. You’re all wrong, buddy. I think Lucas Cox just scored again.
Does that mean he should add a star to his Rivals account or the UGA players should lose a star?
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
7:12 pm
42-45 a fluke
Peter Gibbons
August 13th, 2009
7:13 pm
Why do you knuckleheads spell dogs DAWGS?
Timmy Simmons
August 13th, 2009
7:15 pm
the dawgs r my fav team i hope they go all the wasy this year 2 bad stafford is not on the team i wil mis you i got his autograph last year it was neat
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
7:20 pm
TechBuzz
It won’t happen again this year.Ya’ll won’t see a win in the Georgia -Georgia Tech game
again for a long time. Really shouldn’t have happened last year. Enjoy while it last. You only have a little more than three months. 59-36-5 Dawgs!
Al Ciraldo
August 13th, 2009
7:21 pm
Munson, I’m dead and I can still whup ya!
GT
August 13th, 2009
7:24 pm
Ok techmites. Congradualtions on a 3 point win. Now, you like numbers? Here’s the numbers. Total yardage UGA 488, GT 428; rushing UGA 81, GT 409 (You got us there, results of lousy takling); Passing UGA 407, GT 19 (And this is a D1 program?). We attempted no field goals, you made the only one you attempted. O.K., so you won by 3 points. What makes you think that you have turned the corner. Perhaps a win against LSU would have helped. Win consistently, then talk big. I hope we are both undefeated when we meet.
By the way, I HATE my initials
Athens Police Department
August 13th, 2009
7:27 pm
Hi, Athens police here. We are just waiting for the next rash of criminal activity by the Georgia football team.
Cuz in Minnesotta
August 13th, 2009
7:31 pm
Bradley you ingenious plan of picking UGA one year then Tech the next is working. Steve Spurrier is going to lose his evil genuis title to you. Does it come with a visor?
Tokyo jacket
August 13th, 2009
7:34 pm
Tech fan, you’re wrong about Tech’s line. It will not be the same players. It will be better players for two reasons: a) CPJ has opened up competition for all spots; the best players will be on the field and b) these guys all know the system now, which they didn’t grasp a year ago; also, they’re better conditioned for the type of play that CPJ expects. Don’t expect to see GT finish a game with less than 350 yards this year.
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
7:35 pm
Volman wrote:
UGA had a GREAT spring game this year… What was the score…6-3?
but I have not noticed today in the blog the one possibly chink in the Dawg’s armor…the WMD
Not that anyone can tell a whole lot from a spring game,but a 6-3 score really doesn’t indicate ypu have problems your defense.
Didn’t Tebow’s team get beat in the Florida spring game? Spring football is like preseason in the NFL,
Let’s just get through it.
Tokyo jacket
August 13th, 2009
7:39 pm
GT, the real truth is that UGA had three self destruct games where they only played one half. Alabama, UF, and GT were bad teams to play with an imploding half. Not saying we’re in the same league, but GT and UF play every single down looking for the home run. It’s like UGA was dazed against the ropes and your opponents were throwing and landing haymakers left and right.
Regardless of what the numbers say, that’s scary. In fact, you may have had more meltdowns but had the talent to compensate. I really would be worried about that.
Tokyo jacket
August 13th, 2009
7:44 pm
Serious question for UGA fans: IF (big if I know) GT beats UGA again this year, does CMR get on the hotseat the following year? I know our win last year was just a fluke, but two in a row would signify a shift in power. Could the University of Georgia hold on to a coach that didn’t own the state of Georgia?
I know most of you think the odds of GT winning again are like getting struck by lightning twice, but please consider the question.
two-in-a-row-coming
August 13th, 2009
7:45 pm
GT (great handle), the streak is one and soon will be two (I’ll notify Mark Train when it happens).
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
7:53 pm
Peter Gibbons
Why do you knuckleheads spell dogs DAWGS?
Why does Tech say Ramblin instead of Rambling Wreck?
Why do they bring out a car thats all polished instead of one that looks like a wreck?
As many times as Georgia’s whip their butts they ought to come out in one that looks like its been through a demolition derby.
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
7:55 pm
GT (great handle), the streak is one and soon will be two
I don’t think Georgia is planning on forfeiting this year.
Ali Babba
August 13th, 2009
8:00 pm
I’m a GT professor and I am looking for kids aged n6 and under for a photo shoot at Rainbow lounge in Midtown this Saturday at 9 AM. Also, I want to “blow” the whistle on GT football players wh have been getting tutors to take ALL of their course work here. Don’t you just love our gold colors???? It’s precious.
Get the picture
August 13th, 2009
8:03 pm
Al Ciraldo? Are you kidding me? That guy couldn’t hold Munson’s jock. His greatest calls were GT scavaging a tie against Furman 3-3!!!! That big bottle of mustard you have now is even worse!!!
Mark Bradley
August 13th, 2009
8:05 pm
Why, Cuz, it indeed does. In my opinion, you can never go wrong when you add visor.
Ha … ha …
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
8:07 pm
I know our win last year was just a fluke, but two in a row would signify a shift in power
No, Tech won three in 98,99,2000,however that’s only three wins sandwiched between two long Georgia streaks from 91-97-01-07. I don’t think it would seriously put Richt on the hot seat.
They would be some ill will and some hot head’s screaming,but I don’t think it would take him out.
Three in a row? I don’t know.Donnan didn’t survive,however Richt is not Donnan.
Jack G.
August 13th, 2009
8:09 pm
CameroDave
There are no ugly girls—-some are just prettier than others.
Big B CH 99
August 13th, 2009
8:10 pm
SI really ain’t paying attention when they have both UGA & Ok St going undefeated out of conference, since they play each other.
Go Jackets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
red5.ws
August 13th, 2009
8:11 pm
Mark, please explain why you have tech so high ? They lost their D-line off a team who was throttled by LSU and UNC, and lost to UVA and VPI. Barely beat Gardner Webb and FSU fumbled the ball at the goal line. Even though the ACC is really weak, this team is no better than about 30th.
Mark Bradley
August 13th, 2009
8:19 pm
Why do I have Tech so high? Maybe because it returns 16 starters off a team that won nine games in Year 1 under a new coach and a radically new system. Other than that, no reason.
Tech Wins Again
August 13th, 2009
8:42 pm
Why does Tech say Ramblin instead of Rambling Wreck?
I guess the same reason ignorant georgia fans say “dawgs” instead of dogs and how ’bout instead of how about. UGA—home of developmental studies—where all football players get passing grades!!!!
VinceDooleyNot
August 13th, 2009
8:47 pm
UGA is at best an 8-4 team. King will never stay healthy or have the desire to pan out of his high school rating. Samuel has to stay healthy! They will lose to LSU and Florida. They will lose several of the following South Carolina, OSU, Arkansas, Tennessee, GT and shoot even Vandy or Kentucky could win if the morale is low. 7-5 at best 4-8 at worst. Richt will be on the hot seat and Martinez will finally be shown the exit.
Speedy Gonzales Dawg
August 13th, 2009
8:55 pm
((((((( HAY CHIHUAHUA )))))) My friends i got a bad case of indigestion from eating too many (BURRITOS FOR SUPPER) I Would like to take a crap in some NERDS MOUTH if i may. LOS FLAG BOYS ARE MUY LOCO !!! p.s Hey Flag boys……me and my compadres sell fake gold rings VERY CHEAP FOR YOU.
Speedy Gonzales Dawg
August 13th, 2009
9:07 pm
Hey friends do you know who’s my favorite TicklePiler player of ALL TIME ????….Guess who ?…. Not warm enough?…..OKAY !! OKAY !!! Is Mr ((((( O FOR 4 REGGIE BALL ))))) I like his passing skills my friends. Specially that nice pass he threw to My Other Compadre TIM JENNINGS…..What a great passer that reggie turn out to be. reggie,reggie,reggie !!!!
Tokyo jacket
August 13th, 2009
9:14 pm
Mike T, that was my point. Those three you listed got Donnan fired. After two wins by GT, would CMR be on the hot seat? I think so. I think three would lose his job. Because, quite honestly, I don’t think that UGA will beat UF, AU, and Tenn if it loses to GT in 2010. That would likely mean three consecutive years at 8 or 9 wins. That got Bowden fired at Clemson. I think it’s enough to get CMR fired from UGA. IF IT HAPPENS, which is why they play the games.
jarvis
August 13th, 2009
9:16 pm
Utah
Florida
Southern California
Texas
Boise St.
Alabama
Ball St.
Oklahoma
Texas Tech
TCU
Penn St.
Tulsa
Cincinnati
Ohio St.
Oregon
BYU
Georgia
Rice
Virginia Tech
Missouri
Pittsburgh
West Virginia
Mississippi
Northwestern
Iowa
Michigan St.
Western Mich.
Oklahoma St.
Nebraska
Oregon St.
California
Florida St.
Georgia Tech
Boston College
East Carolina
What do these teams have in common?
They all won at least 9 games in 2008. Congrats to Tech. You were one out of 35. Very elite company indeed.
Buford Buzzard
August 13th, 2009
9:19 pm
Both of you just shaddup! You’re both small time, loser programs. The only good thing to ever come out of jawja is me.
What do the dogs have? One single national title 29 freaking years ago? Sit down and shaddup!
What about Tech? A bunch of foreign and a handful of domestic geeks studying math all day. Shaddup!
juvenal
August 13th, 2009
9:23 pm
CoolBreeze, ND, US-B, & Stanford are all fine schools with good football-still, it is a short list…
juvenal
August 13th, 2009
9:23 pm
uC-b
Speedy Gonzales Dawg
August 13th, 2009
9:26 pm
Hey friends ……That Dump of stadium tech has it reminds me of the one we have in tijuana. The only difference is….We have Men & Women’s bathroom (not just women only like tech has) HAYYYY CHIHUAHUA !!!! I got to use the bathroom again & flush this this thing that looks like a FLAG BOY TO ME !!!! BTW TicklePiler’s ……I GOT RINGS 4 SALE !!!! 50% OFF IF YOU LIKE MY FRIEND !!!
Dawgman566
August 13th, 2009
9:37 pm
Why do UGA Fans yell “How Bout Then Dawgs!” They just saw the Tech Cheerleaders run onto the field.
That was no fluke; Johnson let up!
August 13th, 2009
10:01 pm
Mike, Mike…..that was just a dog run over by a jacket train. Stings to lose. But the funniest of all was pulling the power on the scoreboard three seconds after the game ended.
BIGBOY
August 13th, 2009
10:01 pm
Bradley I see your boy landed on his feet in Phily of all places.
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
10:07 pm
Tech Wins Again
Why do you knuckleheads spell dogs DAWGS?
Hey Moron see Peter Gibbons post at 7:12 pm
I was responding to him asking the same dumb question.
Why do you knuckleheads spell dogs DAWGS?
I guess the same reason ignorant georgia fans say “dawgs” instead of
Why does Tech say Ramblin instead of Rambling Wreck?
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
10:11 pm
That was no fluke; Johnson let up!
Tech hsdn’t won in seven years and he let up.
Not Disappointed
August 13th, 2009
10:15 pm
Lets go Yellow Jacket!
Mike T.
August 13th, 2009
10:16 pm
That was no fluke; Johnson let up!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahhahaha!
Georgia is the one that let up by blowing a 17 point lead dude.Tech won because of poor tackling.
But hey if it was the other way around,we would take the win too.Enjoy it, for a couple of more months.