If I’m PJ of GT, I’m worried about MSU and StarkVegas
Clang, clang, clang: Christopher Walken exhorts the MSU masses.
This one has “trouble” written all over it, and that’s “trouble” with a capital “T,” which rhymes with “C,” which stands for “cowbell.” Georgia Tech is venturing out of conference, out of the Eastern time zone, out of its comfort zone — all the way to Starkville, Miss., for a night game against a hungry team playing under a new and ambitious coach.
Tech is the better team and should win. But Tech is coming off a big victory over North Carolina, which followed a resounding loss at Miami, which itself followed a narrow escape against Clemson. The Jackets have ridden the whirlwind the past three weeks, and now they face a game that doesn’t affect the ACC standings but could well mess up a season.
And Mississippi State isn’t bad. Under Dan Mullen, it’s actually scoring some points. It had 24 against Auburn and 26 against LSU, which needed a goal-line stand to win. It has won at Vanderbilt, which isn’t easy. (Tech will learn that soon enough.) The Jackets will gain nothing much by winning but will again disappear from the Top 25 should they lose.If I’m Paul Johnson, I have one question: Who scheduled this one? Dave Braine?
(Answer: No. This was Dan Radakovich’s doing.)
And then there’s the intangible that confronts every visitor to Starkville. (Sometimes called StarkVegas by mean-spirited hacks like me, although I’m trying hard to mend fences after what I wrote in 2005.) That’s the cowbell. Or, more accurately, the cowbells, plural. Technically they’re banned at SEC games — seems the conference brethren all developed tinnitus — but State fans sneak them through the gate. This is a non-conference game, which means only one thing …
More cowbell. Holy cow.
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130 comments Add your comment
dmajor
October 1st, 2009
12:28 am
first
dmajor
October 1st, 2009
12:34 am
I don’t feel too worried about this game but I don’t think it should be as lopsided as last year. If our defense plays like it did last week, we should be fine. Any word on Jaybo coming back soon? Not that he is detrimental, but Nesbitt could surely use a break or two during games. I think this will really test Nesbitt’s toughness.
Toe Meets Leather
October 1st, 2009
12:44 am
MB, you penchant for picking/leaning toward the ultimate loser gives me additional hope. Methinks you were short on fire-the-folks-up material and decided to lean in the direction of Starkville to generate interest. Mississippi St. may have padded numbers against SEC defenses (LSU is NOT worthy of their ranking, Auburn is still a paper tiger (pun intended), and Vandy is still…Vandy), but they haven’t faced a defense that’s hungry to win the rest. At least as hungry as we are now. There’s no real reason why Tech can’t win out. I think CPJ has drilled that into them and I think they’ll be eager to show that Saturday. The road to 12-1 starts Saturday…
“Toe Meets Leather”….now available….www.stingtees.com.
Jackets21
October 1st, 2009
12:50 am
We could lose this game…..but I just don’t think Miss St. is very good. Even after watching the Miami loss, I feel this is game should be a comfortable win if we continue to build off last week. UNC’s defense is a lot stronger than MSU. Tech rolls.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 1st, 2009
12:53 am
Oh my! Scary cowbells. What will we do? Why even play the game?
LOL I agree with the other poster. You must have been out of ideas. GT is not good enough to overlook any opponent, but this team does not have more talent that UNC, so if we take care of the ball, we should win by 10 or more.
Go Jackets!!
BugKiller
October 1st, 2009
1:19 am
Mark, you’ve got to learn how to embed YouTube or Hulu clips into your blog.
Because that’s one of the greatest SNL moments EVER.
TeeBerry
October 1st, 2009
1:44 am
I kinda think the cowbells sound sorta nice…. especially when they are the rythym(how the f-bomb do you spell that word??) instrument for “Rocky Top”, which, if I ever get divorced and married again, will be our wedding hunch,… I mean, march. OOOOHHHH, Yeahhhh!!!
Here we go again
October 1st, 2009
1:56 am
it’s got a sneaky ‘h’ in there. rhythm.
BugKiller
October 1st, 2009
2:37 am
“By the way, my name is Bruce Dickenson. Yes, THE Bruce Dickenson.”
“I’ll be honest, fellas, that was sounding great, but I gotta be honest, but… I coulda used more cowbell.”
“I’m telling ya, fellas… ya gonna want that cowbell… on the track.”
“I’m the cock of the walk, baby!”
“I gotta have more cowbell… baby.”
“Guess what? I gotta fevah! And the only prescription… is more COWbell!”
http://www.buzzhumor.com/videos/28180/More_Cowbell
Heard
October 1st, 2009
2:39 am
Tech wins… No problem…next game please….
Volman
October 1st, 2009
4:33 am
Seriously… Mr. Bradley, this is all you have? Seriously?
That’s the cowbell. Or, more accurately, the cowbells, plural. Technically they’re banned at SEC games — seems the conference brethren all developed tinnitus — but State fans sneak them through the gate. This is a non-conference game, which means only one thing …
More cowbell. Holy cow.”
m
October 1st, 2009
4:45 am
After 3 tough ACC conference games, it is nice to get to play a non-conference breather against the pitifully weak sec.
The sec is alabammer and floriduh and the 10 dwarfs. Miss St is roughly equal to #4 ranked (what a joke) lswho. So either Miss St is great, or lswho sucks…has to be one or the other.
Mark, why don’t you give credit to Tech for being the only team (out of 108 non-sec teams, that is voluntarily playing 3 sec teams.
By the end of the season, Tech likely will be ACC and sec champs…although the sec is so weak this year that being sec champ is not saying much.
Thank God and Greyhound (and DRAD) that chan gomer gailey is gone forever.
By the way Mark, this is a pitifully lazy blog you wrote today. Surely you can do better than this.
Ozzy
October 1st, 2009
6:53 am
m
My theory on you is that you’re actually a UOG fan, posing as a Tech fan. You’re posts are so frickin stupid, that’s the only way a reasonable person can logically explain it.
That said, I hope LSU kicks the crap out of your team Saturday, but I don’t think they will.
Tech’s not good enough to overlook anyone, but I think they win this one.
Go Jackets!
P.S. Best use of cowbells ever – The Stones on Honky Tonk Woman
2nd best use of cowbells...
October 1st, 2009
7:07 am
…by The Band on “Up on Cripple Creek”! Ozzy, you must be as old as me!!!!
Thursday Night Lights
October 1st, 2009
7:25 am
That’s the first time I have seen the words “Tech is the better team” printed since about 1990. I still don’t think it’s true, but it was really odd to see that sentence.
Normally, if someone thinks Tech will win it will be spelled out a little differently. For example, “Tech is horrible, but they have a chance with their gimmicky, high school offense in this game…”
SatchelBuzz
October 1st, 2009
7:25 am
Were on a mission,……Sine Metu.
THWG!!
GTpak
October 1st, 2009
7:26 am
Say what you want, but NC’s defensive coach had our number last year and carried that same scheme / level of play to Miami against our offense. Mostly same players, different coach.
Now we have the Gator offensive coordinator at Miss State, mostly same players, different coach. This is not the MSU team we played last year!
Moral of this story is, don’t be over confident. Bring your A game. Go Jackets!! It will be a close one and I hope we come out on top.
Alabama Jack
October 1st, 2009
7:27 am
Respect All, Fear None.
RFP
October 1st, 2009
7:31 am
I was very confused when I read MB’s comments stating that “Tech is the better team”. By better did he mean more of a gimmick? He must because I haven’t heard Tech labeled the “better team” in quite some time.
» SEC links: Twenty years after Chucky Mullins John Clay’s Sidelines
October 1st, 2009
7:38 am
[...] Mark Bradley of the AJC is worried about Mississippi State. [...]
bamafan
October 1st, 2009
7:43 am
Hey M – you cannot trash the SEC as weak and then claim credit for
“voluntarily” playing THREE SEC teams. Have you thought about the inconsistency in all your postings? Have you ever considered that LSU might not be as good as # 4 AND that Miss State is not as good as performance against LSU indicates. It is possible that BOTH are true; it doesn’t have to be ONE or the OTHER.
davidbaker
October 1st, 2009
7:43 am
And “mississippi queen” by Leslie West and Mountain is heavy on the cow bell.
Ozzy
October 1st, 2009
7:46 am
2ND Best –
Must be. There was a special on some channel the other night – forgot the name but it was The Band’s last concert – very cool. They were a little before my time, but I wish I could have seen them.
“Don’t Fear the Reaper” – Blue Oyster Cult was another good one.
Go Jackets!
Nativebird
October 1st, 2009
7:49 am
Anytime Josh Nesbit starts at Quarterback, the opposition has a chance. Deep down CPJ knows this, that’s why he always has that constipated scowl on his face.
FBR
October 1st, 2009
7:52 am
Just looked at the techmite’s schedule. It has to be among the top 10 easiest in Div. 1. Typical tech scheduling–play the bottom teir, not the top teir.
PT
October 1st, 2009
7:52 am
Why is it that Tech fans such as dmajor love to refer to things from last year. This is a totlally different team from last year, much better and Tech is not as good. They could get better but not yet, This game will be a war with Tech nudging at the end.
Dan
October 1st, 2009
7:53 am
SatchelBuzz
I love how this is all about Miss State yet you NATS have to say THWG anyway. Shows real desperation ……
GT71
October 1st, 2009
7:56 am
Shoot – I played the cowbell with many, many bands at many, many frat parties and it’s real easy. Even a central time zone bulldog can do it. Just beat it with a stick or clapper it around a while. But it didn’t help those bands (they sometimes asked me to stop – no Leslie West fans) and it hopefully won’t help the MSU team. BUT – bring the A game, cuz they’re all 60 minutes and they’re all tough.
Asheville Dawg
October 1st, 2009
8:01 am
Mark – I was one that was really disappointed at what you wrote in 2005 about Starkeville, as my Dad was a professor at Mississippi State and I spend a lot of time there and no one deserves to be dumped on like that. Just wanted to let you know I appreciate your fence mending and I officially forgive you! Keep up the good work.
Hey Dogtards
October 1st, 2009
8:03 am
@ FBR
“Just looked at the techmite’s schedule. It has to be among the top 10 easiest in Div. 1. Typical tech scheduling–play the bottom teir, not the top teir.”
———————————————-
i before e, except after c.
self’d & credibility = blown
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
8:03 am
Isn’t “Mississippi Queen” Homer Simpson’s favorite song?
And I never saw The Band, either. But I have watched “The Last Waltz” a time or two.
Jim
October 1st, 2009
8:03 am
Hey Tech it aint the Cowbell that will beat you. You are playing as SEC team that is imporved that outgained you last year but could not score, This team Can score, is playing at home and hmm we do have fans that attend the game, Whey did you return 4000 tickets? It is only a 4 hour drive to Starkville.. Cummon ,, and something you love to hear GO DAWGS!
blazer
October 1st, 2009
8:05 am
Enter your comments here
still 45-42-glad to play sec school-good old southern backyard football!
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
8:05 am
OK, BugKiller, YOU ASKED FOR IT! AND YOU GOT IT!
MORE COWBELL!
MattyB
October 1st, 2009
8:11 am
I don’t think it was a poor scheduling decision. I think it’s a good way to get your feet wet in the SEC, which is slightly different from the days of old when Tech itself was the standard bearer of the conference. If GT truly wants to elevate itself beyond the mediocrity of years past, it’s going to have to face tougher non-conference competition, and win some of those games.
We don’t need no stinkin’ Blue Oyster Cult! Jackets take care of the Missies 27-17!
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
8:13 am
I think Tech will win. But the scariest games are the ones on the road you’re expected to win.
Baba O'Riley
October 1st, 2009
8:18 am
Jim- The game is not played in the stands. It’s played between the white lines. Some of you SEC fans tend to forget that. Why don’t you start the “We got spirit” cheer against the fans on the other side. That way, you can claim victory from the bleachers. “We got more…we got more…”
Dawgs Fan
October 1st, 2009
8:31 am
MSU could be flat as a pancake since they put it all on the line against LSU. North Carolina was very weak, QB play was really bad. I think MSU is much better than NC since they do play with a little fire thanks to their new head coach. If MSU does not come out tired and flat they will most likely take the bugs. Tech was equally unimpressive agaist NC. Looked like neither team actually wanted to play that game.
RDM
October 1st, 2009
8:32 am
More cowbell baby! Oh man, that’s good stuff! Mark, thanks for the morning pick me up.
GeoffDawg
October 1st, 2009
8:39 am
We used to sneak flasks into Sanford Stadium. I guess cowbells is how they roll in StarkVegas.
SimpleDawg
October 1st, 2009
8:40 am
It will be a sad day in Bugtown come Sunday….
…and it’s even going to be on TV.
How does one cook crow?
eastofA1A
October 1st, 2009
8:42 am
Enter your comments here
I watched some of the CSS replay of LSU/MSU. I was impressed with the athleticism and quickness of MSU on both sides of the ball. More so than LSU. And their offense under Mullen is vastly improved. … I thought we got some cheap scores on them last year to balloon the total a bit. This game worries me in Starkville, as their players won’t be constantly distracted by looking up at all the tall buildings.
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
8:42 am
“Used to sneak flasks into Sanford Stadium?”
aztec
October 1st, 2009
8:45 am
im sure paul johnon and his staff and all the players are very concerned about miss state, its you sports writers and the gt fans that need to focus on worrying
j
October 1st, 2009
8:46 am
MB – Get a life. Shouldn’t y’all be talking about how bad UGAY will lose this week? You are a shock jock of sports. GT wins big!
Barkin'Dog
October 1st, 2009
8:47 am
Here’s where Tech understands what the Dawgs experienced going to Ok.St., after scheduling a game way in advance with a team that is usually an “easy win.” Sometimes that road opponent is much better than intended at game time. Perhaps Tech will feel the unexpected sting of a lackluster loss. I usually pull for the state team, but I’m going with the SEC here. It’s a great match-up, with a result that will garner a lot of flack here from the winners of conference-loyal fans.
HPB
October 1st, 2009
8:47 am
Glad Tech is playing against its out of conference against a quality conference. That certainly garners more respect than playing, say, Idaho State.
My cowbell preference is All Right Now by Free. (Lost some of the hearing in my left ear listening to Terry Lee and the GTs play that cover in a little club called Grumpy’s up on the Ocoee river.)
Hey Dogtards
October 1st, 2009
8:50 am
@ Dawgs Fan
“Tech was equally unimpressive agaist NC.”
———————————————————————–
Take off the mutt-tinted glasses and you’ll have a little bit more credibility. Tech throttled a ranked (albeit likely overrated) opponent. Tech had 300+ yards rushing and 400+ yards total. Tech held UNC to 150 yards. Dwyer had 150+ yards rushing, Nesbitt had 100, and Morgan had 2 ints. Time of possession was 42-18 in favor of Tech AND Tech didn’t turn the ball over once. How is that remotely unimpressive?
Just to compare
1) uog hasn’t given up less than 17 points this season.
GT was 10-19 on third down. The only time uga sniffed 50% it was 5-9.
2) uog hasn’t given up less than 200 yards of offense this season and has allowed two opponents to break 400. It definitely didn’t hold a ranked opponent to 150 yards.
3) Tech forced three turnovers, something uga hasn’t done (unless you count Cox throwing a pick as forcing turnovers). Tech also didn’t turn the ball over, uga turns the ball over three times a game.
4) The margin of victory was bigger than any margin uga has had this year, either win or loss
5) Tech had the ball for 42 minutes. uog has only had the ball longer than one opponent, and that was 32 minutes.
6) Including either rushing or receiving, no single uog player this season totaled the 158 yards JD did in the last game
7) GT didn’t let unc score in the first half. uog only prevented one opponent from scoring in the first quarter and has given up 20+ points in the first half twice
9) unc was 1-11 on third down. Arkansas was 3-14, and that is the best uga has done all year.
10) GT beat a ranked opponent. uga hasn’t done that yet.
That’s just a quick comparison. Maybe unc isn’t amazing, but they got whooped and Tech looked impressive. You can say aspects of their game wasn’t impressive, like the kick game and at times the lines. But you lose credibility saying the team didn’t look impressive when they did.
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
8:52 am
Can’t all you UGA fans go back to your blogs. All you ever do is find a Tech article that has a blog and talk trash the whole time. Worry about your own game this weekend. You’ll need all the luck in the world to beat LSU. All those turnovers will come back and bite you finally.
FBR
October 1st, 2009
8:53 am
@Hey Dogtards—self’d?–
Being a technoid-always living with that yearning in the gut to be like the really prominent program in the state-always wishing, always hoping, always-always, but never, ever admitting it.
Tech82
October 1st, 2009
8:54 am
Dan – You’re wrong (not unusual for a UGAy fan). Most of us include “THWG” somewhere in our posts. What really shows desperation is all of the butt sniffers – like you – that spend their days posting on the blog of their in-state rival.
GO JACKETS! THWG!
SimpleDawg
October 1st, 2009
8:56 am
The best way to get to Starkville:
Take Awbarn’s limo, put Kiffin’s wife in it, add a few bottles of bubbly, some Barry White tunes, and “Ride, Baby Ride.”
When you get to Starkville, turn around and repeat.
Tech alum
October 1st, 2009
9:09 am
Are there really idiots on here questioning Tech’s strength of schedule? Give me a freaking break. 2 games on the road against SEC teams and then a finale at home against UGA. Not to mention road games at Miami and Florida State. Um, remind me again how that is weak??
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
9:14 am
Jim
MSU didn’t outgain Tech last year. We had them by 100 yards. Get your stats right if you’re gonna reference them. By the way, we returned them because starkville a hole in the wall town. I decided to go to nashville and see Vandy rather than come there.
Pi$$onaDawg
October 1st, 2009
9:15 am
Who the hell would pay to spend a Saturday Night in Starkville? Can’t wait for Halloween in Nashville though.
EW
October 1st, 2009
9:17 am
haha all the GT fans are so convinced this is gonna be a cakewalk game. #1. It wont.
#2 Get of MB’s back, bc you’re gonna hate the cowbell very soon.
RandyRhino
October 1st, 2009
9:23 am
Hey FBR!(full blown retard).We never yearn to be like ya’ll, in fact if you leg humpers played Russia I’d yell “go you commie reds”. Never pull for you anytime,much less wanna be like you. Go back yo your special-ed blog.
Bruce Dickinson
October 1st, 2009
9:23 am
Mark, anytime you can get “more cowbell” involved in a blog, you have written a masterpiece.
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
9:25 am
FBR
We sure don’t wish we were UGA. A bunch of obnoxious fans that trash there own campus. That’s pathetic. But it’s not as pathetic as the game UGA will play this weekend in Athens. Can’t wait to see those Tigers roll over the Mutts on saturday. You’ll get put in your place one and for all. THWG!!!
Pi$$onaDawg
October 1st, 2009
9:25 am
What TV Stattion is carring the game Saturday?
GT08
October 1st, 2009
9:25 am
I love how Dawg fans always rave about the “superiority” of the SEC, but now say GT’s schedule is way too easy when we play Missy St. Way to stand behind your conference boys!
George P. Burdell
October 1st, 2009
9:28 am
Wasn’t it about this time last year we were hearing about how good MSU’s defense was and Tech would struggle? Their offense stunk but the defense was solid and would stuff Tech’s high school offense? Then, we went out and took care of business from the first snap. I understand this year isn’t last year, but that team was woefully undermanned and I don’t think they went out and recruited 45 blue chippers. Tech may struggle, but it will more likely be the fact that we are travelling to Starkville than anything MSU does to slow down our offense.
Ozzy
October 1st, 2009
9:29 am
Enter your comments here
RandyRhino
October 1st, 2009
9:31 am
Great job Bradley! I love SNL and the cowbell bit, so to all you dawgs blawgin’: You are all “cork-soakers” and will be “livin in a van down by the river”. Go TECH & THWG…
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
9:34 am
EW
We don’t think this will be a cakewalk. No game is a cakewalk unless your playing D1-AA. Unlike you UGA fans that think your actually gonna win this weekend. LSU out for revenge and Les Miles remembers last year, but there’s no Stafford or Moreno to beat them. I predict at least a 10 point victory.
George P
October 1st, 2009
9:36 am
Personally I wish Tech was still playing Louisville instead of Mississippi State, as originally planned, but that’s because I live in the Falls City now and I could go to the game.
Steve
October 1st, 2009
9:44 am
Tech wins in easy fashion. 31-17
MSU
October 1st, 2009
9:47 am
The game is on CSS
Ozzy
October 1st, 2009
9:52 am
I agree with RandyRhino Mark.
As someone said on Shultz’s blog a while back -
Sometimes you funny. Sometimes you not so funny.
Today – you very funny!
Go Spider Monkey on their asses Jackets!
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
9:56 am
Funny, me? Nah.
collegeballfan
October 1st, 2009
10:03 am
I do not think Tech will win. I have had this down as a lost for a year.
EW
October 1st, 2009
10:08 am
Ramblinwreck…I give you props for rooting for your team and actually discussing football on the blog rather than acting like you’re five. GT wins if it can play good D. I think the option will score enough for you to win, but only if your D shows up and controls the line. UGA wins if we hold on to the football, period. LSU has looked shaky on the road this year and UGA seems to have their number recently for whatever reason that is.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 1st, 2009
10:08 am
Mark, LSPhew was lucky to beat Missy St and moved up from 7 to 4. We will beat Missy St. by atleast 10 points and will move up maybe 2 spots.
Wait and see, and then help me understand how these pollsters work.
…I can’t find my blue bird.
Sting 'em Buzz
October 1st, 2009
10:09 am
Dan, if you insist on calling us “Nats,” at least learn to spell the word. “Gnats”
FBR
October 1st, 2009
10:13 am
RandyRhino & Ramblinwreck–I’m not a UGA graduate, I’m a Vanderbilt graduate. I work in Atlanta with many Tech and UGA grads. I’m only stating what I see and hear daily. Yes, Tech people do have that jealousy, even though you wont admit it.
Dan
October 1st, 2009
10:13 am
Ramblinwreck83 in case you don’t realize it that UGA team you trash has given up 60 of 103 points off of turnovers and they still win. If that team gets turnovers under control they have a very very good football team. Better than GT which has yet to experience the rash of turnovers that you know is coming at some point. Probably at the most inopportune time. If I were a Tech fan based on the performance of GT’s team so far this year I wouldn’t be so confident. UGA has the capability to blow you right out of the stadium on a good day. If they don’t turn it over you will get killed. No way does your D stop their O. And they stop the run by the way.
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
10:16 am
If I might interject a bit of knowledge I’m not proud to have acquired: When Georgia fans call Tech fans “nats,” I believe it stands for North Avenue Trade School.
BradGT
October 1st, 2009
10:16 am
My concern is our defense against their offense. They are very big up front with big backs and a good passing game to go with it. How will our D man up against their Florida spread? This game will be really tough.
RAMBLE ON!!!
October 1st, 2009
10:17 am
Dan, Don’t bogart that Joint.
BuzzKiller
October 1st, 2009
10:18 am
Thank you MB. You slammed the door on another know it all techmites little bitty stinger. Keep up the good word.
PTC DAWG
October 1st, 2009
10:19 am
I have been on road trip to Starkville, it’s interesting to say the least. Suffice it to say, I have no desire to go back.
Hey Dogtards
October 1st, 2009
10:21 am
I don’t think this game is a cakewalk either, but regardless our collective opinions (should) have no effect on the team. Based on last week and the practice reports this week, I’d imagine we go out and play 4 quarters of disciplined football, grind the ball and milk the clock, and hopefully win big. I don’t think they’d blow us out, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Tech loses a close one. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Tech lays a thumping on them.
PTC DAWG
October 1st, 2009
10:21 am
Oh yeah, I’ll add that IF GT wants to be at the top of the ACC, this is a game they should win. I fully expect them to get after MSU.
Matt
October 1st, 2009
10:22 am
Christopher Walker FTW BABY!!
No need to fear the cowbell, Jackets roll over Heifers.
Matt
October 1st, 2009
10:23 am
Ahhh……shoot. That’s “Walken”
BuzzKiller
October 1st, 2009
10:23 am
If Tech falls behind early they will lose to MSU. As for the UGA game, they WILL score on GT and if they do it early GT gets beat down.
Georgia
October 1st, 2009
10:43 am
Tech’s D-line isnt very good. johnson’s inherited players from last season are gone from that unit and is going to start hurting them more as the season progresses/lack of depth. Teams are obviously starting to figure out how to defend this offense. UNC isnt very good. they have no offense. Clemson and miami basically shut tech down offensively. Too one dimensional. Miss st’s team is much different than a year ago. Tech will have problems stopping the running backs of MSU on the road. close game.
GA Tech Insider
October 1st, 2009
10:45 am
A few observations from an old man;
I agree this is a “trap” game or a no win game for the Jackets and they better be very careful headed out west to Mississippi. If they win, everyone will claim that they beat a lower tiered SEC team and should have won, and if they lose, everyone will claim that the SEC is the superior conference and that GA Tech’s offense, once again, isn’t suitable for big-time college football.
The worst thing GA Tech can do is go into Starkville relaxed after the Carolina win and start looking forward to the following game against FSU. If they do, I can assure you, it will be a long night.And if anyone doesn’t think the Bulldogs don’t remember their game against the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta last season, I’ve got some gulf front property to sell you right smack down in the middle of Buckhead. They’ll be just as anxious to see GA Tech on their home turf as Miami was.
Now, we need to take into consideration that GA Tech will be playing on a football field that they have never set foot on before, with hostile fans, and playing at night; well, that’s a recipe for problems if the Jackets don’t come ready to play with their “A” game.
No, don’t any of you sell the Mississippi State Bulldogs short, my friends. My guess is that’s exactly what LSU did last week; and they almost had their heads handed to them on a platter.
Now that I’ve thrown a cold dose of reality on the situation, I will add that I feel a lot more comfortable having Paul Johnson leading the charge into Starkville that I would in the past 7 years or so. I believe that he will have his team better focused and more on “edge;” better prepared for what will be ahead, especially after the fiasco in Miami.
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
10:47 am
Dan
UGA has bad turnover problems against teams that are average at best. Your about to get into the meat of your schedule and those turnovers you speak of might get even worse. The defense your gonna face will only get better too with LSU, UT, and UF. Don’t forget the penalties that still haven’t gotten under control from last season. I like CMR, but he just can’t control his team. As a Tech fan, I’ve been worried this year, but looks like they might be coming around and playing alot better football. I’m as worried as any UGA fan is about their team. I’ll admit the offense looks better than i expected this year, but the defense looks worse. combine that with the turnovers and penalties and i’d be very worried. I do believe come November, it’ll be another close game and UGA will score on our D, but Tech will score on UGA’s D. By the way, when is a turnover ever at an oppurtune time.
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
10:49 am
It’s funny how all the UGA fans say that when we beat a team, the other team wasn’t very good. When we lose, UGA fans say that we suck because the team we played sucks or they were so much better than us. Can’t any of you fans give us any credit when it’s due.
superDawg
October 1st, 2009
10:52 am
Mark take sunday off this blog will be empty.
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
10:56 am
I am taking Sunday off, SuperDawg. But I’ll be in Athens the day before.
Marseilles Mutt
October 1st, 2009
11:00 am
Wrong again MB! GNATS is spelled correctly and is the acronym for Georgia’s North Avenue Trade School….as any old dog, or Jacket, would know.
Take ‘em Tech, but be careful.
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
11:02 am
I’m old, Marseilles, but apparently not old enough.
Ramblinwreck83
October 1st, 2009
11:02 am
Mark, don’t bother writing any on UGA blog. They’ll all be crying their eyes out after a crushing defeat in Athens.
go tech
October 1st, 2009
11:04 am
Mark, I really like your columns these days; you seem more lucid or rational or something. LOL at “Who scheduled this one? Dave Braine?”. But aren’t these games scheduled years in advance?
Either way, I agree we need to be more UF-like in our scheduling: Only schedule easy teams (what’s wrong with and FAU in this spot) that you play at home for your OOC slate. The Gators have shown that’s part of the National Championship recipe. Plus we’d get more revenue from a home game. Just a thought DRad. Don’t get me wrong, DRAD you are doing a fantastic job of cleaning up behind the Braineless one, and setting us up for success for years to come!
Oh and Mark, Tech will take this one handily: Admiral Paul Johnson is at the helm.
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2009
11:08 am
Rational? Lucid? Me? No chance.
Marseilles Mutt
October 1st, 2009
11:20 am
Son, you ain’t got the slightest idea of old! Hope you hang around long enough to learn.
Blogs seem to epitomize the old saw that “Hope springs eternal.” Maybe I am guilty of watching different games or different endings over the last several weeks, but any fan of either UGA or Tech who thinks their team will beat anyone ‘handily’, or in a ‘runaway’ needs to (__________
______________).
You fill in the blank; the thought is too ridiculous to contemplate!
GT4Ever
October 1st, 2009
11:24 am
GT’s offense as with any other offense has to block and they have not been doing that until UNC game. No ONE can run their offense without execution. They finally showed signs of doing that. NO ONE but GT has been stopping this offense.
Sure MSU has a new offense and defense but no one can say how good they’re going to be until they prove themselves. Granted they have some talent but have they really played that well. They did outplay an overated LSU team at times but how can you judge what they’ve done against the compition they’ve played. Now if they’ve done this against UF or Bama then I would say yes, “They’re good”.
From what I’ve seen thus far they’re a medicore team right now. For all you SEC homers claiming they’re going to beat us because they’re part of the SEC is ridiculous. I agree the SEC is the best conference but don’t claim their dominance after just four games.
GT will not take anyone for granted. Not with CPJ as our coach. Our guys have seen that first hand and will be ready to play every game.
Saint Simons
October 1st, 2009
11:37 am
(((((1-7))))) hahahahahahahahahahaha