Tech will grace a BCS game, but not THE BCS game
The good news: Georgia Tech should — not could, should — play in the Orange Bowl as the ACC champion. The less-good news: Georgia Tech cannot reasonably aspire to anything better than the Orange Bowl, and there is one game better. It will be played in Pasadena, and it’s for the BCS title.
Tech was ranked No. 11 in the BCS standings announced yesterday, and to play for the BCS title a team must be no lower than No. 2. It sounds overly simplistic to say that for Tech to climb nine spots nine teams would have to lose, but that’s essentially how it is. With the Jackets’ schedule, they aren’t apt to jump anybody ahead of them so long as those teams keep winning.
A few of those teams must lose. Alabama and LSU will meet, and the winner of that game will surely play Florida for the SEC championship. And Southern Cal and Oregon face off this weekend. So that’s three teams ranked above Tech that are guaranteed having one more loss than they do today. But only three.
It’s unlikely Boise State or TCU will lose. (Cincinnati could, though: The Bearcats have West Virginia and Pittsburgh remaining.) And if the current standings suggest anything, it’s that an unbeaten team from a non-BCS league figures to trump a once-beaten team from the ACC.
The Jackets have four games remaining in their regular season. They’ll be favored in each. The cumulative record of those four teams is 14-16. Not one is ranked. Nothing Tech does in those four games is going to impress anyone the way, say, Oregon beating Southern Cal or LSU beating Alabama would. The meat of Tech’s schedule is behind it, and even the ACC title game in Tampa figures to offer no heavyweight opposition. Every Atlantic Division team holds at least three losses.
Put simply, a once-beaten conference champion from the Big 12 — say Texas loses to Oklahoma State this Saturday but then wins out — or the Pac-10 would surely shade Tech in the final rankings. The ACC has lost cachet by the carload these past few seasons, and history teaches that the teams extended the benefit of the BCS doubt are those that have already caught someone’s eye. (Think LSU in 2007, which was ranked No. 1 twice only to lose and still wound up the national champ.)
For all its splendid work, Tech isn’t yet in the top 10. The guess here is that it will be somewhere around No. 5 come Dec. 6, the day the final BCS standings are revealed, and that in the grand scheme is really good. (The obvious assumption is that Tech won’t lose again this calendar year, which it shouldn’t.) But the BCS will never be a truly grand creation simply because different teams and different leagues are held to different standards.
Were Tech still in the SEC with its one loss, it would stand a fighting chance to reach Pasadena. Because it plays in a conference that has lost whatever sheen it once possessed, it has next to no chance. Sad but true.
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378 comments Add your comment
GT Killa
October 26th, 2009
1:57 am
bugsquasccssccsser, hmmmmmmmmmm, et al (that means the rest of you) UGA is like the bully who picks on another kid when he gets beat up, only to have the 2nd kid also take him down. You’re getting it handed to you by SEC foes, and you don’t have GT to kick around anymore… that leaves……ahh yes, message boards/blogs!!! go nuts!
GTpeace
October 26th, 2009
2:00 am
This thread started about GT and was diverted by a bunch of kicked puppy dawg fans. History is history, this year the Yellow Jackets will be kicking your puppy a$$es just like last year!! Remind me, who did dawgs beat this year? …..Good luck against Florida, it would be great if UGA pulled the upset so that GT’s ranking is higher when we kick your butt.
BuzzGT
October 26th, 2009
2:39 am
Why aren’t the Dawg fans talking about the Florida game? Have they already conceded a loss? I now think they have a chance against Auburn. On a good day, they will keep the Kentucky game close. So, all is not lost.
macrotech
October 26th, 2009
2:45 am
I’m not going to be TOO disappointed if Tech doesn’t get a shot at the National Championship this season. The ACC hasn’t been all that stellar this year, but there are signs of things stepping up. Some of the “Ole Faithful” teams are showing signs of getting back on track and schools like NC are making strides in the right direction. After, hopefully, Tech wins out the season with a bowl victory we should expect to have garnered the appropriate attention next season! The polls haven’t given us much love this year…that’ll change if we continue our winning ways! Either way, at least we’re ticking bugsquacher off! I laugh everytime he posts! GO TECH!!!
Whopper Dawg
October 26th, 2009
2:46 am
GT – Welcome to play the Big East champion if you should win the ACC. Wonderful reward.
GT Killa
October 26th, 2009
2:50 am
Whimper Dawg, it would be champion vs champion in a bcs bowl. excuse me, which bcs bowl will you guys be playing in this year?? See ya in memphis, liberty bowl dogs to get thumped by houston.
wonderful reward
BravesFan79
October 26th, 2009
3:35 am
Wow…. this article would of made for a great argument for a PLAYOFF system… instead every article on here is a bunch of little BABIES bickering about retarded meaningless stuff . No wonder your SPORT SUCKS….
For the record im a GT and UGA football fan. I hope every undefeated team stays undefeated so that more school presidents feel screwed over and finally get pissed enough to demand a change!
After all…. even if GT (my favorite football team) went undefeated…. do you Really think thed get in the title game over a 1 loss SEC champ or a 1 loss Texas/ USC?? Hell No!!
College football is a sham, and the biggest looser is the fans, and the players. Enjoy your free http://www.whogivesasht.com bowl t-shirt SUCKERS.
The greedy college presidents of the PAC 10 and Big 10 are laughing all the way to the bank.
George P.
October 26th, 2009
6:20 am
The loss to Miami will keep Tech out of the championship game. Let’s focus on the ACC championship this year. Next year we can worry about the national championship.
Let’s just ignore these whiny little Georgia fans. They just want a reaction, and you are giving them what they want. Ignore them completely. You know it kills them that we are having so much fun this year. Just sit and silently smile at how sad they are.
Yellow Fuzz
October 26th, 2009
6:22 am
45-42
Yellow Fuzz
October 26th, 2009
6:26 am
Hey dog nation,
The problem you are having is:
1. I am NOT lying in any of my posts.
2. I DO have respect for the Georgia coaches and players individually
3. I DO NOT have respect the dog nation collectively
4. I have no beef with any other school
5. You are being forced to learn a new role and not liking it. It’s like moving from the bedroom to the outdoor dog house for the first time. Similarly, it’s like moving from a Florida Bowl in January to one in Idaho or wherever Weedwackerville is (Poland I think).
6. Georgia Tech football players and coaches do NOT fear Georgia players and coaches any more.
7. Tech Nation does not fear the dog nation anymore!
8. The koolaid isn’t working for you any more
9. georgia = Florida & Tech’s bitch.
10. You know I’m right when I say “at Georgia you strive to fit the mold/At Tech we design and build the molds”
Enjoy your anual BEAT DOWN in Jacksonville. Hope you “destroy some property tonite” or something stupid like that. Lol. I went down with my girl friend last year (otherwise I wouldn’t be caught dead) and it was the absolute most lopsided game I have ever seen in my entire life, seriously. “Total Domination” until the last few seconds of the game when they apparently let you score so the Florida Fans (only ones left in the stadium) could give YOUR team a standing ovation-PRICELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
((((( 49-10 ))))) Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Yellow Fuzz
October 26th, 2009
6:37 am
I believe Florida might have purposely held back on Miss St so TeBow could break Hershal’s record against the dogs. It’s part of that end zone celebration-pay back. LOL.
Doug the Jacket
October 26th, 2009
6:40 am
The only game that matters in the GT-UGA series is the current game – history means nothing, proves nothing. All that matters is winning when these two line-up, and that’s what GT will do again this year. Losing one game in 2009, winning the ACC championship game and returning to the Orange Bowl will be a monumental turn-around for GT, proving all the pundits wrong about GT’s ability to recruit and compete at the highest level, or win using Johnson’s system. The BCS championship game comes later. Whine pups. Tech is back!
Chip
October 26th, 2009
6:40 am
Enter your comments here
LOL at the classy UGAg fans.
Yellow Fuzz
October 26th, 2009
6:42 am
The only georgia history that Paul Johnson and his team cares about is 45-42!
They don’t give a flea’s azz about what happened when William Alexander and Steve Spurrier coached at Tech.
Cobb Dawg
October 26th, 2009
6:47 am
Yellow Piss,
hahahah, when did Steve Spurrier ever coach at Tech moron. You are a f’ing idiot that lives in the land of make believe. We own you techies no matter what you make up to make your self feel better. Loser!
GT Rules State
October 26th, 2009
6:48 am
Interesting once again how the same UGAyers show up on a GT post. Gonna be interesting, cause the only “bowl” that UGAayers will own will be their breakfast bowl and a dog bowl (if they have a dog)
Mark Bradley, to intelligently address you post … I agree. Would be a great year to win the rest of our games, win ACC Champ, go to Orange Bowl … and crush UGA again, Do so, and we finish in Top 5.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
6:48 am
The funniest GT blog of the year will be the one right after UGA wins on 28 November. Tech is Tech. Somehow they will screw it up. Always have….always will.
Booger
October 26th, 2009
6:49 am
pathetic, you dorgs. the story is gt – i know you hate to lose but seems like that is your destiny in 2009. choke choke choke……
Jacket3
October 26th, 2009
6:50 am
Ok here is a fantasy…the Dogs knock off the Gators, Virginia knocks off VT and Vandy Upsets Tenn in overtime.
The Jackets are consistent and win out. Top ten? Not bad at all. The Orange Bowl is always a New Year’s Day game.
NOW – If anyone believes that Coach Paul Johnson will be satisfied without GT playing for a national championship or being in the hunt from now on – needs to get another life.
GA Tech Insider
October 26th, 2009
6:51 am
George P. – GA Tech doesn’t play Miami, just Wake Forest at home and Duke at Duke. If they win of those games, they win their division and go to the ACC Championship.
Now to my main point; People seem to forget that this is only Paul Johnson’s 2nd year on campus, and he’s still playing with about 95% of Chan Gailey’s players.Most people would have been thrilled to have just kept the bowl streak alive for a couple of years; at least until he started getting his own personnel in place that would be better suited to his offense (4-5 years down the road).
The fact that the Jackets won 9 games last year, and tied for their division, and have a chance for double-digit wins this season, along with not only winning their division but the ACC Championship and a BCS berth, well, that’s truly remarkable.
Let’s couple all of that with the fact that Paul and the boys have busted up so many streaks (beaten UGA, FSU not only for the first time in so many years, but for the first time in Tallahassee, ever, beaten Virginia since 1990, etc.), well, I think everyone would have to agree that the time line for success has been moved up, almost like an onside kick during the opening kickoff of a game. Totally unexpected and really put the team in great field position much sooner than anyone expected.
All of the UGA fans who are on this blog making all of their crazy comments will only get worse over time. Their jealousy will grow as GA Tech’s success grows and UGA begins to fade due to their program becoming stagnant. They will become more and more frustrated, and they will continue to hurl insults at the Jackets because of their blind “loyalty” to the Bulldogs. Until they admit the problems lies with their own team, that will wallow in mediocrity, and the Jackets will continue their ascent and dominance.
GT Rules State
October 26th, 2009
6:51 am
Btw, … just watch. UGAyers own nothing when they won’t even get bowl bid. Now whose the loser? I love it
GA Tech Insider
October 26th, 2009
6:54 am
Cobb Dawg; Steve Spurrier started his College coaching career at GA Tech on Pepper Rodger’s staff in the late 1970’s. In fact, he was on the same staff with the late Norm Van Broklin, former Head Coach of the Falcons. He eventually went on to Duke as their Head Coach.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
6:54 am
IF Tech gets to the ACC title game and Clemson is the opponent GT will lose that game as well. Right now across the board Clemson is the better football team. Without help from the refs earlier in the year GT gets beat by Clemson then. Watch how fast GT’s Cinderella season turns into a pumpkin. GT’s pass defense will be the goat that eats the dream.
Tim Tebow
October 26th, 2009
6:56 am
Lord help me to be humble when I crush the dorgs and humiliate them. I know they are trembling at my name but help them to at least show up.
WTH
October 26th, 2009
7:00 am
I don’t really think Paul Johnson cares about 45-42, that is past history also. He just wants to win the next one.
Georgia fans on here are hilarious, they play the no. 1 team this week and they are concerned about GT. Paul Johnson being at GT is scaring them to death.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
7:00 am
Nobody wants a team that takes 25 fans on the road in their bowl game. GT is the last team the ACC title game venue wants in their game. Persona non grata in Jacksonville and next will be Tampa. Tech fans are champions at mouthing off on blogs and monumental losers when it comes to putting meat in out of town seats.
dgroy
October 26th, 2009
7:01 am
Folks, life is good…….Georgia Tech Won:), Clemson Won:), UF won:)…….Georgia doesn’t L o s e:):)…….hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah
booger
October 26th, 2009
7:03 am
maybe uga will at least have a green nutty bowl this year. or a trip to music city.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
7:05 am
Yes UGA plays a #1 team this week. Something GT will never get the opportunity to do. In their conference or a bowl.
79
October 26th, 2009
7:06 am
Cobb Dawg writes;
“…when did Steve Spurrier ever coach at Tech …..”
In 1979 Spurrier coached the quarterbacks at Georgia Tech under Pepper Rodgers. In fact, while later the head coach at Duke, he took special pleasure in beating us because we fired Pepper.
ARTC writes;
“…Somehow they will screw it up. …”
Yes, yes we so often do
booger
October 26th, 2009
7:09 am
be sure to SHOW UP in Jax. Playing and showing up – something there is a question about in Athens.
Nick Saban
October 26th, 2009
7:10 am
Sooner or later horrible defense and special teams play will get you beat. Tech is a one trick pony.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
7:12 am
Yes the Ole Ball Coach was at Tech. Did like they all do too. Got out of town on the 1st thing smokin when he got the chance. Nobody stays.
booger
October 26th, 2009
7:13 am
read the headlines. GT is the story. go back to sleep, dorgs.
AZ Jacket
October 26th, 2009
7:20 am
Thank you, CPJ for coming to Tech and bringing this program back to where it belongs. The only thing I can say today is, “Let’s go get Vandy.” That is the only important game for us now. Go Jackets
snellville jacket
October 26th, 2009
7:21 am
despite everyone’s glee in Tebow breaking the record this Saturday you are comparing apples and oranges. Herschel only attended three years not four.
Let the Dog Fans cry and degrade this is all they have for this year.
ThePounded
October 26th, 2009
7:28 am
Georgia has a fairly good football tradition. Definitely some good seasons and a national chamionship. That’s all in the past. Winners are judged by the here and now. You don’t get ranked because of what you used to do. With that in mind, the dogs are sad losers…4 & 3. Go back and get some of those 8mm films of when you were good. The dogs pretty much SUCK. Look it up!
Dawg Fan 74
October 26th, 2009
7:30 am
GT will find a way to choke.
GT Rules State
October 26th, 2009
7:32 am
No bowl for UGA …. losers!
Hey ARTC...
October 26th, 2009
7:33 am
If them Dawgs had lived up to their preseason #1 ranking hype instead of folding like a house of cards, Tech would have beaten a number #1 team last year. Instead they were left beating a (once again) over rated Dawg team that pi$$ed on itself.
AZ Jacket
October 26th, 2009
7:34 am
ARTC, you are bitter. Chill out.
AZ Jacket
October 26th, 2009
7:36 am
Dawg Fan 74, you guys have been saying that every week this year. Give it a rest. You have been wrong 7 out of 8 times.
booger
October 26th, 2009
7:37 am
Bud Foster: Willie, we tried to contain the corners. They’re to fast.
Willie M: Well what about Nesbitt?
Bud Foster: We couldn’t guess right or left or dive.
Willie M: What about Thomas?
Bud Foster: Too fast and too tall and too strong. Once he gets a step on our guy – he’s gone.
Willie M: What about Derrick Morgan?
Bud Foster: Well we doubled and tripled him. Still kicked our butts.
Willie M: What can we do What can we do What can we do???
Bud Foster: Just go buy those extra tickets at Bobby Dodd and enjoy watching a great football team – the one in white and gold.
ThePounded
October 26th, 2009
7:37 am
cobb dog – what year did you get your GED? Those with no vocabulary or education always resort to profanity and derogatory terms. It looks as if that is requirement for those dog fans who have no real ties to the university.
ARTC
October 26th, 2009
7:41 am
IF seems to be historically the word most closely associated with GT football huh Hey ARTC?
GT Rules State
October 26th, 2009
7:41 am
UGAyers … an army of ants with no clout, a sorry team, and an embarrassment to the SEC. Your in dungeon losers. Now you know how it feels to be Vandy and it’s gonna be like that for a long time coming. UT’s kicking your butt out recruiting the blue chip dumba$$ you usually get that can’t make it in to GT.
Required Reading | Hard Knox Sports
October 26th, 2009
7:44 am
[...] Georgia Tech has a nice look at BCS. [AJC] [...]
Voice of Reason
October 26th, 2009
7:45 am
Cobb Dawg, Spurrier was an assistant on Peppers staff at GT. He was in consideration, though not seriously, for head coach when Curry was hired. SS campaigned to stay on staff, but Curry wrongly or rightly decided to go another direction. Shortly thereafter, the Ball coach ended up at Duke as head coach, and the rest, as even you should know, is history……… What was that about somebody being a moron?
booger
October 26th, 2009
7:50 am
whooooshh……..nuttin but net…………..
Dogsbgone
October 26th, 2009
7:50 am
The dogs sure like to live in the past but with their present and future it is all they have got!