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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
378 comments Add your comment
Buddy
October 26th, 2009
9:04 am
I sure hope GT fans aren’t over on the UGA blog trashing the ‘Dogs.
sunday
October 26th, 2009
9:04 am
@gthater & Get Real:
If the ACC is so “pathetic,” then why is Tech’s schedule the 15th toughest in the country? And why is Virginia Tech’s #1? Oh, and by the way, Georgia’s is 29th. Don’t believe me? http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/polls/120
collegeballfan
October 26th, 2009
9:05 am
Has the GT football team learned to live with success? Big question.
UGA never got started last year because pre-season success went to their heads.
I see no reason UGA cannot run the table the remainder of their schedule.
GT should run the table except for UGA. I just do not see the GT defense holding UGA’s offense.
Not Disappointed!
October 26th, 2009
9:06 am
Go Jackets! Going to Vandy this week, along with family and friends.
Glad you’re back Mark Bradley. The coffee was getting cold. I do enjoy your articles and blogs. I know you picked Vandy to beat us at the beginning of the year, but we forgive you. Now back to work.
Good week all! Yes, including the dog fans without class & want let go to yesterday. May I suggest they download from I-Tune “Yesterday” by the Beatles. It may easy the pain.
Ramblin Wreck!
Pago Flyer
October 26th, 2009
9:08 am
Half time in JAX…..FL 38…UGA 6
Glen Beck
October 26th, 2009
9:10 am
this is better than the Obama v birthers nonsense! Here’s the dope; no ACC team will EVER play in the BCS Championship game. the ACC is the MAC or Mountain West with better PR (location, location, location – East Coast) and, I suppose, better basketball. While VA Tech, and the old FSU and Miami teams could hold their own against the rest of the country; the remaining programs don’t provide much opportunity of “style points” or computer-friendly wins. GA Tech has a very good team and a very good coach; and they’re enjoying a very good season, but they still have games to play, and as MB points out; with a combined 14-16 record, they’re not leap-frogging anyone. As in years past, a 2-loss SEC or Big XII champ will play in the BCS before a 1-loss ACC Champ. It’s a weak conference. Do the math, an undefeated TCU or Boise State doesn’t even have a shot (at the tile game). UGA? Mediocre team in a very good conference, which gives them style points, but even they can’t compete year in/year out. We need a playoff.
GT93
October 26th, 2009
9:11 am
Thanks ‘Old Dawg Fan’ … good luck to you Saturday against FL. Agreed that having GT and UGA ranked highly at T-giving would be great for the state of GA.
MY DREAM for this season (remember I said DREAM): GT wins out regular season + ACC CG + Orange Bowl … UGA beats FL … Bama and LSU each lose one more reg season game … Bama or LSU beats FL in SEC CG … and then we hear all the SCREAMING and WHINING when the BCS system matches Texas and Iowa in the NCG
)
OMG
October 26th, 2009
9:11 am
what is funny but sad, if Maryland Terrapins who are currently 2-6 with a win over Clemson as well were in the Mountain West Conference as TCU is in, they would be 8-0 and ranked 6th in the nation. Noone would question it and hail Coach Friedgen as being one of the best coaches in the NCAA. That goes the same if they were in the WAC like Boise State.. they would reign and could even play for National Championship. And the idiots who vote for these schools, TCU and Boise State do not get it. Their conference opponents could not beat Div 1AA schools
Trade School Junkie
October 26th, 2009
9:13 am
Well, its still looking like the Clemson-FSU game on Nov 7th will decide the ACC-A.
Clemson is much stronger than FSU in EVERY aspect. And, despite their current 3-2 ACC-A record, Clemson looks like the strongest team in the ACC. So, Clemson will likely finish 6-2 and FSU finish 5-3 in ACC-A.
The Clemson-USC game on Nov 28th is gonna be one for the record books !!
Watching the Clemson-Miami game was like watching the “Thrilla in Manilla” fight. Two heavy-weights pounding each other to see who was still standing at the end. Hat tip to Clemson for winning what was a complete slugfest of a game.
Anyone else see the wicked “helicopter hit” hit on the Clemson TE
that knocked his helmet off and gave him a concussion? Brutal hit.
GT is gonna have to get MUCH better in several areas
to beat Clemson in a re-match for the ACC title.
It’ll be important to see how Clemson plays their two games against both FSU and UVA, since GT has also played those two.
If Florida does not go to BCS NC game, then I see the ACC Champ facing Florida in the Orange Bowl.
TECHFAN5K
October 26th, 2009
9:14 am
This has been a GREAT year for the Jackets! Only 6 more wins and the 2009 season will be “put to bed”. Thanks to Clemson for their help this weekend!! Unless a lot of teams that are ranked 1 – 10 lose over the next 4 weeks, Tech will be going to the Orange Bowl and will probably be ranked in the top 5 or 6 spots in the BCS. That will be a good place to start next year. Maybe in 2010 GaTech will have a chance to play in “THE BCS BOWL” and add another national championship (#5) to it’s list!!! Go Jackets!!
jacketbacker
October 26th, 2009
9:14 am
it doesn’t really matter this year…..we just need to keep winning and establish the program as a contender for future years……nobody was thinking NC this year…. i personally don’t believe its fair but its likely an ACC team will have to finish undeafed for a chance to play in the big game…….as far as I’m concerned, another win over the mutts is better than a NC!!!!!!……keep winning and everything else will eventually fall into place…..GO JACKETS!!!!!!!!
THWG
Bill
October 26th, 2009
9:17 am
Welcome back Mark. Hope you got your battery charged…and family had fun.
I pull for both GT and UGA but this hate is unreal. Its just a game, not life or death.
gthater
October 26th, 2009
9:18 am
The bottom line is Georgia is better end of disscussion!
Ramblinwreck~North ave
October 26th, 2009
9:21 am
What we actually need is for that team in Athens to carry their weight a little. If they could overachieve the next few weeks and climb to the top 20 we would look even better when we run all over that powerhouse of a defense haha. UGA is a joke and next year want be much better when you lose AJ Green.
Trey
October 26th, 2009
9:22 am
The acc is weak. Yeah right oh clueless one. GT beats MISS st worse than FLA and LSU. We didn’t need the officials. AND vandy nearly beats SC at SC??? Can’t wait to see the pounding we put on them this week and still read the delusional remarks from some of you sec morons. Times have changed. You are not above the acc anymore. If the officials weren’t conspiring to have an sec team in the title game, the acc would be ahead of your conf in the sag ratings. now we are one behind. Let’s see the refs call a fair game this weekend.
YOUR GT BOSS
October 26th, 2009
9:26 am
UGA is irrelavent.
Mutt H8r
October 26th, 2009
9:26 am
Mutts, Go back to defecating on your campus and leave us big boys to discuss football.
Get Real
October 26th, 2009
9:27 am
The acc is pathetic due to their record in the BCS games as history has proven. Now go get your slide rule and look that one up geeks. Next try and come back with how you have played oh such a tough schedule. The proof is in the games you play and the final outcome. As such defined the acc is the weakest of the weak.
Thanks Clemons Tigers!
October 26th, 2009
9:39 am
Huge W on Saturday. As a Tech fan, I’ve gotta say the Tigers are the last team I’d like to see in the ACC championship game. But what a game it would be!!
Thanks Clemson Tigers!
October 26th, 2009
9:40 am
PS- Spiller should be in every Heisman discussion.
Kay
October 26th, 2009
9:43 am
Attention Georgia Fans:
Stay off this site.
Go to your GA site.
You have nothing of significance, intelligence nor interest to add.
Act as if you have some class, even if you don’t.
Just try!
CeeJay1977
October 26th, 2009
9:46 am
Do these UGA fans really think their offense is that potent???? That is a joke and do they really think their defense can hold us? I doubt it. Just look at the FSU game. Yeah Ponder had a tremendous game as he has in nearly every game this year but our D stopped them when it counted and we just kept on scoring. So, if it is an offensive shootout GT will win against them battered Dawgs!! As for the ACC being weak that is pretty funny too. GT will probably have three(can you Dawg fans count that high?)wins against SEC teams and two of those on the road. Tebow couldn’t put up the numbers Josh Nesbitt put up against Miss State. GT scored more points than Bama could against VT. We also really took it to VTs D. We may have as many wins against SEC teams as Georgia will at the end of the year!!
calvin
October 26th, 2009
9:47 am
Steve Spurrier did coach at Tech, before he went to
Duke. He wasn’t head coach, but he was a coach.
hedge puller
October 26th, 2009
9:49 am
What do you want more, an ACC championship or a win over Georgia?
If you said “ACC championship”, go away and never call yourself a Tech fan again.
Now that we have culled the pencil neck geeks and the scribes, would you rather beat Georgia 77-0 or 2-0 with the ugag qb tripping over his own two feet and falling down in his own endzone?
Trade School Junkie
October 26th, 2009
9:51 am
I had hoped GT would have had an even more convincing win vs. UVA.
34-9 is a great win for GT in Charlottesville, but its not gonna move the BCS needle.
It needed to have been more like 56-9 (my prediction) to really move the needle and move up a spot or two in the BCS rankings.
GT Fan
October 26th, 2009
9:55 am
GO DAWGS !!!!!
CeeJay1977
October 26th, 2009
9:58 am
Hedge Puller I would defintly rather a win over UGA and I would want it to be 79-0 with Joe Cox falling in his own end zone!!
Bill
October 26th, 2009
9:59 am
Mark, The Tribe hired Acta as Manager but one of your friends John Farrel, Red Sox pitching Coach, was there first pick but he wanted to stay with Boston.
NY Jacket
October 26th, 2009
10:01 am
If I were a UGA fan, I would be more concerned about Florida that Georgia Tech this week.
hedge puller
October 26th, 2009
10:02 am
I get it; you’re a Gran Torino fan. thwg
UGA fans
October 26th, 2009
10:04 am
Truth be known, it is probably 1 or 2 UGA fans posting on here under different handles. I think most of the Georgia fanbase has curled up in the fetal position and realizes they have nothing of significance other than AJ Green.
ThePounded
October 26th, 2009
10:06 am
gthater – is the moon made out of cheese? Is ignorance bliss? Don’t mess around and let the facts get in the way! Do you wear the big red nose with the make up and the big shoes? Pity on you.
Reggie Ball
October 26th, 2009
10:10 am
Kay,
you go girl…..right back to my dorm room and i wills be ther in a sec….gots some class fo shur
Yellow Fellow
October 26th, 2009
10:17 am
Did someone mention “Big Boys”? Now that is what we need at our Tickle Pile. Some large men…..not sure how much football we will be discussing but “meat” me behind Montag Hall.
Don't Fire Willie M.
October 26th, 2009
10:17 am
“bugsquacher”
Do you realize how dumb and illiterate you look when you keep spelling your posting name “bugsquacher” instead of “bugsquasher”? SQUACH is not a word. It’s SQUASH, OK? Now you try: B-U-G-S-Q-U-A-S-H-E-R. Get it together, man!
MatthewH
October 26th, 2009
10:20 am
MB-Welcome back! I will now retire with my prediction record at 1-0 (and soon to be 2-0 since I said the Falcons would have consecutive winning seasons). I was at the game in the downpour and it started out slow but was great! It was also my wife’s FIRST college football game of any sort, and she loved it. Thanks for letting me make this prediction back in the summer.
It is a shame the Jackets probably won’t play for the BCS, but I’ll take an ACC championship in CPJ’s second year.
Tech Fan in Athens
October 26th, 2009
10:20 am
Hold the Phone!! UGA Game… ACC Championship Game… BCS Game… I think there is a Game in Nashville to worry about! Keep your helmet on, hand the ball to the referee and Just Win, Baby. One Game at a time.
MalibuGT
October 26th, 2009
10:22 am
hmmm, well mark aren’t you happy to be back from holiday?! I think the initial classless dog bloggers have set the pace (but tip of the hat to the other 20%).
If Tech wins out and doesn’t sniff the BCS title game, i will be disappointed but life goes on. no one will be able to look back at Paul’s first two years with anything but admiration.
your prediction for the Atlantic champion? Clemson has the momentum, but I expect Mr. Hyde to appear on any given Saturday. I keep waiting for the Bobby love to kick in for an FSU run, particularly with Ponder getting hot, but they just don’t seem to have any defense to stop anyone.
CeeJay1977
October 26th, 2009
10:22 am
We have to remember most UGA fans have the IQ of a bug. Spelling isn’t their thing.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 26th, 2009
10:26 am
Welcome back, Mark, and I agree with your sentiments.
I really don’t think this is the year. We might have played for it all, if we had not played back to back Thursday games, but who knows? Too many teams to jump, now.
But, this has been an outstanding year for Tech, and we need to realize that we are in the infancy of something very special. CPJ is building something, and I don’t expect the team to take any steps back as long as this man is running the show. Improvement will continue, so UGAG and the rest of the ACC are on notice.
Go Jackets!!
AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 26th, 2009
10:27 am
Oh yeah, and thanks to Yabba DABO Doo also.
CeeJay1977
October 26th, 2009
10:33 am
I think CPJ is a genius and that call to go back to Bay Bay with the same play back to back took some major cajones. It was tough to be a Tech Fan during the Chan Gailey/Reggie Ball years. So, CPJ has made the program exciting again. The way that he makes adjustments at halftime are amazing. That 10 min drive to start the second half was just brilliant. Thank you CPJ for bringing the fun back in being a Yellow Jacket fan!!!
Scrap
October 26th, 2009
10:36 am
Mark,
Welcome back to work, we’ve missed your insight. Wow, you don’t even have to write pieces to fuel the “Clean Old-fashioned Hate” them anymore. It is great to see so many comments from UGA fans all over a blog about GT. The fires are sufficiently fueled. I’ve got just one question. Have you ever and I mean EVER seen a tougher quarterback than Josh Nesbitt????
Reggie Ball
October 26th, 2009
10:38 am
Yeah Coach J a little better than we did at Ga Tech University…..but Coach and I will be back cause aint no way Paul J hangs around tha flats. No coach wants to be there………
George O'Leary
October 26th, 2009
10:40 am
I can fax a copy of my resume today…you should see it!! It will speak for itself……as it has done in the past.
Bill Lewis
October 26th, 2009
10:40 am
I am reporting for duty………..
UGA89
October 26th, 2009
10:41 am
hhmmmmmmm yourself…
1917
1928
1952
1990
Pi$$onaDawg
October 26th, 2009
10:41 am
UGA beats Gators LSU beats Bama and the SEC champ no longer matters and the BCS crumbles.
Bill Curry
October 26th, 2009
10:43 am
Count me in……I know tech will take me back because The Tide certainly does not want me back. Well maybe I will stick around Ga State because we should have better fan support and actually be able to sell out a few games.
UGA89
October 26th, 2009
10:43 am
Look at all the whiny UGA fans showing up for an article on Georgia Tech. Word to you UGA fans –you’re owned. You are owned for the next several years. GT will dominate you again and again. Seriously, how is your defense going to stop GT? GT quite possible will put up 60 on you guys.