The Hot Button: Where would Tech finish in the SEC?
There's a difference between ACC speed and SEC speed. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
It’s clear – to me, if not to C.J. Spiller and Dabo Swinney — that Georgia Tech is the class of the ACC. But the ACC is often described as the least of the six BCS leagues, and another conference in the neighborhood is regarded as the best. So now, today’s question:
Where would Tech rank in the SEC?
My first inclination is to say the Jackets would finish wherever Mike Slive’s refs got together and decided they should be, but that’s my little joke. Getting serious, I’d say …
Second in the East behind Florida. Third in the West behind Alabama and LSU. Fourth overall.
That wailing you hear are the cries arising from the confluence of North Avenue and Techwood Drive, but hear me out. As good as Tech is — and it is very good — there’s still a difference between the personnel of a top-shelf SEC team and of everyone else. (Ask Jim Tressel.) This doesn’t mean Tech couldn’t up and beat Florida or Alabama or LSU on a given Saturday; it simply means that, on most given Saturdays, talent would prevail.
We’ve seen the difference between the SEC and the ACC three times in this city in the past 15 months. Alabama beat Clemson in the 2008 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic and then whipped Virginia Tech in the 2009 installment. LSU beat Tech 38-3 on Dec. 31, 2008. Three games on a neutral field, three emphatic SEC victories. Anyone who says there isn’t an imbalance between leagues, at least at their respective summits, isn’t dealing in reality.
On the other hand, SEC zealots are wrong to suggest the Jackets would finish far up the track in that famous league. Tech is better than Ole Miss, better than Auburn, better than South Carolina, better than Arkansas … yes, better than Georgia. To be placed below Florida and Alabama is no great failing, for those are two of the three best teams in the land, and to be deemed less gifted than LSU is no demerit, given that the Tigers have lost only to the Gators and the Tide.
Loading ...(And yes, I have noticed that Tech beat both Mississippi State and Vandy by one more point than did the mighty Gators. Whatever that means.)
Since you asked, I don’t think it’s a question of Paul Johnson’s offense not working in the SEC. It’s an issue instead of the SEC’s Big Three having superior defensive manpower. Nobody else in the ACC has the speed to keep up with Dwyer and Nesbitt and Roddy Jones; certain teams in the SEC do.
OK, there’s my take. Feel free to call me an idiot — pretty much everybody does — but know this: I do speak from observation. I’ve seen Tech and Florida and LSU in person both this season and last, and I saw Alabama in the imposing flesh twice in 2008. And I’m not trying to denigrate the Jackets, who might well be the nation’s fifth-best team. (After Florida, Texas, Alabama and LSU. Though I’m not suggesting LSU, with its two losses, should be ranked ahead of Tech in the polls.) I’m just telling you how I see it.
You’re now free to express yourselves on this weighty matter. Why do I feel you won’t need prompting?
And now, because fair’s fair: Where would Georgia rank in the ACC?
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
901 comments Add your comment
DCDawg
November 11th, 2009
4:49 pm
Just about everything has been said and overkilled already on this blog. But what I amazing to me is that you never hear any of you windshield splatters talking two years ago, hell, 8 years ago. You little bugs have now all appeared and talking trash as though you have some amazing tradition of football. Last year was decent for you, not amazing. You beat UGA. Ruined my weekend, not gonna lie, but you still lose to cupcakes. I am as disappointed in my Dawgs this year as anyboy else, but UGA will beat Tech this year. No doubt.
Red & Black Forever.
jacketnation
November 11th, 2009
4:54 pm
Maybe we need a new DC? We definitely need two interior DL and another Derrick Morgan at the other end. We have some players that might develop. T.J. Barnes is a giant, but doesn’t make many big plays. How many tackles has Logan Walls made? Any sacks? Jason Peters? We need three stud LB’s Griffin does a good job as does the Gladiator. But we give up way too much on the ground and don’t put enough pressure on the QB. Until our Defense matches our Offense in terms of skill level, we are not going to be the best team in the country. If we get into a game in which we can’t run the ball, we are in trouble. I love Nesbitt, but he has got to come around with the passing game. I also wish they would throw the ball to Steven Hill in addition to Thomas.
That’s my thoughts. We’ll still beat UGA like a red headed step child.
CHOP BLOCK U
November 11th, 2009
5:01 pm
Once Johnson’s dirtya$$ offense finally seriously injuries an opposing player, and it most certainly will, the NCAA will be forced to do the right thing and outlaw this barbaric tactic. Once Johnson is unable to cheat anymore he’ll have to devise an entirely new offense, since without chop blocks, as we all know, this offense can’t move an inch.
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
Urm, Dawgfan, I was certainly running my mouth eight years ago and especially in the Ball/Johnson years when Tech had a few glowing moments in which we came close to ending the UGAg streak. Every team has its fairweather fans, and Tech fans are, by nature, far more subdued, but don’t lump us all together. I’m no bandwagoner (even when it comes to the Braves – I can remember paying one stinking dollar to watch Dale Murphy and Bob Horner in those awful baby blues). We love our team and we will beat our chest loud and proud … especially when we’re on a tear.
Go Jackets!
To Hell With Georgia!
TOptionSpread
November 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
2008 the ACC took 6 out of 10 in regular season last year and are 2 and 2 this year, with 3 to go and probably win 2 out of 3 of those.
Go Jackets !!! THWG
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
Ooops. Sorry DawgFan – that was meant for DCDawg.
ReGgIe BaLlA!!!
November 11th, 2009
5:03 pm
TeK wUz HaRd, mAn!!! AlL d0sE cLasSeS tHeY MaDe mEe tAkE aT GOrGiA StAtE aNd AtLAnTa UnIvErSiTiE wUz tUfF!!!!
DawgFan
November 11th, 2009
5:06 pm
Not a problem TechFan, sine I concure with DCDawg completely. Seriously, I’ve never seen as many brand new, shiny GT tags, decals and flags in my life!!! As Kincade from 680 The Fan says before any Tech updates, “on to the bandwagon!!!”
Justin
November 11th, 2009
5:08 pm
Tech Fans – congrats on a great season. Your program is going in the right direction for sure. Just don’t get ahead of yourselves. This doesn’t mean you are going to start competing for National Titles year-in and year-out as one fan suggsted. It doesn’t take much for a team to go from the TOP to the middle of the road – Just ask UGA, Oklahoma, FSU, Miami, Ohio St, etc. With most of those schools, nothing has really changed – a few injuries, a few “misses” on recruits, a few bad breaks can really change a program. You are a LONG, LONG way from being a top 10 national program every year.
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
5:10 pm
Yeah, Reggie, we remember those tough academic standards at UGA
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=3756812
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
5:12 pm
Well, DawgFan, I certainly remember some folks leaving the UGA bandwagon during the Goff/
Donnan years. I never saw such a miserable group of fans in my life.
Scott
November 11th, 2009
5:12 pm
Considering we have outscored vandy and miss st more than fla lsu and bama will, and will beat uga as worse, i’d say gt is at the top. the sec is overrated this year. the refs have kept bama and fla undefeated for money. they are not as good as the media portrays. you’ll see in the bowl games.
1990_Champs_GT
November 11th, 2009
5:12 pm
I’ve been hoping for the Jackets to get back into the SEC since the early 90’s; even if it meant playing the Gators each year. I thought bringing in Miami, VT and Boston College would improve the ACC in football… Hasn’t yet and it may not ever happen.
Let’s face facts: The winner of the SEC championship game gets an automatic spot in the BCS championship game most years. Why wouldn’t you want to be in a conference like that?!
I say the ACC “trades” GT straight up to the SEC for Kentucky. That way the ACC can have another basketball school; it’s all they care about anyway.
Paul in RDU
November 11th, 2009
5:16 pm
I think Mark has it about right – UF and ALA at the top then LSU or Tech.
And to my fellow Yellow Jackets who want to say that the SEC isn’t better than the ACC right now – you’re nuts.
Although the ACC may be up there at the top in FB at times the ACC is never going to be consistently better than the SEC in FB. The SEC has 11 large state schools and 1 private school. The ACC has 4 private schools – including the smallest school in the FBS – and an engineering school with a limited curriculum.
FB is much more important to the SEC schools (and their fans) on balance than to the ACC schools. They will spend whatever it takes to have better coaches, bigger stadia, etc.
Up here in the Triangle the fans take their football seriously but B’Ball is what they really get fired up about.
AMG
November 11th, 2009
5:18 pm
Here is my take. Florida has looked less than great this year and they have faced one team all year, LSU. I think Tech and at least 5 other teams can beat Florida this year. If Alabama wins the SEC showdown with Florida, what are the odds of GT facing them in a bowl game? I relish the opportunity. I can not think of a better opponent than the loser of Alabama vs Florida. It would shut alot of SEC people up if Tech won and would shut the ACC up if Tech lost. Please let the BCS do this thing right and not have the loser of the SEC play SW eastern girls school of champions that once beat a boys team and is undefeated in the their league of two teams. A much more meaningful game is due. I read that Florida might play ND in a bowl game. Please, are you serious. What the ***** is that. ND is a has been team and program that is still holding on to memories of 15 years ago. Lets settle this SEC ACC thing on the field.
Dr. J
November 11th, 2009
5:19 pm
Boy, you must be excited about Duke, after Weak Forrest. What a schedule. Played or beaten anyone in the top 20?
turd hater
November 11th, 2009
5:22 pm
I seriously think Gt looking that they have played no body this year except for miami and a overated virginia tech, they struggled against the winless vanderbilt and Mississippi state. they would be behind;
1 Fla
2 Ala
3 LSu
4 UGa
5 Auburn
6 Tenn
7 south Carolina
8 Gt.
Gt has no defense and they havent played anyone with speed except miami and you know what happened there. GT is so overated, wait till duke beats them this weekend, and they face a struggling UGA team that will beat them by 3 TD.
wes
November 11th, 2009
5:24 pm
“there’s still a difference between the personnel of a top-shelf SEC team and of everyone else.”
Then explain why more ACC players have been taken in the NFL draft over the past 4-5 years than the SEC has?
The SEC is better because it has more money to spend on coaching and facilities.
#1 GT fan
November 11th, 2009
5:25 pm
People who wrote comments: If this there is one thing I dont like about the conferences it is this right here. The SEC, THIS YEAR, is better then the ACC.
BUT the teams are not called the sec team or the acc team. Individual teams make up these conferences. Every conference has there good teams as well as there bad teams.
Mark: I agree 100% with every thing you said.
Except this. For all we know, the ” #1 team ” ( Uf this year ) could lose every game next year. And so could Alabama and GT. No one knows.
Pi$$onaDawg
November 11th, 2009
5:30 pm
I just red thatd beez TEZ witd az da 9 win YEAR sowz faR can I bile outs my son to goez to Teck? CMR wantz my sonr to be GOD and notz learn hoz to read.
Otto
November 11th, 2009
5:38 pm
Shouldn’t that be howz?
Hoz is what a GT student goes see at the Cheetah when they want to see what a female looks like.
Let the facts speak for themselves
November 11th, 2009
5:48 pm
Here are the facts for all those who wish to bring up last year’s Peach Bowl:
Total Yards: LSU – 324, GT – 314
Turnovers: LSU – 0, GT – 3
Of course, if you wish to add the onside kick and all turnovers on downs (which are essentially turnovers), LSU – 1, GT – 8
So, down 7 in the turnover margin but about equal in yards. TURNOVERS, not lack of ability, is why Tech lost the game last year. I challenge you to show me any team that can win when – 7 in the turnover margin.
Tech’s biggest problem is mistakes. The Miami game was no different. Missed blocks nearly every play, which led to the disaster. Every team has down games.
For all those who point to the Wake Forest game:
Total yards: GT – 463, Wake – 263
Tech dominated the game but shot itself in the foot with VERY untimely penalties – many of which led to either Wake scoring or Tech getting points taken off the board.
Let’s face it. Tech is impressive this year and deserves their spot in the top 10. No. Not the best team in the nation, but I don’t think anybody would want to play them right now. Even Florida, Alabama, or LSU.
Let the facts speak for themselves
November 11th, 2009
5:50 pm
Correction…
Tech – 463, Wake – 291
Buckhead Jacket
November 11th, 2009
6:04 pm
Swap Tech back into the SEC for Vandy in the ACC and let’s see where it all ends up in 5 years. Then you’ll have your answer…………………….Go Bumble Bees
Username
November 11th, 2009
6:05 pm
38-3 ………… enough said.
Taylor
November 11th, 2009
6:11 pm
I think its funny how Mark uses stats and stories from previous seasons to sell his points, as if Alabama’s 2008 record has anything to do with how good this team is. Tech would rank second behind Alabama. They would beat Florida.
Scoots
November 11th, 2009
6:11 pm
Still to come:
GaTech vs. Georgia
Florida St. vs. Florida
S.Carolina vs. Clemson
Perhaps after that time, we’ll have a better idea of how these two conferences stack up. I don’t think last year’s games have a lot to do with this year’s games.
We know Alabama beat VaTech, which I think may actually be the 4th best team in the ACC behind GT, Miami and Clemson. We know Tech handled Miss St. and Vandy, but they are lowly teams in the SEC. I can’t think of any other cross-conference games that took place this year.
So ultimately, we don’t know much at this point. My feeling is, aside from UF and Bama, the two leagues are pretty close this year. I think it would be great if Tech won out their games and had the opportunity to play whichever of UF/Bama does not make it to the BCS championship game. It would certainly answer some questions
Dawgday
November 11th, 2009
6:15 pm
“Anyone who says there isn’t an imbalance between leagues, at least at their respective summits, isn’t dealing in reality.”
m? you listening m? I think this was directed at you… m.
Sam Sessions
November 11th, 2009
6:15 pm
wes
November 11th, 2009
5:24 pm
“there’s still a difference between the personnel of a top-shelf SEC team and of everyone else.”
Then explain why more ACC players have been taken in the NFL draft over the past 4-5 years than the SEC has?
Once again you talk out your azz wes. As usual. Below are the facts.
SEC Football Players in the 2009 NFL Draft
Posted: April 26, 2009
SEC LEADS NATION IN NFL DRAFT SELECTIONS
# The SEC had the most selections in this weekend’s National Football League player draft. The SEC had 37 of its players selected followed by the ACC with 33, the Pac-10 with 32, Big 12 and the Big Ten with 28 each and the Big East with 27. The Mountain West Conference had 16 players selected while the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA had 10 each.
# Eleven of the 12 SEC schools had at least one player selected in the draft. South Carolina led the SEC with seven players selected followed by Georgia and LSU with six each and Alabama and Ole Miss with four each.
# The SEC has now led or tied for the lead in the most selections in an NFL Draft in 10 of the last 12 years, including the last three drafts.
# Since 1990, the SEC has had 739 players selected in NFL Drafts, tops in the nation.
Dan Gates
November 11th, 2009
6:17 pm
How about it wes? Appears you don’t know your college football.
Scoots
November 11th, 2009
6:18 pm
You always hear the media hype on the SEC say “There’s no breaks in the SEC – every week is an all-out battle.”
Kentucky, Miss St., Vanderbilt, Mississippi, plus 2 or 3 cupcakes on the schedule. That’s about half the season right there.
RamblinA
November 11th, 2009
6:22 pm
Give Paul Johnson a few more years, his own recruits, and we compete with anyone in the land. I don’t think it is so much that the SEC defense could handle our offense as much as it is our defense is terrible and couldn’t handle their offense.
A few more years, possibly a new DC, and we rise above! GO JACKETS!!! THWG
RamblinA
November 11th, 2009
6:26 pm
also, the SEC is top heavy. Anyone in the ACC could compete with any of the other SEC teams, and the better half of the ACC beats them. All of the ACC might lose to the top 3, but the rest of SEC isn’t doing much better…
Miami is on the rise, VT is always in there…they have a tough loss to Alabama, GT is obviously on the rise, Clemson is fantastic given a smarter head coach (Debo is an idiot!)…give the ACC a few years. We rise! …this is fantastic given the academic rigor of the ACC!
Scoots
November 11th, 2009
6:27 pm
Dr. J – look at the latest polls. GT is one of 4 teams in the top 25, and we’ve been 2 of the other 3.
SEC on the other hand has 3 teams
RealDawg
November 11th, 2009
6:28 pm
LOL..Mark just said Tech=Georgia because that is the spot in the SEC we are
Tech Geezer
November 11th, 2009
6:32 pm
Geez, Louise. If a frog had wings….
TB you’re just agitating the poor desperate Georgia fans.
SEC is good but there is a lot of separation between the top and the bottom. ACC is good and pretty equal top to bottom. ACC is a great conference if you are a thinking person but don’t go betting the farm on any game you think you can predict the winner.
TW
RamblinA
November 11th, 2009
6:32 pm
turd hater, your an idiot. Tech’s strength of schedule is better than everyone on that list.
Give it up, Auburn is terrible, UGAY is terrible, tennessee, south carolina…the list goes on.
If you want to talk about overrated teams in the BCS based on strength of schedule, go check out Boise…they play the likes of San Jose State and Miami of Ohio, and Louisiana Tech…etc
Your dumb turd a$$ couldn’t so much as clean the toilets at Tech. THWG
RamblinA
November 11th, 2009
6:32 pm
turd hater, your an idiot. Tech’s strength of schedule is better than everyone on that list.
Give it up, Auburn is terrible, UGAY is terrible, tennessee, south carolina…the list goes on.
If you want to talk about overrated teams in the BCS based on strength of schedule, go check out Boise…they play the likes of San Jose State and Miami of Ohio, and Louisiana Tech…etc
Your dumb a$$ couldn’t so much as clean the toilets at Tech. THWG
Frank Wren
November 11th, 2009
6:36 pm
Talent will soon be pouring out in droves to wear the white and gold.
Not with that offense they wont. The best players want to use college to prepare for the NFL. Techs “system” doesnt do that.
RamblinA
November 11th, 2009
6:36 pm
RealDawg… He said that Tech>UGA because we take your spot, therefore sending you farther down the totem pole.
UGA fans have the IQ of a gold fish.
Bzzz...you mean zzzz...
November 11th, 2009
6:45 pm
I sincerely hope that all the teams ranked ahead of Tech lose in the next 3 weeks with the exception of UF. And that the cocky bee’s get their butt handed to them by a real SEC team. The only reason you put 50+ up on Vandy is b/c you ran down the field and got a touchdown, then your defensive allowed them to do the same, thus getting your “vaunted” offense back on the field quicker. How about you learn how to play defense down there in Atlanta…or god forbid play a good defensive team!!! GO GATORS!
Dan Gates
November 11th, 2009
6:47 pm
It’s going to be absolutely hilarious in here if UGA beats Tech.
Just me
November 11th, 2009
7:05 pm
Dear Jacketnation, this blog is about football and football rankings. While your rantings about grades, intelligence, majors and criminal records may be correct, they have nothing to do with football. Please stay on topic. Tech would be 5th overall. I think they pick up an extra loss to Tennessee or Auburn.
Dan Gates
November 11th, 2009
7:12 pm
Tennessee would control the ball on Tech’s defense and Monte Kiffins defense would stop PJ’s O. As sorry as Tech’s D is I am surprised that more teams that win the toss don’t take the ball first and attempt to control the clock on Tech’s D. When Tech’s O can’t dominate the clock they’re toast. I was very surprised that WF took shots down the field in 3 third and short situations instead of calling plays that could have moved the chains. Another 1st down or 2 and WF wins that football game.
GT For You And Me
November 11th, 2009
7:44 pm
Who Cares! We would still be better than GAGGA!!!!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 11th, 2009
7:50 pm
Dan Gates: TECH’s D would not make Compton look like P.Manning when he looked like your wife in all the other games. Monte is good but he ain’t that good and UT’s O ain’t nothing but crap. I mean UT looked great against UGA’s willie D but that don’t say much. When you want to try to come and control the clock you better bring some players not the crap you have on rockytop right now.
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
7:52 pm
Yeah ,,, it’s easy to be #1 and #2 with numbers like these …
Saragin SOS rankings:
UGAg – 10
Georgia Tech – 12
LSU – 17
BAMA – 25
Florida – 42
(you can see it here: http://www.kiva.net/~jsagarin/sports/cfsend.htm)
Essentially, Tech plays the same SOS as UGAg … Tech is 9-1, 7th in the nation …
Georgia is , urm, 5-4 and 37th in the nation …
Dawgs, stop barking …
Pi$$onaDawg
November 11th, 2009
7:55 pm
Jacket Fan don’t pick on my DAWg we did keep our players out of jail this season didn’t we, signed CMR.
Jimbo
November 11th, 2009
8:03 pm
Comparing the second place SEC team (Alabama) to a fifth place ACC (Clemson) team is not a comparison. Clemson went 7 – 6 last year. Va Tech is 3rd in the Coastal division in the ACC this year. Miami flat out rolled them and they lost to UNC. Not much of a comparison. I would like to see Florida or Alabama play GA Tech. Then you would have top teams playing from each conference.
Jimbo
November 11th, 2009
8:05 pm
Oh yea. Clemson has beaten South Carolina 10 out of the last 12 years. They have comparable records. It is all about match ups.