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?
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901 comments Add your comment
GWB
November 11th, 2009
8:09 pm
Pi$$onaDawg you are one abject moron. Tennessee’s running game and offensive line would be enough to get your D. And I hate to tell you idiot child, but Monte Kiffin is considered one of the best defensive minds in the business according to folks that know a hell of a lot more about football than a retard like you. But I will give you this much. You’re damn sure in the running for biggest dumbazz ever to post in a blog.
Seth
November 11th, 2009
8:13 pm
Pi$$onaDawg is your blowup plastic boyfriend worn out. You blog 24/7. Maybe you should get a real boyfriend or something. Based on all the boys walking around holding hands on the GT campus that shouldn’t be so hard to do.
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
8:16 pm
You Techie nerds cracken me ups with the posting after hitting on the cracks pipes.
At best Techies would be a little above Vandy in the SEC. If you had to play against the big boys with SEC speeds every week, Techies is no better than 500 overall and 250 in confrance. You fluked and got lucky last year in Athens before LSU shows you what SEC talents is like.
Againts the elitesm teams like FLA, Bama, and Dawgs, Techies high school offense is goning to be run off fielding. The GT D is pathetically pass covering and rushing with SEC speedy receivers toasting them all days.
The rest of real footballs fans is laughable at the Techies and theys unreal imaginatory dreaming of greatness while being second rate stinker even within state of Georgia. Considering whole SEC or entire nations, at best Techie competes with Vandy and the other chumps schools. The nerds can’t play in a games with the SEC speeds excepts for to taking a beats down like being processed and shredded as meat for a soup bowl of chicken against LSU.
Dr. J
November 11th, 2009
8:17 pm
who’s the biggest win for tech and what are they ranked?
Richard Machado
November 11th, 2009
8:29 pm
Mark must be used to getting hammered by GT fans/Alum of which I am one.
Maybe this year we fall in the SEC where MB predicts although I think we can beat LSU and as MB says, on any given Saturday could take out UF and the tide, no doubt. We did pile up a lot of yards against LSU just not effective. But MB is right about the speed of the LSU and Bama defense. I saw it also and noted how dang fast they are. But and this is a big butt, I think CPJ wins the league in two years no matter what league he is in. We move to the SEC and CPJ’s recruiting is commensurate, we take the title very soon after.
Robert E.
November 11th, 2009
8:29 pm
For a program that’s been the equivalent of every opponents fire hydrant since 1965, you Tech fans sure are coming out of the woodwork all of a sudden talking like you are a lot more than a team barely over .500 in the last 40 years. Everyone of you will slink back into hiding when GT losses to UGA, Clemson, and your bowl game. If that happens it couldn’t happen to a finer group of fair weather bandwagon fans that still refuse to put their meat in a seat in person at a GT game.
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
8:32 pm
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 just bark … Jackets STING!
Doug Edwards
November 11th, 2009
8:32 pm
Richard too bad PJ won’t be your coach that long.
Les Miles
November 11th, 2009
8:34 pm
So the nerd fan ramblin states that anyone in the acc can play with anyone in the acc……well apparently Virginny can not play with that powerhouse of William & Mary and Maryland can not play with Middle Tennessee State. One thing the nerds can play with however is themselves.
Reggie Ball
November 11th, 2009
8:36 pm
Nice post thair hairy dawg……it is quite fun posting as someone else ain’t it….see how much funs i be havin
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
8:40 pm
Besides you Techies dont need to waste no time fretten about SEC ranking for the nerds. You soon goning to be dropping to 3rd or worst in state behind Dawgs and then GA States.
LSU in chicken bowel shows what happens to that high school offensive facing SEC speed defensing teams.
100 YARD CLOUD OF DUST
November 11th, 2009
8:43 pm
A healthy Jonathan Dyer would run all over ANY SEC DEFENSE.
Fresh_Canton
November 11th, 2009
8:44 pm
What happens when Tech goes down to UGA this year? Think it can’t happen….think again.
100 YARD CLOUD OF DUST
November 11th, 2009
8:45 pm
NESBITT is one tough DUDE.
100 YARD CLOUD OF DUST
November 11th, 2009
8:46 pm
Bay Bay Thomas is better than any SEC reciever.
Rob
November 11th, 2009
8:54 pm
They might finish there with the recruits they have now, but I’m sure we would attract a lot better talent if we were in the SEC rather than the ACC. Big time players go to the conferences where they will be seen for their career’s sake. Besides that, we still haven’t really seen any of Paul Johnson’s players yet…we are still playing with Gailey’s guys.
Reggie Ball
November 11th, 2009
9:13 pm
hoo be hating on dwyer? damn right he run all over any sec defence…..just looks what gtu dids against lsu last years….we be doin’ it hear in da hood
NorthWestDawg
November 11th, 2009
9:15 pm
“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.” … Mark, I think that sums up the SEC this year–and it’s not really THAT funny, if truth be told, because that joke is rooted to deep in reality.
And while I think Tech is the class of the ACC, this isn’t saying that much. Who has Tech beaten that’s noteworthy? No one. So, it’s fine to make assumptions about where Tech might finish, beating the SEC’s two perennial bottom feeders and a bunch of also-rans in the ACC doesn’t mean they’re all that great. … But in fairness to all, no one has looked that great this year in any league against good competition on a consistent basis.
I do think Tech is better than Georgia this year, but a blind man could see that. But I wouldn’t bet the farm on Tech just yet. In this year of mediocrity, you just never know.
bcwreck
November 11th, 2009
9:21 pm
I think Tech would do very well this year in the SEC… maybe top 4 or 5. I’m just hoping that Tech plays in the BCS Championship game this year. I think they deserve it.
ambushed
November 11th, 2009
9:21 pm
Tech WAS in the SEC. A charter member, they turned YELLOW and left. That’s Dodd’s legacy being chicken, cuttin’ and running. They would be about 4th alright…in the east.
TeeBerry
November 11th, 2009
9:27 pm
Let’s see, Bradley also said Brett Favre was overrated. Oh, yeaaahhhh.
I think the GB Packers will tell you Mark Bradley is full of number 2.
You know, I’ve NEVER heard anyone say the ACC is the sixth best BCS conference. I guess that comes from the source of Mark’s # 2s.
The SEC is the toughest conference year in and year out. No doubt. But that doesn’t diminish the ACC. Incidentally, there are more top 25 teams in the ACC at present than in the SEC, or any other conference: Clemson, Tech, VPI, and Miami.
Mark also said Bob Waterford was a better quarterback than Brett Favre.
Favre has a lifetime QB rating north of 92. Waterford had more interceptions than TD’s. And a QB rating south of 69.
What a sports oracle.
67Cheers
November 11th, 2009
9:31 pm
DC Dawg earlier on this blog stated: “You little bugs have now all appeared and talking trash as though you have some amazing tradition of football.”
DC….you stand corrected. GT has an absolutely amazing tradition in football. Can you imagine seeing the highest honor in college football named the Butts Trophy? I’d like to see your Butts pose DC.
JacketFan
November 11th, 2009
9:40 pm
Hey, mutts, you keep ignoring the numbers …
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 lost their bark … left with a whimper.
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
9:47 pm
67Cheers – “DC….you stand corrected. GT has an absolutely amazing tradition in football. Can you imagine seeing the highest honor in college football named the Butts Trophy? I’d like to see your Butts pose DC”
67 thats real maturing to makes funs of the mans name. Seems to me yall been running arounds with a bunches of Johnsons, Balls, and Coxs for sometimes nows.
In realty you nerds team is just a ufenism for kitty cats.
67Cheers
November 11th, 2009
9:51 pm
Hey Hairy….good to see I got a rise out of you. Not only does GT have an amazing tradition in college football, but also laughs last. Revenge of the Nerds is a reality, puppy boy.
Jackets Keep Rollin'
November 11th, 2009
10:01 pm
May be I’m the crazy, but I just dont fall into the category of people who cares to keep talking about the SEC. Ugh, enough already. This has been one of the best seasons ever for TECH, but one of the most boring national races ever, since the media folk wont SHUT UP about the SEC.
Mr. Bradley, thanks for the article. But seriously, you might as well be talking about NASCAR — you know, the SEC fans are kinda similar…
Hot Button, Part 2: Where would UGA rank in the ACC? | Mark Bradley
November 11th, 2009
10:17 pm
[...] word of explanation: This whole thing got started, as whole things will, when I posed the question: Where would Tech rank in the SEC? (Fourth behind Florida, Alabama and LSU, I said.) One or two of you suggested an even better idea [...]
GT GRAD
November 11th, 2009
10:34 pm
Well let’s see:
IF GT had Florida’s schedule:
Charleston Southern – Win
Troy – Win
Tenessee – Win
Kentucky – Win
LSU – Loss
Arkasas – Win
Miss St – Win
UGA – Win
Vandy – Win
South Carolina – Win
Florida International – Win
FSU – Win
GT would be 11-1 (unless the SEC referees wanted GT to be undefeated as they obviously have helped Florida – if this were the case the LSU game would be a Win as well & GT would be 12-0)!
Fairly convincing I would say!!
Important comments regarding the 38-3 LSU game: I understand the final score was UGLY, but I am a little tired of so many people claiming LSU shut our offense down.
LSU had 324 yards total offfense.
GT had 314 yards total offense.
The difference in the game was primarily from turnovers and poor field position.
LSU had ZERO turnovers.
GT had THREE turnovers.
GT was also 2 for 6 on 4th down……….just like FOUR more turnovers.
The game got away from GT early and the snowball kept getting bigger and bigger as the desperation plays continued going in the favor of LSU.
LSU beat GT soundly (38-3) and I am not suggesting anything different; however, they did NOT shut Coach PJ’s offense down as so many people and media pundits are claiming.
GT JP
November 11th, 2009
11:02 pm
First off, the ACC is a fantastic conference. The schools are prestigious and athletically sound. As far as being ’sixth of the BCS conferences,’ that’s ridiculous. I have watched a lot of football this season, probably too much, the only conferences that are more competitive top-to-bottom are the Pac-10 and Big East, maybe the SEC. The Big Ten and Big 12 have proven pretty soft.
Second, the match-ups that you mentioned in your article, Alabama/Clemson, GT/LSU, and Alabama/VT are extremely convenient and poor examples. Alabama practically played for a NC last season and is likely to play for one this season. LSU was the previous years National Champ.
George
November 11th, 2009
11:03 pm
Calvin, Have you forgot Georgia Tech has already beat Clemson this year
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
11:05 pm
The Chicken Soup Bowl was 38 – 3 and you wimpy nerds was winering about score running by an SEC team of Tigers. The Dawgs is goning to do much worst than the Tigers againt you.
I cant even waits till AJ Green drops 50+ big ones on that pourus Techie D. I smells another 51 – 7 beating down in Atlanta after Turkey Day.
But first you’d be choking on Blued Devils to lose ACC this Sats in high school game at Durhams.
Go Dawgs!
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
11:09 pm
At 38-3 the Bengle Tigers found that Chicken Soup was good Soul food for them Cajuns while exposuring the ACC as a chumps confrence.
fuzzybee76
November 11th, 2009
11:20 pm
GT grad
Nice post. I agree with much of this. I think the tossup games are UT and LSU, both with good defenses. I think we beat LSU and UT this year by outscoring them. Last years team was very young. Special teams were awful in chicken bowl. Lets dont forget BAMA got smacked by Utah with an average 60th rated recruting class and a great mis-direction spread option. Everybody thought Utah would lose big!
Lets see how Tech does against UGA and Clemson does against USC and see how the bowls play out. Love to see UM get LSU back in the chicken bowl.
Alan
November 11th, 2009
11:22 pm
I am a GT fan all the way. Graduated from GT, had a son and daughter Graduate from GT and my 3rd child goes to GT. That said, i would have to agree with you.
fuzzybee76
November 11th, 2009
11:37 pm
answering Bradleys question. 3rd. Next year, barring NFL jumpers, look out! We lose 3 starters off the
2 deep chart ie 3 out of 44 players. The redshirt class coming up is strong! All skill guys back. And a coach with brass ones!:))
HairyDawg
November 11th, 2009
11:54 pm
fuzzybee76 – “Next year, barring NFL jumpers, look out! We lose 3 starters off the2 deep chart ie 3 out of 44 players. The redshirt class coming up is strong! All skill guys back.”
That’d be like saying UGAs goes back to No. 1 this years if Moreono and Stafford stays. They didnt and we aint.
But we still more than good enoughs to whoops All-bums, Kens Tuck, and Bugs for a table running.
VanLeerDeathCampSurvivor
November 11th, 2009
11:58 pm
Everybody makes mention of the head to head match ups between the SEC and other conferences, particularly the Big 10. But none of these match ups occur in the thick of the season. They happen after the incredibly long November/December layoff. I think that SEC teams have an advantage in terms of preparation for the bowls because of the warmer climes. I think this is the same advantage that USC has over Big Ten schools. Yeah, you can point to Bama’s victories over Clemson and VT, but those teams were overrated from the get-go. Look at how badly they finished after those losses.
I can’t explain LSU’s shellacking of GT last year…and I won’t even try.
fuzzybee76
November 12th, 2009
12:00 am
HairyDawg
Let me be the first to welcome you to Bobby Dodd this year for the 2nd of 3 in a row! What was that you said, thank you sir may I have another!!!!!
BS Patrol
November 12th, 2009
1:05 am
Alan,
Unbelievable! Why don’t you just get down on your knees and pray to the Dooley statue?
Navyfan
November 12th, 2009
8:32 am
Teddy, SEC solution = putting 9 in the box and it will shut down the Jackets? Because the Jackets can’t throw? Idiot. You are obviously biased enough to let your prejudice get in the way of good sense. Uh….heard of “BeBe” Thomas? He’s kind of GaTech’s lead receiver who burns corners when defenses put 9 in the box. Teams don’t shut down GaTech with your lego solution of 9 in the box. Laughable conclusion. Ohio State tried that on Navy. The Navy this year, that burned Wake Forest, Notre Dame and almost upset the Buckeyes. It doesn’t work. GaTech will catch them with 1 on 1 coverage, almost every time. In case you didn’t know, Thomas is an NFL sure thing, which Navy doesn’t have… You really stand by your assessment? Reassess. GaTech would do well with the pass. They derail defenses through the air with ‘9 in the box’. Conduct a modicum of research, and see PJ’s record at Georgia Southern and how many yds he got through the air. Hint– a lot. It’s that exact reaction to the run (9 in the box) that allows easy, huge plays through the air. GaTech would do just fine in the SEC. You’ll see in the next few years. Going to enjoy the next few years…. you won’t. Remember to tell me how the crow tastes.
UTVol
November 12th, 2009
8:46 am
Two UT players arrested early morning for armed robbery. Starting safety Janzen Jackson and receiver Nu’Keese Richardson.
About week, alabama, sec, game - Find me About
November 12th, 2009
9:35 am
[...] It’s clear – to me, if not to CJ 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. …Read Original Story: There's a difference between ACC speed and SEC speed. (AJC photo by Curtis … [...]
JM
November 12th, 2009
10:41 am
You must also mention that GT’s talent would be upgraded if they were in the SEC. Face it alot of people around the highschool programs push kids into SEC programs even when other schools would be a better fit. (look at the recent transfer to GT from Alabama as a recent example)
Partha
November 12th, 2009
11:50 am
I like this article because it’s a different perspective. For the last few years the ACC was all Florida St and Virginia Tech, and now it’s about GT and Clemson. But what if Tech went back to its SEC days, today?
Nice article.
Dead Mike
November 12th, 2009
12:52 pm
It’s official. Tech fans are back on the bandwagon. What a joke. I hope CPJ leaves as soon as he gets an offer from an elite football school. Tech “fans” (if you can call them that) don’t deserve him. People say Braves fans are the worst in MLB but I think Georgia Tech has the worst fans in any sport. Even now their fans don’t show up to games. When the team is down it is because it is too hard to recruit at GT and football is only important to morons. When the program goes back up for a season or two all the sudden football is the most important thing in the world.
Philip
November 12th, 2009
3:49 pm
Just for the record, who beat Tech last year in the bowl game?? Oh yeah, a SEC team hammered them down! I am just saying…..
willie martinez
November 12th, 2009
7:19 pm
jacketnation, you need to practice on your subject verb agreement. requirements is plural.
best, willie
Pi$$onaDawg
November 12th, 2009
7:53 pm
DEAD MIKE: I been on this TECH bandwagon since 72 through the good and bad. Had season tickets for a long time. How long you had your tickets?
CFBFanatic
November 13th, 2009
2:30 am
Believe it or not Mr. Bradley, the SEC is not the be-all end-all of college football. I don’t know where to start. Its one thing to claim the SEC as the best conference in college football – they are. Its totally different to completely dismiss every other league as far and away worse.
What I can’t figure out about SEC fans (That’s fans of the conference, like yourself…Not to be confused with fans of the schools from the SEC) is how they find the need to trash the ACC endlessly yet can’t explain why the SEC was .500 against the ACC last year or why the SEC is just slightly above .500 against the ACC in the last 3, 5, and 10 years.
And BTW, in case you haven’t watched a game without an SEC team in it, there is PLENTY of talent and speed in the ACC. Check out the NFL draft for the past five years or so. Clemson, UNC, and VT have defenses just as talented and fast as any team in the SEC.
LSUfan
November 16th, 2009
11:45 am
It is funny how everyone bashes LSU and as an LSU fan I will admit we have struggled with some of our games. Let’s look at the scores. LSU held Florida to 13 points. Even thought this team had an extra week to rest up and prepare for the game. UF is a great team, but it is the lowest scoring game they have had to date. The alabama game had a call that was “let’s say” wrong in the fourth quarter. Video evidence and the announcers comply with this testimony. They didn’t win by many points. The only two losses we have this year are against number 1 & 2 by very few points. We have a great defense. We struggle with our offense. GT has a great program and so does most of the SEC Schools. UF and Bama are the best in the league this year. GT would probably be somewhere in the middle, but I do think Georgia, SC and LSU would beat them if the game were held today. To say Tech could go right through LSU’s Defense. I say no. Remember Look at the final scores of the games. A win is a win and everyone knows that is the only thing that matters to voters in the polls.