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
Darius
November 11th, 2009
9:47 am
Bradley – I think you are about right that Tech would be the 4th or 5th best team in the SEC this year … at best. There is a reason that the ACC is called the Almost Competitive Conference.
If if's and but's were candy and nuts
November 11th, 2009
9:47 am
Tech should go back to D-1 Independents. Then we wouldn’t have to share our bowl money with all the teams in the ACC.
SEC powerhouse NOT
November 11th, 2009
9:47 am
CPJ quote from Tuesday’s press conference on a playoff system:
Inevitably what happens is you’ve got a lot of schools that can buy four games at home, so they play eight home games. They have to win probably two games that are really a struggle and if they win those games, they’re going to play for the championship. So why would they want to change?”
That is BAMA and FL, they walk around and then say look at me, we are kings of the universe.
dwight
November 11th, 2009
9:49 am
This is really a poor topic and reach Mark.
I realize you are trying to seel stories but base it on facts rather than guess work. The facts are tech is in acc not the sec. Tech left the sec for better or worse.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
9:49 am
5th in the west? Have you seen Ole Miss, MSU, Arkansas, Auburn, or LSU play?? The west is the weakest it has been in quite some time. The east is down too… I mean look at Vandy, Kentucky, South Carolina, and UT (who lost to UCLA despite the recent success). FYI future engineer we left the SEC because Dodd wanted the success that Notre Dame had as an idependent. He also was advocating for changes in scholarship limits that would even the playing field for teams that basically cheated, yes you alabama, and had like 20 more scholarships than some of the other schools in the conference. After the conference refused to change, and with the fued between Bear Bryant and Dodd…it seemed in the best interest for GT to leave the SEC. The level of competition in the SEC was about the same as other leauges back in those days….Nebraska, Notre Dame, OU, and Texas were winning a great number of AP national titles back in those days…the SEC had Alabama…not much else.
Um Wiley.....
November 11th, 2009
9:51 am
You did play LSU last year and what happened? Great point NERD.
GThor
November 11th, 2009
9:53 am
Here’s an idea, Mark. Now that you’ve done an article on where Tech would finish in the Suspiciously Eligible Conference, do one on where UGAg would finish in the ACC Coastal. I’d say 4th behind us, Miami and VPI&SU, but with UNC’s defense and the way they’ve been playing better lately, they might give the Dawgs trouble too. Maybe 5th.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
9:53 am
If you refer to my first post…I talk about that game. We turned the ball over multiple times…but had over 400 yards…the defense didnt shut us down as much as we shut ourselves down. We beat ourselves and LSU beat us…but this year I think we would win. We havent turned the ball over one time on special teams the entire year…last year in the LSU game alone it happend like three times. Different teams…different years…..any given saturday.
EDGE
November 11th, 2009
9:53 am
Hey, dull edge, your team can’t beat florida, bama, or lsu either!
Noseknows
November 11th, 2009
9:54 am
Not any better than third in either division.
Jim R.
November 11th, 2009
9:55 am
SEC Fact Check .com the spin is yours…that the ACC is more than a mediocre conference. You have an entire division that has 3 or more losses. That is fact. And one of them just might beat the only team in the league with 1 loss. The ACC is horrible and you can’t change that fact. The entire ACC hasn’r won a BCS bowl since when? That is the litmus test.
GThor
November 11th, 2009
9:55 am
Hey, Mark, here’s an idea for another article. Since you’ve discussed where Tech would finish in the Suspiciously Eligible Conference, now let’s consider where UGA would finish in the ACC Coastal. I say 4th behind us, Miami and VPI&SU, although with UNC’s defense and improved play lately, they might go 5th.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
9:55 am
Keep holding on to that bowl game from last year….its a different year. Hell, UGA was ranked number one last year…things change.
Tech82
November 11th, 2009
9:56 am
Future Engineer – Tech bolted from the SEC to go to the ACC? Do your research before you run your mouth. Idiot.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
9:56 am
Jim R…since last years orange bowl.
Jim R.
November 11th, 2009
9:58 am
GThor the difference is you guys don’t show when you win. When FSU is winning Tallahassee rocks.
Tech82
November 11th, 2009
9:58 am
Noseknows – Other than Florida, who in the SEC East would finish ahead of us?
Jim R.
November 11th, 2009
10:00 am
So Wiley that makes how many BCS bowl wins for the ACC since the inception of the BCS? Two? I rest my case. The ACC is a weak sister. THat’s just fact.
cherokee
November 11th, 2009
10:00 am
TO It will be OK………GT kicked your little puppies butts last year. I personally don’t think a 3 point victory equals a butt kicking
cccwww
November 11th, 2009
10:00 am
GT could give LSU a run for its money, GT did a great job last year in the Peach Bowl against LSU
what a joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim R.
November 11th, 2009
10:02 am
Tech82, that one’s easy. UF, UT, UGA if they beat you because it would then be an SEC game, and maybe even SC. They have the defense to stop you and enough offense to score lots of points on your sorry D.
Brad
November 11th, 2009
10:05 am
You could make the argument that if Tech was in the SEC then you are recruiting the same pool / quality players..so Tech’s speed would be equal or on same level. The key for Tech is to maintain what they are doing now to re-build their ‘brand’ and maintain it.
No doubt LSU killed us in the Peach Bowl. But if Tech can maintain this quality of play for a period of time you will recruit even higher caliber players and compete against the elite SEC teams. I would feel comfortable with Tech playing any of those elite teams in the SEC right now and having a solid chance to win.
Jim R.
November 11th, 2009
10:06 am
Wiley you’re a moron. Les Miles D rocked your world, caused all those turnovers, and then literally torched your sorry azz defense, which still is part of the game. Of course we all know that GT has never lost a game in their entire history. LMAO! Either the refs stole it or you beat yourselves. ROFL. LSU kicked your sorry butts. A 5 loss LSU team at that. You’re about stupid.
Almost Competitive Conference
November 11th, 2009
10:06 am
SEC POWERHOUSE NOT,
You are aware that CPJ described your bees to a T, right? In this decade alone Tech has shamefully played J-Ville State, Furman, The Citadel, UConn (before anyone knew they even had a football team), Samford, Troy and f’n GARDNER-WEBB.
So please, give me break.
Stan Rome
November 11th, 2009
10:08 am
GT’s defense wouldn’t stand up to an SEC schedule. Tech’s D would make them no better than 3rd or 4th in either division. And CPJ has never played defense. That won’t cut it in the SEC. Just ask UGA.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
10:08 am
lol Jim R….the same UT that lost to UCLA!!!!!!AT HOME!!!!!!!!! The same UGA team that had to get a last second kick to beat a terrible (4-5 in the pac 10) Arizona State team….AT HOME!!! Oh and lmao South Carolina?? The same team that scored 7 points against the worst defense in the ACC(NC State)….duke scored over 50 points on NC State. Come on quit denying it…Tech scored 56 points on vandy and 41 on MSU…both teams that held other SEC offenses in check….even UF. Im willing to bet Alabama doesnt score more than 20 on MSU this weekend.
hahahahaha!!!
November 11th, 2009
10:08 am
Only in nerd-dom lala land is a 3 point win a “butt kicking.” If that’s considered a butt kicking, then what is a 51-7 beating????
Ted
November 11th, 2009
10:09 am
Each conference recruits for it’s conference. In the ACC everyone has tried to keep up with Va Tech. In the SEC everyone has tried to keep up with Florida. Ga Tech plays the bottom and top of the SEC each year. Ga Tech has finally proven itself in beating Ga. Ga Tech has the speed but lacks the size. It will always be that way. The one thing we do have is CPJ and that will be the difference maker.
Tech82
November 11th, 2009
10:10 am
Jim R. – I’ll concede Florida because I think their defense is good enough to cause us problems. UT, SC and UGA? Tell me you’re kidding. You really shouldn’t start drinking this early in the morning.
Arnold Decker
November 11th, 2009
10:10 am
If Tech wants to get to the next level they need a defense.
naysay
November 11th, 2009
10:11 am
Mark,
Tech tucked tail and ran the hell out of the SEC over half a century ago for one reason. They knew they couldn’t handle the big boys of college football. That fact still remains true.
jesse james
November 11th, 2009
10:11 am
How would Tech do in the SEC? It is questions like this that show we need a playoff. I sometimes wonder why we need a National Champion. Let the players enjoy the bowl games and have great matchups from teams from different conferences. Until there is a playoff we truly don’t have a national champion. Nobody knows how a team would do in another conference.
SatchelBuzz
November 11th, 2009
10:12 am
Anybody, anywhere, anytime,….and for the record,…the “SEC speed” mantra is just plain old and largely incorrect..give it a rest.
THWG!!!
Suspiciously Eligible Conference
November 11th, 2009
10:12 am
Next question is where would UGA finish in the ACC Coastal. I’d say 4th behind Tech, Miami and VPI&SU. Maybe 5th behind UNC since their defense is so strong, and they’re starting to play better.
Jim
November 11th, 2009
10:13 am
Ted,
Keeping up with Va. Tech? Pretty sad that teams are trying to keep up with a program that has ZERO National Titles on its resume. And how does one 3 point victory in the past 8 years prove anything? You’re not very bright.
Starring Kam Fong as Chin Ho
November 11th, 2009
10:14 am
If Gt was in the SEC, the SEC power rating would drop to 2nd behind the Big 12. We can’t afford another Vandy in the conference. 1 win in 8 yrs does not a powerhouse make.
Suspiciously Eligible Conference
November 11th, 2009
10:14 am
Georgia would finish 4th in the ACC Coastal behind Tech, Miami and VPI&SU, maybe 5th behind UNC with their defense, and improved play lately.
GTinJC
November 11th, 2009
10:15 am
Two things you missed, although I like the story.
1. Give Tech a few years recruiting in the SEC and things would change personnel wise.
2. DT’s – the secret to stopping our offense is great DT’s. I don’t mean good tackles, great ones! You have to have speed, size and power. With a pair of DT’s that can dominate, you can blow up the option. Of course, you can blow up any offense with that kind of DL.
wiley
November 11th, 2009
10:15 am
Jim R…if you read my post…I said LSU beat us…”We beat ourselves and LSU beat us”. I know LSU beat us but if we didnt turn the ball over say 5 times…maybe we stand a far better chance….I mean hell we moved the ball. As for the defense…I agree they are terrible but so are some of the SEC defenses…UGA, Vandy, MSU, Auburn, and Arkansas all have terrible defenses statistically. They are in your conference right?? I mean from they way you guys talk only the good teams are in your conference. This offense is our best defense….it has to control the clock and hold on to the ball. Thats the same way the Nebraska Cornhuskers dominated college football…they had some terrible defenses but when you score 60 points…who cares…just ask the Gators…62-24.
Rico
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
Mark – nice job! I know you did not think of this subject on your own
This had to come from a staff meeting. “Way to get the feathers ruffled”. I hvae no idead where Tech would finish if they were in the SEC for one year. But, I can assure you that if they were there more than one year, Paul Johnson would find a way to get to the top, QUICKLY.
Mark Bradley
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
You know, you’ve given me an idea.
Coming soon: Where would Georgia finish in the ACC?
Thanks so much. I need all the ideas I can find.
gt2004
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
you must keep in mind that the SEC has one thing the ACC doesn’t; money. between highly lucrative tv deals, multi-million dollar facilities, and anything an 18 year old kid could want, including the most exposure for nfl scouts, there’s no way joe blow is going to pick an ACC school over an SEC school. if you put Georgia Tech in the SEC, and they got a piece of that money (TV deals, bowl tie-ins, etc), that would totally change the dynamic of the school. imagine the kids CPJ could recruit with all that extra money in facilities, perks, etc. now you’re looking at a florida defense (GT already has a better offense than Florida, including Nesbitt having equal, if not better stats than Heisman-bound Tebow). just a small quip, but you can’t compare SEC to ACC without certain qualifiers.
GTMan108
November 11th, 2009
10:16 am
Idiot.
Clemsnman
November 11th, 2009
10:17 am
GT is good, but delusions of perpetual grandeur are a bit premature. This year, Nesbitt and #8 are very good at what they do. In fact, a WR as good as #8 is not likely to be in Atl again for a while, and taking that away really would hurt that offense, if you find a qb that is as tough as Nesbitt.
But the reason Bama, UF, possibly LSU or others could beat Tech is defense. GT’s defense is okay, but not great. #91 is really good, but they are not deep enough to keep up a high level of play for a whole game.
Besides, I am thinking the Orange Bowl this yr will be full of just that, ORANGE.
cherokee
November 11th, 2009
10:17 am
Tech82 …..You have beaten Ga once in 8 years get a life. Beat them again this year and then and maybe then you can start crowing about a winning streak.
Tech82
November 11th, 2009
10:17 am
Jim R. @ 10:06am – You really should do your homework before you post. Tech put up 314 of offense to LSU’s 324 in last year’s chicken bowl. Their defense DID NOT shut us down. We shut ourselves down with turnovers and stupid penalties. LSU won the game – period. We got embarrassed but Les Miles’ defense only shut us down to the degree that our defense shut LSU down. There was a whopping ten yards of difference.
Almost Competitive Conference
November 11th, 2009
10:18 am
Nice try Suspiciouly Eligible Conference. The God awful ACC has 5 teams that aren’t even playing .500 ball. What a joke
Arnold Decker
November 11th, 2009
10:19 am
Wiley you’re the very type of guy that will drop off the face of the earth IF UGA beats Tech. And it IS possible. Truthfully, whether you believe it or not, GT ain’t there yet. They’re a flavor of the day. Do it consistently and that will change. But some of the guys above are right. Tech doesn’t have the defense to compete in the SEC week in and week out.
HBTD
November 11th, 2009
10:19 am
Mark. Pretty good call. There are clearly 4 teams – see below – are superior this year to tech. As great as all the locals think tech is, they’d be a middle of the pack team this year in the SEC. I actually think Clemson is the team that would push both Rocky Top and the Bayou Bengal this year.
1. Bama
2. Gators
3. LSU
4. Rocky Top
5 – 8 UGA, Cocky, Ole Miss, War Eagle (in no particular order)
9 – 12 Ark, Ky, Vandy, Miss St (in no particular order)
Almost Competitive Conference
November 11th, 2009
10:19 am
Nice try Suspiciously Eliglible Conference,
The God awful ACC has 5 teams that aren’t even playing .500 ball. What a joke.