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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900 comments Add your comment
Newnan Jacket
November 11th, 2009
12:32 am
My Turn!
gold and white
November 11th, 2009
12:32 am
first!
gold and white
November 11th, 2009
12:33 am
just beat me there…
Robby
November 11th, 2009
12:34 am
I would have to agree that! Go Tech! THWG
Mark Bradley
November 11th, 2009
12:34 am
You guys are too fast. I can barely Tweet the post on Twitter before you find it. Kudos to one and all.
waldejh
November 11th, 2009
12:42 am
I think that you are spot on. The Big 3 of the SEC are extremely fast on defense, but I think that we could have that same ability at Tech. I think that Johnson has done a fine job, and that it wont be long before we are an annual contestant for the national crown. I dont think that we have the defense to stand with the powerhouses yet, but great players like to win and it looks like we will see a lot more victories to come on the Flats. Talent will soon be pouring out in droves to wear the white and gold.
waldejh
November 11th, 2009
12:43 am
Oh and can we please get a kicker. Like a real one.
Newnan Jacket
November 11th, 2009
12:43 am
Luck…
Georgia Tech could win in the SEC and they’ve done so in the past. Aside from that, do you remember a few years ago, SEC coaches saying that the SEC was at a disadvantage because of the parity in the league? Because there weren’t any undefeated teams they weren’t in the NC conversation. What a short term argument! Long term?That parity then brought three of the best teams in the country now. Same with the ACC: beating the snot out of each other now will only make us stronger later on. Maybe then MB can ask an even better question: Where would UGA be ranked if it were in the ACC? (My answer would be 12th… but then I am biased)
Ryan
November 11th, 2009
12:46 am
I really think that we would beat Florida or Alabama if we were given the chance. This is the most explosive team since 1998-99. Florida and Alabama might have better defenses but thats about it. Ive watched LSU play this year and they struggled during some games also. All these teams I believe are very close together. Its too bad we dont have a playoff system where we can truly find out whos better.
THE HELL WITH GEORGIA!
GO JACKETS!
gold and white
November 11th, 2009
12:50 am
i think this is about right. it would be a toss up between the jackets and lsu for the third spot though. We could challenge UF and Bama consistenly but seldom beat them. SEC is the best in the country, no doubt (though it is somewhat top-heavy). But I want to see what we do to finishout the season. We’re 9-1 now and #7, but “we still havent done anything yet!” Lets smash Duke, handle UGA, beat CLemson, then beat our Orange bowl opponent (If it’s boise, tcu, or cincy, let’s smash em!). Then, i’ll say for sure that we’d be near the very top of the SEC.
***(unfortunately we’re in the acc…)***
Mark Bradley
November 11th, 2009
12:54 am
It is a shame there’s no playoff. The Jackets would be the team nobody wanted to face.
I Bleed White and Old Gold
November 11th, 2009
12:58 am
I’m with Mark. And I think the gap between LSU and whoever is next in the SEC is huge!
JJacket
November 11th, 2009
12:58 am
Hopefully, Utah wouldn’t be included. Otherwise, by your logic, it would be Florida and Utah at the top – followed by Bamalama and LSU.
62jacket
November 11th, 2009
12:59 am
Mark,
I agree with your overall premise, that being that this season, the Jackets would probably be the fourth best in the SEC behind FL, AL,and LSU. But I think that’s due more to our lack of defense than their ability to defend our offense. If we can just get say, into the top 20 in total defense, I think it’s a different story. Also, I don’t care what conference GT plays in, with a week to prepare, most defenses aren’t disciplined enough for 60 minutes to contain it. In fact, as to the superior defensive speed you mentioned, speed and discipline don’t always go hand-in-hand. With 3-4 weeks to prepare, a bowl game might be different, especially against a top-notch defense. However, over the course of a season, with a decent defense, I would put us at or near the top of any conference.
UGA75
November 11th, 2009
12:59 am
I think at present the Jackets would finish 4th, per MB. I think given their superior coach they would challenge Ala and Florida within two years. The rest of the ACC better get used to looking at the back end of the stinger for the next few years, and since UGA doesn’t have a defensive coach of any kind, so will the Dawgs
Big Dawg
November 11th, 2009
1:07 am
I don’t think LSU would mind much….
spjacket
November 11th, 2009
1:15 am
I agree with everything you said about Tech. But do you really think the ACC is below the the Big East and the Big Ten this year? And one could have a case about the ACC being stronger than the Pac 10 this season.
Jamal Crawford for Atlanta Mayor
November 11th, 2009
1:16 am
Based on my viewing of the LSU-Georgia game, which UGA should have actually won, I’d say that Tech would place 3rd in the SEC, AHEAD of LSU. I don’t think they’re 3rd in talent, though. I think that UGA and LSU are both definitively ahead of Tech just on players, and SC, Arkansas, maybe even MS are ahead on that score. But, it’s about coaching and talent, and Paul Johnson has proven to be a great hire.
It’s just a shame we don’t have a playoff… please everyone (Tech fans who are hoping for a miracle BCS bid, I forgive you for not joining in) root for a Boise State v. Cinncinnati BCS bowl! Hopefully, that would tick enough people off to demand a change!!!!
(Speaking of… where do you think THOSE teams would sit in the SEC???)
jacketit
November 11th, 2009
1:27 am
Honestly, I think Tech would have a good shot at knocking off Florida based solely on what regularly stop us, and that is a dominating front four. While their D-line is good, it isn’t dominate like an Alabama. And given that their offense isn’t as good as it has been in recent memory, I think Tech might have a shot to outscore them. Now Alabama, their D-line is too big and too dominating right now for Tech to compete against. Now, CPJ would probably come up with some adjustments to try to counter it, I don’t think it would help much. I’m not even going to try to predict what would happen if we played LSU, they are just too schizophrenic to accurately predict.
GTGreg
November 11th, 2009
2:16 am
Ok, I’ll bite. Regarding the inane caption on the lead photo: did you actually watch the Peach-fil-a bowl last year? That was a game decided by special teams gaffes and enormous miscues, not by Essss Eeee Seee Speed (registered trademark) as you suggest. It wasn’t about Les Miles’ legendary preparation skills, as asserted by my LSU friends (I live among them down here in NOLA). It wasn’t about a blueprint to stop the option. It was about crappy special teams play pure and simple. All of the other factors could have very well been overcome, had the whole muffed punt/onside kick chain reaction been interrupted. Respect to Les Miles for his timely play calls, but Tech did about as much to lose that game as LSU did to win it.
Now about that SECSpeed again… you do realize that Tech is the only team to hang 50+ on an SEC defense this season, right? The fastest-of-them-all Gators hung about half that on the same Vandy defense in the swamp. Did Vandy save all of their speed for their game with UF? Hopefully Tech will get to hang 50+ on another SEC defense before bowl season…
stu
November 11th, 2009
2:41 am
“whipped Virginia Tech in the 2009 installment” Bama had to make a fourth quarter comeback to win that game. What are you talking about? GTech whipped Virginia tech, not bama.
Gravy Train
November 11th, 2009
2:47 am
I think it has already been proven that 1-AA and less such teams have what it takes to beat this vaunted Tech squad. That “it” is an opportunistic assignment defense. Shut down the corners, keep the action in the middle contained and wait for the qb to turn it over. Especially in Tech’s case, wait for the cocky coach to gamble and lose.
I’ve heard so much inane pontification from the geek squad this season: “Our offense is unstoppable,” “We own this or that,” “We are the best team in the state,” or the all-time greatest “NFL scouts are looking at our QB.”
MB, it’s your Shangri-La song that helps fuel this situation. The real story should be “If this offense is so great, why isn’t it used in the NFL or any major college program?” “Why does the national media give Tech the fly-by treament?”
I just don’t get what you see here MB. You like PJ, fine. But why in the world go overboard with it?
Charles Foster Kane would be proud.
Sting-em! Buzzz
November 11th, 2009
3:49 am
He’s talking about in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Classic. The first game of the season.
Ted Striker
November 11th, 2009
4:03 am
Where would Tech finish in the SEC? They wouldn’t. They couldn’t make it through a season.
Not Disappointed!
November 11th, 2009
4:19 am
Okay Mark you have my attention. I believe you maybe on the money. I still think feel 3rd, but 4th isn’t bad in the sec.
Great Read. “Going back to bed.” Later jackets!
jacketnation
November 11th, 2009
4:29 am
Why would a prestigious academic school like Georgia Tech want to be part of an academic scandal filled league like the Schools Education Criminals. Did someone just say Jan Kemp was a hero? We have an offensive lineman majoring in aeronautical engineering. At UgaG you can enroll in the school of food science and eat your way to a degree. It is much harder to get 5 star athletes when your school requires ALL students to take two semesters of advanced calculus. No, I didn’t say “calluses” UgaG, Alabama and Auburn athletes. And Tech doesn’t ask the bureau of pardons and paroles for recruiting lists.
jacketnation
November 11th, 2009
4:40 am
…and a reminder, Tech athletes ranked #1 in the nation in SAT scores, Florida ranked dead last. That’s why there ranked the #1 football program in the country. And if you don’t agree then Urban Cryer has a player who will poke your eyes out. Florida was ranked the #1 party school with UgaG (school of drunk arrested athletes) ranked near the top as well. Mark do you recall the year all those players sold their SEC championship rings? Then got caught smoking pot on campus. Well at least they got enough at the pawn shop for their ring to buy a bag of weed.
m
November 11th, 2009
5:22 am
Mark…your idiotic sec bias is showing.
alabammer and floriduh are mainly media creations. alabammer is basically no better than a weak tennersee team and floriduh was pushed to the limit by a missy st team that tech handled easily.
Tech would be just as likely to beat alabammer or floriduh as they would of beating tech.
You sec homer gomers are just silly. If we ever have a playoff the sec is going to be exposed big time.
falcon 71
November 11th, 2009
5:41 am
doesnt matter they are in the weak ACC so there is no 8 game gauge. wish to god they hadnt left the SEC in the 60s though then we would know for sure wonder if the SEC would trade Vandy for Tech in a hartbeat
RYan
November 11th, 2009
6:02 am
Yeah. Right. I think LSU wouldn’t be ahead.
And you also have to split tech into BM and AM: Before MIami and After MIami,.
And why is it when Alabama barely escapes Vs an inferior team ,y blocking a last minute field goal, its just ‘Evidence of the strength of the SEC”, but when teach Vs a wake team that, records aside, is arguably better than the team Alabama almost lost to. . .
A team not in the SEC plays the same game Alabama did that week they slip down a few slots.
RYan
November 11th, 2009
6:04 am
‘A weak ACC’ – why are they weak. . because theya ren’t the SEC. Why is the SEC strong? Because they are the SEC and every team in it automatically gets extra credit merely for their conference rather than actual accomplishments, and they start ranked higher and therefore finish ranked higher in a self fulfilling prophecy. Mainly due to ESPN’s crush on the SEC.
Tony has a burr in his saddle
November 11th, 2009
6:06 am
Mark… I think you are right.. maybe 3rd ahead of LSU.. but no higher.. give Johnson another 2 years and the story may be different
M Reagan
November 11th, 2009
6:12 am
Mark let me ask you a question? With Wake having a win over Stanford, NC State having a win over #12 Pittsburg, FSU routing BYU on the road, Miami taking care of Oklahoma, Va Tech beating Nebraska, Clemson taking TCU to the buzzer, Tech waxing MS State on the road, besides Alabama beating Va Tech in the first game, what does the mighty SEC have to hang their hat on out side of beating each other?
Gordon
November 11th, 2009
6:15 am
No question we are behind UF, Alabama, and LSU. Probably 4th or 5th. I would have to say it would be easier to get upset by a middle tier SEC team (Auburn, Arkansas, South Carolina) than a middle tier ACC team (North Carolina, FSU, Boston College).
Scrap
November 11th, 2009
6:22 am
Mark, great piece! I’m glad to see we’re back to the “Good Ole Fashioned Hate” theme………It does wonders to fuel one of the country’s great rivalries. Ain’t Georgia football great? THWG, and lets focus on Duke, then UGA, then Clemson or whoever…….This could still be a special season for the Jackets.
Pipepimp
November 11th, 2009
6:29 am
M, I guess M= Mindless, Moron, Mouthy, Maniac, etc…….., if you even think GT could lead the pack in the S.E.C…
dagnabit
November 11th, 2009
6:33 am
Mark. I’ll ride with that. Good column.
GT4Ever
November 11th, 2009
6:37 am
I agree with 4th but LSU isn’t as tough as they have been so maybe you can’t rule out 3rd. At this moment would would give UF and Bama a battle. If Tech was in the SEC, with all the national attention they would get would be a big plus recruiting wise. It would raise their media attention even more than their getting right now. So maybe in a few years we could challenge the mighty UF and Bama.
The Other Saint Simons
November 11th, 2009
6:42 am
I am a dawg and it pains me to say that Tech would win this year after 8 years of being Vandy and Kentucky’s pal way down at the bottom. This last two years gets everyone’s attention, but then their coach goes to Notre Dame and they hire Reggie Ball to replace him. (Since we are dreaming).
GT Rules State
November 11th, 2009
6:43 am
GT could beat any team on any day. D is only question.
Tech Man in Dawg Country
November 11th, 2009
6:44 am
I agree with Mark overall, but would put Tech third, ahead of LSU. I agree it is Tech’s defense (or lack thereof) that is the difference between Tech and Florida and Alabama. However, I don’t think LSU’s offense is anything special either, so I think Tech could simply out score them. And before you mention the Peach Bowl, that was last year, not this. Last year they would have been 4th, this year 3rd, and with Nesbitt returning and Tebow leaving, who knows about next year…
Big time?? Not
November 11th, 2009
6:47 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes. 51,000 at “biggest game of year” Joke
EEJacket
November 11th, 2009
6:48 am
More or less I agree with you Mark. I just think I disagree on HOW we’d lose to UF, Bama, and Loosoo.
First of all, we’d beat LSU and bama much more often than UF. The gaytors can get it done on both sides of the ball consistently well, wereas bama and loosoo rely heavily on their defenses to make the stop. That being said, I don’t think its the “SEC Speed” you’re talking about that would get us, I think its the SEC strength. I’d pick Sean Bedford over Terrance Cody any day in a reaction time, sprinting, or drinking contest, but damned if ol’ Terrance couldn’t bench 1.75 Bedfords. I guess my point is they’d muscle us down at the line more often than not, but if we get that ball past the initial coverage watch out baby because AA and JD and BBT would pick apart any SEC secondary (with the exception, probably, of UF’s)
Teddy
November 11th, 2009
6:53 am
Tech can’t throw the ball a lick. That won’t work in the SEC. THey will put nine in the box and shut down the run. Second, the caliber of play is at a consistently high level every week – not patsies in the middle of the season like in the ACC. The grind of the SEC would lead to two or three more losses for Tech, at least until they got used to the routine. Tech would have to be deeper in talent and would have to learn to pass, if not, they would be a mid level team in the SEC. Will say Johnson is a tremendous coach, and with the added exposure being in the SEC, he would fill out that team and get the players he needs to be competitive. But, he would have to adapt that offense. No throw, no win. SEC has too many big defense linemen and too much speed to be one dimensional.
SEC is tops when....
November 11th, 2009
6:53 am
it comes to playing cupcake teams like College of Charleston, Troy, and FIU in the same season. The #1 team in the nation scheduled all of these lightweights in addition to playing the cupcakes in their own league like Vanderbilt. Why does everyone think they’re so great when they continually schedule weak out of conference games? Simple -ratings, money, and large fan bases.
Many SEC schools also have a high number of “special permit” players that would not even be admitted to college if it depended on their GPA’s and SAT scores. The playing field is not level in that respect. If those SEC schools adhered to TECH’s academic standards, they would not be as competitive as they are now.
Top Dawg
November 11th, 2009
6:55 am
“Last” is the answer to your question.
GatorMan
November 11th, 2009
6:58 am
Georgia Tech would finish second. Georgia Tech THIS year would be LSU (yes I saw the game last year, Tech’s QB and offense in general are on a different level this year). They would also take Alabama IMO over a seven game series. They would still be behind UF, as UF has an offense and a defense as opposed to Alabama. Alabama couldn’t score 40 if they had to in order to beat Tech.
UTvolunteer
November 11th, 2009
7:00 am
Tech would finish 4th right now….
1. Florida
2. Alabama
3. Tennessee
4. Georgia Tech
5. LSU
6. South Carolina
7. Auburn
8. Arkansas
9. Ole Miss
10. Georgia
11. Miss St
12. Kentucky
13. Vanderbilt
AZ Jacket
November 11th, 2009
7:02 am
Who cares where they would finish. Tech is not in the SEC. We have been in the ACC for years. We have a division clinching game this Saturday and that is all CPJ and the team are thinking about. We played 4 SEC teams last year and we came out 3-1. We play 3 this year and have beat two already. Mark you write these blogs just to give the dawg fans something bitch about. They cannot brag about their programs so you set them up with stupid articles such as this. It is a shame the the AJC cannot be journalist and bring insight to programs and teams. They can only create ‘what ifs’ that have no meaning at all.
KJ
November 11th, 2009
7:05 am
“Anyone who says there isn’t an imbalance between leagues, at least at their respective summits, isn’t dealing in reality.”
You only have to read posts by m, ramble on, newnan jacket et.al.to know there are no shortage of NATStards on these blogs that aren’t “dealing in reality.” They actually think that beating up on Vandy and MSU, and winning 1 game in 7 against UGA translates into “dominating the SEC”.
OrlG8r
November 11th, 2009
7:06 am
I’d like to know where you think UGA would be if they were in the ACC?
Scott V.
November 11th, 2009
7:06 am
Mark,
I’m glad to see you’re buying into the SEC brand that ESPN has spent billions marketing. The truth is, LSU, Alabama, and Florida are not that good this year. The main reason why everybody thinks they are is because they are in the SEC and started off so high. Florida and Alabama could both easily have a loss right now, and LSU could feasably have 4. Washington came within a quarter of knocking them off and LSU came through with a defensive touchdown. Washington has a losing record. Lowly Mississippi State knocks off LSU if their quarterback sees the pitch man everybody else in the country saw wide open. Florida failed to score on a Vanderbilt team that Tech’s offense took to school (a top 35 defense at the time actually).
Finally, the LSU game was an aberration last year. Most SEC schools we face would not have a month to prepare for our option attack. They would have the same time Vandy and Miss. State had…who both sport SEC speed defenses and got blasted. Georgia had two weeks last year and got blasted. And are you really going to go there with the Clemson Alabama game? Clemson proved to be a mediocre team and Alabama went into the SEC championship game as the #1 team in the land. Not exactly a balanced matchup. And this year Alabama is tops in the nation and Virginia Tech is probably the third best team in the ACC and we’re comparing. How I wish there were a way we could play an SEC team in a bowl this year…
snapshot
November 11th, 2009
7:07 am
If CPJ builds a good defense to go with his offense Tech would finish at the top of the SEC. No question about it.
AZ Jacket
November 11th, 2009
7:09 am
Big time?? Not, no hotdogs, no cokes, just 9-1. Rather have 51,000 fans watching a winning team than 90,000 fans watching a looser. Leg humpers like you are typical. You have nothing to brag about in that team so all you can do is trash other programs.
SuperB
November 11th, 2009
7:11 am
Yeah, that OT win over Wake Forest on their home field convinces me that Georgia Tech would beat all of those SEC teams. (That must have convinced Mark Bradley as well.)
mtraininjax
November 11th, 2009
7:15 am
Good article Mark, good year to put Tech back into SEC, perhaps you could return the favor and rank UGA in the ACC, it might be the only good news UGA fans get all year long.
I agree that FL, AL, LSU, then Tech. FL, AL, LSU have had GT’esque games where they win by holding the ball last. I could rank Tech anywhere in the Top 4, should Tech repeat this season with similar success next year.
Finally someone has challenged VT, and exposed their young team. For so many years, they steamrolled through the ACC, and now we see that coaching is a large part of success.
GThor
November 11th, 2009
7:15 am
This is a reasonable assessment of where Tech would be in the SEC, but the ACC is not the least of the 6 BCS leagues. The Big East is. NC State, who is winless in the ACC, beat the 2nd best Big East team Pitt for their only loss this year. UNC beat UConn at UConn. ACC is better than the Big East hands down.
No Dog In This Fight
November 11th, 2009
7:16 am
It’s about the two Ds — depth and defense. Tech would finish fourth, or lower, because their defense would give up too many points. And over the course of a season playing SEC teams, Tech’s starters would get very tired.
But these deficiencies would be corrected very quickly if Tech joined the SEC. The increased exposure and the lax academic standards would allow Tech to recruit the same marginal students who populate the SEC rosters.
Tech has an amazing scheme and is a fun team to watch, but they aren’t exactly blowing teams away. They have won several key games in the second half once the shallower teams’ defenses have tired. That would be a much more iffy strategy against the top of the SEC.
Golden Hand
November 11th, 2009
7:18 am
Seems reasonable. Paul Johnson is only in Year Two of making Tech a contender with the Floridas and Alabamas. He’s always going to have to use a bit of smoke and mirrors to make up for Tech’s inherent recruiting disadvantages (so did Bobby Dodd), but once Tech actually has 85 scholarship players, and depth on both lines, I can see them doing it with the coaching advantage they have. I’ll take fourth in the SEC when you have only three scholarship seniors. If all the stud juniors come back, though, they’re probably going to be better than post-Tebow Florida next year.
SuperB
November 11th, 2009
7:18 am
Scott V: GT “blasted” Georgia last year? What was the score? (I hope you are as arrogant on (Georgia) game day this year as you are now.)
As for Mr. UT, placing the Vols third in your SEC slate is a joke. When the circus leaves town in a couple of years, you will be left with the remnants of Lane Kiffin. He can sell, but his timid “keep it close” strategy in the Florida game convinced a lot of people he was not a championship-caliber coach.
VOL Fan
November 11th, 2009
7:19 am
“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.”
Nuff said. Tech has had a decent season but that doesn’t make them a force to be reckoned with over night (sorry Ramblin Wrecks: beating a lowly Vandy team doesn’t garner you respect that easily) Put up a few championships-conference AND national- have a few MORE decent (emphasis on “decent”) seasons and the SEC *might* respect your franchise.
Alabama Jack
November 11th, 2009
7:20 am
Wasn’t it Bear Bryant who said the true measure of coaching was if you could take yours and beat his’in and then take his’in and beat yours.
Put them in any order you want but is there is any school in the country that wouldn’t take Saban, Miles, Myer or Johnson? Maybe Brian Kelly when he has a track record, but for my money right now the aformentioned are the top four coaches in the nation.
#1DAWGAFAN
November 11th, 2009
7:22 am
Tech barely beat Vandy and Miss St. Vandy put up 31 points on you. You would probably be an at best 9th place in the SEC (that is if you beat UGA).
Doug the Jacket
November 11th, 2009
7:25 am
CPJ is in his second year. GT will be better than any SEC team in year 4.
kepah17
November 11th, 2009
7:29 am
I think you nailed it
Duh
November 11th, 2009
7:34 am
There are quite a few nuts replying to this blog. MB made some valid points I’ve been making around my office all season. The only difference is I’d put UT ahead of Tech too. Seriously. Too many football fans in general do not respect defense one bit. They look at exciting offensive plays and big points to base all their opinions. They think a low scoring game means the teams are “down”. Why don’t they consider a high scoring game between teams like Tech vs Vandy or Tech vs MSU a sign of 2 teams who can’t defend jack squat?
Matchups are everything in sports. I think Tech would be 5th behind UF, AU, LSU (who beat Tech with a weaker team within in the past year), and UT (defense is too good to let Tech get off). That said, does anyone really think Tech’s defense can stop Arkansas? I mean look at Tech’s defensive performances against FSU, Miami, and even Wake Forest and tell me they can keep the Razorbacks in check. And to be honest, I wouldn’t be so sure about the rivalry game 11/28. Sure, Tech won 45-42 last year but isn’t that a toss up in a shootout? Had Tech won that game Florida-style like 45-17 then I’d agree that they are light years better than UGA but they are not.
Hunting Dawg
November 11th, 2009
7:34 am
I actually think that Tech could give LSU a run for their money this year and possibly be the 3rd best team in the SEC. No doubt that they are superior to the Dawgs, and it kills me to say that, due to coaching. I still believe that Georgia has more talented players.
In any event, this is all speculation and till the powers that be rid themselves of the BCS format and adopt a playoff system, we will never truly know how all teams rank versus one another.
Go Dawgs!!!!!
THWGT
BigStinger
November 11th, 2009
7:36 am
Lighten up, Mark. You know that the order is this:
1. (tie) UGA
1. (tie) UF
3. Bama.
4. LSU
5. Miami
UGA is just not playing with their heads this year, but they are the best along with UF. The rest, really, are just fighting for 3rd place. Miami is clearly better than GA Tech, and truly, VPI would go 5th, since the nerds cheated to win that one. Beamer showed the All Cupcake Conference the evidence, so there’s no doubt.
Appreciate you trying to spread the love around, but sometimes the truth is the truth. Tell it.
Cosmo
November 11th, 2009
7:38 am
#1 DAWGAFAN: Barely beat Vandy and Miss St? Gave up points? Yes. Beat them worse than Florida did? Also Yes. Will hang 50 on UGA? Likely. Are you people even paying attention? Apparently No.
sugarpikegang
November 11th, 2009
7:39 am
There is still a lot of football yet to be played. Though UGA may be less of a team crazier things have happened on Saturday after Thanksgiving to place UGA atop the Jackets. From an alumnus of Tech, UGA will play a tough game against Tech…
…And isn’t Duke 3-1 in the ACC at this point. Before we finish the season three (or four) games early, why not just let the season play out. Polls are given too much credence too soon.
Required Reading | Hard Knox Sports
November 11th, 2009
7:40 am
[...] Where would Tech finish in SEC? [AJC] [...]
GEORGIA97
November 11th, 2009
7:40 am
GTGreg = cry baby walking around with his boo-boo lip stuck out. You got owned by LSU so shut your mouth.
jdl2
November 11th, 2009
7:41 am
Well, the Jackets are 2-9 against the SEC this year so far. Reckon we’ll find out how good we are this year when the dogs come to town in a couple of weeks. Suffice it to say we’re a hello of a lot better off than we were three years ago. Keep it up, BEAT DOOK, THEN sting the dawgz!
EEJacket
November 11th, 2009
7:42 am
PJ would adjust with the pass. Maybe his first year wouldn’t be so hot in this regard, but after a while he’d learn he needs two guys instead of one that he can put the ball in the air to downfield in order to get past “that SEC speed.” Other than that, I don’t particularly see the SEC defenses being quick enough to stop the option. Like I said before, we’d get muscled around at the line, but once he’d be there long enough to recruit to take care of that problem, I think we’d be 2nd after a while and assuming oof doesn’t continue their reign, 1st.
Jim
November 11th, 2009
7:42 am
Tech was an SEC school chose to go away , so What IF doesn’t count for Tech! Just think they could take the whippings every year that other SEC schools take from these guys .. Too Bad Tech , guess you have to live with the ACC
Van Lingo Mungo
November 11th, 2009
7:42 am
Tech doesn’t have enough loud-mouth, bark-but-no-bite, trailer-trash fans to play in the overrated, overhyped SEC
Jake
November 11th, 2009
7:45 am
Tech had their chance. They were a member of the SEC years ago, but felt they had bigger fish to fry.
Southside Drug Rep
November 11th, 2009
7:47 am
It’s a shame we didn’t have this conversation over the PAST TWENTY YEARS! The North Avenue Trade School would have battled Vandy and Kentucky for the basement most of the past fifteen seasons. Welcome to the top ten Jackets. I certainly hope the Dawgs upset you as I sit way up high in 228.
Flush Twice…
It’s a LONG way to North Avenue
richtfan
November 11th, 2009
7:47 am
tech, in their best year, would be an also ran consistently in the SEC. this year they would finish ahead of many teams, but that’s an aberration.
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
7:50 am
who cares? they will tumble after my guys shut ‘em out!
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
7:51 am
ok, I’ll be realistic: GA 34 GA Tech 20
Ed77
November 11th, 2009
7:53 am
As an engineer, I admit I think in terms of design optimization. You usually can’t optimize for two criteria simultaneously. I supported our departure from the SEC to the ACC because the SEC was moving ever faster towards optimizing their football programs to win championships and away from training boys to become young men. Call me an idealist if you like but the football factories have made their choice and they can live with it. I understand that Tech has not exactly covered itself in glory in the past few years with our acedemic problems and extracurricular activites of some former players. However, I don’t ever want us to quit trying because of those relatively few failures.
Go Tech
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
7:53 am
my high school defense will crush tech’s high school offense. 11 men in the box at all times.
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
7:54 am
ed77, i wouldnt call you an idealist but i would call you a geek.
best, willie
Mulk
November 11th, 2009
7:55 am
If you are going to use Bama verses who they play to judge a conference then the SEC would be dead last. They don’t lose in the SEC often. The SEC might have a good conference but it is highly overated. How or why do you judge a conference instead of a team, anyway.
And, while on the subject, somebody (coaches, Ad’s, news reporters,fan bases, etc.) from the other conferences has got to stop this automatic National Championship assignment handed out to the winner of the SEC. Who said it should be automatic. The National Championship should be about the 2 best teams, and not because they played in the SEC. Furthermore, who said that a one-loss-SEC team deserves to be considered over every other conference winner or even one game loser?
Tech has a good offense and good coach but there are several teams in the ACC that could beat them. And, there is just as many teams in the ACC that could beat Bama and Fla. as there are in the SEC.
Jacketman
November 11th, 2009
7:56 am
#1Dawgafan—–Your team is 5-4, and you want to talk about Tech “barely beat”? Look at your “barely beats”. Just take SC and AZ State…not far at all from 3-6. Just to remind you, 3>2, 2>1, 1>0.
Larry
November 11th, 2009
7:57 am
I think that Teck’s offense can go against any team in the country. The problem is the defense. Until GT can get a top shelf defense, they will have problems being in the top five in the country.
GT Rules State
November 11th, 2009
7:57 am
ok big Willie, so where does that put UGA … pee wee?
Paul
November 11th, 2009
7:58 am
Why was this even written? What’s the point? Do you write articles like this MB about the falcons or braves? Nope. You have no way of knowing any of this and it’s meaningless to write since you don’t. And finally the sec has 3 ranked teams this year. It has refs keeping their top teams at the top. And an LSU team who has beaten not one ranked team. Yep that sure qualifies as a top conference. Retard
GT Rules State
November 11th, 2009
7:59 am
Pee wee Willie … how else does your imagination run? Loser
dgroy
November 11th, 2009
7:59 am
Ah Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark, Mark………To begin with, for the most part excluding Vandy, the SEC recruits football players to play in their football factories and they may, or may not, be real good students but, “They know how to play Football”. On the other hand we have the ACC who recruits Football Players who are, for the most part, “Good, smart Students” who also know how to “Play a little Football”. Now you might ask….”What is your point”? and my point is, “I don’t give a gnat’s a$$ if Georgia Tech could beat every team in the SEC on a regular basis, which, I agree, they can’t but, I would rather they play “With Class” in a Conference “With Class” than to play in the slime heavy SEC
calvin
November 11th, 2009
7:59 am
Unfortunately, sad to say, Tech is not that great. Every game
is a nail biter. Tech can’t dominate anyone. Wake Forest was
a near calamity. Anyone who thinks Duke will be a pushover is
crazy. Duke will pass all day, and Tech has little or no pass
defense. It’s great for Tech to be highly ranked, and for
Georgia to be unranked, but when the actual game is played, they
will be about equal, and Georgia is as likely to win as Tech.
Anyone who thinks Clemson can’t beat Tech is crazy. Clemson
beat Miami in Miami, and scored 27 straight points against Tech
in Atlanta. Tech would be more likely to beat its Orange Bowl
opponent, if it could get that far, than either Duke or Georgia
or Clemson. Tech’s ranking is pretty to see, but all it really
means is DANGER AHEAD. (Go Jackets; beat Dook, UGG, Clempson,
and win the Orange Bowl; then glory in the rankings.)
Tech '01
November 11th, 2009
8:00 am
Mark, I totally agree. I agree that Tech would be the fourth best team in the SEC and is the 5th best team in the nation, which is where I think Tech will end up in the final rankings.
Steve Davis
November 11th, 2009
8:00 am
I still remember the GT team that showed up for the Miami game. Abberation? No…..it’s in GT’s DNA.
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
8:00 am
go tech
AZ Jacket
November 11th, 2009
8:00 am
I used to pull against UGA every weekend but now that the dawgs suck as a football team and having to listen to all the BS from the leg humpers it might be better if they won a few games just to shut them up. I hope that the UGA bloggers are not graduates of that fine Univeristy because you make some of the most lame brain comments I have ever heard. Yes we have some on the Tech side also and they have never seen the inside of a classroom or attended a game.
Rickety Bobo Willie
November 11th, 2009
8:01 am
Sounds logical Mark. What these fleabag fans don’t realize is last year is exactly that, LAST YEAR! Like the song says, “Yesterday is dead and gone”. Mutts went from pre season #1 last year to completely off the radar this year. Tech is trending up and UGA is, well, not trending UP!
willie martinez
November 11th, 2009
8:02 am
gt, my imagination, just like my defense runs wild.
TECHnician
November 11th, 2009
8:02 am
Mark, What you are not taking into account is that IF Tech were in the SEC, they would have SEC talent.
AZ Jacket
November 11th, 2009
8:03 am
Jacketman, you need to assist the UGA fan with your symbols. > means greater than.