I’m thinking PJ sees a real title as bigger than beating UGA
Paul Johnson and Josh Nesbitt can still be champions. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
I had this conversation with a Georgia Tech booster last night: If Paul Johnson had to pick between beating Georgia and winning the 2009 ACC title, which would have chosen?
“As fans, we’d always pick beating Georgia,” the booster said. But that’s from the fan’s perspective, which isn’t the same as a coach’s. And if I had to guess — and I don’t have to guess, but just for grins I will — I’d say PJ would take being the champion of a BCS conference. (Yeah, yeah. Even if it is only the ACC.)
I base this on something PJ said last week about beating Georgia — “Been there, done that” — and on his stated desire to win championships at Tech. “We almost did it last year,” he said, and the Jackets did. They shared first place in the Coastal Division but lost to Virginia Tech on a tiebreaker. And now the moment is here. Beat Clemson in Tampa and the Jackets will play in the Orange Bowl in Year 2 under Paul Johnson. And that’s pretty darn impressive even if they did lose to the hated mutts.
A year ago, I think PJ would have chosen the other course: He needed to beat Georgia to establish credibility among his constituency. And that had to come first lest he run the risk of turning into Chan Gailey. (Who was fired because he couldn’t beat Georgia, fired 51 weeks after he played for the ACC title in Jacksonville.) Having done the deed in Year 1, Johnson has more global goals.
Which is why, I submit, he talked down the rivalry last week. (Indeed, he came tantalizingly close to channeling Reggie Ball and saying of Georgia: “It’s just a game, dog.”) PJ said this flat-out: “I’m going to get Georgia Tech to the point where our program is bigger than one game.”
Georgia fans will crow that the ACC title game now holds no currency, but that’s not true. (The Tech fan’s comeback: “So who are you playing this week?”) Tech was the best team in its conference, which isn’t to be confused with the SEC but isn’t the New York-Penn League, either. And that was the Jackets’ stated goal from spring practice on — win the ACC.
Remember Tech’s rings from last season? They weren’t presented for beating Georgia, although they did bear the famous score. (I’m pretty sure this year’s rings won’t be engraved with “30-24.”) The rings were for tying for the Coastal title. This year GT and PJ don’t have to share a division with anyone. This year they can win the whole conference. And I’m thinking, in this coach’s mind, that was Job 1 all along.
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1,540 comments Add your comment
dawggirl
November 30th, 2009
11:57 am
I knew that the excuses would be here this morninng. Any Tech fan that says that game wasn’t important . . . makes you look like a bigger jerk! It is all that we have heard for the last year. The best is that your coach said before the game that it wasn’t important . . . maybe he gets the “big picture” now. If not so important, why the rings last year? Suck it up . . . you got BEAT . . . in every way. Out coached, out played. And by the way, Nesbitt was out for what . . . a quarter? A.J. and Rambo were out for the whole game! No excuses Tech . . . beat us more than once and then run your trap like you have all year!
dabo
November 30th, 2009
11:57 am
If CPJ is worried about the “bigger prize” why did he have state championship rings made up last year? I know last year when we beat South Carolina, I did not have state championship rings made. I don’t think Mark Richt did it in 7 years when he beat tech before losing to them last year, and I do not think he would be classless enough to do it this year.
All the way turnt up
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
Hilarious how we were singing that in the upper deck after tech couldnt show up for their biggest game of the year.
tech man
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
OH yea why do you think we are still ranked in the top 10.Because we are still a good team and we have shown that sinse sept.Play one bad game which we played realy bad does not define a team and goals. GO TECH
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
11:56 am
The biggest change I’d like to see if you quit spelling “lose” as “loose”. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Paul Turkey Neck Johnson Press Conference
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
Tech Man, Ga Tech was dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of ther ball. Their best back had 33 yards. Tech beat VT UGA beat VT two years ago. We’ll do it and embarass the A she-she conference once again.
BlackedOut
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
The Georgia butt whipping was almost as funny as when that Ga Tech pitcher died of a herion overdose. Amesome.
Robert
November 30th, 2009
11:58 am
Tech Man….Almost doesn’t count. Your team got out COACHED, out MANNED and out CLASSED Saturday. Order in the state has been restored. Use YOUR mind and think about that!!! Have fun losing to Clemson and underachieving. Just like ‘06 all over again, isn’t it NERDS????
(((30-24)))
PS- King and Ealey are STILL running!!!
All the way turnt up
November 30th, 2009
12:00 pm
Yes Tech man, enjoy the ACC championship, isn’t the game UGA vs South Carolina?
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:00 pm
GT is a top 10 team and UGA is still unranked…nuff said.
GT is a champion, UGA is a has been
GT is 2nd nationally in rushing yards…UGA is bottom of the barrel
It’s ok, GT it was a nonconference game that did nothing to derail GT. It’s just bragging rights. We are in no worse position nationally than before no matter what the outcome was. GT could have won, we’d still be number 7. We lost we’re number 10. Big deal.
Paul Johnson is right. It’s one game. We are here to win championships and UGA is irrelevant as far as that goes. They did nothing to deter that. All the national media says is it was a rivalry game and these things happen…nothing more, nothing less.
Paul Turkey Neck Johnson Press Conference
November 30th, 2009
12:00 pm
Tech fan and Tech man… go back to class you are embarassing the the fan base. Gobble gobble.
GT
November 30th, 2009
12:01 pm
Georgia played a great game as did Tech. If Georgia continues to play at that level ,and I think Tech will only get better, these games will mean a lot more in the future on the national level. This may be the first complete game Georgia has played this year. The reason Tech is playing so well is because they refused to be mediocre. I think if we had beaten Georgia every other year we would still have Gailey and not be on the stage we are on. I think in the same light we have made Georgia come out with their talent. You are not going to beat Tech anymore just mailing it in, which is good for Georgia, now they know how good they can be. This will become a premier match with a lot of marbles riding on it in the future, but for 2009 Tech has bigger fish to fry.
Dawgforever
November 30th, 2009
12:02 pm
Stange last year when tech lucked out and won the game. PJ gave rings to all his players and this year Ga is not on his mind.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:02 pm
Did Jones and Dwyer, those two “beasts to be feared”, really run for a combined 77 yards? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:00 pm
30-24. Nuff said.
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
All the way turnt up,
That logic doesn’t work big fella.
I guess Ole’ Miss should have played over Florida last year right?
It’s not GT’s fault UGA couldn’t play a complete championship season.
1eyedJack
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
These comments are meant for Saint Simons, Yellow Fuzz, m, Burdell, Stinger, Ramble On, Pi$$onaDawg, Trade School Junkie and God and Greyhound. The rest of the Yellow Jacket nation just ignore.
There’s a new sherrif in town and he just had a MUDHOLE stomped in him by Willie Martinez!
Washaun Ealey….FIRST DOWN!!
There goes Caleb….untouched…TOUCHDOWN!!!!!
340 yards rushing.
(((((30-24))))HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
Glad it still hurts so bad.
2009 ACC Champions….The University of Georgia!!!
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
dear dawggirl, your are so right on. he does see the big picture and it does not include uga.
Lumpkin Street Larry
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
Maybe is GT beats Clemson CPJ will have a ring made to commemorate the day. Oh, he did that least year, when he beat GA.
Atlanta Gator
November 30th, 2009
12:03 pm
30-24.. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahha. Oh… and 8 of the last 9… oh, oh…. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha….
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
The Grinch,
maybe in the state of Georgia, but nationally…’
GT – 10; UGA – ….
Paul Turkey Neck Johnson Press Conference
November 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
610.. Can you say delusional HA HA HA HA HA HA.. you are sick. Can’t you see we just lost to our #1 rival. We are #2 in the state of UGA. We lost to the worst UGA team in 13 years.
Rushing stats… did you see the game? They out rushed us.. are you that stupid?
If we hadn’t lost we’d still be #7.. we did lose you idiot
This is why I don’t like coaching at Tech. The fans are too stupid.
tech man
November 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
Turkey neck did you watch the Alabama game last Fri it happens to the best.Also please use complete sentences when you write something so your fans will understand you.I played for 5 years in big games and you don’t win them all.
1eyedJack
November 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
Official time out…..there’s another Tech player down.
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:05 pm
Hey Turkey Neck,
It was one game UGA had success rushing. GT does it all year baby. #2 nationally, where’s UGA on that list?
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:04 pm
The present: 30-24
The past: 8 out of the last 9
But go ahead, keep posting for many more hours telling us it’s not a big deal. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
GoTech610
November 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
Stay classy 1eyedJack
DR.J
November 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
Hey Grinch….If Nerds start giving away free Annapolis South…North Ave. Campus tshirts with cokes and hot dogs…will they fill the stands…just asking…
dabo
November 30th, 2009
12:06 pm
I meant to say earlier, that sure was good defensive coverage by Boykin to break up that 4th down pass to BeBE.
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
12:07 pm
you are so right. i didnt major in spelling like you. but i did put a space shuttle. what did you do?
SUPER DAWG
November 30th, 2009
12:07 pm
Of course tech losing has tarnished their season. Going to the ACC championship game is great but if you can’t even be the best team in the state how can you believe you are the best team in the ACC. I say Clemson will win by 2 touchdowns even the SC pounded them. If Georgia were going to the SEC championship game it would be great but losing to tech would still be a big deal since we dislike you so much. However, since we have one 90 % of our games against you in the last decade I am more likely to get creamed by a comet.
Robert
November 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
Gotech610….You sure are drunk off the yellow Kool-Aid, aren’t you? Your conference got exposed for what it really is…a pretender. Without FSU and Miami at the top of their games you’re nothing. Tech will NEVER win anything other than the Orange Bowl. Irrelevant? That’s what your calling the butt whipping you received? You NEEDED to beat a SEC powerhouse to validate your success. You NEEDED to prove that your offense was something more than a gimmick. You NEEDED credibility….so did your conference. Guess what…0-3 against the SEC East won’t get that. The Nation knows where the best football is played. The nation knows that a mid-tier SEC team ALWAYS beats an “elite” ACC team. Saturday proved that. It hurts so bad that you have to justify it with “We wanted the ACC title more” BS!!! It hurts so much doesn’t it??? It’s gonna be just like ‘06. Alot of Tech hype…and NOTHING to show for it. Gator Bowl bound!!! (((30-24)))
Paul Turkey Neck Johnson Press Conference
November 30th, 2009
12:08 pm
Gobble Gobble we’re #10, we’re #10, we’re #10.. our fans are so stupid… If we hadn’t lost .. we would have won..
Vick=Dog killing thug
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
Anyone else catch the fact that Bradley referred to the Dawgs as Mutts ? Hey Mark.. The late great UGA 7 has a better blood line than either of your parents. 30-24 Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
randy sheffield
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
all year i read “where would tech be if they were in the sec
what you should have been asking is where GA would be in the acc
CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!
macrotech
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
The Grinch, you’re BACK!!! You haven’t had much to “BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA” about have ya? You, like so many of the mutts, have been silent. Welcome back! How about THESE excuses…you MAY recognize them…..
1. We just had too many injuries
2. It was a fluke
3. The refs should be shot
Last season, the dawgs were a preseason #1 and didn’t even sniff a shot at their own conference championship. They fell WAY short of expectations! This season, the dawgs started out #13 and aren’t within sniffing distance of the top 20….see the pattern? The ONE thing that has brought all of the pup fans back out is the upset win over Tech….it’s okay….welcome back! Even with this loss, Tech is getting closer to adding another championship trophy to their collection….we’re even closer to adding another National Championship trophy than you are….face it, THAT’S what’s driving you all nuts…as it SHOULD! How many great teams do ya’ll need before you win another one?! It was a good win last Saturday night….I make no excuses…. we lost to an inferior team…. it happens…. happens enough that they’ve given it a name…upset. In the end, Tech is moving in the right direction and the dawgs just end up hitting their heads on the ceiling of ‘almost’. Anyway, welcome back!
Bobby P
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
Georgia very lucky to win that game ( one dropped ball) even though Tech had no defense. One more catch and tech goes on to win again.. Georgia really blows this year
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
12:11 pm
thank you for correcting my spelling. i did not major in spelling like you, but i did put up a space shuttle. what did you do?
tomkat1
November 30th, 2009
12:11 pm
You have to admit that it takes some of the luster off being the conference champion, when your not the best team in your home state. That will be the case no matter if Tech or Clemson wins.
Paul Turkey Neck Johnson Press Conference
November 30th, 2009
12:11 pm
Tech man, you understood it well enough… if you played the game then you know the quality of the ass beating Tech got.
GTbill
November 30th, 2009
12:12 pm
Enter your comments here
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:12 pm
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
12:07 pm
You “did put a space shuttle”? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:12 pm
Uga people, you just need to shut the %#^^ up. Talk about domination…we dominate your sorry @$$ every year. Have fun playing in the toilet bowl. We’ll be thinking about you when we win the SEC then National Championship!!…losers!!!
FLDAWG
November 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
Way to down play the loss to UGA Mark. Last year it was soooo big and this year it’s not a big deal…yeah right!!!!
Georgia Rushing
Player Carries Yds Avg TDs
W. Ealey 20 183 9.2 0
C. King 18 166 9.2 2
Georgia Tech Rushing
Player Carries Yds Avg TDs
J. Nesbitt 19 41 2.2 1
R. Jones 5 37 7.4 0
J. Dwyer 14 33 2.4 1
A. Allen 4 29 7.3 0
S. Hill 1 26 26.0 0
M. Wright 5 21 4.2 0
E. Peeples 2 18 9.0 0
J. Shaw
OH YEAH 30-24!!!!!!! Good luck in the ACC game, but you have to admit that this hurts and will for a while.
1eyedJack
November 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
GoTech610
Just payback my man, just payback.
Tech Fan
November 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
i see that the grinch in you is hot today.
joe bob
November 30th, 2009
12:13 pm
Mark, is this your effort to cover up the stupid comparisons you’ve made between the ACC and SEC this season. Whatever, buddy!
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:14 pm
Bobby P
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
I’m sorry. Was that dropped pass in the end zone? Let me add that one to my “tech excuses” list. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:14 pm
EALEY SEC FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK. THANK YOU TO GT. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH FOREVER AND EVER
GT-banker
November 30th, 2009
12:14 pm
GT said “If Georgia continues to play at that level ,and I think Tech will only get better, these games will mean a lot more in the future on the national level. This may be the first complete game Georgia has played this year.”
—-
I still don’t believe Georgia could beat Florida or Alabama… but then, Georgia Tech ain’t a Florida or Alabama. Let’s face it, we aren’t, nor will we ever be good enough to compete with the upper echelon of the SEC in football. It hurts to say that, but I’m convinced it is true. However, at least we’ll take them in basketball most of the time.