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
GTman
November 30th, 2009
12:15 pm
As a tech fan, I will admit that the UGA game is THE most Important game of the year. I thoroughly enjoyed rubbing the dawgs face in it for 365 days. Now it’s their turn again. Oh well, that’s what makes it such a great rivalry. CPJ better get the proper perspective on the importance of this game.
However, if GT can accomplish goals #2 (win the ACC) and #3 (finish in top 10) by winning their last two games I will be extremely happy. After all, these goals represent a season’s worth of very good football play and coaching.
If CPJ can beat UGA and win an ACC championship in his first two years at GT – that is awsome. However, next year, winning both is a must with a shot at the NC game.
Go Jackets and still THWG!
UGA
November 30th, 2009
12:15 pm
We run this state!
1eyedJack
November 30th, 2009
12:16 pm
Gatorboy, get back to the trailer park, you ain’t got a dawg in this fight.
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:16 pm
PAUL JOHNSON MADE EXCUSES EVEN BEFORE THE GAME. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND ANOTHER HA.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:16 pm
Bobby P
November 30th, 2009
12:09 pm
Oh yeah, I forgot something. I’ll “give” you the pass completion if you’ll “give” me the missed field goal. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:17 pm
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:12 pm
And I’m sure you’ll be wearing your designer jorts to the NC game, right? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
UGA > Tech, USC > Clemson, UGA > USC
November 30th, 2009
12:17 pm
UGA — ACC champs!
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
You’re right…I just sent my “dawg” secretary to get me another cup of coffee.! Your team still sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
PAUL JOHNSON SAYS THIS YEARS GT TEAM IS BETTER. UGA RUNS OVER THIS YEARS GT TEAM. HAHAHAHAHAHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER AND EVER
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:19 pm
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
Riiiiiight. Like you’d be trusted to manage someone. Those jorts must be cutting off your circulation. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
tech man
November 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
UGa fans you are looking at things with blinders on.You won a close game that we easly could have won after playing very bad.Uga was playing there best game they have played all year and we played our worst.You are 7 and 5 and ranked somewhere in the south pole.That is no reason to be dancing in the streets in Athens.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:18 pm
By the way, that’s pretty cruel calling your wife a dog.
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
41-17
BWAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
PAUL JOHNSON IS GETTING SENILE. HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA AND MORE MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA.
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
Actually it was your wife
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
tech man
November 30th, 2009
12:20 pm
And after saturday night, what reason do you have to be dancing in the streets of Atlanta? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
johnny whitehead
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
look we had our shot to win the effin game aight??? the sec is so top heavy if u take the gators and tide out of it who do you have…nobody..so pups go to your music city bowl that u have earned….and we will see u guys next year between the hedges
Dooley's Cardiologist
November 30th, 2009
12:22 pm
I hear Shreveport is nice this time of year.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:22 pm
Gatorboy
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
Nah. Probably just your “partner”. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Atlanta Gator
November 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
Hey Grinch, did you see the techie using the name ‘gatorboy’. Trust me, he is not gator. He’s just too embarrassed to use his usual pocket-protecting, snot-on-the-sleeve GT name. Congrats on Georgia’s win. I never doubted they would win this year since they just barely lost last year after letting their guard down in the second half. The ACC will NEVER be able to play with us. Never!
UGAIsSoLastYear
November 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
No it isn’t!!!!!!!!!!! Beating Georgia is!!!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:24 pm
GT FANS SHOULD WATCH THE 1970′S “LOST IN SPACE” OR “LOST” TO FIND THEMSELVES ON THE RIGHT PLACE IN THE UNIVERSE I.E. ALWAYS BEHIND UGA. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA FOREVER AND EVER.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:24 pm
johnny whitehead
November 30th, 2009
12:21 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Good one. And the ACC chump game has #10 tech and not-even-in-the-top-25 Clemson. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
murfdawg
November 30th, 2009
12:24 pm
Bobby p,
I’ll swap you one tackle last year for one pass completion this year.
GO TECH
November 30th, 2009
12:25 pm
Sorry excuse for being out-coached by Richt. I cant stand GA and her fans, and we are always out to beat GA. If the title game is more important, then just forfeit every GT_UGA game, that way no more injurys, so we can save the players for the Title game
UGADawg83
November 30th, 2009
12:25 pm
Mark and CPJ-Yall are just full of it and we all know better
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
GT GOT WOOPED BY A TEAM GOING TO SHREVEPORT PER DOOLEY’S CARDIOLOGIST. HAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH FOREVER AND EVER.
GTbill
November 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Congrats to the Georgia football team on a good win in a great game. And contrary to what many of the Georgia fans want to believe, it was a great game between two good teams. What an exciting game. One team forges ahead and the other team fights back. The game was not decided until the final minute and could very easily have gone the other way.I am proud of the Jackets for not quitting and that they kept fighting to the end.
Now let’s talk about SOME of the Georgia fans logic and comments:
1.Since Georgia won that somehow diminishes an ACC championship for Tech if we win next week. By that logic, Florida was not a legitimate National Champion last year because they lost to Ole Miss. LSU lost two games (Kentucky and Arkansas) the year before and were still National Champs. As a practical matter many teams in many sports have won championships while having lost to other teams. So I don’t care how much you try to diminish our team or what you think. If Tech wins next week they will be ACC champions and play in a BCS bowl.
2.Yes, Tech fans ragged Georgia fans after last year’s win, but that is what Georgia fans do every time they win a big game so why was it wrong for Tech fans to have done the same? We won last year’s game, so that gave us the right to rag Ga fans. But all I heard from Ga fans was “Tech fans are picking on us.” I remember many comments after last year’s game from Ga fans that said “well you beat us but you are not even going to play for your Conference’s Championship.” I believe therefore that it is OK for me to say to Ga fans “well you beat us but you are not even going to play for your Conference’s Championship.” So there, you SEC also rans. Most team’s fans rag the other team’s fans when they win, but Ga fans are such crybabies they can’t take when other fans give back to them what they take such pleasure in dishing out any time they win. It is Ok for Georgia fans to rag us this year because Ga won. So rag on.
3.It is sad that you denigrate your own team in order to tear down our team. Many of Ga “fans” comments talk about how Tech lost to an average, middle of the SEC conference team, a team that sucks. Well I disagree with them. I think Ga has a good team and it is no disgrace for Tech to lose to them. A few breaks and Ga could easily be 9 and 3 right now (LSU game in particular). Both teams of young men played their hearts out last night and gave us fans an exciting evening of football. Maybe Ealey, King, Charles and other Ga players should transfer to Tech where their efforts would be appreciated.
So GA fans enjoy your victory and rag all you want. I for one am man enough to take it and will remain a loyal Tech fan regardless. GO TECH, TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skeeter
November 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Let me get this straight,Mark. You,re saying that PJ more or less said ” if we beat UGA fine but we’re going to concentrate on Clemson and overlook UGA”. That’s the biggest crock I’ve ever heard.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:26 pm
Atlanta Gator
November 30th, 2009
12:23 pm
I always root for SEC teams when they aren’t playing UGA. May be hard to believe, but I was pulling hard for UF two of the past 3 years, and I pulled for LSU in the middle year. Any objective fan has to be in awe of what UF has accomplished as a team, and Tebow as an individual. Not trying to pick a fight with Bama fans, but I believe UF will win again Saturday in the ONLY Conference Championship game worth watching. Good luck, and go win that NC.
jones
November 30th, 2009
12:27 pm
I don’t think MB is a closet Techie. This is the same MB who was affectionately refered to as Barks Madly. He is no fan of anyone except whoever’s butt he can get his head up farthest at that moment.
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:28 pm
DOOLEY’S CARDIOLOGIST IS READY TO RETIRE AT SHREVEPORT. HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHHAHAHAHAAHH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. FOREVER AND EVER.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
12:29 pm
Hey, has anyone posted “30-24″ on here today? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:30 pm
GO TECH SAYS GT GOT OUTCOACHED BY RICHT. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHA, HILARIOUS, HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA FOREVER AND EVER.
UGAIsSoLastYear
November 30th, 2009
12:30 pm
I can see Johnson saying that but that is just ignorant. He isn’t invested in the history that is GT-UGA like we are. We graduated years ago, watch the game every year, intently, and live and die by it. He has been assoc with GT for 1 1/2 years. We have been assoc with GT for 10-50 years. The kicker was the pic of a GT player running onto the field with the 2009 team goals placard. No where did I see ‘Beat Georgia’ as a goal. Extremely odd. Not only should it be on the placard, it should be at the top. No one cares about Tampa – after losing to UGA. You can lie all you want. I bet only half of the GT fans that bought tix will actually go. I sure as heck wouldn’t. Smart of GT to send the ticket request forms out early and have them due BEFORE the UGA game. Can you imagine if they were due today how many requests they’d have!!!
superNerd
November 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
Who took my lunch money.I’m telling yomamma.
GATechIsSo.....Nothing
November 30th, 2009
12:31 pm
So the georgia game is meaningless? Then why did you fire Gailey?
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
WHO CARE ABOUT BEATING ALABAMA OR FLORIDA NOW???? UGA BEAT GT HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH FOREVER AND EVER.
LAKE OCONEE DAWG
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
BOBBY P:
YOUR RIGHT, GEORGIA BLOWED UP THE TECH SEASON….THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT, BUT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET THIS ONE…THEY KNEW THEY HAD, SHOULD OF HAD IT, IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS NOT THAT IMPORTANT, BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, (ONLY 1 TIME, I MIGHT ADD)….DOCTOR SPIN NEEDS TO COME CLEAN AND TELL EVERYONE IN HIS WILDEST DREAMS HE NEVER SAW THIS COMING….OLE WILLIE SHUTTIN DOWN OLE PAUL, HIS DEAREST FRIEND PAUL….HOW COULD IT HAPPEN???? MARK, TELL US HOW IT HAPPENED….WE WON’T FEEL GOOD UNTIL YOU TELL US HOW IT HAPPENED…..GET THAT EGG OFF YOUR FACE AND WE WILL LEAVE THE EGG ON SCHULTZ’S FACE FOR A YEAR….
an old man
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
Beating the Dawgs is the only thing that matters.
gtturnedup
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
Congrats Georgia, due to your dirty play you knocked tech down to still being in the top 10, LOL
superDawg
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
UGA has 5 National titles macro.
RedAndBlack
November 30th, 2009
12:32 pm
Hey GoTech610,
All that you said below is true that’s why it hurts so bad to lose against a “bottom of the barrel” Georgia team and it feels so good knowing that Georgia beat a “champion” team such as Tech. Go ahead and hang your hat on that but 30-24 is the final score you’ll see all year long, buddy. Make any excuses you wish to make if it will make you feel better. Bottom line is Tech was beaten by a Georgia team that wasn’t even given a chance — hahaha.
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
30-24 Hahahahahahaha!!!
30-24 Hahahahahahaha!!!
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:33 pm
CHAN GA1LEY JUST GOT REINCARNATED ON PAUL JOHNSON. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHHAHA FOREVER AND EVER.
Captain
November 30th, 2009
12:34 pm
Let me see if I understand this….last year after a Christmas Gift from the Dawgs Paul Johnson hands out rings and proclaimed he was here to return the rivalry, you and Furman jumped on board the Paul Johnson bandwagon. This year the game is a “non factor” after GT loses? Yeah, right, and the moon is made of green cheese, the cow jumped over it, Stalin was a human rights advocate and Charlie Weiss is going to be on the cover of GQ’s Jan edition. Seems about right doesn’t it?
Bradley, if Paul Johnson is the GREAT coach you and Furman Bisher proclaim him to be, why is the Georgia game and the ACC Championship game an either or situation? Great coaches can win both….Mark Richt has done it and yet you don’t feel he is in Johnson’s league. You AJC boys need to make your minds up…..either CPJ is a great coach and GT a legit program, thus able to beat Georgia and win the ACC, or he isn’t and they aren’t. It’s one or the other but how about ‘quit making excuses’.
The ACC is an absolute joke. S Car waxes Clemson and Georgia whips GT, and the final score was much closer than the game.
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:35 pm
GT GOT RUN OVER BY A TEAM IN THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL. HAHAHAHAHAHA, AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAAHAH AND MORE HAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA FOREVER AND EVER
gtturnedup
November 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
superdawg georgia’s own website shows 2 national titles
GT IS A 4TH RATE HIGH SCHOOL TEAM
November 30th, 2009
12:39 pm
JOE COX COMPLETED HIS PERFECT NO LOSS SEASON AGAIN HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHHA AND MORE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH FOREVER AND EVER.
LAdawg
November 30th, 2009
12:40 pm
This is why it is GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG! Tech has to choose between beating Georgia (although they had two week to prepare) and winning the ACC. Georgia’s goal is to win all their games although we fell short 5 times this year (with an inexperienced QB, a patchwork offensive line and youth at all the other skilled positions, and Martinez and Fabris on the coaching staff.)
I had rather be red and black than Yellowish and White any day!!!!!!!!
gtfanfrom1951
November 30th, 2009
12:40 pm
I was at the game surrounded by UGA fan and thats the biggest bunch of drunks I’ve ever been around. They had no respect for the other people,children or ladies, and if that best UGA has to offer I’m glad I did go there. The two rednecks setting in front were so drunk before the half they did not where they were at.