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
Solid Gold Dancer
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
Dawg fan, I’m glad you can take my compliment. I was glad to give you one. I have congratulated uga on the win saturday night (even when I was really down yesterday). No spinning it, it was an a$$whoop’n. Ran the ball right down our throats. Hey, I’m a very objective fan, probably just fighting off the uga version of m’s and saint simons. That being said, I will not woller in sadness over that game. Thankyou
Cry me a hand full
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
CVS pharmacy is running a 2 for 1 special on Visine. It will get the red out from all those red eyes filled with tears after getting your butts stomped, How ’bout them dawgs
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
4:56 pm
Richt knows how to coach? How about taking 11 games to figure out that you should keep the ball away from Cox? Genius.
dawggirl
November 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
Your right . . . everyone is obsessed with the powerhouse Tech. What a joke. What is to be obsessed about? Certainly not the football team. We have and always will own Tech. You know it.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
4:57 pm
HBTD: Those days are over. If you can’t compete with STafford and Moreno, you just can’t compete.
uga hater
November 30th, 2009
4:58 pm
did anyone here about UGA’s fourth player arrested in two months? How bout them jail dogs.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
4:59 pm
dawggirl: yeah, you “own” us. We’ll be crying all the way to a BCS bowl.
What channel with the leg humpers be on? Fox Sports South dot Net East, I think?
Where's tha Luv ???
November 30th, 2009
4:59 pm
Hey HBTD,
You know nothing about football and your words prove it. Do your homework before you start blogging….your wasting our time.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:00 pm
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
4:59 pm
Nah. We’ll be in the same bowl you were in last year. ONly we won’t get crushed 38-3. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
GT Joe. You really are new at this. Neither Stafford nor Moreno ever made it to the CG. Either get your facts straight or just be quite. You sound like so many uneducated tech fans. Stop embarrassing yourself.
ATLshirt.COM
November 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
GT Joe,
You guys were so certian that you would beat us this past weekend, that did not work, are you so certian that you will win against Clemson ?? I would not count that one just yet, remember, if you lose, you could have a rematch against UGA in the Chic-fil-a bowl !!
dawggirl
November 30th, 2009
5:01 pm
Kind of like CPJ waiting until the last game and think that Tech can pass? Oh, I keep forgetting . . . it didn’t mean anything. By the way, do back and look at Richt’s record. Your right, he can’t coach. Tech fans are quite possibly the dumbest. You would think that going to the smart school would produce fans with a little bit of common sense.
ice bucket
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
NEW! FABULOUS! Commemorative victory T-shirts (not sure if black or red): “No smiles ’till zero zero!”
CLEVON LITTLE
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
GT Joe, See Below:
-Price to attend a rivalry game: $300
-Winning the Rivalry game: Bragging rights for 365 days
-Running the ball down the throats of the nations ‘best’ rushing team: PRICELESS
The Ghost of Wally Butts
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
GT Joe – I’d be careful about the BCS game predictions if I were a Tech fan…got to beat Clemson first….
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
HBTD: let me translate real slow for you:
IF UGA can’t compete for an SEC title with Stafford and Moreno, then you won’t ever compete for one. The talent is there, i guess the coaching isnt.
I’m pretty sure CPJ could win a national title with UGA talent. Richt would go 6-6 with our talent.
Solid Gold Dancer
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
I just wanna know why all the dawg fans are so mad? Yall did win you know!
CPJ: White House Football Czar
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Like I’ve always told my kids….anybody can be a dawg fan. It takes guts to root for Tech and you better be humble about it in the process. I’m a Tech fan through and through, but I’ve never had the delusion to claim that modern day big time college football would ever establish any sort of dynasty at a comparatively small academic school like Tech. It would even be a delusion to expect it at UGA — It should be crystal by now that “big box” programs like UGA find it very difficult if not impossible to consisently compete near the top. Throw in 3-4 top 15 rankings(including a top ten)come season’s end during each decade, and you’ve done ok. I realize that sounds pathetic to a rabid fan base like UGA — I’m sure they’ll point out that this is the attitude of a ‘loser’, but even they have to admit that its difficult for their program to do a lot better in reality. That being said, Saturday’s loss hurt. I don’t want anyone at Tech to think this match up was just another game. However, I like the strategy of raising the ante on the whole season vs. make or break around a single game like its been for many years in all honesty. Given time, the ACC will disprove a lot of nay sayers — there’s too much money at stake and there are some “big box” programs already in the confernce. I’m surprised Obama doesn’t have a Football Czar to ram rods a playoff system /obligatory football tax through on a Saturday night, 11pm vote — when that happens, a number of conferences will suddenly be taken more seriously.
Matt
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Yeah yeah UGA won. And congrats to do them for doing so. They came out and executed their game plan and didnt kill themselves with turnovers, Tech didnt play its best game and it showed. They still had a chance to win and didnt make the plays to do so. Regardless, Spike, Mark Richt Stadium?? Bobby Dodd has way more wins there than Mark Richt and way more wins all time. And its 8 out of the last 9 is irrelevent, yeah it hurts but that is all in the past, just like UGA’s loss to Kentucky is in the past. And Geekman, if the BCS championship game is the only game that matters and CPJ hasn’t won it yet, aren’t you aware that neither has Mark Richt. He has had a top 5 recruiting class every year and has underachieved with the talent that he has received. And Since Paul Johnson has been at Tech he has outcoached Mark Richt. Paul Johnson 19-6, Mark Richt 17-8. So you can’t really say Richt 8-GT 1, because its irrelevent. Anyways congrats on the win, yall outplayed us and fully deserve it, and I hope yall have a good turnout and performance in Shrevport or where ever yall end up.
ATLshirt.COM
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Dawgirl,
It was obvious on Saturday that GT doesnt know anything about football
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:03 pm
Where’s tha Luv ???
November 30th, 2009
4:59 pm
31 – 24!!! You suck on this fact for another year!!
BUZZ LIGHTYEAR
November 30th, 2009
5:05 pm
Yawn……..Can anyone from GaTech count to 7? Good. Get used to it, because UGA just got started (again)
Bobby Dudd
November 30th, 2009
5:05 pm
Caleb King just scored again……….
deaddog
November 30th, 2009
5:06 pm
who will play when all your players are arrested!!! UGA sucks!!
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:02 pm
I’m pretty sure CPJ could win a national title with UGA talent.
LMAO. CPJ’S HS OFFENSE ONLY SEEMS TO WORK AGAINST THE A SHE SHE, D2 AND THE TWO WEAKEST SISTERS IN THE SEC. LSU EXPOSED IT LAST YEAR AND OF COURSE THE DAWGS DID THE SAME LAST SATURDAY, 31 – 24!!!
ATLshirt.COM
November 30th, 2009
5:07 pm
Ealy just ran for another 45 yards!
The Ghost of Wally Butts
November 30th, 2009
5:08 pm
Matt – We can say 8-1. It’s stupid to suggest otherwise because those are the facts.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:08 pm
Where’s tha Luv ???
November 30th, 2009
4:59 pm
Speaking of doing your homework, “…your wasting our time.” Your? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:09 pm
DAMN. CALEB JUST SCORED AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! I DIDN’T THINK IT’D BE THIS EASY. TECH APPARENTLY HAS NO DEFENSE!!!
ATLshirt.COM
November 30th, 2009
5:09 pm
good one grinch LMAO !!
old T fan
November 30th, 2009
5:09 pm
YES the loss does hurt. Tech was on its way to a winning drive clock was on our side. but who knew we would go long 3 times 3 times i tell you. why not short to be be and then long if needed? lesson learned please do not run your mouth. it will bite in the end.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
HBTD: I know you’re a leg humper, but at least get the score right. 30-24. Can YOU count to 7?
Bill Curry
November 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
Matt, did you just compare GaTech’s record with Paul Johnson to Mark Richt at UGA?? It’s obviously a lot easier winning games in the ACC than the SEC (I think everyone but a delusional TECH fan knows this).
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
deaddog
November 30th, 2009
5:06 pm
One UGA player gets arrested for underage drinking and you are suddenly concerned that we won’t be able to field a team? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! I thought you tech boys were sooooo good at math and calculus and all that.
Where's tha Luv ???
November 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
Hey HBTD, your a real piece of work.
Suck on this ACC Championship Ring for a year….BIAHTCH
hehe
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:11 pm
Since mutts really love history, here’s a stat for you. Richt vs. Johnson: 1-1.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
November 30th, 2009
5:11 pm
Also for Matt –
60-39….your mythical Bobby Dodd was part of that.
MiamiDawg
November 30th, 2009
5:12 pm
What a pathetic bunch of second rate losers.
Whatever else happens, losing the next two games is more likely than winning, Tech is still the second best team in the State of Georgia.
Get used to it.
ATLshirt.COM
November 30th, 2009
5:13 pm
I bet my high school state championship ring from AA would get more money from a pawn shop than an ACC championship ring LOL!!
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:13 pm
Where’s tha Luv ???
November 30th, 2009
5:10 pm
Has the ACC already awarded tech with the rings? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sort of like tech was going to roll over UGA Saturday, right?
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:13 pm
GT JOE. DOES IT REALLY MATTER WHEN YOU’VE HAD YOUR A$$ HANDED TO YOU??
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:14 pm
I read where ESPN projected the Bowl Games and they had tech playing in the Gator Bowl. Since when did the ACC champ play in the Gator Bowl? BWAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Shane
November 30th, 2009
5:15 pm
HBTD: let me translate real slow for you:
IF UGA can’t compete for an SEC title with Stafford and Moreno, then you won’t ever compete for one. The talent is there, i guess the coaching isnt.
I’m pretty sure CPJ could win a national title with UGA talent. Richt would go 6-6 with our talent.
This maybe the dumbest post ever.
Mark Richt has won two SEC championships and finished # 2 in the nation.
What has Paul Johnson ever done?
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:16 pm
HBTD: 30-24 is “a$$ handed to you”? Then I guess UGA got their a$$ handed to them by OKIE state, LSU, Tennessee, UF, and of all teams, KY. wow.
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:16 pm
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:11 pm
Gee, what a riveting piece of drivel. Hey, here’s one for you. Joe Cox versus Paul Johnson: 1-0. bWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Bob
November 30th, 2009
5:17 pm
So just to sum up the latest line of pure ca ca coming out of North Avenue: Tech has become so powerful that losing a game to their biggest rival is of little to no consequence. I guess you have to have one of those wonderful Georgia Tech educations that we here so much about to understand it, because I am confused. First they fire a coach because he never beat Georgia. Then the guy that takes his place beats Georgia by a field goal and they put the score on rings, tear up Sanford hedges, and pound their chests for an entire calendar year about “a new sheriff in town.”. Then the new sheriff calls 4 passing plays in a row to end the game, predictably loses, and then claims that he never really cared that much about the Georgia game. Its all about playing 8-4 teams in the ACCCG and then pretending an Orange Bowl berth is a huge accomplishment. CPJ fits right in with the nerd herd. He can’t make up his mind on the importance of the Georgia game either. He probably took calculus.
By the way Tech fans, Johnson probably threw the ball at the end of the game because Nesbitt was banged up. That means he may not be 100 percent for Clemson. That means you’re probably going to lose to Clemson. That means that I will have a good weekend. If you’re going to have your QB carry two-thirds of your running load, don’t be surprised if he gets injured. It will happen again. It doesn’t mean that the other team cheated. It means that your coach might not be the offensive genius everyone thought he was.
Good luck in the ACC title game. I’m sure the ratings will be fantastic because there aren’t any other bigger or more meaningful games that day at all. The entire nation will be glued to their television sets to watch two teams with multiple losses battle it out in front of 50,000 people. Gameday might even talk about this game. Its going to be huge.
Dear lord. Tech fans are unraveling at the seems.
gt#30
November 30th, 2009
5:17 pm
Yea, yea bulldog fans, you all win…..you all finally prepared for a game this year. its such a shame that you only prepare for one game per year. the mutts are more concerned with this game rather than picking their faces off of the floor after all their losses. real classy…UGA sucks, whatever happened to the black jerseys they wore last year, hahaha…
The Grinch
November 30th, 2009
5:17 pm
Shane
November 30th, 2009
5:15 pm
He beat Notre Dame……BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Under Weiss, EVERYBODY beat Notre Dame.
GT Joe
November 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
According to Sagarin’s strength of schedule, our “cupcake” ACC schedule was tougher than florida, bama AND LSU. Now I wish we were in the SEC….
http://www.kiva.net/~jsagarin/sports/cfsend.htm
HBTD
November 30th, 2009
5:18 pm
LUV. OH, YOU MEAN THE POWERFUL “A SHE SHE” EVEN HERBSTREET IS CALLING THE CONFERENCE EMBARRASSING THIS YEAR AND A PR NIGHTMARE. I’M SURE CPJ WILL ORDER RUNNER-UP RINGS FOR THE BOYS AFTER CLEMSON POUNDS ON THE GUYS. HE’LL TELLEM IT REALLY DIDN’T MATTER AND THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WAS THAT THEY BEAT J.STATE, WEAK, VA AND TECH, VANDY, MRS STATE, NC, FSU, GARDNER WEBB (OH YEAH THAT WAS LAST YEAR ………………LMAO AS I’M WRITING THIS. YOU CLOWNS OVER AT TECH ARE HILLARIOUS AND A PRETTY TYPICAL REFLECTION OF THE TECH PROGRAM……….A JOKE!! DAMN………CALEB JUST SCORED AGAIN!!!