Bradley’s year in picks: Good on Tech, bad on the Vols
Not to say I told you so ... (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
It was the best of years, it was the …
OK, that’s a a lie. It wasn’t the best of years, prediction-wise. It was only OK. I’ve had better. I’ve also had worse. (Lots worse, as you know.) And our annual Accountability Scoreboard begins with the obvious high point:
I picked Georgia Tech to go 10-2 and win the ACC title. It went 10-2 and won the ACC title. I was wrong about the the games Tech lost — I had the Jackets succumbing to Florida State and, for reasons I’ll never understand, Vanderbilt — but I was, big-picture-wise, dead on.
Regarding Georgia, I wasn’t dead on. But I was pretty darn close. I had the Bulldogs going 8-4, which many among you insisted was way too low. They went 7-5. Until the season’s 11th game, I had picked every game save one (Tennessee) correctly. Then things went ka-blooey. Georgia lost to Kentucky, which I didn’t think could happen, and then it beat Tech, which I insisted would never happen.
I was half-right about the participants in the SEC title game. (Right on Florida, wrong on LSU.) I was half-right about the participants in the ACC title game. (Right on Tech, wrong on FSU.) I’m half-right about the participants in the BCS title game. (Right on Texas, wrong on Alabama.) I was wrong about Colt McCoy winning the Heisman, more wrong about Tech’s Jonathan Dwyer finishing fifth.
This year I endeavored to pick every SEC game, and I did OK, if I do say so myself. I picked Florida to go 13-0 and win the conference title; it went 12-1 and lost to Alabama. I picked South Carolina to go 7-5; it went 7-5. (I also maintained Steve Spurrier would resign, which hasn’t happened.) I picked Kentucky go 7-5; it went 7-5. I picked Vandy to go 5-7; it went 2-10.
I picked LSU to go 11-1 and win the West; it went 9-3 and finished second. I picked Alabama to go 11-1; it went 12-0 (now 13-0). I picked Ole Miss to go 8-4; it went 8-4. I picked Arkansas to go 8-4; it went 7-5. I picked Auburn to go 6-6; it went 7-5. I picked Mississippi State to go 4-8; it went 5-7.
Where I really messed up (other than Vandy) was on Tennessee: I thought the Vols would stink. They didn’t. I picked them to go 4-8, losing to Georgia and Vanderbilt and Kentucky. They went 7-5 and beat all three. (I was also wrong about Florida scoring 63 points on Tennessee; the correct total was 23. But what’s 40 points among friends?)
I also sought to predict the postseason destination of every SEC bowl-eligible team, and I got exactly one (of nine) correct — Ole Miss to the Cotton. But I did have Virginia Tech opposing an SEC opponent in the Chick-fil-A. Half-credit, right?
Turning to professional doings: The Falcons will not go 10-6 and win the NFC South. Good news: Through 14 games, my preseason breakdown has been right 11 times. (I had them losing to Carolina here and winning there, and it was the other way around. And I had them beating the Saints here.) Bad news: I didn’t see anyone in this division flying past them, which New Orleans rather obviously did.
The Braves did not win the wild card. (Though they had a chance with six games to play, whereupon they neglected to win again.) I had them winning 89 games and finishing second to the Mets. They won 86 and finished third behind Philadelphia and Florida. Brian McCann didn’t win MVP, as I maintained he would. Jeff Francoeur did not hit .285, as projected in this space, nor did Kenshin Kawakami win 12 games.
The Hawks did, however, beat the Heat in Round 1 of the NBA playoffs. I had them prevailing in six games. They needed seven. Details.
I picked three of the correct Final Four — Villanova, North Carolina and UConn — in the annual Fiasco, an achievement for which I’d ordinarily award myself a passing grade. Alas, the one I missed — Louisville — was my national champ. More details.
I’m sure there were one or two predictions I’ve forgotten — write 520 posts in a year and you try keeping track — and if you find one feel free to bring it to my attention. And, as has become Accountability Scoreboard tradition, I leave you with one forecast for the new year. The last time it didn’t pan out: I picked the Falcons over the Giants in the NFC title game. I’m thinking this one just might.
Nov. 20, 2010; Tuscaloosa, Ala.: The Georgia State Panthers cap their inaugural football season by shocking the world. They score against Alabama! Three whole points!
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369 comments Add your comment
TampaGator
December 26th, 2009
10:38 am
Mark….Dunlap’s parents stated that his draft status has been hurt by the incident, and it might be more about pride than money for them and Carlos. But, if he has a great Sugar Bowl, which I think he will, his draft position will go back to where it was….and he will be gone, as you believe. Also, I think you might be dead on with the 10-2 (I think 11-1) Gator prediction…but one of the loses will not be to Georgia.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
10:40 am
I know Tech has high hopes for the redshirts, Alan, and I also know their top commitments are all defensive linemen or defensive backs. And I think you’re right about Demaryius Thomas: It’s pretty much assumed Morgan and Dwyer won’t be back, but Bay Bay’s return could be a nice start to the offseason.
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
10:40 am
Mark… you did it again! You had another fine year of prognostications. I, for one, did not approve of your UGA football estimation this season, but it was actually better than the result. I respect anyone who owns up to his predictions/comments, and you already know what I think of you as a sport writer (one of the best in the business). I’m in a Bowl Pick Pool where I am 2-4 so far, and not alone, as many pro pickers are in the same boat, many at 1-5 (I did have SMU winning). Picking winners is a very inexact science, and few do it better than you. I will say I like Jeff Schultz’s picks (against the line) too, for the most part. But, it’s his levity that makes his picks fun to read about.
Here’s hoping you enjoy the rest of the holiday, and the bowls, and we all enjoy another exciting new year in sports – preferably with integrity and soon a college football playoff (without Congressional intervention). Go Dawgs, Falcons (get us that consecutive winning season), Hawks, Braves, and yuch, yes, Tech in the Orange! Happy New Year one and all!
JTH
December 26th, 2009
10:41 am
“Jeff Francoeur did not hit .285″
If he had Atlanta would have won the wildcard by a game and a half, and he would still be a Brave with a new 5 year deal.
RAMBLE ON!!!
December 26th, 2009
10:43 am
Mark, every time you say, “I fully expect”…I winch.
Especially when it comes to GT Basketball. I remember you saying, “I fully expect Tech to beat BC last year at the “Thriller” Dome (It’s not thriller anymore), same as FSU this year. The only thing you can “fully expect” from GT Basketball is missed FT’s, and lots of turnovers.
Who do you see winning the Orange Bowl?
I enjoy your reads very much. Have a happy New Year!!!
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
10:44 am
Thanks, Barkin’.
And, not that you asked, here’s the Bradley Rule on bowl predicting: Don’t. Because bowl results — except for the BCS title — are pretty much functions of motivation, and it’s hard to know which team will want to play and which won’t. I mean, would anyone have picked Tech to lose by 35 points to LSU in Atlanta last New Year’s Eve? But LSU was 7-5 and was mad about being 7-5, and the Jackets had had a month to hear how wonderful they were after winning in Athens.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
10:45 am
I fully expect to declare a moratorium on the phrase, “I fully expect.” Thanks, Ramble On.
G
December 26th, 2009
10:46 am
Bowl game predictions
Ga 27 AM 24
Gt 31 Iowa 23
Cincy 27 uf 20
Unc 20 Pitt 17
Alab 16 Texas 14
Tcu 37 Boise 28
Vt 26 Tenn 20
Clem 24 Kty 20
RAMBLE ON!!!
December 26th, 2009
10:47 am
Dwyer will be back,
MalibuGT
December 26th, 2009
10:48 am
Mark, that’s probably better results than most of the talking heads on TV could aspire to.
There’s a reason bookies make the money with sports bets!
TampaGator
December 26th, 2009
10:49 am
Still, no comments about Willie Martinez possibly becoming a postion coach at Florida…boy, the hate for one man stops as soon as he leaves town (or gets booted out). Still, it will be a great addition to the Florida staff if it happens. The man can really recruit.
The Esteemed GM
December 26th, 2009
10:56 am
Mark, why don’t you turn your prediction powers to telling us what Frank Wren’s next questionable move will be to save us $ in the ATL?
GWJ
December 26th, 2009
10:58 am
UGA dominates Tech in series……60-39-5
B'Ham Jacket
December 26th, 2009
10:58 am
Mark, who do you think is more emotionally and physically motivated to win the Orange Bowl? GT or Iowa?
Everything I read says Iowa is more motivated, but I don’t understand that since Tech was so embarrassed in the Peach Bowl(Chik-Fil-A) last year! Also, the money pickers have GT by 4.
Who Dat
December 26th, 2009
11:01 am
Mark you had a really good prediction year for 2009. You get high fives for having an annual
accountable column. Wishing you all the best for 2010 and keep calling them like you see it.
SatchelBuzz
December 26th, 2009
11:02 am
Would love to have seen TCU and BS play others so they’d both get beat and we could stop the madness. No quality depth in either conference. It’s a joke that both are playing in the BCS. TCU is decent,…so maybe,..but year in, year out,…no way. Now that the genie is out of the bottle,…what do you do,…give the “have-nots” a place at the table every year? Ridiculous.
jeffrey d
December 26th, 2009
11:03 am
If he had Atlanta would have won the wildcard by a game and a half, and he would still be a Brave with a new 5 year deal.
The Braves tried to offer him an extension but he wouldn’t take it because he thought he deserved more.
dd
December 26th, 2009
11:03 am
30-24
Motel 6 Shreveport
December 26th, 2009
11:04 am
Mark, who draws the short straw to attend the weedeater bowl from AJC staff? LOL
BANDITDAWGG
December 26th, 2009
11:05 am
snapshot you obviously dont know how to read a stat sheet georgia totally dominated both sides of the ball. All of you tech nerds just cant accept good old ass whooping from the dawggs.Better luck next year woof woof woof go Dawggs.
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
11:06 am
I agree with your “functions of motivation” theory… look at SMU. They wanted that game for June and his return to Hawaii… more than a Nevada team without it’s star RBs and, just learned, it’s LB who was arrested for shoplifting. Look out for them in the bowls to come – the run and shoot is awesome to watch when done well. And how about the BYU game? They were playing in their 5th consecutive Las Vegas game, but clearly wanted to show their talent over a less-enthused Beaver team, down about missing the Rose. Both of those games lead me to believe BC has a chance against S. Cal… should be fun to see. Have a great weekend… and come-on, man-up Falcons… we need this win Sunday!!
Cody
December 26th, 2009
11:06 am
Hey Tampa Gator,
Last word on Willie M had him talking to The U and FSU.The man can recruit I will give him that .
James
December 26th, 2009
11:09 am
Mark,
Thanks for a great year of posting and picking.
I was thinking about this the other day–and you reminded me when you mentioned you never would have guessed UGA would lose to KY and then beat GT…
Do you think UGA spent a good portion of their prep time against KY focusing on Tech? Maybe Martinez, trying to save his job, or Richt realizing that losing rivalry games in already disappointing years got his predecessor fired?
Either way, we got our butts kicked fair and square.
Also, Clemson and Miami both admitted at the beginning of the season that they spent much more time preparing for the triple option than for the offenses of their other early opponents. Do you think more teams will start to do that, perhaps risking a lack of preparation for other opponents just to avoid guaranteeing a loss to GT because their defense doesn’t ‘get’ how to defend the TO?
TampaGator
December 26th, 2009
11:11 am
Cody…he interviewed with Meyer this week and, according to some sources, talked to Meyer about either with DB or LB position coaching position, If Chuck Heater is named the DC afte the bowl game, which many sports writers in Florida think he will, I would think Willie will become a Gator position coach. Whoever gets Willie will be getting a very good postion coach and a great recruiter. His leaving Georgia will hurt their recruiting efforts in Florida, I believe.
Marvin Mangrum
December 26th, 2009
11:13 am
Years ago I never imagined that you would be my new Bisher, but I must tell you , you are very good at writing and just as good at predicting. I do really enjoy hearing your thoughts. In 1960 I had a 7th grade teacher who told me of the Atlanta Journal and Furman Bisher, I been hooked for ever more. Forty nine years of Bisher and quite a bit of you. And Sir you are just as enjoyable. Thank you for your thoughts, thank you for your insights, thank god for computers, cause my AJC went away this year!
Vince Dooley
December 26th, 2009
11:17 am
Predictions for 2010,
1. Georgia will go 8-4 and claim another National Championship, even though their record is not quite as good as a 13-0 Alabama.
2. Georgia Tech will go 9-3, and lose in the ACC championship game.
3. UGA fans will continue to leave trash out of the trash cans at Sanford
4. 100 more robberies will take place at GT before football season starts
5. Braves will fire Frank Wren after he decides to trade Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurjens for Jarrod Saltalamachia
jimmy
December 26th, 2009
11:17 am
mark you had a great year congrat’s if you see mr bisher tell him we miss him
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 26th, 2009
11:18 am
YOU PREDICTED:
1. The CHOKE is the best rookie qb EVER
- Still has not made the pro bowl
- Still has no playoff wins (Flacco has 2 & counting)
- Still has no back-to-back playoff appearance (Flacco in his 2nd)
- Statistics have regressed (All Flacco’s have improved)
1. YOU PREDICTED SMITH/DIMITROFF better than MORA/MCKAY ERA:
- No playoff win (Mora had 1 in 1st season)
- No division titles (Mora won 1 in 1st season)
- No championship game appearances (Mora made it in 1st season)
3. YOU PREDICTED FALCONS:
- Would win division (Not even close)
- You predicted they would finish 10-6 (I think you meant Ravens)
Maybe predictions are not your thing
Steve Spurrier
December 26th, 2009
11:18 am
Hey, Mark. Your worst nightmare will occur next year when Spurrier and Co. win the East. About 18 starters return and while Norwood will be missed, Robertson and Paulk will return from injuries. Bank on it.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:18 am
I think Tech will have a tough time with Iowa. Still think the Jackets will win — didn’t I just say picking bowls is bad strategy? — but I see the game being close to the final 10 minutes. Just not sure Iowa can score the 30 points it will need.
Chris
December 26th, 2009
11:20 am
Hey Mark……You always do your Final Four Fiasco for NCAA basketball. How about coming up with a 2010 predictions contest that involves a range of sports and teams?
Vince Dooley
December 26th, 2009
11:20 am
Predictions for 2010,
1. Georgia will go 8-4 and claim another National Championship, even though their record is not quite as good as a 13-0 Alabama.
11-2 GEORGIA TECH in ORANGE BOWL
December 26th, 2009
11:20 am
I predict Georgia Tech will finish 12-2 with a final # 7 ranking.
Thanks for a great season,
………………………………….ACC CHAMPS………………………
Vince Dooley
December 26th, 2009
11:22 am
Predictions 2010,
Georgia fans set fire to Sanford Stadium and burn it to the ground after Tech wins in Athens for a second straight time
Gen Neyland
December 26th, 2009
11:24 am
Yes MB, I recall your picking Tennessee at 4-8. I wasn’t going to point it out but I’m glad to see you did. I had them at .500 in the SEC, 8-4 and beating UGA as CLK’s first SEC win. No way I had them finishing 2nd in the SEC East though. Next year will be tougher on Kiffin than this one. Their 2010 schedule won’t permit much better if not a bit worse. Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, LSU just to name a few coupled with the QB/OL issues that’s coming…First things first. Beat VT and GBO…
Sonny Clusters
December 26th, 2009
11:26 am
Clusters had a good Christmas and we hope you did, too. We was very quiet Christmas Eve listening for anything downstairs and we didn’t hear any noise. Next morning, we was up early and went downstairs and found some unexpected gifts. We got a Mr Met action figure and a Mets jersey with Jeff’s number on it. Well, we’ve had Jeff’s number for some time now and we’ll probably use that Mets jersey just for yard work. When we was playing ball together we was pretty close but not getting to go on that golf trip has caused some hard feelings for this Clusters. Cheering for the Mets don’t seem right anyway. We still are a Braves fan and will be forever even when they won’t play small ball with a small ball lineup. Mark’s predictions was pretty spot on and we recall when we was asked to make predictions for the school paper and we was always picking teams that had orange for a school color. That’s probably what we’ll do again and we was noticing Tech will be in an Orange Bowl and that should be worth picking Tech. We was never sure what color the Advocar Bowl will be but we was betting it won’t be anything to do with orange. Still, we wish Tech and Georgia both a very successful trip to Miami and to Shreveport.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:31 am
True story: After the 1969 World Series, I sent off a for Mets button that had Mr. Met’s smiling face on it. I believe I still have it somewhere. I don’t wear it nearly as often as I should, though.
WonderDawg
December 26th, 2009
11:32 am
Oh yeah, TampaGator, Willie did a fine job with our DBs the last few years. Good luck with that….
Sonny Clusters
December 26th, 2009
11:32 am
We was just contacted and told it is the Advocare Bowl and not the Advocar Bowl. We never heard of an Advocar anyway but it could have been Swedish like the Saab. Mark, we was friend with Dave Kindred. Do you remember him? They has been some good writers at the paper over the years and you are one of them, as was Kindred. Mr Bisher and a few others was legends. It takes awhile to become a legend, though, unless you are Paul Johnson.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:33 am
And thanks, Marvin Mangrum, I’m much obliged.
Is a 7-6 season a sucess? - Page 3 - VolNation
December 26th, 2009
11:33 am
[...] "Where I really messed up (other than Vandy) was on Tennessee: I thought the Vols would stink. They didn’t. I picked them to go 4-8, losing to Georgia and Vanderbilt and Kentucky. They went 7-5 and beat all three. (I was also wrong about Florida scoring 63 points on Tennessee; the correct total was 23. But what’s 40 points among friends?)" Bradley's year in picks: Good on Tech, less good on the Vols | Mark Bradley [...]
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:35 am
I read Dave Kindred growing up, Sonny. (He wrote for Louisville Courier-Journal back then.) He was pretty much my role model. My dad loved reading him, too. Working with Dave here was the highlight of my so-called career.
SSIgator
December 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Mark -
For those that think UF is going to slip and UGA will rise above: Another quote from the Orlando Sentinel – “None of this is to say the Gators are going to morph into say, Georgia.” Obviously UGA is not being looked upon as an up and coming team. See you in Jax puppies.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:37 am
Oh, and James, I don’t think the Tech game had any effect on Georgia-Kentucky. Georgia was in good shape against the Cats until it started turning the ball over in the second half. If you’re looking ahead, that tends to show a bit sooner.
Mark Bradley
December 26th, 2009
11:39 am
I would still rate Florida ahead of Georgia going into 2010, SSIgator. I think most folks would.
SSIgator
December 26th, 2009
11:40 am
Not the ever delusional dawggies
Delusion Dawg
December 26th, 2009
11:41 am
Can the Dawgs give the Gators a better game in Jacksonville next year? Maybe……..maybe not.
Mark Bradley says:
“I would be higher on Georgia if we knew the identity of the new defensive coordinator. And also if we’d ever seen Aaron Murray in a real game.
So true, the Dawgies are talking about this kid like he is the second coming, its funny how when September 2010 comes he will have not played in a game in almost two years………………in high school………..against high school defenses.
Dandydon
December 26th, 2009
11:43 am
I understand how you techies fill you beat yourselves against us (not
true) for we beat ourselves in a couple of games.
WonderDawg
December 26th, 2009
11:46 am
SSIGator, well, UGA might as well just drop football since the Orlando (FL) Sentinel says we are sooooo lowly a program. A lot of folks seem to forget the UF “morphed” into a pretty sorry team two years ago (even with Teabow!!!!!). After we kicked your sorry butts, lowly Michigan did the same…
Cobb Dawg
December 26th, 2009
11:46 am
snapshot said: “Tech beat themselves against the mutts they did not beat Tech”
snapshot, this is laughable for many reasons. Among them is the grammar/punctuation. Then there’s the fact that the Dawgs hung 339 rusing yards on Tech’s hapless defense. Anyone watching the game, perhaps with the exception of the typical Tech fan, saw a well-planned, well-executed offensive scheme on the part of the Dawgs. Now listen, you’ll get another win in 8 years of so. Be patient and stop whining.