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
Dan
December 26th, 2009
5:13 pm
Poor little doggies, I guess using your criteria, 2009 is the only year that GT has been relevant since when? Too many years ago to remember. As hard as it may be for you GT fans, think before you pop off. All you do is open the door for your own abuse and show your stupidity.
BravesFan79
December 26th, 2009
5:17 pm
I hope every bowl fails miserably, so that college football can someday join the ranks of REAL sports with REAL champions.
Pretty sad so many diehard fans care so much about a sport that cares so little about them and its players.
GTfubar
December 26th, 2009
5:19 pm
Recent history doesn’t favor GT for sure. Maybe Tech fans should hold the bravado until they’ve actually done something.
That Guy
December 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
Georgia underachieves once again.. What else is new?
Have fun Monday.. I’ll be in Miami in a couple of weeks.
That Guy
December 26th, 2009
5:24 pm
Actually a week and a couple of days now. Starting the countdown.
Remember Dan
December 26th, 2009
5:26 pm
we are not supposed to be relevant, we’re just a 4th rate high school team that beat the mighty dogs BETWEEN THE HEDGES. Ga on the other hand is supposed to be some big bad football program with constant top ten recruiting classes. I know it hurts you real bad to ACCOMPLISH SO LITTLE WHEN BLESSED WITH SO MUCH. poor little doggies
Top dogs
December 26th, 2009
5:28 pm
7-5 unranked losers
GTfubar
December 26th, 2009
5:41 pm
He probably remembers all the top 10 finishes, the SEC titles and title games, the BCS bowls, the 10 win seasons, and the 8-1 record against little sister GT this decade. What does GT remember? Being mired in mediocrity. Being 1-8 against their big brother? For all the loud talk from GT fans, GT has actually accomplished very little.
Alphare
December 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
I don’t think next year’s big picture for the SEC will change from this year, ie, EAST will have FL/TN as 1&2, WEST will have BAMA/LSU as 1&2. BAMA/FL will clash again for the SEC title, and the winner goes on for another NC representing SEC.
GTfubar
December 26th, 2009
5:42 pm
I wonder who is more full of hot air. GT fans or their blowup dolls.
Hawkeye1
December 26th, 2009
5:45 pm
Iowa is about to end GT’s latest 15 minutes of fame. Couldn’t beat a 7-5 UGA team. That’s weak guys.
Looks like Ga's
December 26th, 2009
5:48 pm
program is what is full of hot air 7-5 unranked losers
Now Hawkeye1
December 26th, 2009
5:51 pm
Northwestern?
Hawkeye1
December 26th, 2009
5:53 pm
Didn’t they beat you Looks like Ga’s? What did you say UGA’s record is this decade? How many times did you say GT beat UGA this decade? I CAN”T HEAR YOU!
SadDawg
December 26th, 2009
5:55 pm
GTfubar and others – this isn’t a history lesson. As a Dawg fan if you’re satisfied with this season and the win over the nerds then you have failed your own history lesson. Our program deserves to be better and should have been better this year. Changes are needed and obviously important ones are on the way. However, I don’t like to see my fellow Dawg fans puffing up their chest about this season or a win or two (AU and GT) that wasn’t expected. Living off of our laurels is a dangerous way to delude ourselves in the future. We have a bowl game that I think is important to our program and our conference. I would like to see more talk about the game than about someone else’s program. If your motivation is simply to retort the yechies then it means that you are paying attention to them and not to our own program. I ignore idiot posts from the bugs, and I also ignore idiot posts from fellow Dawgs. My recommendation is that you do the same so that we can have some relevant conversations on these blogs. But that’s just my opinion – you hate mongers (from both sides) can waste your time going back and forth for nothing – you don’t really think what you’re posting is changing any minds, do you? Then why waste your time with these petty posts?
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
5:56 pm
Hahahahaha
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
5:58 pm
Tuning up my banjoe for you dogs
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
5:59 pm
Get ready to squeal Georgia!
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
6:00 pm
na na na na na na na na na
Sub-Urban Meyer
December 26th, 2009
6:01 pm
Wrong D(r)ooley ! All-Time 46-39-2 UGA…Largest victory Nov. 7, 1942…75-0 UGA
After I get my money from those swamp thugs..I’m going to my dream job at Notre Dame in two years because y’all will not want me anymore without my beloved Teebow! My Goodness..I got my masters degree at Ohio State…why would I stay South much longer!
SadDawg
December 26th, 2009
6:01 pm
Shreveport is a bowl. Period. We have an opportunity to improve our team, get another needed win for the season, and hopefully get some important play time for the spring and next season. You can taunt us about Shreveport all you want, but that doesn’t take away the fact that we are going to a bowl and we have the opportunity to show that our program is NOT as bad as some of you hope it is. You taunters might want to spend more time worrying about your own bowl. Iowa might just surprise you if you take them for granted.
That Guy
December 26th, 2009
6:03 pm
Can’t wait to sit in my motel room and play WoW for hours on end, those girls in the skimpy bikinis scare me
Bobbi Dud
December 26th, 2009
6:03 pm
Playing in the Orange Bowl is exciting for you ..right Hawkeye 1..Y’all are usually tipping cows this time of year!
Good luck to you
December 26th, 2009
6:05 pm
SadDawg from one state of Ga football fan to another. I hope both teams do well in their bowls
GTfubar
December 26th, 2009
6:09 pm
SadDawg you know what this is all about. Of course nobody is happy about 7-5. But after all these GT fans got so puffed up about 1 win over UGA this decade, this is pure payback. They earned this. When they can consistently back up their NC mouths with wins on the field against UGA, Dawg fans have every right to heap as much abuse on them as they have asked for.
Hawkeye1
December 26th, 2009
6:11 pm
Georgia Tech is a soft football team. Iowa will beat them up physically just ike UGA did.
GTBandwagonmaster
December 26th, 2009
6:12 pm
Don’t lose the Orange Bowl nats.
GTfubar
December 26th, 2009
6:13 pm
Lord help them if they do.
chazzo
December 26th, 2009
6:14 pm
So, you got Tech pretty right on, and everything else was a bust.
BULLDOG MOM
December 26th, 2009
6:18 pm
Georgia will be fine and don’t forget it.
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
6:23 pm
SQUEAL GEORGIA SQUEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (while Tech picks up serious women on South Beach)
Shreveport Boy
December 26th, 2009
6:30 pm
Hey Tech,
Just pretend that the BCS Orange Bowl is Stanford Stadium and Tear the HELL out of those Hedges. Those that you left standing in 2008! 45-42!
“punch em in the face” again!
Still
December 26th, 2009
6:32 pm
only talking about tech’s bowl game cause there is nothing left for the poor little doggies but the toilet bowl
As if
December 26th, 2009
6:36 pm
Ga fans did not get puffed up after their team finally beat UF. Typical Ga fans say what they want when they win, but whine like a bunch of little girls when another team’s fans give it back to them. Poor little doggies got picked on by those mean Tech fans.
PN
December 26th, 2009
6:38 pm
The SEC is a strong conference thanks to UF, Alabama, and LSU.
Georgia Grad
December 26th, 2009
6:38 pm
I’t’s SANFORD Stadium you morons. And 45-42 is anchient history to! LOL’ you tekmites are gonna get your heads handled to you in Miami. And you would’nt know what to do with a good looking girl if you did find one down there. 30-24 moron and get used to it!
TROTTINGHOME
December 26th, 2009
6:40 pm
GUESS MY EARLIER POST THAT JOKED ON THE CATHOLICS GOT FLAGGED.
NO MATTER. I AM GOING TO BOYCOTT YOU MARK TILL MAY. YOU NEED THE REST.
30-24
December 26th, 2009
6:41 pm
is ancient history, too. Your future is in the Toilet Bowl, we are on to the Orange Bowl
UF Gator
December 26th, 2009
6:41 pm
Hey Georgia. Why don’t you leave Tech alone. Soon they will OWN you like we have (and Tennessee will). STFU and enjoy your little Shreveport bowl. Hahaha.
catfish31015
December 26th, 2009
6:48 pm
Alabama against Georgia State will be the biggest blow-out in the history of college football. You think they were good this year…just wait until next year. And, by the way, Georgia Southern will thrive under their new (ex-Tech) coach. Just a prediction.
Erk
December 26th, 2009
6:49 pm
Lot of big talk for a bunch of sissies that can’t beat a 7-5 SEC also ran. Or is that 2 7-5 SEC also rans.
GTBandwagonmaster
December 26th, 2009
6:50 pm
Pray you don’t lose this Orange Bowl nats.
GTBandwagonmaster
December 26th, 2009
6:54 pm
Urban Meyer just quit!
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
6:54 pm
Urban Meyer is stepping down as Head Coach of Florida — just announced.
Not Disappointed
December 26th, 2009
6:55 pm
What happen Urban! I just heard! Wow! The Gator nation must be pulling out their hair!
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
6:55 pm
Where’s he going??? That’s the question.
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
6:57 pm
What could possibly be better than Florida, except Notre Dame… and he passed on that.
GTBandwagonmaster
December 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
How bout that all you arrogant azz masturgators? The Urb took his bags to the curb. What ya gonna do now? No Tebow…no Urb. How quickly things change. And you don’t even have Charlie Strong to fall back on. Daayuuuum!!
Barkin'Dog
December 26th, 2009
7:00 pm
WOW!! Biggest announcement in the past 5 years and no comment from Florida fans. What’s up? Tell us what you know!!!
KJ
December 26th, 2009
7:05 pm
Meyer obviously plans to marry Tebow