Bradley’s Buzz: For 2010, SI has Tech 8th, UGA 22nd
Will Georgia again outrun the Yellow Jackets in 2010? (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
You’ll never guess who’s No. 1 in SI.com’s college football power rankings for 2010. Actually, you will. Alabama is the easy choice, same as Florida was easy in preseason 2009. (And who was preseason No. 1 in 2008? Why, Georgia.) But the top spot isn’t why we’re here. It’s to focus on the locals, both of which appear in Andy Staples’ Top 25.
Georgia Tech is No. 8. Georgia is No. 22. I’d say that’s too high for the former, about right for the latter.
I reserve the right to amend my opinion in light of developments — if, say, either one finds a defensive coordinator, or if Herschel Walker forgoes his MMA dreams to reclaim that fourth year of collegiate eligibility — but I’d say, as of Jan. 14, 2010, that Tech will dip slightly in 2010 and Georgia will rise a bit.
My take on Tech: It won’t be bad on offense — quoth Paul Johnson: “I’d be stunned if our B-back doesn’t gain 1,000 yards next season” — but Demaryius Thomas is the irreplaceable part, not Jonathan Dwyer. Given the nature of his offense, Johnson isn’t apt to find another receiver half as good as Bay-Bay. (Johnson inherited Thomas, it must be noted, from Chan Gailey.)
The defense will surely benefit from a new coordinator, but not many defenses can lose its two most gifted players and spike upward in production. Through these long-range lenses, I can see Tech winning nine games next season and finishing second to Virginia Tech in the ACC Coastal.
One word of caution, however: The Coastal is going to be tough. Three other teams are included in Mr. Staples’ rankings: Virginia Tech at No. 9, Miami at No. 14 and North Carolina at No. 18. And the Jackets must play two of the three on the road.
As for Georgia: I could see the Bulldogs winning nine games if things break right. The offense could be terrific if Georgia finds a quarterback. One note: The past two times Mark Richt has entered a season with a new quarterback, his teams have finished 9-4 and 8-5. And I’m thinking Aaron Murray (or Logan Grey, or Zach Mettenberger) won’t quite have the impact Matthew Stafford did at the end of 2006.
Loading ...The defense lost a big-timer in Rennie Curran, but Marcus Dowtin should fill that tackling-machine role. At issue is how fast the new coordinator, assuming Georgia finds one, can make a difference. My guess: Soon, but not overnight.
Mr. Staples has only one SEC team rated above Georgia in the SEC East: Florida is No. 11. Only two SEC West teams are in the Top 25 — LSU is the other, at No. 23 — and Georgia doesn’t play either. If Richt can find the right quarterback and the right coordinator, the door is open. But I, as suggested in yesterday’s post that was loved by one and all, see South Carolina as the team primed to give the Gators the hardest run.
Oh, and if you’re wondering which team will win at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 27, here’s your final score:
Georgia 27, Tech 24.
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584 comments Add your comment
bamaguy
January 14th, 2010
7:03 pm
I’ll just sit back and admire my crystal football, y’all just discuss this with each other.
new coach idea
January 14th, 2010
7:03 pm
why not hire a local high school coach,and he should be colored for a change!
Ponte Vedra Dawg
January 14th, 2010
7:04 pm
Strong will be a good coach. I’m glad he’s out of the SEC, but not because of his race.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:04 pm
as i said on the other blog, grantham: rediculous.
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:07 pm
Asheville Dawg >> Looks like you need some help in the ole math dept: 30-24=6
glad we got that straightened out
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:07 pm
yes and then stephen hill became the da adam schiff on law and order. great actor.
he is orthodox jewish, and wouldnt work on satudays so he left mission impossible.
i kid you not.
Georgia will struggle next year
January 14th, 2010
7:08 pm
No returning DL… No valid safety… No Corner experience.. NO Superior LB…
Combine that with no consistent RB.. No QB and a marginal OL… I say 5-7 with an a$$ whipping by, SC, FL, UT, AU and even ARK or UK… I also pick GT to win..
I also predict Richt to quit after next season.
Don’t mean to be so negative.
BREAKING NEWS:
January 14th, 2010
7:08 pm
MARK RICHT HIRED AS KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY’S FOOTBALL COACH
“I appreciate my time at UGA, however I felt it was time to go to a program with an upside, I am tired of dwindling at the bottom of the SEC, and after many years of trying to cut into Tech’s many national championships, I have failed to do that. In closing Kennesaw State Football is the future, UGA never had a future (or even much of a past at that) and their big brother Tech will always be the most prestigious program in the state of Georgia. In closing, I would like to tell the UGA fans to go sit on a stick. Thank you and good day, Go Owls !”
George
January 14th, 2010
7:09 pm
From a GT perspective- Richt learns his lesson from Bowden and the A&M thrashing. This is college football- you can’t run a hands off program. These “kids” need oversight both on and off the field and that oversight can’t be delegated to so called “coordinators”. Unfortunately, show me a good college coach and I will show you a coach that is tired. UGA should be a top 10 program every year with the talent base in this state. Tech is fortunate to have a coach like Johnson and I trust he adds beef to the o and d line and makes a run at the ACC championship again.
God bless the Haitians
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:09 pm
Dan Briggs
Dawghater
January 14th, 2010
7:09 pm
Mark,
Now you will have all the puppy dawg fans crying that there is no way Tech can be ranked ahead of the Nationally recognized UGA program that played in Shreveport! Fact is none of these predictions mean a thing and the fact is the kids have to line up on the field and play.
Do the puppy dawg fans notice 3 yes 3 D Coordinators turned down their beloved National Power. Even with all the money they threw at them, they got a big fat “NO Thanks”.
Ponte Vedra Dawg
January 14th, 2010
7:09 pm
Wow, how insightful, must be a Tech fan.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:10 pm
if i only knew football like i do trivia, well, i’m just sayin….
Opinion
January 14th, 2010
7:10 pm
Tech’s ranked ahead of UGA again, Thank you CPJ
CBB1
January 14th, 2010
7:10 pm
I am a graduate of UGA and I agree with Clint Castleberry. It is going to be hard to win a lot of games next year at UGA with a new QB. I also think he knows more than Mark Bradley and the AJC should hire him to replace Bradley. South Carolina, please!! Spurrier is past his prime and can’t and never will be able to get the recruits to win up there. The state is too small and he is competing with Clemson, which is a better football program than SC anyway. He can’t get recruits in GA because he competes against UGA and GA Tech. I would play ball at Tech over SC anyday, like most kids.
Good Grief
January 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
As everybody else has reminded you, dont sleep on Stephen Hill. While he doesn’t have the size of Thomas he’s quicker and the the same height. On the other hand I think 8 is to high…10-12 would have been more the spot to place them.
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
dang willie you’s everywhere! you got any poetry this evenin’? i’m needin a smile or two
Opinion
January 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
Kennesaw State seems to be a good choice for ol Richt
Ponte Vedra Dawg
January 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
The intelligent comments lasted almost 45 minutes. That may be a record. PVD is out.
Vince Dooley
January 14th, 2010
7:12 pm
wish I coached in a high school stadium named after me that fielded 4 National Championship teams…….dead gum Techies !!!
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
7:13 pm
Dawg fans, it’s been 43 days. Do you know who your DC is?
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:13 pm
Mo, Mark has told me no more poetry until further notice. sorry, willie
Navigator
January 14th, 2010
7:14 pm
For any coach to get Duke to 5-7 in two years is a coach Tennessee can be comfortable. Duke is usually lucky to win 1-2 games per year. In addition to the 5 wins, Duke took 3 other teams to the wire. Now think what he can do with the athletes at Tennessee.
Vince Dooley
January 14th, 2010
7:14 pm
willie, you should rejoin Coach Richt again, when he accepts the Kennesaw State job
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:15 pm
lane the magic dragon
lived in tennessee
and frolicked in the autumn mist
on a mount called rocky
lane said “knox let’s go,
to a really big show”
now he’s at usc
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:16 pm
willie, I be really disappointed ’bout that news. why you’s a regulah willie shakespeare i’m tellin ya.
The Amazing Kreskin
January 14th, 2010
7:16 pm
Georgia will be more worser in 2010. Georgia Tech, they will lose 3. Bama will lose 2 games. Florida will be SEC champs without Tebow. Go Gator!
Benjamin
January 14th, 2010
7:16 pm
125th!
Wait…
SI has Tech too high, and UGA slightly low in my opinion. Tech’s losing a lot.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:16 pm
just for you Mo. despite Mark’s wishes. willie
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:17 pm
vince, alll options are open, and thanks. willie
George
January 14th, 2010
7:18 pm
Here is my take- Richt learned his lesson his lesson from the failures of Bowden and the success of the A&M thrashing. Show me a good college football coach and I will show you a tired man. GT is fortunate to have Johnson.
God bless the Haitians–
GTs biggest fan.
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:18 pm
willie, i known yo had it in ya’! that’s a mighty fine set of lines you laid.
jay
January 14th, 2010
7:18 pm
Two stud running backs like King and Ealy will put Dawgs back into
top 10 next season. Play on New Years Day.
Tech goes back to their usual 7-5 with a loss in the Humanitarian
bowl.
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
7:18 pm
2010 SEC champioship game: UF vs. Bama. Almost guaranteed.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:19 pm
Mark, i hope you’re not wrong about Heaven.
Scott
January 14th, 2010
7:19 pm
Glad you picked UGA to win next year’s game as a Tech fan.
Tech – will continue to play well on offense with a ton of experience, returning 9 starters and many others who saw action last year. Defense returning 8 plus 4 who were lost to injury in 09. Tough away schedule but slightly easier out of conference schedule.
UGA – loses alot of experience on defense and will start a new QB. Much easier schedule than in 09 and will not have to play Alabama or LSU unless they make it to the SEC Championship.
Looking forward it!!
jellybeandawg
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
With a Red-shirt freshman QB with ZERO experience and a new DC I think the dawgs win 7or 8 games next year but no way they win 9. One variable in the equation is that we have the coaching expertise of Mark “FAKE JUICE/ FAKE TAN” Richt and his side kick WonderBobo coaching em up. Between those 2 bozos we will average about 100yds in penalties and 3 turnovers per game alone.
Calvin Ruff Ruff
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
Tech is ranked a bit too high. I think UGA is about right. Nonetheless, if the Bulldogs simply WIN, they will rise in the rankings and be a top ten team again. That’s the beauty of playing it out on the field. If we win out over Mark Bradley’s up and coming Gamecocks, Petrino’s Hogs, a newly coached Tenn. & Kentucky, Florida, Auburn, and Tech…the rankings will fall right in place. Can’t wait til next season!!!
DAWG
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
Maybe i need to contact these fools at SI and get the winning lottery numbers. A lot can happen between now and next year.
Jackets2010
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
I like Mark’s daring pick of SC for next year.
He has a good QB who might get better next year and a D which was about the only one to shut down Clemson.
It’s a daring pick because it would be easy to keep quiet about the thought.
It occurred to me as well.
Ed
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
I don’t know about Tech at 8, seems kind of high. If Georgia doesn’t finish higher than 22nd, Richt is going to feel some serious heat. Top 10 recruiting brings expectations of Top 10 results.
Todd
January 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
When you don’t pass the ball to bay bay in the big games, what difference does it make.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
7:21 pm
lane live in a place called nantucket.
nah, better not go there.
VJacket
January 14th, 2010
7:21 pm
But Tech’s uniforms look sooooooooooo good!!!!!!
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:21 pm
i’s don’ know about teck bein that high in no ranking, and i think georgey is about right and maybe mo betta than dat. ‘course, nobody can tell right now anyway.
Vince Dooley
January 14th, 2010
7:22 pm
wish we had a stadium that was home to four national championship winners…..dead gum Tech!
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
7:23 pm
From SI:
The Yellow Jackets lost B-back Jonathan Dwyer, safety Morgan Burnett and defensive end Derrick Morgan to the NFL. That’s OK. The ACC still can’t figure out the triple option, and if coach Paul Johnson hires a capable defensive coordinator, Georgia Tech will be even tougher to beat.
dawgfan
January 14th, 2010
7:24 pm
Bradley must have quit sniffing glue. He’s actually making some sense.
This could be the weakest I’ve seen the SEC East in a loooooooooong time. I don’t see a top 10 team anywhere. Not even Florida.
Bama will not have a (national) championship caliber defense. This could be one of those rare years where a team with multiple losses wins the SEC. Might as well be Georgia. Mettenberger and Murray are REDSHIRT freshmen. There’s a difference.
Tech will go 9-4, lose to Georgia, lose some forgettable bowl, and nobody will care. I think I just summed up the last 30 years of Georgia Tech football in one sentence.
Vince Dooley
January 14th, 2010
7:24 pm
I remember not so long ago that Tech was never ranked…….Reggie, Reggie, Reggie !
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
7:24 pm
uh oh willie, betta not go der with dat nantucket stuff ’cause mista bradley goin call you out on dat!