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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
584 comments Add your comment
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
8:09 pm
i remember the day when coach dooley stopped practice and gave Keith a scholarship. i wasnt on the field, mind you, but knew about it.
CHARLOTTE DAWG
January 14th, 2010
8:10 pm
I guess it $ucks to get beat by an “irrelevant” team, doesn’t it Bammer Jack-off.
I’m sure everyone in Alabama knows about Talibanny Tech, don’t they?
Whoops…Caleb King just scored again….ALL THU WAY TURNT UP, ALL THA’ WAY TURRRNT UP.
Why do you geeks even play that song? Your band even plays it? Can I get it on iTunes just to remember our win over you?
Many thanks
ratherBgambling
January 14th, 2010
8:10 pm
GT has a better chance of finishing #22 than UGA finishing #8.
Froggy the Gremlin
January 14th, 2010
8:10 pm
All you idiots who think the NC in 1990 was a split, I ask you this: would you rather be voted NCs by a bunch of sportwriters or actual coaches? Morons!
5thGenATL
January 14th, 2010
8:11 pm
Prob already been said, but Mark, seriously, check the spelling of Logan’s last name for the sake of journalistic integrity….spellcheck cant help you all the time…
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
8:11 pm
CBB1
January 14th, 2010
7:37 pm
Technophobia,
How can you say that the ACC has not figured out how to defend the Triple Option?
It wasn’t me saying that, although I agree. That was a quote straight from Sports Illustrated. Besides that, Johnson is 1-1 vs Miami not 0-2. Since we only lost one conference game last year, how can you say the ACC HAS figured out the triple option.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:12 pm
willie, when are you going to Knoxville?
FalconUGAFan
January 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
bamaguy I agree with you. Saban is the best coach in the game, IMHO. BUT, I doubt it is about the money anymore. You better hope he doesn’t get bored or decide he wants a different challenge. Might want to hope you don’t win the MNC next year.
Mo Betta
January 14th, 2010
8:14 pm
things gettin mighty ugly in these parts now. its ’bout time i get quainted wid dem froggie legs, yep, ’bout dat time. you’ns b’have yo’selfs now and i’s be seein’ ya round. Au revoir!
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
8:14 pm
In 1990 there was only one team that played both Colorado and Tech. That team was Nebraska and their coach voted Tech #1.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:14 pm
Somebody left a big orange on our doorstep today. What does that mean?
FullMetalJacket
January 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
frank james: I agree with you on Dodd’s character and achievement and on Walker’s contribution to the UGA program. The pendulum swings, the wheel goes ’round, life goes on.
frank james
January 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
Thank you Mo Betta, I look forward to it! Man I am still concerned who will get the Duke job if Cutcliff goes to Tenn. I have always admired that program. Spurrier and Cuctcliff did great jobs there. Those kids deserve a good coach.
CJ
January 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
For Tech they return and add to the O-line. Nesbitt is the key to he offense as he was this year. yes in 08 Dwyer was key. Jones, Allen Etc can run the ball. The pass game may change and be a more short range pass but I feel Hill can take the long ball.
Defense, yes we lose two guys but Burnett was really not a game changer this year and if you want to look at losses, losing the three guys from 08 was a much bigger loss than one guy on the D-line.
Schedule yes interesting on the road but. Clemson on the road has made no difference to us. We don’t play FSU. Va Tech might be tricky and we don’t play well at UNC. In Athens, in my life time, 47 years we win more there than at home. I think 10-2.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
Everybody: Get your pants up off the ground
Alabama Jack
January 14th, 2010
8:16 pm
I continue to be retarded and repetitive.
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
8:17 pm
I’m afraid Duke may be the team that doesn’t have a chair when the music stops.
Utah
January 14th, 2010
8:17 pm
Alabama Jack
January 14th, 2010
8:01 pm
dagws continue to be irrelevant
As was Bama for the past 10 years until this year. Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
8:18 pm
CJ, good point on the DL.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:18 pm
Cutcliff to UT is (probably) a done deal Technophobia
FullMetalJacket
January 14th, 2010
8:18 pm
If the Vols “steal” Cutcliffe from Duke, I somehow don’t think the Dukies will be burning mattresses and barricading the athletic offices, even though Cutcliffe means a lot more to Duke’s future than Kiffin ever meant to Tennessee’s.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
8:19 pm
honey, i TOLD you we’re not going to Knoxville.
Technophobia
January 14th, 2010
8:20 pm
Willie’s wife, I agree completely. Cutcliffe is someone they can trust and brings stability to the program.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:20 pm
Buy “little willie”, I like it there…..the people have more teeth than me.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:21 pm
And he’s cute in a Santa Claus kinda way too Technophobia
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:24 pm
Get your pants up off the ground
FullMetalJacket
January 14th, 2010
8:25 pm
Duke would have real reason to mourn if they lose Cutcliffe. UT felt betrayed by Kiffin because they had bought into all his USC crap for so long (many against their better judgment) and had to put up with so much peripheral static because of him…but almost everyone on the outside thinks they will really be better in the long run without him. Duke on the other hand got a good man with Cutcliffe, who really did well at Ole Miss before they ill advisedly canned him. I would be just a little surprised if Cutcliffe left Duke hanging, even for the better job at familiar UT, but not too much so.
CBB1
January 14th, 2010
8:25 pm
Hey Where’s Herschell,
Excuse me, I messed up on the Miami game. But I DID say Johnson was 2-0 against a BAD FL State team and barely beat them both years. Other than that, my facts are right. This was GA’s worst year since 1996 and we beat your BEST team since 1990. Sorry, but UGA will ALWAYS dominate GA Tech. Have since 1964 and will continue. Better program with better athletes and bigger fan base. How many times has Tech beaten UGA since 1964? 12 times. Look it up.
dcbl
January 14th, 2010
8:26 pm
Mark,
What gives?
1st – do you read these blogs all the way to page 3?
2nd, and this is a biggie: Are
frank james
January 14th, 2010
8:26 pm
FullMetalJacket – I just believe we are so lucky as fans to have two such programs with rich tradition and history. From the coaches, to the players and the play by play guys. We are very fortunate. I have always been a Dawg fan, but I have had friends of mine play at Tech. I remember watching the late,Kim King, Lenny Snow, Rock Perdoni, Randy Rhino and many others along with Coaches Bud Carson, Pepper Rodgers, and Bobby Ross. And man my Dawgs, Bill Stanfill, Happy Dicks, Kirby Moore, Freddie Gilbert, Kevin Mclee, Eddie Meat Clever Weaver and his late brother Mike Weaver, Terry Hogue, Scott Woener and many more. Coaches Dooley, the late Erk Russell, and now Coach Richt. But Herschel was something special. But man what two great programs with great traditions.
Littlewilliewon'tgohome
January 14th, 2010
8:27 pm
I can’t find little willie anywhere, have you seen him, Willie, dear?
Littlewilliewon'tgohome
January 14th, 2010
8:27 pm
if anyone would like a little willie, just ask his wife first to make sure she’ll share
cattle dawg
January 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
Grantham should be announced real soon. That is , unless he backs out at the last minute to.
where's HERSCHELL
January 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
CBB1 CPJ is 1-1 against Miami 2-0 against FSU and 1-1 against UGAG ! get your facts straight dude.
dcbl
January 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
coninued..
Are you psychic??
I mean, how were you able to answer drock’s question about your kinky afro before he even asked it???
FullMetalJacket
January 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
frank james — well said.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:28 pm
He’s right here with me and only I can call him “little willie”.
Pre season rankings and Robert E. Lee
January 14th, 2010
8:30 pm
Two bits of totally worthless trivia ………..Tech is ranked so and so and Michigan is ranked so and so and SC is gonna be so and so UGA w.o. M Stafford’s clone ( Stafford did nothing for UGA ) will only be so and so. Worthless news.
Robert E. Lee was once a soldier in BOTH the US Army in Mexico AND the Confederacy.
Both 100 % worthless news.
Go Dogs and I love General Pete Longstreet anyway.
GT0UGA
January 14th, 2010
8:31 pm
Jackets go 9-3 in 2010, UGA 8-4
gtfanfrom1951
January 14th, 2010
8:31 pm
The lost of Bay Bay would be bad if we had a passing offense but S Hill will do just fine. The defense will be better beause of improved play of the young d-line. This group of player knows how to win and thats a big difference in other tech teams of the past.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:31 pm
Pre season rankings and Robert E. Lee,
Is that English?
CBB1
January 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
Hey Where’s Herscell,
GA Tech WINS against UGA since 1964—12!!!!! Whew, you guys are really putting a dent in the overall record against us. It has become a rival about like the FL/GA rival-NOT ONE. We own you like FL owns us. At least we beat Florida when we have a good team. You guys can’t even beat us with your best team in 19 years.
willie martinez
January 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
Babe, you usually call me big willie
Monte
January 14th, 2010
8:34 pm
Hey, before we leave Knoxville for lala land, just one shout out….to my idiot son, Edward Lane Kiffin, or “E. Lane”, as we call him…I’m not making another move for you. It’s time you GROW UP! And if you think he’s a jerk now, how do you think he’d be if I was NOT keeping a close watch on him? Have a nice day.
De' truth
January 14th, 2010
8:35 pm
I don’t think you have to go any further than year before last to see what validity pre-season polls have. And particularly those that come out in January.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:37 pm
Well, it depends on the weather. Big in the summer and little in the winter
frank james
January 14th, 2010
8:37 pm
Hey Monte, is it true that was your brother and nephew that chased the Bandit in Smokey and the Bandit. I see alot of resemblence.
Irwin M. "Fletch" Fletcher
January 14th, 2010
8:37 pm
The X factor for Tech will be at WR and the redshirts on both OL and DL. I think we will have a combo of power and speed at B Back of AA, Drummond, Perkins, and Watson… NC is returning a bunch of guys that seem motivated to come back and win the Coastal and VT and Miami are as good if not better than Tech… Tech 9-3 THWG
A memory of Al Ciraldo and The Rock
January 14th, 2010
8:38 pm
As a UGA man in the late 60s and early 70s, I recall Tech’s Al Ciraldo announcing Rock Perdoni this way” here he is, everybody’s All American, here he is # 76, BiiiiiiiiiiiiiG Rock Perdoni” he would scream as Tech came out on the field. Perdoni looked like Taxis’ Danny Davido but maybe 3 ” taller and 100 lbs heavier.
Was Bud Carson yet another tech coach in those days? Dodd, Fulmer, Carson, Pepper, Curry, Ross, Gailey and now CPJ, The greatest coach ever to assemble a team on the planet. ACC’s planet, that is. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA 30-24 and Dwyer only got 33 vs UGA and 0 vs Iowa in the first half of the Urange, in front of 45,000 fans in a half empty stadium.
CPJ? He is entering the danger zone for tech coaches, as they remain in place for 4.5 years and he is going into year # 3 with massive NFL departures, recruited by his predecessor and he has no capable replacements. I see 7-4 or 7-5 then he had better watch it. They will not see the Urange for another 45 years.
willie martinez's wife
January 14th, 2010
8:38 pm
Willie, what movie are we watching tonight? Gotta limerick for me?