Top 25 for 2010: Tech fans won’t like this; UGA fans might
The Crimson Tide will be high again in 2010, but dynastic? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Some folks crank out a preseason Top 25 during the fourth quarter of the BCS title game. I didn’t, for two reasons: First, I was still too astonished by Mack Brown’s shovel-pass-before-the-half to have a coherent thought; second, I wanted to wait and see which juniors were leaving. The shovel pass rankles still, but we now have clarity regarding the NFL early entrants. And here we go:
1. Alabama: Sports Illustrated just proclaimed the Tide a dynasty, which is cart-before-the-horse stuff. Wasn’t it this time a year ago that we were saying Florida was unbeatable?
2. Iowa: Football, as with all things in life, is cyclical. And we saw in the bowl season that teams from the slow and boring Big Ten looked neither slow nor boring.
3. Oregon: Football is cyclical. (Am I repeating myself?) There’s room at the top of the Pac-10, and coming off one Rose Bowl the fleet Ducks — is that an oxymoron? — are poised to go back.
4. Ohio State: Here we have a second Big Ten team before we come to our second SEC representative. I’m not trying to be a heretic. I just think Terrelle Pryor is really good.
5. Boise State: The Broncos leave their blue turf to play Virginia Tech in Washington, D.C., next season. I’m sorry, but I don’t see them winning that game.
6. Florida: Lost Tim Tebow. Lost three big-time defenders. Might lose the head coach. Probably won’t lose more than one regular-season game, though. Cupboard’s not entirely bare.
7. Texas: I keep hearing that Garrett Gilbert showed signs in the BCS title game of being a top-flight quarterback. I thought he showed signs of being not nearly as good as Colt McCoy.
8. Virginia Tech: If you’re looking for the nation’s most consistently overrated team, look first to Blacksburg. But I see the Hokies winning the ACC in 2010, which I guess makes me complicit.
9. Nebraska: Scan these ratings and you won’t find LSU. How long before the Tigers make a hard run at Bo Pelini, who has done nice work in Lincoln, to replace Les Miles? Not long, I think.
10. TCU: Interesting, is it not? With all the coach-swapping we’ve just seen, two guys still in place are the two who coached the Fiesta Bowl — TCU’s Gary Patterson and Boise’s Chris Petersen.
11. Wisconsin: Earlier I noted that the Big Ten isn’t all that ponderous anymore. It is, however, still powerful. Check out this offensive line if you’re a fan of road-grading.
12. North Carolina: It hasn’t yet happened for Butch Davis in Chapel Hill, but it’s getting closer. Last season he had the D. Next season he upgrades the O and finishes ahead of the reigning ACC titlist.
Iowa will be better in 2010. Tech will not. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
13. Arkansas: Want a heartwarming story? Bobby Petrino upsets Alabama on Sept. 25, striking a blow for good guys everywhere. Yes, I’m kidding. About the story and the upset.
14. Pittsburgh: Dave Wannstedt wasn’t much of an NFL head coach, but he has built Pitt into something special. With Brian Kelly no longer at Cincinnati, here’s your Big East beast.
15. Georgia Tech: No, I’m not bailing out on Paul Johnson and his stylized offense. I just don’t think you can lose four of your five best players a year early and expect to be as good.
16. Penn State: Another Big Ten team! This one coached by a guy who fought in the Civil War! (I exaggerate, slightly.) Is the globe spinning backward on its axis? Is global warming real?
17. Oklahoma: We went almost a decade without being able to compile a preseason ranking that didn’t feature Big Game Bob Stoops in the top five. Time’s up on BGBS, I’m afraid.
18. Florida State: Two ways this can go in Year 1 after Saint Bobby — either the ‘Noles fall apart or they reclaim some sense of discipline. I’m taking Door No. 2.
19. South Carolina: This marks the 97th consecutive offseason Gamecock fans are getting geeked up for their big breakthrough. The 97th time just might be the charm, though.
20. Utah: The second-best team in the Mountain West (behind TCU) just might have the best coach (Kyle Whittingham). Tennessee just tried to hire him. He didn’t bite.
21. Georgia: Ten offensive starters return, but the exception is the quarterback. The defense gains Todd Grantham but loses six starters. You might say it’s a good-news-bad-news thing.
22. Navy: I’m not suggesting that losing Paul Johnson was a boost, but it didn’t exactly derail the Middies. They’re 18-9 in two post-PJ seasons. And they still run the ball.
23. Miami: Yes, there are four teams from the ACC Coastal on this list, another reason I don’t see Georgia Tech repeating. Although Tech should beat Miami this time.
24. Oregon State: The second-best team in the Pac-10 should be the Beavers, though it could be Stanford or Cal. It won’t be Southern Cal, though. You know why.
25. Houston: The Cougars have this quarterback. He has passed for 10,691 yards the past two seasons. His name is not Andre Ware. His name is Case Keenum. Pretty good name.
The Georgia defense in 2010: Not as many players but better-coached? (AP photo)
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539 comments Add your comment
Jackets!
January 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
Hmmmmm. But it seemed to work on georgia in 2009….hhmmmmm
PT
January 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
You share a National title once in a while in football which is a good reason for a playoff system
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
1:49 pm
GT top dogs!!! you are really grasping for straws now. And yes I am comparing our baseball team to yours. CP has this program headed in the right direction. Are you wanting to compare Sears Cup points or what?
PMC
January 21st, 2010
1:50 pm
If it all goes down the way it is laid out now Auburn is going to run run run and run. This may be thier best recruiting class in the last decade.
Lord of the Lizards
January 21st, 2010
1:50 pm
Per my previous post, 11-2 is including SECCG…
Eastside Jacket
January 21st, 2010
1:51 pm
Tech should have a good team but not necessarily a good record due to their BRUTAL road schedule (@ VA. Tech, @ Clemson, @ UNC, @ UGA). I think most rational Tech fans would take a Top 15 ranking in what’s considered a rebuilding year.
UGA should win 9 games on pure talent alone. They won 8 games last year but this year swap two losses (Okie State and LSU) for two sure wins (Colorado and Miss. State). They could actually have a WORSE team in 2010 but end up with a better record.
mgdawg
January 21st, 2010
1:51 pm
GT fans, you do realize that your team ended the season ranked 13th. You lost 2 out of your last 3 games, and in the two losses were dominated and in the one win barely squeaked it out. You are losing your best players to the draft, and lets be honest here you haven’t been an annual power. To be honest, 15th is if anything generous.
As far as UGA goes. If UGA would’ve hired a DC who ran the 4-3 I think we would see a quick turnaround; however, the 3-4 is going to take time to learn and take time to get players just to fit the system. I think there will be improvement, but there are going to be games when UGA is going to have to shoot it out on offense again. The offense should be much improved. UGA should be improved on offense with 10 starters returning and the one departure being a good thing.
HEY !!!
January 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Mark “Mr Turnaround” Richt
do you really wanna play the they played them close and we beat them game?
GeoffDawg
January 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
People, please remember to spay and neuter your tech fans. Gt top dogs!!! should not be diluting the gene pool.
Jackets!
January 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Not gonna talk about uga sports anymore with these people…buy for now guys. Enjoy your letdown again next season rednecks!
Big J
January 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Why does he have the loser UGAY coach on the picture with 3 great coaches?
More overrated: Ohio State or UGAY?
Answer: UGAY. They couldn’t even get passed the Tennessee 34 yard line this year and managed to make Crompton look like a Manning!
Durwood
January 21st, 2010
1:52 pm
Cheap shot at Texas and Gilbert, a freshman who had Texas within 3 with 3 minutes to go.
YellowJacketFalcon
January 21st, 2010
1:53 pm
Simplystupid, its Cardinal (singular) NOT Cardinals (plural)you inbred, whitetrash, carbon copy UGHEY idiot.
Big J
January 21st, 2010
1:54 pm
mgdawg,
KENTUCKY IS STILL LAUGHING AT YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If, Would, Should Have, Next Year
January 21st, 2010
1:55 pm
“UGA not NC’s in 2010 but anyone who claims UGA is middle tier on this blog under CMR is smoking crack. Winning or equal records against Alabama, LSU,Tennessee and Auburn.”
UGA is not middle tier, they are second tier. Beat Florida two years in a row, win a title, then you will go to first tier. 41-17
Big J
January 21st, 2010
1:56 pm
You are correct, UGAY is not middle tier. They are bottom dwellers with Kentucky being better than them! Better watch out for Vandy too!!!!!!!!
Gt4ever
January 21st, 2010
2:00 pm
Rivals
No, UGA fans seem to be in Class all alone at the TOP. They are second to NONE when it comes to obnoxious….
As far as fixing the problems with the authorities….. Coach Richt has suspended a kid who has assaulted a female for TWO games…. Yeah, this is a felony! Yeah he has fixed it alright…. Your program is a JOKE, Coach Richt has NO handle on discipline, and it looks like he just doesn’t care!
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
2:01 pm
YellowJacketFalcom, Big J, If, Would, Should Have, Next Year see my handle. And you are very funny stand up comedians, please let me know when your next show will be starting. LOL!!!
NativeAtlantan
January 21st, 2010
2:02 pm
I love it. Bring on football season!
The UGA homers who troll this board amuse me.
I think GT at 15 is fair. UGA anywhere in that poll is generous.
dan
January 21st, 2010
2:05 pm
Gt top dogs.
I’m no math major but I know what 30-24,31-17(twice) 14-7, 15-12, 19-13, 34-17 and 51-7 add up to. Spin it however you want my friend, but when you’re 2-8 versus a team in a decade you’re not their rival! Same is true for the UGA vs. Florida series, that is NOT a rivalry. It takes 2 teams to make a rivalry and Tech isn’t living up to their end of the bargain.
NativeAtlantan
January 21st, 2010
2:06 pm
dawg says “Tech will not be in the Top 25 next year, the offense is too predictable and they cannot pass the football.”
So shat must be why GT won 9 games in 2008 and 11 in 2009…GT likes being overlooked…they’ll win 10 in ‘10.
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
2:07 pm
Only rival fans call our program a joke.Good to know that you were a witness to all crimes in Athens. I am not obnoxious… and from all of the posts on here it looks like we are not on top… Just ask the NFL pundits who has more respect in the league GT or UGA.
WonderDawg
January 21st, 2010
2:09 pm
Technophobia (12:36), you mean “another year, another bowl win.” That’s what we say. What do nerds say?
1eyedJack
January 21st, 2010
2:11 pm
Gt top dogs!!!
Better than playing in a concrete jungle smack dab in the middle of a cesspool. And ya’ll sleep with terrorists….whenever you can figure out how to get them out of their burkas.
hahaha
January 21st, 2010
2:11 pm
UGA new D coordinator????? like he had a hard job at dallas did you see his players… “ughhhhh HEY YOU FREAK SPECIMEN OF HUMANS…. UGHHH GET BALL ….. KILLL”!!!!! ” ok du du du COACH”
cluett peabody
January 21st, 2010
2:12 pm
Mark, You take that back – you should pick Miami to beat GT. I have told you before – whenever you pick Tech to beat another team Tech looses. You take that back, please.
Gt4ever
January 21st, 2010
2:14 pm
Rival
Your right, my bad, your program is irrelevant to people outside the southeast.
I don’t have to be a witness, it’s a FACT that this kid has committed a felony. It was just recently in the AJC…. I guess that the 2 game suspension is OK, he was probably the victim, because of how or where he grew up….. Good Grief, you guys care nothing about anything, but winning football games! PATHETIC!
ugaaccountant
January 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Can’t see why Georgia fans would like this. Everyone will be ranking us near the bottom of the 25, and you did as well. I can’t tell if you’re saying you’ve rated us higher than other prognosticators or not.
Or if you mean we’re happy to see you’ve got Tech 15th, yeah I don’t give a crap about that. I don’t base my hapiness around some other teams preseason ranking being slightly lower than expected.
1eyedJack
January 21st, 2010
2:19 pm
Gt4ever
Jerrard Tarrant
Gt4ever
January 21st, 2010
2:20 pm
I gotta go. My boyfriend wants to play rock, paper, scissors to see who spanks who first. I win either way!!
hahaha
January 21st, 2010
2:21 pm
this isnt all about football…. you think a TECH man wants to be in red and black…. piss wasted drunk walking in a stadium that literally is in the shape of a toilet bowl with country ass rednecks BARKING LIKE A DOG!!?!?!!? hahahahaaaa ill be in the white and gold for that reason alone….. i dont need to dominate a team my whole life so there is someone i can put down to make myself feel better all the time when in truth the dogs get dominated and lets be honest- JAn KEMP EQUALS UGA GLORY YEARS…. does anyone have that kkk picture with the uga guys in it yaaaaa creeepppyyyyyyy
Come on..... Don't even go there!
January 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
1eyedJack,
Good example of a program with discipline to compare and contrast…. GT did the right thing, UGA suspends the kid for 2 games….. Thanks for the example, excellent comparison.
Greg
January 21st, 2010
2:23 pm
UGA finished in the top 10 6 of 7 years before this one. They beat Tech and Auburn and won a bowl game even in a “bad year”(yes, 8 wins is a bad year for an elite program). Yet you think UGA might be happy with a ranking outside the top 20, 6 places behind a middling ACC team that they OWN? If you want to know the impact a good DC can have on a program IMMEDIATELY, look at Bill Young at Okie State. Despite losing Dez Bryant and suffering injuries to their qb and best RB which resulted in a subpar year offensively, the defense kept them in just about every game, they won 9 and played in a new year’s bowl. This for a team that had been horrible defensively for years and doesn’t have nearly the talent on that side of the ball that Georgia has.
GeoffDawg
January 21st, 2010
2:25 pm
hahaha – last I checked, “tech man” is an oxymoron.
sc dawg
January 21st, 2010
2:28 pm
Georgia Tech might not even finish in the top 25. They’ll lose at least three, if not more. UGA will surpise some folks. Won’t win the East, but, will finish a strong second, play in a decent non BCS bowl (Capital One perhaps), and will lose two, perhaps three. They’ll finish in the top 15. And, for all you Tech guys that are going to say I’m being loyal, etc., I predicted 5 to 6 losses this past year for UGA . . . and, I thought the preseason #1 ranking two years ago was very inflated due to the state of the dawg defense. The defense will improve, but, not be great for two to three seasons. The offense will be pretty good this year, capable of putting up big numbers. How long is it till September????
Rebel Ace
January 21st, 2010
2:30 pm
Houston Nutt does best when he’s underrated. Rebs win the West in 2010!
Hawkeye Hal
January 21st, 2010
2:31 pm
Hank Reardon
January 21st, 2010
11:25 am
Iowa is getting too much respect for beating GT. They had a month to prepare for a high school offense. Hell, they didn’t even win the little ten.
- – - – -
Hey Dumb-A, Iowa runs the table if not for losing Stanzi against Northwestern and OSU. Better be glad your boys didn’t face him –iowa would torch your pathetic team for 30+.
hahaha
January 21st, 2010
2:32 pm
hahahaaaaa ok GEO FF……….
Florida > Georgia
January 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4845013
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4844960
1eyedJack
January 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
GeoffDawg
Or just a plain ol’ moron.
GeoffDawg
January 21st, 2010
2:40 pm
Hawkeye Hal – as I understand it, Stanzi’s not that good even when he’s healthy. Didn’t he lead the nation in interceptions per pass attempt last year? I hope Mark didn’t base his lofty expectations on his performance.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 21st, 2010
2:41 pm
Lawsoot. It’s coming. You just wait.
GT3O
January 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
Mark,
You are following a double standard here with your reasons for ranking higher the UGA team and lower ranking of GT.
You say GT can’t lose 4 of its starters and be as good.
You then say UGA may get better with Todd Grantham even though they lost 6 on defense.
GT only lost 2 on defense and they got, IMO, a more proven DC than UGA. GT also has guys who have started to replace the one’s gone on defense, so GT isn’t starting players with no in game experience.
Also, the 2 on offense will be missed, only neither were truly instrumental in carrying the defense last year. That was a team effort, and again, Paul Johnson has experienced guys going in for them, and Anthony Allen is the same build as Dwyer and runs just as hard.
I don’t see your logic there. GT will return 9 on offense and 9 on defense, and even then their back-ups have had playing time last season. UGA returns 10 on offense and only 7 on defense, but because they got a new DC maybe they’ll make up for it? GT got a new DC as well and we return more. It just doesn’t make sense.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
Nancy Pelosi is going to help me. She called me a butt-ugly dog but she’s going to help me.
BartBuzz
January 21st, 2010
2:47 pm
Mark…
Everybody has to have a Top 25 before next season starts. My only comment is that one thing I’ve learned these past two years is not to underestimate Paul Johnson. Your #15 pick seems to have negated any benefit from Tech picking up Al Groh on defense. A better defense is key to GT moving up in the standings. After six years of mediocre teams under Chan Gailey I would be happy with another 10 or 11 win season.
the real Old Gold
January 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
Pre-Season rankings are about as useful as male nipples.
just saying
January 21st, 2010
2:48 pm
I’m a Tech fan and I’m not offended. At this point I think 15 is too high. Tech needs DEFENSE. And the way it looked in the bowl game they needed offense as well. I think it is way to early to rank the Jackets. I’m hoping they will have a decent season. If not, oh well, I’ll still be a Jacket fan!!
buzz
January 21st, 2010
2:49 pm
Mark, you are right on the money due to the four kids that left for the NFL and the difficult road schedule. You may have GT ranked a bit too high.
ed
January 21st, 2010
2:52 pm
I am amazed any 18 yr old would want to play for paul johnson or al groh
Yellow Fuzz
January 21st, 2010
2:55 pm
Tech will suprise a lot of dogs only. Everyone else knows Paul Johnson only needs to reload. The system is in place. And the dogs know they will have to get bloody to beat Tech. And they don’t like it.