Whoa! ESPN’s Dinich puts Tech sixth in ACC power ratings
That was then. Now is sixth? (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
If Georgia fans weren’t happy with where Chris Low of ESPN.com slotted the Bulldogs in his pre-spring SEC power ratings — and they weren’t — Tech fans won’t exactly offer up hosannas to his colleague Heather Dinich. She places the reigning ACC champion sixth in a 12-team league. Her list:
- Virginia Tech
- Florida State
- North Carolina
- Miami
- Boston College
- Georgia Tech
- Clemson
- North Carolina State
- Maryland
- Wake Forest
- Duke
- Virginia
Her thoughts on the Jackets:
“There are too many questions to give the defending ACC champs too much credit just yet. Having lost their leading rusher, receiver and top two defenders, the Jackets have some work to do. They also have to adjust to a new defensive scheme under first-year coordinator Al Groh. Odds are the offense makes a seamless transition with Anthony Allen at B-back.”
Tech fans might be amused by the phraseology. Ms. Dinich didn’t exactly overwhelm the Jackets with “credit” even as they were winning the conference.(She picked Virginia Tech to finish ahead of them in preseason and picked Clemson to beat them in the ACC title game. She did, however, pick Georgia Tech to beat Iowa in the Orange Bowl.
The intriguing choice — at least to me — is her decision to put Tech below Boston College, which went 8-5 and didn’t beat anybody any good. (Unless you count Florida State, which finished 7-6.) But I must tell you — and I kind of predicted this — that there’s a downgrading of Tech ongoing almost across the board.
Esteemed former colleague Mark Schlabach, now of ESPN.com, had the Jackets No. 13 in a Top 25 for 2010 he compiled in January. In his latest Top 25, he has them 24th. I’ve been suggesting for a while that 2010 could be a year of retrenching for Paul Johnson — I see at least three losses and maybe more — and I thought the early projections of Tech as a Top 10 team were simply too high. (Especially after four significant juniors declared for the NFL draft.)
And if you’re wondering how I’d rank the ACC in 2010, wonder no longer. The Bradley Index can be found here. (And my SEC ratings, if you’re inclined, are here.
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217 comments Add your comment
Clint Hodges Wants to...
February 11th, 2010
11:28 pm
First
Big Sexy
February 11th, 2010
11:30 pm
Good, bring on the neigh-sayers. CPJ thrives on this. We will repeat as ACC champs.
wiley
February 11th, 2010
11:32 pm
does this really suprise you? She picked against tech every game last year. Personally I think tech should 4th behind VT, Miami, and UNC. IDK why she has FSU so high…they have had talent and still not done anything the last few years….what makes you think it will change?
Jacket Backer
February 11th, 2010
11:34 pm
the lower the expectations the better!…..we are much better in the underdog role…….CPJ wins football games….that will not change soon……..remember year 1 under Johnson???….picked to finish 11th in a 12 team league…..
GO JACKETS!!!
Mark Bradley
February 11th, 2010
11:41 pm
Clint Hodges with a leadoff homer. Kudos, Clint.
Jamaaliver
February 11th, 2010
11:41 pm
Sadly, i think she may be right.
Mark Bradley
February 11th, 2010
11:42 pm
You think Tech should be fourth, Wiley? Let’s just say great minds run alike.
ArkyTech
February 12th, 2010
12:06 am
Amazing how winning championships makes us fans care less and less about these “‘rankings”.
david
February 12th, 2010
12:14 am
30-24
STB
February 12th, 2010
12:21 am
Switch Tech with BC and switch FSU with Clemson. But as a Dawgs fan I have my own concerns….. QB!
Herschel Talker
February 12th, 2010
12:25 am
Look, I’m a Dawg fan through and through and would love nothing more than to see this be the case, but to be completely honest with you, what the hell is anyone doing listening to a woman with regards to this matter? This woman is a contrarian indicator of the highest order.
Bobby Bowden
February 12th, 2010
12:30 am
Just like a woman!
Susan
February 12th, 2010
12:36 am
The simple fact is Heather Dinich does not care for our “high school offense” and doesn’t have the slightest faith in GT. She pulled against us all 2009 and only picked us to win the Orange Bowl because she didn’t want to be the ACC blogger on the four-letter network picking against us. Even CPJ called her out in the post-VT press conference. I find it funny that her network loves to put us on Thursday nights and she loves to pick against us. That’s OK. Josh at QB, Stephen Hill catching passes, Double A/Roddy running the B-back, and Al Groh coaching the 3-4…we’ll be back folks. Just watch…
TML
February 12th, 2010
12:36 am
The simple fact is Heather Dinich does not care for our “high school offense” and doesn’t have the slightest faith in GT. She pulled against us all 2009 and only picked us to win the Orange Bowl because she didn’t want to be the ACC blogger on the four-letter network picking against us. Even CPJ called her out in the post-VT press conference. I find it funny that her network loves to put us on Thursday nights and she loves to pick against us. That’s OK. Josh at QB, Stephen Hill catching passes, Double A/Roddy running the B-back, and Al Groh coaching the 3-4…we’ll be back folks. Just watch.
SCQA&A
February 12th, 2010
12:37 am
http://www.stinGTees.com
Paul's Johnson
February 12th, 2010
12:51 am
She does not like Tech. She’d pick Maryland above us if she thought it wouldn’t cause her ridicule.
StingerSplash
February 12th, 2010
1:01 am
Heather Dinich is an idiot.
Losing Morgan and Thomas is huge, yes. Losing Burnett, not so much. The Jackets had been planning all along on having to replace Dwyer at B-back after the 09 season, figuring he would opt for the draft.
But they do have Nesbitt back and the defense, with a new scheme, can’t be as forgiving as it was during long stretches last year.
What she fails to mention is the loss of two starting offensive linemen, Cord Howard and very likely Joseph Gilbert, who is graduating in three years and will apply to grad school. So will Clyde Yandell, a reserve lineman.
Yet aside from Dwyer and Thomas, all the skill people are back. So is most of the offensive line. So is most of the defense. So is PJ.
Sixth? Ms. Dinich, would you like crow served hot or cold and would you like a side salad with it?
Kurdt Kobain
February 12th, 2010
1:47 am
Not surprising. She didn’t give GT any credit when they were winning the ACC. Once again… GT vs VT will decide the ACC title. Just like the last two years.
TXDawg
February 12th, 2010
2:01 am
They’re projected that high??!!
I would’ve thought more like 8th.
sunday
February 12th, 2010
3:21 am
as much as i hate to agree with a georgia fan, i concur with TXDawg. I would say about 8th or so.
Larry
February 12th, 2010
5:29 am
Wow! I’ve met SO MANY female football experts in my day this news will have me overeating and under sleeping!
Comical!
Conyers Braves Fan
February 12th, 2010
6:06 am
Enter your comments here
Conyers Yellow Jacket
February 12th, 2010
6:20 am
Mark: Her ranking and the slightly higher one you are about to announce are probably right.
The reasons she states and whatever yours are may be different from mine.
I have a question and comment as to why I think GT will be a middle of the pack ACC team from now on as long as PJ is around.
Question: If PJ`s TO offense is so great why are other teams not using it?
I believe that a good defensive game plan (UGA and Iowa last year) can stop this outdated
offense. The ACC teams will do this too. Just a matter of time.
GT3O
February 12th, 2010
6:20 am
Mark, as a journalist you know a thing or two about contradiction, false logic, and double standards, right?
Did you notice her reasoning for FSU at number 2? Notice she said they have new coaches and that should improve their defense to match a “champion” calibur offense.
Now look at her reasoning for GT. GT will being so low is her assumption that GT will have to learn a new defense. So I guess Al Groh and now Andy McCollum two of the best coaches in defense in the game are on the same sideline, but Mark Stoops at FSU will somehow magically sprinkle fairy dust and make FSU’s defensive athletes learn so much faster than GT’s, that she can justify ranking them 2nd. Although, Dave Wommack somehow found a way to stop FSU’s “champion” calibur offense.
People fail to realize that the offense will still roll this year, probably even better with Nesbitt yet another Spring and Fall to learn even more. Anthony Allen will slot JD just fine and may have better results as teams may not key in on him as much since JD is gone. Paul Johnson will find a way to get passes to players without Bay-Bay. Bay-Bay was great at jump balls, but let’s face it, the passing aspect of the offense needs to have progressions by the QB to work at its full potential and that’s up to Josh to learn. He’ll be better at it this Fall, Mark my words (pun intended).
The defense will be better. It can’t get any worse than last year. If GT could have stopped UGA and Iowa just one time we would not be having a conversation about this. Hopefully, Al Groh will be able to find a way to save GT 7 points better next year.
I don’t see all the pessimism. Yes, GT lost the bowl and to UGA. That defense last year was going to catch GT sooner or later. Unfortunately, it came against UGA and Iowa. Now GT has upgraded there. Most other football teams would be getting the benefit of the doubt that GT is not getting. You know the story, The conference champion returning a senior QB, a full stable of experienced running backs, and returns, what 8 on defense? 11 with experience. Sounds like a good bet to me.
Pre-season ACC for me:
1. GT-conference champion, returns a stable of skill position players, and new players off redshirts add depth.
2. Miami – Lot’s of players returning should be a good year.
3. VT – lost a lot of players on defense. Look for them to struggle early, especially with Boise St. there in the beginning. Also lost big man Sergio Render on the O-line, freshman stepping in.
4. UNC – should be OK, not great, but OK. Lost some talent on D as well.
5. FSU – too many coaching changes and changes overall to sprinkle them with a benefit of the doubt. They have not been the FSU everyone likes to think they were lately.
6. Meh…mix and match the rest.
70 Dawg
February 12th, 2010
6:39 am
Is this the same ESPN that picked Tech #8 in the preseason 2010
poll last month and UGA UGA ningth in the SEC yesterday? They are
a joke, obviously and their predictions are too.
Joe
February 12th, 2010
6:41 am
Glad to know you’re still alive. Something new around March 1st?
Yeah, GT30...
February 12th, 2010
6:50 am
…that GT defense last year really found a way to stop the FSU offense in that 48 – 47(or whatever it was) shootout – all Dave as DC did was make sure the other team scores quick enough so that PJ’s offense gets the ball last – LOL – and even then it took the FSU guy dropping the winning throw!
Yeah, GT30...
February 12th, 2010
6:51 am
…and don’t ever call Mark Bradley a “journalist”!!!!!!
Ozzy
February 12th, 2010
6:53 am
I wish it was football season Mark.
How much more Paul Hewitt basketball does this fan base have to be subjected to?
Go Jackets!
falcon 71
February 12th, 2010
6:53 am
If you want laughs check out SI’s preseason polls over the years verses the final national rankings. Those morons get about 30% of the top ten correct. LOL
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
7:02 am
We will repeat as ACC champs.
That’s about as big of an accomplishment as eating breakfast
jeffrey d
February 12th, 2010
7:04 am
Those morons get about 30% of the top ten correct. LOL
…that’s actually not too bad. Trying to predict the 10 best teams out of 100-something before a down has ever been played isn’t an easy task. Unless your name is falcon 71. I’ll bet he can predict the top 10 for 2050
Cracker jJcket
February 12th, 2010
7:11 am
SI’s preseason polls are a joke like most polls! Georgia Tech and Georgia both will be better than the polls and it will be interesting to see how both teams adapt to the positive changes.
Dawghater
February 12th, 2010
7:13 am
And anyone should care why? Power rankings, recruiting rankings, etc. And they mean what? Last time I checked they still play the game on the field!
oldfart
February 12th, 2010
7:18 am
“They also have to adjust to a new defensive scheme under first-year coordinator Al Groh.” This is stated like it is a negative and makes no mention that Groh isn’t exactly a rookie at this.
For FSU though we get a positive spin on the same situation “…this ranking is based on the assumption that the defense will be different — and improved — under first-year coordinator Mark Stoops.”
Sports pundit logic. She is easier on the eyes than Bradley though.
Techfanplus
February 12th, 2010
7:18 am
One good thing, Mark, we get to play the games. That’s when PJ shines. Go Jackets!
GT Dog
February 12th, 2010
7:18 am
I think I know why she sees the new defensive staffs at FSU and GT having opposite effects on the upcoming season. Obviously, as everone knows, FSU recruits only the best and brightest student-athletes, while Tech just grabs a bunch of punks and sticks ‘em in Calc classes so they can keep their grades up.
FSU’s players will learn their new scheme in a matter of days. The Tech dolts will be struggling to learn the 3-4 well into November of 2011…
GT Dog
February 12th, 2010
7:18 am
I think I know why she sees the new defensive staffs at FSU and GT having opposite effects on the upcoming season. Obviously, as everone knows, FSU recruits only the best and brightest student-athletes, while Tech just grabs a bunch of punks and sticks ‘em in Calc classes so they can keep their grades up.
FSU’s players will learn their new scheme in a matter of days. The Tech dolts will be struggling to learn the 3-4 well into November of 2011…
Dawg-Hatin' Jacket
February 12th, 2010
7:21 am
I don’t mind the “dis”. Just one idiot woman’s opinion. What do women know about football anyway? Though I can’t see how anybody could rank us below FSU and BC. Talk about question marks. FSU has a boat-load of them.
Gators2010
February 12th, 2010
7:25 am
Since the Gators have dominated the Dawgs for two long and delightful decades, belittling Tech is all Dawgs fans have to hang their hats on.
In the SEC championship, gatorhate had Dawg fans pulling for Bama; the very same them that had issued them a blackout beatdown on the home field. Ain’t u glad to dodge Bama for a couple of years so u can imagine a Bama championship team as a plus. It isn’t.
Ponte Vedra Dog
February 12th, 2010
7:33 am
Gators2010, very nice grammar. I’m glad to see you are not a Georgia fan. You have probably never been to Gainesville either.
oldfart
February 12th, 2010
7:34 am
And yes brokeback, GT is a world renowned institution and attracts some of the top engineering minds along with a healthy amount of National Merit scholars. The good news is that the Hope scholarship and Jan Kemp have helped pick up the academic standards at UGA. I hear the football team now has to be able to sing the whole alphabet song by themselves. The girls even go there now for more than the traditional MRS. degree. Obviously UGA has kept their homophobic and racist supporters though even if they couldn’t qualify to attend either school.
Ponte Vedra Dog
February 12th, 2010
7:39 am
Georgia is lucky to have two top level academic institutions in UGA and GT. Anyone saying otherwise is just being stupid.
YellowJacketFalcon
February 12th, 2010
7:43 am
The ENTIRE ACC fan base will agree. We HATE having Heather Stench as our blogger. She is a moron. Example. She one reason she picked Tech so low was the fact that we have a new DC & new scheme (our defense was horrible remember) yet thinks that because FSU has a new DC, it will make them better?
War Jacket
February 12th, 2010
7:44 am
I am not concerned about the loss of Thomas, Dwyer or Burnett. The first two were great players, but PJ will find replacements as I don’t think you need great athletes at these positions in order for PJ’s offfense to be successful. Burnett regressed last year. He either was playing not to get hurt or was hurt and was playing. I saw him miss too many tackles and seemed content with going for RB’s ankles instead of putting them down as an elite safety should.
Morgan is the one we will miss the most, and I question how our returning talent on the DLine will fair in Groh’s 3/4. You really have to have a dominant nose tackle and stud tackles for that scheme to work, and I don’t see any of those on Tech’s roster.
The offense better be churning out 40 a game, or it could get ugly early next year.
looks about right
February 12th, 2010
7:45 am
Sounds just about right…I think it’s dead on. Deal with it Tech fans. Save this and see what happens next year.
Gators2010
February 12th, 2010
7:51 am
I’m pulling for Logan Grey to win te QB competition. Which Florida linebacker will he throw the ball to next year?
You can’t win the SEC with Stafford, Moreno and Massaqua but you’ll do it with a freshman or Grey?
Good luck with that.
Ponte Vedra Dog
February 12th, 2010
7:53 am
It’s Gray and Massaquoi you idiot.
Gators2010
February 12th, 2010
7:54 am
I have been to and attended the U of F. You mistake my hate with Tech fans because it is so similar.
Dawgs fans hate it when Gators show up with our 3 BCS championships when you have a goose egg. Bama has two. Lsu has two. Tenn has one and you have a goose egg.
Enjoy.
Goldtimer
February 12th, 2010
7:55 am
Maybe a spot or two low going into the spring ratings but I can live with it. The only one that matters is the one at the end of the year. With all that Tech has lost with the 4 going pro and staff changes, the national media will not have the faith that they should have in Paul Johnson. The ACC’s strength is starting to get recognized. This coming year the ACC will pass the SEC as the national conference of choice.