Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right
Derrick Morgan and Morgan Burnett play on Sundays now. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
I may be crazy — folks, there’s your opening — but on one issue I’m not alone in my nuttiness. Earlier this summer I picked Georgia Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal Division. On Monday the conference media assembled in Greensboro picked Tech to finish …
Third in the ACC Coastal Division.
Like me, the ACC voters have Virginia Tech and Florida State winning the league’s divisions. Unlike me, the ACC voters had Miami finishing second in the Coastal, with North Carolina fourth. I had it the other way around. (Although Carolina now has agent issues, which is no small consideration.)
My rationale, such as it is, on the Jackets: They’ll be good, just not quite as good, and the Coastal will be better. (I see the Coastal as the roughest division in college football. This includes the SEC East and the SEC West.) Georgia Tech must visit North Carolina and Virginia Tech this fall, and those are two games the Jackets won at home en route to the 2009 ACC championship.
And the effect of the four juniors lost to the NFL cannot be overridden in one offseason. Tech was a fine team last season but not an especially deep one — except at running back; the Jackets have lots of those — and even if Anthony Allen is nearly as good as Jonathan Dwyer I see no one on this roster who can do as Derrick Morgan and Demaryius Thomas did.
But I could be wrong. Wouldn’t be the first time. (That’s yet another opening, folks.) But at least on this issue I’m not the Lone Ranger. I find this oddly comforting.
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172 comments Add your comment
TP
July 27th, 2010
8:41 am
First
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
8:44 am
TP = kudos.
ACC better than SEC
July 27th, 2010
8:50 am
Toughest division in college football…agreed…take that SEC football freaks…and we are smarter also.
justdhoo
July 27th, 2010
8:50 am
If anyone other than Paul Johnson was coaching this team, I would probably agree with you. But until he does worse than first in the Coastal (2 for 2, given one was a tie), I have confidence he can do it again. GO JACKETS!!!!
JDHGT
July 27th, 2010
8:52 am
Given all of the unknowns on the Jackets, I think third is where we should be going into the season. That’s coming from an alum and diehard fan. I also agree with your estimation that the ACC Coastal is the toughest division in the FBS…should make for a great season!
the real Old Gold
July 27th, 2010
8:52 am
I guess there’s no need to play the games. Saved us all some gas money.
Bill King is a..............
July 27th, 2010
8:54 am
Mark,
The coastal division might be a really tough one for the teams that are in it. Just wait for the few games that have the SEC vs Acc. The SEC will prove once again how much more superior(did i spell that right) of a conference it is to the acc. FSU hasnt proved anything yet. They look good on paper, but they really havent done anything.
And i know you dont want to accept it, but UGA will be head and shoulders above where they were last year. We have the talent and now we have the coaching to go with it. Watchout for us, my friend.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
8:54 am
That’s correct, the real Old Gold. We in the media do this as a money-saving gesture to you, the fans.
F-105 Thunderchief
July 27th, 2010
8:54 am
I actually think there is some chance Tech could be slightly better, because of the addition of Al Groh. It’s a small chance, because losing the Morgans is a pretty big hit on defense. There’s a better chance they’ll be just as good as last year. That said, with the improvement in other programs, both of these things could be true without Tech being able to repeat as champions. The least likely event is Tech is demonstrably weaker than last year. But, it could happen. My prediction is they’ll be about as good as last year without finishing first.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
8:56 am
Groh is the key, F-105. I’d agree there.
Vandy Jacket
July 27th, 2010
8:56 am
I’m an SEC fan and an ACC fan, but it is unarguable that the ACC Coastal is the toughest division in football. Good call Bradley, four extremely tough teams. Not four above average team. Four extremely tough teams.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
8:57 am
I picked Georgia to go 9-3. I do think the Bulldogs will better this time.
Glory Glory
July 27th, 2010
8:57 am
WHY IS THERE NOT A SINGLE WRITE UP ABOUT TECH DE, ROBERT HALL, SUSPENDED A MEASLY SINGLE GAME FOR BEATINGUP HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!!!
If he was a UGA player, Bradley would have 8 or 9 articles about it today.
BugKiller
July 27th, 2010
8:58 am
Notice Mark said toughest.
Not best. Not most talented. Just toughest.
Which means in the SEC West, which is the BEST collection of talented football teams, there’s really 3, maybe 4 challengers.
In the ACC Coastal, there’s 4 or 5. Doesn’t mean there’s more talent there. Just means there’s more teams all close together fighting it out. Kind of like in the NFC East. I’m sick of that ESPN blogger calling his beat the “Beast,” just because all of the teams are equally mediocre.
Kind of like in the ACC. They’re all equally mediocre (enough to be STOMPED by a Big-ZERO team in a BCS Bowl).
The 4th-best team in the SEC West (LSU) is going to wipe the floor with one of the ACC contenders to begin the season. So what does that say?
You people aren’t quite so smart, in that your reading comprehension skills leave a lot to be desired. Read what’s on the page, and don’t make so many assumptions based upon your own personal biases.
yeller skeeters are peter eaters
July 27th, 2010
8:58 am
The honey bees won’t win a game all year, sorry teck!
Bill King is a..............
July 27th, 2010
8:59 am
Justdhoo……………..Paul is better than what ya’ll had. However, teams have caught up to that highschool offense that he runs. Once again, ya’ll will win your 6/7 games in the ACC and the cupcake games. Then, that last game of the year will be same ol song and dance. UGA will prevail for the 9th outta 10 consecutive years. As quoted from one media outlet…is not even the favorite team in its own city. Hehe
JDHGT
July 27th, 2010
8:59 am
I absolutely agree, F-105. I don’t think there will be a tremendous downturn in performance, but I do think that Tech may lose some of the close games they won last year. The key difference is that last year most of the tough games were at home; whereas, this year they are on the road.
Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right | iBlogAuto
July 27th, 2010
9:00 am
[...] Source [...]
JDHGT
July 27th, 2010
9:01 am
Vandy Jacket,
I am currently a “Vandy Jacket.” Are you in school up here (Vanderbilt)? If so, what program?
MatthewH
July 27th, 2010
9:02 am
Even though he has been on staff, I think that FSU having a new coach will hurt. Then again, how much coaching did Bowden do anyway?
Vandy Jacket
July 27th, 2010
9:04 am
Hey JDHGT,
Graduated last year from Vanderbilt, my dad went to Tech. Season ticket holder for Tech. Been a Jacket my whole life, still am, just went to Vandy for school.
NoShamSam
July 27th, 2010
9:06 am
It’s fun to talk back and forth, but we REALLY won’t know until the 1st 3-4 games.
CarolinaJacket
July 27th, 2010
9:08 am
I think a major thing that will help determine their success is Jackson’s health. Any news on this? I believe that he is the best defensive player and will be a monster with this new defense if healthy.
ormewood
July 27th, 2010
9:08 am
BugKiller, calling LSU the fourth-best team in the SEC West is very debatable. They might be the second-best. And don’t be so sure that they are going ‘to wipe the floor” with UNC. These are your personal biases.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
9:09 am
That’s the question, MatthewH.
Glory Glory
July 27th, 2010
9:09 am
GEORGIA TECH = THUG-U
http://blogs.ajc.com/georgia-tech-sports/2010/07/26/hall-suspended/
Doug the Jacket
July 27th, 2010
9:12 am
Wrong again, and again and again.
Glory Glory
July 27th, 2010
9:14 am
BY FAR the best video YouTube has EVER produced…….
Dear Tech “fans”……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TsUPXUNAmY
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
9:16 am
I think a 3rd place pick is fair even if I hope it’s wrong. I expect Tech to be just as good as last year or even better. But that might not mean more wins. The offense will be just fine. As long is the defense can go from wretched to just bad Tech will win a lot of its ballgames.
And BugKiller has done something actually pretty smart. He has already dismissed LSU as an also-ran in the SEC. He then elevates UNC to contender in the ACC. This makes the SEC completely insulated from any criticism if they lose the game because either 4th place LSU beat contender Carolina or contender Carolina’s win doesn’t mean anything because it was against 4th place LSU. So just ignore him because he’s too scared to stick his neck out there.
NoShamSam
July 27th, 2010
9:17 am
This LOW CLASS tech-uga thing REALLY gets old…fast…can’t you wait until the middle of the season?
Tweets that mention Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 27th, 2010
9:21 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, Justin Tsay. Justin Tsay said: Typical writing. no risks taken, no substance RT @MarkBradleyAJC: #GT picked to finish third in the #ACC Coastal? http://bit.ly/9Tjg1D [...]
Ted M
July 27th, 2010
9:23 am
Anthony Allen is going to be better then JD perhaps much better. JD sucked at everything at the combine. He excelled because of CPJ.
Not Disappointed!
July 27th, 2010
9:24 am
I’m with the “the real Old Gold!” We should all stay home now and wait until next year. LOL!
Go Jackets!
GT/Dawg
July 27th, 2010
9:24 am
I believe both teams will be good , hope so. We have a son at GT and a daughter at UGA so we pull for both.
Thrash223
July 27th, 2010
9:25 am
Good write-up Mark and I would agree on paper that is where our current program state puts us. VT is a perennial contender. Miami has the reputation for being a top tier team and UNC has potential.
My issues with both UNC and Miami – neither has done anything in the past 5 seasons to let me know they are a program that can make it through the Coastal’s gauntlet to the title game. I’m not sure Miami has the staff to make it happen. I’m not sure UNC has an offense that can make it happen.
Without question, GT’s program is not as established as VT… yet.
But, Paul Johnson’s wants to get there and has already started laying that path. I believe he will continue that building process this season. I have a feeling that despite what GT is on paper, he will make sure that the Jackets are in the mix for another ACCCG by seasons end.
NoShamSam
July 27th, 2010
9:26 am
Good for you GT/Dawg…you can’t lose the final game…great tactic!!
Vandy Jacket
July 27th, 2010
9:27 am
Hey GT/Dawg, so you have a smart son, and a dumb daughter?
RAMBLE ON!!!
July 27th, 2010
9:28 am
Mark, Stephen Hill will make everyone soon forget about D. Thomas.
Don
July 27th, 2010
9:28 am
Yeah you’ll be wrong as usual mark. Allow CPJ to make you media fools look like morons once again.
Btw, thanks for putting your hex on the braves.
Igloo
July 27th, 2010
9:30 am
Funny how you leave out one important aspect being Al Groh is the new DC. So what happens Mark if we score 3 less points per game this year but the defense gives up 7 less? real tough
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
July 27th, 2010
9:32 am
I was third in mascot consideration and look what happened to me! The topside was being selected as Temporary Mascot. The bottomside was painted white. What kind of school paints a little dog’s a$$?
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
9:32 am
Obviously Paul Johnson made me look like a moron last season when I picked Georgia Tech to go 10-2 and win the ACC.
NoShamSam
July 27th, 2010
9:32 am
Got to go…another realistic article Mark…good job…as usual
FalconUGAFan
July 27th, 2010
9:33 am
I hope you GT fans are proud of Vandy Jacket….
Glory Glory
July 27th, 2010
9:34 am
Al Groh……. the same man you Tech Nerds are excited about, who also was FIRED by…. Virginia?? last year….. hahahahahahahaha!!!!!!
Al Groh = the Dick Cheney of college football
Don
July 27th, 2010
9:37 am
Nice grammar Mark.
What did you do in previous years Mark?
10% is not a good success rate moron.
JDHGT
July 27th, 2010
9:39 am
What’s a grammar Mark?
Ralph
July 27th, 2010
9:39 am
The seasoning of Nesbitt, and maybe a little more passing might make up for the losses to the NFL. Another year of learning, adding onto, and practicing the CJ offense has got to help. The new defensive strategy is an obvious question mark. Others will be surprise standouts on offense and defense – just like every year as college athletes develop. Seems like there is a real back-up QB from the Spring practices.
Mark, as you say, winning at VA Tech and/or Carolina will be key games. I predict 1st or 2nd in the toughest half conference in the nation which could make Tech a BCS team.
Billy Bob
July 27th, 2010
9:40 am
I could argue that your right or I could argue the other side. Lot’s of variables. Tech fans have the benefit of trusting Paul Johnson to continue to excel. Who’s ready for some football?
Jesse Stone
July 27th, 2010
9:40 am
UGA fans- why are you on a Bradley blog discussing Tech and the ACC? Are you going to give the 3rd grade excuse of “well…some GT fans are on our blog”?
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
9:40 am
I yield to no one in my esteem for Joshua Nesbitt, Ralph.
CPJ Disciple
July 27th, 2010
9:41 am
Wrong again. Why does the media constantly underestimate CPJ and the difficulty in defending Tech’s offense? One week is not enough to prepare for Tech’s offense (4 is though, just ask LSU and Iowa), and no one has figured out how to stop Tech’s offense consistently. No staff has out coached CPJ twice since his arrival, and once is just lucky. VT will have an extra week of prep, and they could easily win the division. But Tech will not do worse than tied for second. The ACC media bandwagon will all get to congratulate each other one year in the future when Tech finally has a down year and they get it right after a few years of making the same predictions.
Jesse Stone
July 27th, 2010
9:42 am
Glory Glory- Todd whatshisname was fired by the CLEVELAND BROWNS. He tried to undercut the HC at the time thinking Crennel would get fired and he would get the HC job. He got found out and FIRED.
Heather Dinich
July 27th, 2010
9:43 am
GT will finish last in the Coastal.
PMC
July 27th, 2010
9:45 am
This is excellent for Paul Johnson I would guess. It’s so close in the ACC it’s anyone’s guess really.
I think GT’s defense is going to play better as a unit this year even if they aren’t as talented. They were disjointed quite a lot on different levels of the defense…Al Groh is going to fix that. I expect better execution on offense on balance. They have a lot of room to improve on the Offensive Line from last year.
As far as Derrick Morgan and Morgan Burnett. Derrick Morgan got whipped quite a bit last year and in the bowl game he can’t blame a double team. Brian Bulaga owned him. Morgan Burnett might have been a victim of some young players around him and other injuries costing him some more chances… but he’s a lot better player than he showed last year.
FSU needs to prove they have a good defense again. North Carolina needs to prove they can play offense. Miami…which QB is going to show up the Heisman Winning caliber guy or the average Chris Rix type?
Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech may well be the most consistant. Va Tech is probably the most talented in the conference. FSU is probably next.
It’s anyones guess though really.
Glory Glory
July 27th, 2010
9:46 am
Jesse Stone……
Cleveland Browns are a little better and more prestigious than, the UV cavaliers…….
anyway…….. UGA fans are on here because we HATE you Nerds….. no no, we don’t hate you…. it goes MUCH deeper than that!!
just like every article about UGA is invested with bees, every article about the Nerds will come with cheap chots from the superior football school in the state.
{{{{{30-24}}}}}
8-1
60-39-5
We Run This State
mountain_jim
July 27th, 2010
9:47 am
Here’s a repost of what I said in GT blog:
Well this GT alum still wishes he would develop better pass-blocking and a better passing game.
The last 2 bowl games show what a big Dline, talented defense with time to prepare can do to this one-sided offense. You need a competant passing game to go all the way, and GT has not had it last 2 years and I would be surprised if they do this year. The just throw it up and let Thomas come down with it option is not available now. Can our QB read defenses and throw accurately? I doubt it, particularly not the way this offense gets his shoulders and arms so beat up every play.
Lane
July 27th, 2010
9:47 am
Ted M
How well do you think you would do or for that matter anyone could do in an NFL combine with a broke big toe? Dwyer did a great job for GT and he will do well at the next level.
POAD
July 27th, 2010
9:47 am
Mark can you file for the records of the Hall Arrest and the plea deal and sentencing? Maybe we can get more facts as to why Hall only received a 1 game suspension. From my understanding Hall was trying to leave and his girlfriend kept coming after him.
TECH should do well this year. My best hope is that we can tie for the Costal Champ. I think the wild card on the Atlantic side is Clemson. With Parker coming back Clemson could win the Division again. Tech should win the home games, but Tech has to win in LANE this year. That will be a Key.
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
9:47 am
“Invested” with bees? What does that even mean?
GSU Eagle 91
July 27th, 2010
9:48 am
As a Paul Johnson supporter from the early 1980’s at GSC, then GSU, I believe his team will be good..Not great this year, but good. The Away games GT had at home in 2009 are a big factor, and the improvement of NC, Miami and VT is apparent. I would be content with an 8-4 season this year, GT fans…
I love the way UGA fans weigh in on this, boasting about their “great” team..Right….8-4 my friends…with losses to Auburn, UF, USC at the minimum…
leeindc
July 27th, 2010
9:50 am
mark, I liked UNC too before I took a closer look at their schedule. starting with LSU and Tech is brutal, not to mention two trips to the state of Florida. Throw in a little Virginia Tech, Clemson and William and Mary and youre head starts to spin. Go Tribe!
Ted Striker
July 27th, 2010
9:54 am
You may well be correct about the ACC Coastal being the roughest division. However, division titles — no matter the conference — are frequently determined by conference games played outside the team’s division. Because of this, it’s overall conference strength (and more specifically) scheduling that’s a salient factor.
Chewbacca
July 27th, 2010
9:55 am
Disciple,
“4 is though, just ask LSU and Iowa”.
According to the scoreboard is didn’t look very tough.
FalconUGAFan
July 27th, 2010
9:55 am
Jesse Stone-Why are you on a GT blog discussing UGA?
mountain_jim I actually wanted to know the same thing. Granted, I don’t watch much GT ball but it does seem as though the passing game needs to be developed somewhat. Do you feel that this offense is based somewhat on the abilities on your current QB or is it a coaching philosophy?
POAD
July 27th, 2010
9:56 am
leindc good call on UNC. They have a real hard row to hoe for sure.
Damon
July 27th, 2010
9:58 am
yeah, you tell ‘em glory glory (hic). now where are those red panties?
It’s great, to be, a georgia bulldog, i say it’s great to be
82 Dawg
July 27th, 2010
10:01 am
Ralph …Tech was a BCS team last year remember…They lost to Iowa… I know it is not a very familiar place for them
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
July 27th, 2010
10:05 am
i agree with the prediction, as i stated on other blogs, too much talent lost for GT plus tougher teams equals 3rd place finish.
CPJ Disciple
July 27th, 2010
10:05 am
Chewy,
Like I said, once is luck. Let’s see Richt do it twice.
CPJ Disciple
July 27th, 2010
10:06 am
And UGA had 2 weeks last year, which may be enough.
F-105 Thunderchief
July 27th, 2010
10:12 am
“Do you feel that this offense is based somewhat on the abilities on your current QB or is it a coaching philosophy?”
Nesbitt has a lot to prove this year in the passing game. I went to Ga. Southern and have seen a lot of effective passing out of the Johnson triple option. In fact, back in the day, it was the passing of Tracy Ham that let the Eagles storm back and win their first title, beating Furman in Tacoma, Wash.
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
10:13 am
Tech’s problem is:
1- They play in the ACC (becoming the best conference soon, maybe this year)
2- PJ has a .500 record against his 4 biggest rivals–they’re all tough
3- Ga Tech can’t pass, and they can’t play defense, and they’re special teams arn’t special, they run the ball extremely well, espcially against weaker teams, but that 1 dimension isn’t enough to beat the realy good teams
4- PJ’s not good in Bowl games, when folks have time to prepare for the triple option, PJ loses.
This year, Ga Tech is a clear #4 or #5.
You’d have to put V. Tech, Fla St., Miami above Ga Tech.
Then Tech will battle it out for 4th place in the ACC with Noth Carolina, who has a great defense, and not much else.
WonderDawg
July 27th, 2010
10:13 am
I agree, Mark. The ACC Coastal is at least the equal of any one division in any conference, including the SEC. I think it will come down to Tech or Miami winning the division, with either one taking the title.
As a Dawg, I for one hope it’s Tech, and eagerly await another “Clean, old fashioned, hate” season finale in Athens!
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
10:13 am
The additional time thing is completely overblown. UGA won the year it had one week to prepare and lost the year it had two weeks to prepare. Ohio St had all summer to prepare and still couldn’t stop Navy.
There are other variables. Time is not the determining factor.
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
10:22 am
Phil Steele ranks Ga Tech #33 in the country.
He puts ahead of them:
Miami #9
North Carolina #12
Virginia Tech #13
Florida St. #20
Boston College #30
Why does he rank them #6 in the ACC?
Schedule. They play 4 top 25 teams and get Clemson, VT, NC & Georgia on the road and Miami.
Steele says Ga Tech has excellent O-Line, QB, RB’s, and defense will improve, but won’t get to 11 wins like last season.
WonderDawg
July 27th, 2010
10:23 am
F-105 Thunderchief, that ‘Ham-bone” was something to see, wasn’t it. I remember thinking when Erk took the GA Southern job, that he would have a, Dooley-type, ultra-conservative offense.
Man, was I fooled. All of that motion – you really had to see it in person to appreciate it fully. I still wish today Erk woulda replaced Dooley when he retired, just to see what he could have done on the highest level . . . But, I guess we’re seeing it with PJ, though.
I’ve posted several times Nesbitt is the best option (running) QB I’ve seen since Tracy Ham. Ham had a cannon of an arm, though. There was really no defense for Tracy Ham.
F-105 Thunderchief
July 27th, 2010
10:26 am
I tell younger Eagles who didn’t get a chance to see him play, that Ham could take over a football game the way Jordan could take over a basketball game. Google his CFL stats sometime. Unbelievably good football player.
YELLOW HEADED YOGURT SLINGER
July 27th, 2010
10:26 am
I
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Old Timer
July 27th, 2010
10:27 am
Ham was fun to watch as is Nesbitt, who is as tough as a Waffle House steak. But the best option QB I ever saw was Jack Mildren at OU.
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
10:28 am
Athlon sports has bene the most accurate.
They have Ga Tech not ranked in top 25.
Ahead of Ga Tech is:
VT #10
FL ST #13
Miami #14
nc #19
Clemson #25
So, the 2 most accurate, have Ga Tech finishing #6 in ACC sorry Mark!
In a related story...
July 27th, 2010
10:29 am
The AJC is also picked to finish third in the ranking of best newspapers in the City of Atlanta.
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
10:30 am
Then why even play the games, Hill Town?
old hooker
July 27th, 2010
10:32 am
I expect to see (a) Tech in Charlotte.
ormewood
July 27th, 2010
10:32 am
I don’t get all the love for Miami. Their QB has talent, but in some games last season (UNC, Va Tech) he was absolutely terrible. They make mental mistakes, turn the ball over all the time. Their head coach has not proven that he can do the job. I see the Canes finishing 4th in their division.
HugoStiglitz
July 27th, 2010
10:32 am
I think third is spot on. If you look at what was lost and the unknowns on defense, third sounds about right. I think GT has a great chance to improve on that prediction though. Nesbitt will be healthy and even better then before. We have a brand new defense. Yes we lost the Morgans but lets face it, we couldnt stop anybody on defense last year. You would think we will get better with a proven leader like Groh running the defense. Anthony Allen should be pretty good. The better he is the more the rest of the offense opens up. There are several unknowns and we play a pretty tough schedule. If we win the ACC this year then we earned it.
T3
July 27th, 2010
10:38 am
The ACC “Media” is one of the biggest
collection of idiots in recent memory.
Lets review the recent track record of the so-called ACC “Media.”
In 2008, AAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of the so-called ACC “Media”
picked Clemson to EASILY win the ACC and…would contend for a NC.
Remember that Top 10 ranking for Clemson?
Remeber Clemson QB Cullen Harper picked as
the pre-season ACC Player of the Year?
Clemson finished 4-4 in conference and 7-6 overall.
AT THAT TIME…I said that Clemson was the MOST over-rated
team in the ACC, and they had ZEEEEE-RO chance of winning the ACC.
As I called the ACC Media at the time, the Orange “Kool-Aid” Parade.
The ACC “Media” seemed to overlook one of MANY “minor” details,
such as Clemson starting an ALL FRESHMAN Offensive Line. He-llooooo?!
Result:
Clemson HC Tommy Bowden was fired just a few weeks into the season.
In 2009, VT was the OVERWHELMING favorite to win the Coastal, and the ACC-CG. VT finished 6-2 in conference with losses to GT and UNC.
But FSU, (Yes, of course, FSU) was picked to win the Atlantic. And for those who have forgotten, FSU finished 4-4 in conference, 7-6 overall, and ANOTHER Bowden was sent packing.
Remember all that “FSU is back, baby!!” talk after the FSU-Miami game?
So, here we are “again” with VT picked “again” to win the Coastal. And, of course, FSU is picked “again” to win the ACC-CG.
In reality, FSU just migh have a shot this year.
The ACC Division Champs will be decided on Nov 13th. On Nov 13th,
GT plays Miami in Atlanta, and FSU plays Clemson in Tallahassee.
The winner of each game will be the ACC Division Champs.
I’ll go ahead and give the early benefit of that doubt to Miami.
GT has more rookies starting this year than Miami.
I see GT finishing second in ACC-Coastal at 10-2, with an early season “stumble” at UNC, and a loss to Miami. GT WILL BEAT VT in Blacksburg. At 10-2, I see GT likely going to the Chik-Fil-A bowl and defeating South Carolina.
I agree with CPJ that GT’s Offense will be as productive as last year.
The GT O-Line will actually be better than last year. As for the GT Defense, hard to see it how it could be WORSE than last year. Al Groh brings one hell-uva lot of knowledge and experience about GT’s ACC opponenets to the table. That should not be under-estimated. At all.
GT will win in Athens.
As I said before, a GREAT storyline for the ACC could be:
GT vs FSU in the ACC-CG.
FSU QB Christian Ponder vs GT QB Joshua Nesbitt…
…for the Heisman Trophy.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
10:39 am
As noted, ormewood, I’m not a Miami advocate.
Time Out
July 27th, 2010
10:42 am
WE RUN THIS STATE – CK4 – TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Time Out
July 27th, 2010
10:43 am
MarK: In all seriousness, no more joking at the NERDS’ expense, are you picking NERDS over UGA again this year? Take your medicine, boy.
NO WAY
July 27th, 2010
10:44 am
I bet you 5 to 1 that the winner of the coastal division can not beat the winner of the SEC East or SEC West! I will even spot you a touchdown! SEC Champion equals National Champion.
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
10:46 am
I picked UGA to beat Tech in 2010, Time Out. It’s in the predictions column linked above.
Paddy
July 27th, 2010
10:47 am
matthew H…Bobby B did little or no game-day coaching the last couple of years at FSU. FSU is finally going to have a team like the’90’s. Just not as dominating on defense. They will score a ton of points with Ponder at QB. They and Tech could have similar type seasons. If both teams manage a good defense then look out because predictions won’t mean a thing. Tech and FSU should both be in the top 5 in points scored. That will win you some games right there.
ArkyTech
July 27th, 2010
10:49 am
Everyone focuses on what we lost. No one looking at what we are bringing back. That’s fine. Right where we need to be.
David Granger
July 27th, 2010
10:50 am
A reasonable pick, based on Tech’s personnel losses. Great thing about college football is that a team always gets the chance to PROVE whether a preseason pick is too low, too high, or about right.
mountain_jim
July 27th, 2010
10:50 am
I appreciate hearing that Johnson had a good passing game with Ham, so maybe it’s somewhat on Nesbitt, not all coaching.
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
10:51 am
I’ll take that bet, NO WAY.
POAD
July 27th, 2010
10:54 am
Just heard Randy McMichael former Dawg and his wife were arrested for Battery. She is Pregnant and hit him. He Hit her back. I guess Robert Hall ain’t so bad after all. Women are not always Innocent victems and after the court records are released maybe we will know why it was a 1 game suspension.
ArfArf
July 27th, 2010
10:54 am
I love the Bulldog fans venting their inferiority. Less confidence, less understanding of football, and, as a result, less championship hardware. I think the Jackets may surprise some folks this year. One thing I do know, whereas since our Championship 20 years ago we would measure ourselves by beating our in-state rival, we now measure ourselves by much more. Our friends in Athens (and parts throughout) now have to measure themselves by beating a team that was obviously way out of their league. Should be an interesting season in both camps. Good luck to all.
Oh yeah, people need to stop pointing fingers at legal transgressions. Rocks and glass houses make not fine bedfellows.
Ted M
July 27th, 2010
10:56 am
Lane – Big toe can’t account for just 16 reps on the bench. There were running backs 40 lbs lighter who did more reps on the bench. That’s why he was 286th player drafted. I’ll be rooting for him with the Steelers tho.
Expect big things from Anthony Allen
Shug
July 27th, 2010
10:57 am
So you’re saying that VPI, Miami, UNC and Ga. Tech are better than Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee? At first, I thought this was insane, designed just to generate little ACC/SEC smoke. As I write it down, however, it occurs to me that the ACC Coastal may be better (or “rougher”) than any other college division. Although there’s a good chance that one or two of those teams–maybe Miami, probably UNC–will gag.
frank james
July 27th, 2010
11:06 am
Damn, Caleb is still running!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
antidog
July 27th, 2010
11:09 am
If memory serves correct GT was predicted to finish 3rd or worst last year and of course they won the ACC. Va tech will defintely be tough but the Miami qb is very inconsistent, so miami could finish 3rd.
Red Panties
July 27th, 2010
11:11 am
frank james: “Damn, Caleb is still running!”
…so is Damon Evans, right to the slammer with his fellow Dawg players. What an embarrassment UGA continues to be.
CoolBreeze
July 27th, 2010
11:12 am
I keep sayin’ it: We’re all just 2 injuries away from being Mississippi State…..
Delbert D.
July 27th, 2010
11:12 am
UNC will have a tough time winning big games due to their QB situation. Virginia Tech has a great RB, and their QB is dangerous. However, they are #110 out of 120 teams in % of returning lettermen, though. Very young on offense and defense, and light in weight in both lines. Miami, on the other hand is huge on the OL (all on the 2-deep are over 300 lbs, and the 1st line averages 318). The ‘Canes are experienced, big and deep at DT. SR All-ACC DT Allen Bailey, 6′4, 288 is at DE this year. Soph Safety Ray Ray Armstrong at 6′4 220 is the only defender with only 1 letter. If Jacory Harris cuts down on the INTs, and if Miami turns their physical advantage on defense into consistently good play, they *should* finish #1 in the Coastal. Anybody who saw the Miami-FSU game last year didn’t see much defense at all.
I’ll project that Miami wins the Coastal, with Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and UNC all in the battle for 2nd.
Dawglasville
July 27th, 2010
11:15 am
Johnson has already proven he can beat Beamer and North Carolina is such a trendy pick. I would put Tech on top until they are knocked off. Like UGA fans, Tech fans feel pretty confident that the defense can’t get any worse. The big question mark will be how much better will they be. I would have put Tech on top.
gcs
July 27th, 2010
11:21 am
It is just hilarious how all these Tech bandwagon jumping second-raters think they are so smart.
Several of them kept trying to quote Mark as saying “the Coastal as the TOUGHEST division in college football”. However, he said “roughest”.
I guess you don’t need a high English score to get into Tech. I am sure all their terrorists had bad scores.
The nerds might say it’s semantics (if they know what that means) but there is a difference between “rough” and “tough”. Rough basically means coarse or uneven. Tough means strong and durable which you are not.
So, shut up and take your beatings and then in a couple of months you can start bragging about how good you are at bouncing a little round ball and throwing it through a peach basket.
.
Dawglasville
July 27th, 2010
11:22 am
The Carolina, LSU opener I believe will go a long way in defining the early call on best division in football.
gcs
July 27th, 2010
11:23 am
Please ignore my comments above. I am truly an idiot.
Tweets that mention Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 27th, 2010
11:24 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Cinthia Loughnane and Daniel Arlt, Connor Petloe. Connor Petloe said: Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right http://bit.ly/9fR4I5 [...]
Tech Lifer
July 27th, 2010
11:25 am
Do the web-footed inbred UGA fans have any ammunition other than “30-24″????
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
11:25 am
You figure PJ will lose 4 of these 5:
Clemson, VT, NC & Georgia on the road
Miami, at home.
then, of course, PJ will lose the Bowl game, that’s an automatic, no good Bowl quality team loses to the triple option when they have 2-4 weeks to prepare.
So, 8-5 for Ga Tech in 2010 sounds about right.
jeremy
July 27th, 2010
11:27 am
Dawglasville,
I would agree with both of your posts above. Nice to see a logical pup fan for a change. Of course, if the LSU/UNC winner goes on to perform poorly in their league play it will say even more. My guess is that LSU is better than advertised and UNC… we’ll have to wait and see.
Glass Half Full
July 27th, 2010
11:31 am
Is it just me, or have I seen posts from the DUI lawyer?
Sea Island
July 27th, 2010
11:33 am
I’m predicting another Georgia Vs. SouthCarolina Acc Champ Game.
jeremy
July 27th, 2010
11:34 am
Hill Town,
I know you’re wishing that you’re right, but I think GT picks up wins over Clemson and UNC. The VT, Miami and UGA games might be losses, but that yields a 9-3 record with a bowl game that is unknown. (Your assumption about bowl games is obviously biased). That also sounds about like the record UGA will have this year including a third place finish in their own division. Just my thoughts, not a flame.
We Drink This State
July 27th, 2010
11:35 am
Us Dawgs have won the off-season in smashing fashion with our off-field shenanigans. Will that success translate to another winning outing against the depleted, law-abiding Jackets? I’ll drink to that.
jeremy
July 27th, 2010
11:40 am
Sea Island,
I think UGA and USCarolina will have to settle for the ‘mythical’ ACC championship possibilities again in 2010 because an SEC championship appears unlikely. I guess a ‘mythical’ victory is more satsifactory to some pup fans than the real thing using your logic.
YOU WISH BUT NOT HAPPENING
July 27th, 2010
11:43 am
hahahahahha, GT didn’t even finish 3rd in CPJ’s first year, they tied for first. Hokies are chokies, Jackets will sprain the Canes and Heels lose the deal so there you go. And yes, we will play them year in and year out and bring it on, Clemson too. Not given two mulligans like that inbred team up the road who by the way will still blow it.
Gtax
July 27th, 2010
11:43 am
Mark,
I am sorry, but you seem to be overlooking the 8 losses on the VT defense alone, and the 3 on their OL. Not only that, but Tyrod Taylor is NOT Michael Vick, he’s not even that good. He won’t take a hit for anything and his passing numbers aren’t great. Too many people are giving VT too much credit. Sure, GT lost 4 good players, but it’s not like we lost 11 starters like VT did. That is an insane amount of players to lose, yet they get better? Who’s to say that? Last I saw, they finished second behind GT and until VT proves they can beat last years GT team, they stay behind GT.
I would put Miami at #1 and GT second, VT 3rd…
Jack G.
July 27th, 2010
11:43 am
The sucess of GT this year hinges on how much Groh improves the defense, and whether or not CPJ can put in a decent passing game.
IF both of those happen, GT could be 11 and 1.
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
11:44 am
Jeremy-
I know you and Bradley are dreaming that Tech finishes #3 in the ACC, but the 2 most accurate predictors disagree with you, and predict a #6 finish for Ga Tech.
Schedule’s too tough, Tech’s defense is too weak, and Tech’s offense is too imbalanced.
8-5, sounds about right. Still an ok year for ole’ triple option, he’ll average that, 8-5, every year for the next several, so get used to it.
YOU WISH BUT NOT HAPPENING
July 27th, 2010
11:44 am
well Clemson beat Kentucky, ever hear of them? I N B R E D S
ormewood
July 27th, 2010
11:45 am
Miami = 4th place finisher in Coastal.
old hooker
July 27th, 2010
11:46 am
The NCAA might have a say in the UNC first game. Maybe just twittered away a game suspension.
George Stein
July 27th, 2010
11:47 am
Hill Town -
Who cares what Phil Steele says?
GaTechfan
July 27th, 2010
11:48 am
What I find comforting Mr. Bradley…is that the media has always been wrong in their predictions and so have you. Even with 4 jr’s leaving, this is a deeper team a year later. TEAM will be the difference.
Not Disappointed!
July 27th, 2010
11:50 am
First of all, I have a Georgia wife, and I’m a Jacket. I pull for both when they are not playing each other. Vandy Jacket, that was cold dude.
The Jackets will play Virginia Tech at home, but we have a 50/50 shot. They lost alot on Defense. I look forward to hearing them Crank up the Music in Blacksburg, Miami is suspect at best. It should be a good game regardless.
Ramblin Wreck!
Dawglasville
July 27th, 2010
11:52 am
Tech Lifer “Web footed,” now that is fresh and funny. Unfortunately it will now be beat into the ground but kudos for your originality.
Hill Town
July 27th, 2010
11:52 am
PJ’s Bowl record at Navy was 2-3, and at Ga Tech, 0-2, so his Bowl record is 2-5.
Like I said, give a Bowl quality team 2-4 weeks to prepare for the triple option, and they usually beat PJ.
PJ loses 70% of his Bowl game sin Div 1, so add a loss every year right there.
Then add in 4 more in the season, and that’s 8-5 every year.
Huh?
July 27th, 2010
11:54 am
You mean like the past two years when CPJ lost 5 games?
Huh?
July 27th, 2010
11:55 am
The fact that Navy was even in bowl games tells you a lot about CPJ.
Buzzboy
July 27th, 2010
11:58 am
Good to have you on here “Glory Glory”. I would rather be hated than ignored.
justdhoo
July 27th, 2010
12:03 pm
Bill King, you say that people have figured out our “high school offense”, but the reason UGA won last year was our lack of defense. We scored around 33 points a game last year. Doesn’t sound like people have figured that offense out yet to me.
jeremy
July 27th, 2010
12:10 pm
Hill Town,
Using YOUR logic then the pups will have a mediocre year ahead too since UGA had a weak defense last year and an unproven QB coming in. GT has changes in defensive coaching and scheme just like UGA so who really knows what will happen for either defense? GT has some proven offensive power coming back this year including a senior QB/leader. UGA has a weapon in AJ Green but that’s the lone standout on offense and an unproven QB at the helm.
So, a question to you: If both UGA and GT end up at 9-3 which program will have best met the expectations of their fans? I think you see my point.
POAD
July 27th, 2010
12:46 pm
Sea Island how is your propert value holding up? Once proud company screwed the pooch so bad. The Cloister will/ is becoming a nice Holiday Inn. So glad my parents sold in the mid-90’s.
meh
July 27th, 2010
12:50 pm
MB- you have lost your dah blame mind if you think the ACC Coastal is rougher than either division in the SEC. Any division that contains Duke and Virginia can never be called the roughest division in college football.
BobinBuford
July 27th, 2010
2:13 pm
meh:
Substitute Vandy and Kentucky for Duke and Virginia, and the same can be said for the SEC East.
Sports Review
July 27th, 2010
2:20 pm
[...] in a BCS conference. He laughed it off nine times: the Yellow Jackets went 9-4 and tied for …Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about rightAtlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Buzz Tech
July 27th, 2010
2:37 pm
It will be another long year for uga—3-4 losses, some minor bowl in december. Mark this down–Tech wins the ACC in 2010!
Cheap conference call » Archive » Tech to finish third in the ACC Coastal? Sounds about right – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog)
July 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
WingRider
July 27th, 2010
4:01 pm
We’ll see, but I think another year’s experience with the flrexbone and an improved D will more than offset the loss of players. The problem, if any, won’t be a drop in GT performance but possible big improvement by the other teams.
wesleywhatwhat
July 27th, 2010
4:16 pm
bradley, care to remind us where u picked georgia tech to finish in the 2009 season?
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
I already have, wesleywhatwhat.
(But in case you’ve forgotten: I picked the 2009 GT football team to finish 10-2 and then to win the ACC.)
SLOW LEARNERS
July 27th, 2010
5:01 pm
The critics doubted PJ’s offense prior to his first season with Tech (funny how no one expected Morgan Burnett, J. Dwyer, D. Thomas to step into stardom). Critics doubted Tech going into PJ’s second season with Tech (Who expected Tech to win the conference? No one.). Tech is now embarking on the third season under PJ, and the silly little critics still doubt Tech because critics simply don’t know anything more than who left from last year’s team. There will be new stars stepping in for Tech this year, and the critics will consume another breath trying to climb the learning curve. If Tech ever wins another National Championship, the critics are going to be throwing themselves under the bandwagon trying to catch a ride. Typical.
SLOW LEARNERS
July 27th, 2010
5:05 pm
I stand corrected; Mark Bradley was the only person on earth with the foresight to pick Tech to win the 2009 conference championship. Everyone else thought the league had figured out PJ’s offense. [show me the archives]
Mark Bradley
July 27th, 2010
5:07 pm
Here’s the prediction.
Wampum
July 27th, 2010
6:39 pm
I just hope all the other teams in the ACC will have some pity on poor ol’ Virginia and not try to run up the score on them. They have the most unheralded players of all teams in this conference but their coaching staff does have impressive individual records. Maybe that’s a plus but I’m afraid there are too many minuses to overcome——this year anyway.
P City
July 27th, 2010
6:40 pm
CPJ of Ga Tech is not on the hotseat YET.
But, it’s warming up.
Losing to Georgia, Tech going 1-8, not helping, and going .500 against top 4 rivals and losing every Bowl game with 0-2 record at Ga Tech & 2-5 Bowl game record, is not good.
If CPJ keeps it up, he’ll be on the hotseat in 2011, and fired at the end of 2012.
God forbid if you favored GT
July 27th, 2010
6:50 pm
God forbid you or anyone else from AJC have any faith in Joshua Nesbitt either. Jump on the Ponder bandwagon. Btw, what was Ponder’s excuse the last time FSU played GT? Ponder was healthy in that game. Oh yeah that’s right, Bobby Bowden who coached over 30years all of a sudden doesn’t know anything. My bad. NESBITT FOR HEISMAN and shame on you AJC sportswriters for not saying so. But you all will jump on the bandwagon as fast as you can to promote anyone else in the ACC as long as they are not on GT’ team. Just fyi, this years Heisman winner, Ingram, what exactly did he do in the Sugar Bowl loss to Utah? Nothing..so I do not want to hear how you are judging Nesbitt on the Orange Bowl performance. No one can ever give GT credit for a d@mn thing but you would think the hometown newspaper would but God forbid.
supersize that order, mutt
July 27th, 2010
6:55 pm
P City, you wish. Keep dreaming, bubba
P City
July 27th, 2010
7:03 pm
Actually, Mark & Jeff have made the case that Richt’s 6 top 10 finishes and 2 conference championships, and #2 finish, and #3 finish, will not keep Richt off the hotseat unless he has a great year in 2010.
So, using the same line of thinking, yes, CPJ is on the hotseat in 2010, and fired in 2012.
You can’t have 1 standard for Richt, and grant CPJ a pass.
If Richt’s hotseat is warm, CPJ’s is flaming.
supersize that order, mutt
July 27th, 2010
7:30 pm
P City, once again I say, dream on, bubba.
GT Fan...
July 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
To “Wonder dawg” and “F-105″ from page 1 …. FYI, Paul Johnson was Erk Russell’s offensive coordinator with ole Hamm-bone.
Tech Stinger
July 28th, 2010
1:11 am
Tech will beat georgia like a rented mule—Ga’s offense will be terrible with murray, who is not even 6 feet tall! Ga may not win 8 games this year. But richt will somehow keep his job since he’s nice and reads the bible a lot.
Tokyo jacket
July 28th, 2010
2:58 am
Mark, you did a great job listing the potential pitfalls for GT. But, what about the plus-ups:
1. More offensive linemen. Granted we lose three starters, but we gain more total bodies and have the same seniority on the line as last year. We also get bigger players this year and players that were recruited for this offense coming into the picture now.
2. CPJY3. Look at the leap we made from year 1 to 2. This year, a lot more passing is the talk. Might the offense be even harder to stop from an execution and scheme standpoint? Could there even be more overall talent on the field this year on offense with increased age/wisdom of our players? I say they learned to walk the first year. They learned to run the second year. This year, they’re going to learn to fly!
3. Returning starters. Coop is back. So is Jackson. Roddy Jones wasn’t really himself last year due to the wrist. You did a good job at listing the impact players that weren’t coming back. We actually get an infusion of talent this year. Maybe it cancels out?
4. CAG. If Al Groh could have gotten us one, only one, more punt per game on defense last year, it’s arguable even probably that we would have beat UGA (since we didn’t punt) and Iowa, finishing the year at 13-1. I’m VERY confident that CAG >>> CDW.
5. As good as The U and UNC are supposed to be, the only teams that have proven anything in the ACC Coastal are GT and VT. In five years of ACCCG play, ONLY VT and GT have represented the ACCC. GT has two appearances, VT has two appearances, and a roughing the scrambling passer has an appearance. All along the way, UNC and UM have been recruiting top classes with nothing to show for it. The road to Charlotte historically goes through Blacksburg and Atlanta, so it will be again.
Eh, history shows that when you guys pick us low, we do better than you pick.
P City
July 28th, 2010
7:52 am
There’s a reason NO NFL exclusively runs the triple option.
P City
July 28th, 2010
7:57 am
CPJ has won games with another coach’s recruits, so no credit until 2012. He has to earn wins, with his OWN recruits.
Can’t go .500 against his top 4 rivals.
Can’t keep losing every year in the Bowl game.
Can’t keep getting wins off another coach’s recruits.
GT Fan wears Red Panties
July 28th, 2010
8:45 am
Hey GT dimwit… Joe Hamilton was 5′ 10″ . By the time Murray get to the tek game he will be well seasoned.
Tek broken stinger….. may I remind you….. 30 to 24…. 60-39-5 CPJ looks like a rented mule with boobs
roughrider
July 28th, 2010
8:48 am
” I see the Coastal as the roughest division in college football. This includes the SEC East and the SEC West.) ”
Mark: Under your theory, you should see a Costal team playing for the national championship.
YJ
July 28th, 2010
8:50 am
red panties
BG
July 28th, 2010
8:55 am
Did the Tech player that beat up his girlfriend get kicked off the team?
Lee
July 28th, 2010
9:21 am
Funny how the cynicism of Mark & Jeff dissapear when it comes to Georgia Tech. What’s up with that?
Ga Tech, #3 in ACC, when pros predict #6? #3 is WAY too optimistic, even for Tech grads.
Hayseed Dixie
July 28th, 2010
9:57 am
Georgia Tech doesn’t have to replace anyone. At all.
Mark, these are the questions you should be asking:
Will the running game lose production this year? Absolutely not, they’ll execute better and Allen can break open the big play as well as anyone in CFB.
Will Groh’s defense be an upgrade? Someone elsewhere said all Groh has to do to be successful is get us two more possessions per game. That sounds scary when you think about it.
Can they cobble together a reasonable passing threat? I have no evidence either way. But Tech fans who suffered through the Iowa games have to believe that that was foremost on CPJs mind as they entered the offseason.
If you can say yes to all three of those, Tech has the conference, hands down.
JCH
July 28th, 2010
10:06 am
ACC is as Rough a Division as the SEC…..???? Bradley why do you continually Post these Idiotic Insane blogs…. that Only Irritate people who are Intellegent enough to Ignore such a mundane Statement… Nobody in the ACC Could Compete in the SEC , otherwise they wouldnt be in the ACC Pansie Division.
Crow H
July 28th, 2010
10:21 am
Mark – your wrong. GT Beat VT with arguably the worst defense among the top 25 teams last year. Tyrod Taylor is not Michael Vick and that stick figure down in Miami is always one good hit from being snapped in half. UNC wont survive the NFL Agent Tsunami and wont live up to the hype – once again. S. Hill is faster than Bebe was, and can catch the ball. There will be a little drop off there but make no mistake, Hill will be near 1000 yards receiving by the time we get to the ACCCG. Anthony Allen will fill the BB spot perfectly.
And one more thing… WE HAVE ONE OF THE PREMIERE DEFENSIVE MINDS IN THE COUNTRY!!! couple that with the offensive genius of PAUL JOHNSON and you have a championship caliber group of guys… AGAIN! Oddly enough I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the thought of running the table. We’ll probably have 1 slip up. But the Yellow Jackets are repeating ACCCG and more. Bank on it.
Shane
July 28th, 2010
12:54 pm
Did the Tech player that beat up his girlfriend get kicked off the team?
I doubt. Pretty soon they will be using ineligible players again.
Question how long will tech put up with CPJ embarrassing them big time on the National stage?
Eagle-Jacket
July 28th, 2010
2:36 pm
Year 3 for CPJ always brings improvement. I know the big 4 leaving is reason for concern but with Nebit at QB, the Jackets will compete for the title.
SEC Defender
July 28th, 2010
8:12 pm
Yeah…right. If I remember correctly, those top 3 teams ALL lost to their SEC Eastern Rivals last year.
UF crushed FSU, SC crushed Clemson 34-17 and UGA beat GT. Clemson will no tbe as good as they were last season. They lost Spiller, Ford, and Palmer, their top 3 weapons on offense. Tech lost Bebe Thomas, The ACC POY at RB and way too much on defense to be a contender. FSU will be better under Jimbo, no doubt, but they cannot stack up to UF, even minus Tebow. UF has recruited better than all three ACC teams combined.
UF will have Brantley and a stable of 4 and 5 star receivers
UGA has a bigtime redshirt freshman QB, AJ Green, a stable of backs, and one of the top OL’s in the country.
SC has a veteran QB, a stable of WR’s led by Alshon Jeffery, the best TE in the SEC in Weslye Saunders, and the top HS back in America-Marcus Lattimore, not to mention a top 15 Nationally ranked defense returning in tact.
ACC better than the SEC East? Not a chance. And the SEC West is better than the SEC East.
If you really believe that Mark, then I have seriously underestimated your football knowledge and overall intelligence level.
Bama, Ark, Auburn, LSU are all top 15 teams nationally. Ole Miss will rebound and MSU is rising under Dan Mullen. Don’t sleep on the SEC. It is the best conference in America.
wesleywhatwhat
July 29th, 2010
2:25 pm
mb, congrats on correctly picking georgia tech to win the acc in 2009.
but with this prediction, i don’t think u can claim to have nailed it exactly:
“This time I’m picking Georgia Tech …To take the ACC championship. I believe Paul Johnson when he says his stylized offense will be ever better, and I note the key game on Tech’s conference schedule — Virginia Tech on Oct. 17 — will be staged at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Because I think there’ll be some days when the Jackets fumble 10 times or it rains or something, I’m guessing they’ll lose twice. (At Florida State and, believe it or not, at Vandy.) But they’ll go 10-2 and beat FSU in a rematch for the ACC title.”
anyone who thought georgia tech could lose to vandy in 2009 probably WOULD pick georgia tech to finish 3rd in the acc in 2010.
so please continue picking against georgia tech, as heather dinich of espn continues to do. i think it helps our chances.
Hairy Dawg
July 30th, 2010
11:39 pm
A few weeks in football season and pestky bugs will be just like Dukies and hoping for basketball arriving.