Live from Athens: Does anybody really think Tech can win?
A lovely day could become a long and gloomy night for the visiting Jackets. (Photo by M. Bradley)
Athens – The most intriguing part of what isn’t a very intriguing game — how riveting does it get when the teams have an aggregate record of 11-11? — is how few people are giving Georgia Tech a chance. And by people, I don’t just mean Georgia fans or Vegas neutrals. I mean Tech fans, too.
I haven’t yet met anybody who thinks the Jackets can keep this close, let alone win. Indeed, the consensus seems to be that the betting line — it’s at 14 points as I type — may actually flatter the visitors. And I wouldn’t disagree. I think this is at least a two-touchdown game.
Having said that, we must also note a couple of things. First, the Jackets enter as the team already bowl-eligible. Georgia, as we know, has to win tonight for the privilege, such as it is, of gracing a postseason game in either Memphis or (shudder) Birmingham. Which leads us to our second notation:
Georgia is, on the record, eminently beatable. Six teams have already done the deed. Every time Georgia has played a team that finished above .500, it has lost. (Kentucky lost to Tennessee on Saturday to fall to 6-6, and Kentucky represents Georgia’s best win.) That’s a pretty staggering statistic. But Tech, as we know, has been only slightly better in a demonstrably worse league.
Ergo, the team with the better record enters as a two-touchdown ‘dog. (Not to be confused with Dawg.)
The striking part of Tech’s season to date has been how almost nothing about it has struck you. There had been no rousing victory, unless you count winning in Chapel Hill over a North Carolina team missing 12 players due to investigations of some sort. There had been no blowout loss, unless you count the 34-10 defeat suffered against Miami in the Jackets’ first game without Joshua Nesbitt. The only real drama came in rallying against Wake Forest, and there should be no drama ascribed to any game involving Wake Forest.
Paul Johnson believed his stylized offense would keep on truckin’ without Jonathan Dwyer and Demaryius Thomas, and it has and hasn’t. Tech ranks first in the nation in rushing, next-to-last in passing. Anthony Allen hasn’t been quite as proficient as Dwyer, and all the Jackets’ receivers combined haven’t begun to match the departed Bay-Bay.
The defense was supposed to be better because of Al Groh and his 3-4, but it hasn’t been. It hasn’t gotten worse; it just hasn’t improved to any significant degree. Derrick Morgan, also gone to the NFL, had 12 1/2 sacks last season; through 11 games, Tech as a team has 16.
And here we pause to recall: This time a year ago, Tech was bound for the ACC championship game, which it would win, and then the Orange Bowl, where it would lose. If we cast our glance back 52 weeks, we see that the Jackets are 7-7 over their past 14 games. The upset loss to Georgia has sent the Jackets back to mediocrity.
Only that’s not quite true. It has been a long time since the Jackets had a six-loss regular season, which is what they’re facing if/when they lose tonight. The last time was in 2003, Chan Gailey’s second year. (Tech was also 7-6 in Gailey’s first and last season, but those involved bowl losses, and in 2007 Gailey had nothing to do with the sixth loss. He’d been fired.)
The promise inherent in Paul Johnson was that he, by force of both stylized offense and outsize personality, would prevent the Jackets from ever backsliding this far. But here Tech is, a middling 6-5 and facing a game in which it’s expected to get drubbed by a opponent carrying a losing record. Two years ago, when Johnson’s team stunned Georgia here, that wouldn’t have seemed possible. A year ago, when Tech entered this game ranked No. 7 in the land, it wouldn’t have seemed possible. But here the Jackets are, on a slippery slope that could get a lot more slippery before the night is through.
And with that, the floor is open for questions, comments and observations about the Jackets. (I’m not supposed to be discussing the Bulldogs, which I’m sure will make UGA backers shout, “Hallelujah!”) I welcome your figurative presence. And if you’d care to come up to the press box and sit beside me, please bring a space heater. Apparently the Sanford Stadium folks are conserving electrical energy. Brrr.
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1,364 comments Add your comment
Gordon
November 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
It may get so bad that I’ll switch channels and watch Tech hoops. That’s bad (although they got a nice win last night on a neutral floor).
just saying...
November 27th, 2010
5:49 pm
hey Not Don Waddell, Tech’s full name is the Georgia Institute of Technology. Even the puppies in the room know that’s not abbreviated gtu.
WhenYousayBudweiser
November 27th, 2010
5:51 pm
Does GT still have flag boys in their marching band? I remember during the 51-7 beatdown that the GTU flag boy was getting called out by 94,000+ UGA fans!
FLAG-BOY!!! FLAG-BOY!!! FLAG-BOY!!!
GTFan
November 27th, 2010
5:52 pm
Obviously I’d luv to see Georgia Tech win, but their offensive line will push the Tech’s D Line all over the field. It’s just physical mis-match up front. Georgia 38 Georgia Tech 13
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
However, the charges against Hall were dropped after he did 50 hours of community service at a Jos. A. Bank store.
Fries with that?
November 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
“What sucks is I made fun of my UGag co-workers all year for playing there last season.”
You work in a McDonald’s? Oh, I get it, you’re the manager!
85' Bears
November 27th, 2010
5:54 pm
I still think this point spread is absurd. A 5-6 team, no matter how talented, is still 5-6 for a reason.
destin dawg
November 27th, 2010
5:55 pm
I’m glad we have Grantham..and not Smart… plus i think with Belin and Lakatos… we’ll be Junk Yard Dawgs again in 2011…. Go Dawgs BEAT TECH !!! win a bowl game…. we can go all the way next year .. favorable schedule !!! Chick Filet Bowl… GO DAWGS !!!!!!!
dawg day afternoon
November 27th, 2010
5:55 pm
On the contrary Mark, Vandy’s coach was so scared of Wake Forest that he announced his resignation before the first snap!
Shreveport?
November 27th, 2010
5:55 pm
Who the hayull says we are playing Shreveport? Link?
I’ll punch you in the mouth if that is true.
2BT
November 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
No, we have no more males in the flag group. In fact, I hear that the original Flag-boy has moved in with Damon Evans and does some burlesque show up north!
Any truth to the rumor that Suzanne Yoculan and Mr. Ed were NEVER seen in the same room at any time?
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
Hall was supposed to do his time at Neiman Marcus, but he insisted on Jos A. Bank because Bank of America had recently bounced several of his checks. Alas, working at Bank wasn’t what he thought it would be. He kept asking where they kept “the loot”.
JacketFan
November 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
Fries with that: I guess that makes you the assistant manager…because we all know wherever there is a tech alum mgr there is always 1 or more Ugag grads working under them
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
I’m betting Paul Johnson doesn’t quit before kickoff tonight, dawg day afternoon
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
5:57 pm
It’s hard to say that losing to Florida in any year could be a bad loss … but losing to these Gators was.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
5:59 pm
the loss to Florida was so bad I almost choked.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:01 pm
Mark, is there enough room in the press box for Wes Durham and everyone else?
destin dawg
November 27th, 2010
6:02 pm
Urban Meyer is having chest pains in Tallahassee ???????
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:02 pm
One guarantee I’ll make for tonight: Most UGA fans will think Schultz is pro Tech, and most Tech fans will think Bradley is pro Georgia.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:03 pm
apparently Urban is suffering in Tallahassee, but the pain is lower than his chest.
2BT
November 27th, 2010
6:04 pm
todd, knock him if you want but Wes + Tony Barnhart = the best radio program I’ve ever heard in my 42 years here in Atlanta.
GT
November 27th, 2010
6:04 pm
Jackets win 35-17 tonight.
ResponsetoFries with that?
November 27th, 2010
6:05 pm
Actually my boss is Sonny Purdue, a UGA grad who truly RUNS THIS STATE!
I completely understand why you think most techies work for Mickey D’s.
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
6:05 pm
destin dawg
November 27th, 2010
6:02 pm
Urban Meyer is having chest pains in Tallahassee ???????
Im a dawg fan but that is just taking it too far…not funny
Not Don Waddell
November 27th, 2010
6:06 pm
Stephon Marbury grew up in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, NY,
the sixth of seven children. Named to The Sporting News list of the “Good
Guys in Sports” in 2005, 2002 and 2001, he is a two-time NBA All-Star. He
was named the National High School Player of the Year by Parade Magazine
his senior year in 1995. After starring at Georgia Tech University, Marbury
entered the NBA in 1996.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stephon-marbury-and-steve–barrys-launch-the-starbury-collection-including-stephs-new-on-court-sneaker-56185312.html
Southern Football Fan
November 27th, 2010
6:07 pm
Hey Mark,
Thanks for the opportunity to speak on this here subject. First, I am not a fan of Georgia or Georgia Tech. That being established let me say that in head to head competition, Georgia Tech is by far, and I mean far, the classiest of the two fan base wise. This comes from attending games on both campuses and talking with fans/alumni of both schools. Now, I do not believe Tech will win this game but, I will wager that if you watch the game closely you will see which school has the classiest players, that being Tech. Georgia; has had too many years of the best athletes and shown so little with their wealth. Players will win this game for Georgia, not coaching. Enough said.
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
I’m pro-Georgia? Really?
Correction
November 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
@ Not Don Waddell::
not sure if you’re a Tech fan or not, but for the record its not “Gtu”, its GA Tech. There is no “University” in the school name, just like MIT, Boston College, Army, Navy and Air Force.
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
You know you’re covering a big game when you see Bob Davie on the scene.
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
6:10 pm
Also Mark Jones. Also Gary Barnett.
Mark Bradley
November 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
But Dan Magill just told me John Isner is coming tonight, so we’ve got that working in our favor, big-game wise.
Katherine
November 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
Southern Football fan….you can’t say that about the whole fan base of uga….there are always some idiots in the crowd…but the majority are not. You are painting a lot of people with a wide brush….that being said..there are a lot of idiots at every football game i’ve been to…regardless of the school.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
Most Tech fans will think you are pro Georgia.
Not Don Waddell
November 27th, 2010
6:11 pm
Whammy! Look at Mark Bradley dropping the bomb on his media colleagues.
That elevator is only going to the 50th floor tonight, Mark, you know you have hit the penthouse when Pam Ward is in the house.
2BT
November 27th, 2010
6:12 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI9i4IqeOcY
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:13 pm
2BT, I am really a fan of Wes’. Just making a little joke about his brawn.
Frankly
November 27th, 2010
6:14 pm
After tonight cpj will be 1-2 in Sanford, 1 loss with GSU & 1 with gtu.
THWGT
Not Don Waddell
November 27th, 2010
6:14 pm
Wes isn’t really that big of a guy, and is a super guy to talk to whether you are a UGA fan, Gtu fan or don’t even care about sports.
2BT
November 27th, 2010
6:15 pm
todd, he’s got some ‘led’ in his britches no doubt! Our coaches would do wise to try and recruit some men of his ‘brawn’ for our defensive trenches in the VERY near future!
2BT
November 27th, 2010
6:16 pm
Fellas, the jambalaya is smokin’ hot and the Samuel Adams is ICY Cold! We can officially kick this thing off now! (Glad I passed up the ticket offered to me in the 600 level!
JacketFan
November 27th, 2010
6:17 pm
@Mark…haha BOB DAVIE may be the WORST broadcaster in college football. What are his credentials that allow him to be a broadcaster??
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:17 pm
2BT, a little joke from a previous blog I’ll share: What did Wes Durham say to the TSA guy who patted him down? Damn, man, you got some long arms!
EagleDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:18 pm
Congratulations to Georgia Southern on their win in the first round of the playoffs, 41-16.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
6:19 pm
Bob Davie’s record:
Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/Playoffs Coaches# AP°
Notre Dame Fighting Irish (Independent) (1997–2001)
1997 Notre Dame 7–6 L 27-9 Independence Bowl
1998 Notre Dame 9–3 L 35-28 Gator Bowl 22 22
1999 Notre Dame 5–7
2000 Notre Dame 9–3 L 41-9 Fiesta Bowl † 16 15
2001 Notre Dame 5–6
Total: 35–25
Glory Glory
November 27th, 2010
6:20 pm
This blog’s for big boy football. Talk about Georgia Southern somewhere else.
JacketFan
November 27th, 2010
6:20 pm
Hmmm guess those are better credentials than Matt Millen has…worst NFL Broadcaster BY FAR. No clue how he has a job speaking about a league that he has no knowledge on.
2BT
November 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
I think both fan bases can agree we dislike Bob ‘the boob’ Davie! Could be worse though, surprised it’s not Pam Ward and Martina Navratilova announcing!
StraightJacket
November 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
Mark, If you’ve seen Tech play much this season, then you KNOW that they’ve stopped themselves on offense MUCH more than their competition. Rushing yards still lead the nation, but penalties, dropped passes, and fumbles had killed scoring drives.
If Tech merely cuts their own mistakes in HALF (say, only 4-6 procedure calls, fumbles, and dropped passes), then this can be a close game.
And what if QB Aerrant Murphy’s (-law) gets hit in the sternum … or Washedup Early fumbles a lot? Maybe Courtdate King can have a fumble or two!
Hey, … I’m not saying Tech can win, but if UGag was so great, they wouldn’t have lost 6 games.
stats man
November 27th, 2010
6:21 pm
CPJ will be 1-2 after tonight, 1 loss with Ga Southern and 1 with gtu.
THWGT
OkefenokeeDawg
November 27th, 2010
6:22 pm
“Does anybody really think Tech can win?”
*********************************
Come on, Mark. Did you watch the Colorado game?