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
Burgess
November 27th, 2010
11:16 pm
Can’t wait until CPJ’s press conference….I..I…I…put 34 on the board, everybody else lost it for ME.
Glory Glory
November 27th, 2010
11:16 pm
SUCK IT, NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Canadian Tech
November 27th, 2010
11:16 pm
Just saying, Tech came into your stadium and caused you to crap in your pants and you have the gall to say this.
Luke
November 27th, 2010
11:16 pm
Jim, you’re still up by 8. We get the ball back. We have another chance.
Keary
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
Of course Washaun is too stupid to simply get the first down and kneel.
THWG
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
Smart call
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
That last play reminded me of “The Waterboy!”
uga1989
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
Now that was a cheerleader.
This game just
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
shows why .500 teams shouldn’t be allowed to go to bowl games. If it wasn’t all about the money, I would hope neither one of these teams would get picked
Thank you Anthony Allen
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
thank you Anthony Allen for your great effort and encouraging the rest of the team after Nesbitt broke his arm. Thank you Tevin, I can see the improvement in just a few short games….
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 27th, 2010
11:17 pm
That last play reminded me of “The Waterboy!”
hahah
Paul in RDU
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
CPJ obviously took the over
Richt's Butt Cut
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
Hands down the dumbest team in football.. Take a knee retards.. Unreal.. Miami’s coming after Richt..
WOLLEY STEKCAJ
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
Same old story! We lose again to Georgia. Of cource Jonhson will say this game does not define Tech’s season, only because our season sucked anyway. Welcome to the who cares bowl.
Congrats Georgia, you earned it.
Thank you Anthony Allen
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
GO JACKETS YESTERDAY, TODAY AND ALWAYS
Give Todd Grantham the choke sign
November 27th, 2010
11:18 pm
The announcer just made fun of the georgia fans
Canadian Tech
November 27th, 2010
11:19 pm
UGA – coach and team have no class. Should’ve just run out the clock and leave the score at 35-34
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 27th, 2010
11:19 pm
Need to throw it down the field.
Biff Pocoroba
November 27th, 2010
11:19 pm
Nice 5 yard passes coach. Good thing we signed him for seven more years so Auburn wouldn’t hire him.
GT65
November 27th, 2010
11:19 pm
Roddy’s fumble and Tevin’s fumble …else GT wins this game. I didn’t think Tch would be within 21 points in this game. Obviously I gave UGA way too much credit, as it’s obvious that UGA is a pretty poor football team.
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:20 pm
Canadian Tech
November 27th, 2010
11:16 pm
Just saying, Tech came into your stadium and caused you to crap in your pants and you have the gall to say this.
I said a lot, which insult are you referring too?
Burgess
November 27th, 2010
11:20 pm
Somebody should let CPJ know about that new rule…it’s called a forward pass. But of course, since Gailey’s recruits are gone…there’s nobody there that can throw or catch.
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
I predict GT will have a couple of chances into the end zone.
Biff Pocoroba
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
Amtrak has some good deals to Shreveport right now. At least it is warmer than Nashville
Old School
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
@Canadian Tech: from one Tech can to another, come on guy, I’m not one to defend UGA, but Tech let them score that touchdown so they could get the ball back. The replay clearly showed that.
crabapplejoe
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
How exciting….now Tech will go to the WeedEater Bowl and Georgia will go to the Express Oil Change Bowl…..both will continue to recruit coal black “five star” defenses that couldn’t stop Marist High School….meanwhile teams like Oregon, Wisconsin, and Stanford will be playing in BCS bowls with much more “diverse” defenses that can actually stop the other team…..LMAO…..
Falcon Fan
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
Interesting that it was such a close game and Tech having to play with their backup quarterback. Not so sure Dawg fans have much to be gloating about. Be grateful for the W (if it stays that way).
Ted
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
This QB throws like a sissy
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
UGA should leave two big lineman and rush 4 line backers…
Burgess
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
A division 1 QB can’t throw a football any better than that ?
THUGA U BEAT YOU "AGAIN"
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Blah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
30-24
42-34
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Houston has a brain….
BreakingNews
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Justin Houston!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THUGA U BEAT YOU "AGAIN"
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
30-24
42-34
BLAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Glory Glory
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NERDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mark C.
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Good game tech.
uga1989
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
Over. Hard fought game, Tech.
Jim
November 27th, 2010
11:22 pm
42-34 HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Nice game tying drive there at the end with your retard QB. Thats what happens when all you can do is run the ball. Losers.
dawgfan
November 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
9 OUTTA 10
OWNED
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Falcon Fan
November 27th, 2010
11:21 pm
Interesting that it was such a close game and Tech having to play with their backup quarterback. Not so sure Dawg fans have much to be gloating about. Be grateful for the W (if it stays that way).
blah, blah, blah…. 10 outta the last 11. GT couldn’t beat the worst UGA team in the last 20 years.
BreakingNews
November 27th, 2010
11:23 pm
Ok Tech fans, let the “if we only had Nesbitt” talk begin…
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Tevin was shuffling the feet and scared. He wanted to throw to the outside and didn’t have the play. Well, I was a 1 point game. We have to let UGA get the last score to get the ball back. I wil call that as good as the Auburn v Bama game.
NERDS!!! 42-34!!!
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!! NERDS!!! 42-34!!!
FootballRules
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Congradulations to HARGRAVE MILITARY ACADEMY’s former players!!!! Get ‘um next year Tech!!!! We know it’s an uphill fight…the playing field will never be equal (thanx to Hargrave and NW Oklahoma Jr. College), but you gave it your all.
THUGA U BEAT YOU "AGAIN"
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
blahahahahahahahahahaahahahahaahahahahahaah
Just saying
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Glad I don’t have to drive back to the ATL from Athens…..That will be ugly….
astrouga
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
9 out of 10.
Old School
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Okay, Tech and Georgia fans, if you are any kind of fan and love college football you have to give credit to Tech’s offense for what it did and to UGA’s defense for coming up with an inspired effort when it had to.
todd grantham
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Georgia can take little joy in this victory. Boneheaded coaching almost lost the game.
Hunker Down
November 27th, 2010
11:24 pm
Dawgs won game but CPJ was the coach tonight