Tomorrow: Bradley’s annual long-range college football picks
I boldly predict one of these teams will win on Nov. 26. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
UPDATE: As threatened, here are my picks. Read them and wail.
I am, I’m afraid, about to do it again. I’m about to offer up my annual long-range college football picks, for which I apologize in advance.
I do this every year, and every year somebody gets really mad. If I pick Georgia to do well, Tech fans hate it. If I pick Tech to do well, Georgia fans hate it. If I pick anybody to do well, fans of that school hate it — because I am, as you’re aware, often wrong.
But I do it anyway for a simple reason: It’s fun. And when I miraculously get one right — like picking Georgia to go 11-1 and win the SEC East in 2002, or picking Tech to go 10-2 and win the ACC in 2008 — I get to crow a little. (Though I’m not much for crowing, if I do say so myself.)
Consider this tiny post a preview, or a tease, or whatever you want to call it. And for the next few hours, I invite you to share in the fun by — bear with me here — offering your picks as to what I’m going to pick for Tech and Georgia. I offered a little hint the other day, so feel free to refresh your memory.
Oh, and if you’re of a mind to do further research: Here’s the 2008 edition, in which I had Georgia winning the BCS title, and the 2009 version, in which I tabbed Tech to take the ACC, and last’s year, in which I picked a Tebow-less Florida to finish No. 1. (Yow!)
If you can discern any pattern from those previous entries, you’re a keener analyst than I am. Then again, just about anyone would be a keener analyst than I am. Check back Friday to see how much sillier I’ve gotten over the past year. (A lot sillier, I predict.)
By Mark Bradley
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171 comments Add your comment
GeoffDawg
June 9th, 2011
2:26 pm
Football and prognosticating both go better with bourbon.
mmgtfan
June 9th, 2011
2:31 pm
First!
Dawgs97
June 9th, 2011
2:32 pm
Don’t pick Georgia. We might have a shot if you leave us alone.
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
2:33 pm
OK, Dawgs97. I’ll pick UGA to go 0-12. That should do it.
CJ
June 9th, 2011
2:34 pm
I’m not the least excited about Tech football this year.
Benjamin
June 9th, 2011
2:35 pm
I’m pretty consistent with these top five finishes. No wins, though, like Dale Jr..
Georgia will play well this year in a weakened SEC East. Don’t know much about Ga. Tech’s roster right now.
CJ
June 9th, 2011
2:35 pm
Also, I’m not the least excited about the teams we’re playing against. The ACC is in for a bad year I think.
UGA_2001
June 9th, 2011
2:39 pm
Georgia will do no better than 8-4 and Tech will do no worse than 7-5.
Jeff
June 9th, 2011
2:41 pm
LOWCOUNTRY—– You are out of your mind GO DAWGS GATA…
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 9th, 2011
2:41 pm
Mark,
Go ahead and mark the Dawgs down for 9-3 regular season, and the 10th win coming in the bowl game. Dawgs finishing about 12th in the country when its all said and done. The loses? Florida,Miss St., UT.
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
I don’t know why I picked that Vanderbilt loss. That one has always stumped me.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
June 9th, 2011
2:43 pm
An article announcing an upcoming article. I want your job.
JBoog1285
June 9th, 2011
2:44 pm
I will tell you, props on a few picks last season. South Carolina with three losses was a good one, but Tennessee may be your crown jewel of all time, you nailed that one. So, for once, congratulations sir.
MagnaCarterGT
June 9th, 2011
2:46 pm
You did have us going 10-2 in 2009, Mark, but you also had one of those losses being to Vanderbilt. So, you know.
Nostra-DUH-Mas
June 9th, 2011
2:47 pm
Fall 2012
Auburn: On Probation
Alabama: On Probation, Coach Still an Arse
Texas: On Probation, Coach “Retired”
Ohio State: Say Hello to SMU
Georgia: Coach “Retired” to “Concentrate on Family” on “Doing God’s Work”
Georgia Tech: Still Pathetic
Tennessee: Not Worth Mentioning, Still Has Ugliest Female Fans & Students Outside Pennsylvania
USC: LOL!
Dawgustus
June 9th, 2011
2:49 pm
UGA goes 9-3, wins the SECE, gets blown out by UA or LSU, and loses to Michigan State in the Outback Bowl to finish 9-5. Tech goes 7-5 and beats East Carolina in some bowl to finish 8-5 proving to Tech fans everywhere that they’ve “closed the gap” with UGA.
Danny Glover
June 9th, 2011
2:50 pm
Haha. 2008. Everyone and their mom picked Georgia to win the SEC and the BCS. And then this happened… http://youtu.be/UilalU3_ckk
Absolutely hilarious seeing those kid’s faces in the crowd.
Nostra-DUH-mas
June 9th, 2011
2:51 pm
FALL 2012
Michael Vick: Back in Prison
Plaxico Burress: Ditto
Urban Meyer: Miraculously “Cured”
Arthur Blank: Still Says “Atlanter”
Atlanta Spirit Group: Satan’s Favorite Ownership Group
AJC: Still Receiving Overwhelming Numbers of Subscriber Cancellation Notices
Just Me
June 9th, 2011
2:52 pm
This is the time of the year I can make my Financial planning. Bet against Bradley and we will all get rich.
BFD
June 9th, 2011
2:53 pm
If you are like all the other local media, the prediction will be that UGA will win the SEC east, play in a BCS bowl, etc… Anything UGA or SEC appeases the readers, sells papers.
Lowell
June 9th, 2011
2:54 pm
Bradley….GO SEMINOLES! Jimbo has us on the right track and unfortunately, Oklahoma is going to be the recipient of a beatdown in Tally!
Chi Town
June 9th, 2011
2:55 pm
Saban will rule the world.
Richt`s Hammer
June 9th, 2011
2:56 pm
Boise State 6666 Dawgs 3. Can`t wait. Should be quite the game. Boise State will score just about what my weekly take home is.
Dawglasville
June 9th, 2011
2:59 pm
You are absolutely right Mark, it is fun. I’ve always appreciated the way you take ownership of your picks at the end of the year.
South Georgia
June 9th, 2011
3:00 pm
Since NBA Finals are happening now, I say, Charles Barkley is my favorite NBA player of all time for declaring the truth of “the whiny bunch” led by Lebron James and Dwayne Wade. They are a reflection of this generation who is talented but whines at every opportunity.
joe
June 9th, 2011
3:01 pm
AJC
Dateline Nov 28, 2011
by Mark Bradley
Athens, GA–Today at 11:00am, Coach Marc Richt resigned today after a 11-year career as head coach of Georgia. Last Saturday’s 33-21 loss to Georgia Tech ended the season for the Bulldawgs with a 5-7 record.
“It’s been a great ride,” Richt said in his press conference. He added, “We’ve had some great seasons and some bad ones, but I wouldn’t change anything. I look forward to spending time with my family and I only want Georgia fans to support the next coach next season.”
Early returns have former Florida coach Urban Meyer and former Ohio St. coach Jim Tressel as leading candidates to replace Richt.
-30-
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
3:02 pm
Thanks, Dawglasville.
And thanks to JBoog185 for noticing.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 9th, 2011
3:05 pm
I guess I should say thanks Jeff.
GeoffDawg
June 9th, 2011
3:19 pm
No kudos? I have to actually type in First!!! for that honor?
Buckeye
June 9th, 2011
3:21 pm
I’m counting down the hours……………….
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
3:22 pm
Kudos, GeoffDawg.
I usually only give them when claimed. Some people get testy about this “first” thing.
sogadog
June 9th, 2011
3:24 pm
I predict the Dawgs go 9-3 and win the Outback Bowl. We lose to USC (outcoached), UF(Gators have too much talent) and UT(the Dawgs historically take off games in Knoxville). CMR keeps his job but his seat gets warmer despite a winning season because of the losses to UF and UT and the failure to win the SEC east. The 2012 season will be pivotal for UGA football. Win the SEC in 2012 and CMR is set for another ten years or however long he wants to coach. (During which time he could pull an Urban Meyer, retire and move to Peru to do missionary work.) On the other hand, if the Dawgs win the SEC East but lose the title game in 2012, CMR gets another three years. If the Dawgs dont win the SEC east in 2011 or 2012 CMR is asked to leave.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 9th, 2011
3:26 pm
…till what the next big allegation concerning “The” Ohio State University?
Sorry, couldn’t help! You line’em up and I’ll knock’em down!
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
3:27 pm
I’m surprised by the low forecasts for Georgia, I must say.
vmguru
June 9th, 2011
3:27 pm
An article announcing the upcoming article – is this the appetizer course in preparation for the main course? Just to get us looking at the “menu” in anticipation?
Mark Bradley
June 9th, 2011
3:32 pm
Something like that, vmguru.
juvenal
June 9th, 2011
3:33 pm
uga 9-3, win 1/1 bowl;GT 6-6, no bowl……
JB
June 9th, 2011
3:36 pm
Fall 2012 preview:
Georgia coach Kirby Smart, Addressing the press, standing on a cocola crate as to see over the podium, Say’s ” I’m the voice of Georgia football…If you need a comment, it’ll come from me….any questions” ?
Sage of Bluesland
June 9th, 2011
3:48 pm
UGA and GT both go undefeated, but get destroyed in bowl games by teams from the Sunbelt.
Bobo, Bobo, a pirate's life for me
June 9th, 2011
3:50 pm
Nostra-DUH-mas..
i got a good laugh outta those, thank you.
Biscuit
June 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
First two games are critical for UGA’s season—win both and they go 10 and 2 and win the East. East will be b/w GCocks and Dawgs–CMR needs 10 wins to stay. I thought they were a year away with incoming classes but rumor is they are loaded and Ealey was a cancer–They go 10 and 2—GT–opponents have figured out the offense and they always lose there bowl games-if they become eligible. They go 6 and 6 and lose bowl game due to goofing off during bowl game preparations–inside scoop–happens every year. SEC West is loaded so whoever wins East does not matter–West will rule in 2011. Bama vs USC or UGA—-
Bobo, Bobo, a pirate's life for me
June 9th, 2011
3:51 pm
And as for you Mr. Bradley, about 8/10 of us probably couldn’t pick any better, so it’s just fun to read what you’ve got to say.
Dink
June 9th, 2011
3:57 pm
SECC, Alabama vs South Carolina
Two teams to watch out for, FSU and Notre Dame.
Two teams that will disappoint, Mississippi State and Texas A&M.
clear skies ahead
June 9th, 2011
4:01 pm
Why is everyone picking the Dawgs to lose to UT? If UGA can get past the first 2 games with wins, then there is no chance of finishing with less than 10 wins and a SEC East title. If they go 1-1, they should still be able to pull 9-10 wins. I believe in the DEFENSE. I believe in Aaron Murray. I truly believe that UGA has the best special teams in the nation. While I’m not ready to crown this team national champs yet, crazier things have happened.
Buckeye
June 9th, 2011
4:02 pm
Kudos, Lowcountry
Buckeye
June 9th, 2011
4:03 pm
uga will be 6-6 heading into the Liberty Bowl vs. Conf USA, ranked outside the top 25.
The good news, you’re bowl eligible.
Rog
June 9th, 2011
4:03 pm
I predict you’ll pick Tech low, they’re not a top 25 team, and likely get caught up in the hype, a la Steele, and pick Georgia top 10.
I think Tech will go 6-6, Georgia 8-4, with losses to Florida, Boise, South Carolina, and either Tenn/Aub.
clear skies ahead
June 9th, 2011
4:06 pm
Hey Buckeye-
I think The Ohio State could go undefeated next year and not be bowl eligible
rduck
June 9th, 2011
4:19 pm
GT- I have a feeling this will come down to who wins the starting QB job.
w/ Washington 7-5
w/ Days 8-4
UGA- I feel this is a make or break season depending on the outcome of the first 2 games.
win BS and SC- 10-2
lose BS and SC- 5-7
split BS and SC- 8-4
OTHER PREDICTIONS FOR THE SEASON
1. another scandal rocks a big time program (possibly Texas, Alabama or Oregon)
2. Paul Johnson will grab someone by the face mask by the 3rd game
3. The “U” will once again be back after this season
4. Lou Holtz will defend the coaches that are under fire for violations
5. Ohio State will get drilled by the NCAA ( IF THEY HAVE ANY ORANGES)
Jumper21
June 9th, 2011
4:21 pm
Mark,
Beano Cook wrote on ESPN chat recently, uh, Georgia will win the SEC.
And Steele has Georgia top 10.
Interesting?