Bradley’s grid picks: Tech wins eight; UGA wins the SEC East
My credo. (AJC photo by Ben Gray, doctored by Mandi Albright)
Six months ago I wouldn’t have imagined this pick, but here it is: Georgia will go 10-2 and win the SEC East. And how’s that for a snappy beginning to our annual long-range look at college football?
What changed my mind about Georgia? The Dream Team. I’m not the biggest believer in recruiting rankings, but this class rekindled a fire that, after 8-5 followed by 6-7, was down to embers.
Six months ago I saw a program that had run out of ideas. (How do you not score a touchdown against Central Florida?) Today I see a team primed to seize its opportunity. The SEC East is as rickety as it has ever been: Urban Meyer is gone from Florida, Tennessee is in flux and South Carolina’s breakthrough season — the Gamecocks finally won the division — fizzled at its end.
Georgia’s schedule sets up beautifully. The Bulldogs open against a team that figures to be ranked among the nation’s top five, but the team is Boise State (meaning: less talented than Georgia) and the game is in the Georgia Dome. The next week South Carolina comes to Athens. After winning those two games, the Bulldogs will find themselves in the Top 10.
Their two losses? Even with Florida under new management, one will come against the Gators. (One Georgia loss always comes against the Gators.) The other will come against Mississippi State even though the game is in Athens. (I’m not sure the fourth-best team in the SEC West couldn’t win the East.) As for Georgia’s opponent in the SEC title game … well, keep reading.
• Georgia Tech will tighten up on offense and defense — fewer turnovers, fewer points allowed. This will enable the Jackets to go 8-4 and finish third, behind Virginia Tech and Miami, in the ACC Coastal. They’ll miss Joshua Nesbitt but profit from a kinder schedule. They don’t play Florida State. They get North Carolina, Maryland and Clemson here, and they should win two of those. They get N.C. State, Miami, Virginia and Duke on the road, and they can win at least two of those.
• Andrew Luck, the Stanford quarterback who spurned the NFL, will win the Heisman Trophy.
• Nebraska, new to the Big Ten, will win the Big Ten (now up to 12 members). Ohio State, as you may have heard, has issues.
• With Nebraska gone and Texas in retreat, Oklahoma will tear through the Big 12 (now down to 10) and finish first in the BCS standings.
I foresee a great leap forward. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
• As big as the Georgia-Boise game is to us around here, it will pale in comparison nationally to the other neutral-site game of Sept. 3: LSU-Oregon in Arlington, Texas. LSU 34, Oregon 31.
• Boise State won’t lose after Sept. 3, but from a national perspective it won’t matter. Boise State registers only when unbeaten.
• Auburn goes from 14-0 and the BCS title to 7-5 and fifth in the SEC West. That’s unless Russell Wilson, the baseball-playing quarterback who was released from his scholarship by N. C. State, chooses the Tigers over Wisconsin. Should that happen, bump the Tigers up to 8-4 and fourth. Wilson isn’t Cam Newton, but he’s good.
• Florida State will lose to Oklahoma in Tallahassee on Sept. 17 but will run through the ACC undefeated, beating Virginia Tech in the conference title game (now housed in Charlotte).
• Florida will beat Georgia and still finish 7-5. The Gators must play Alabama and LSU. (Georgia gets neither.) The odd Will Muschamp-Charlie Weis alliance will be in tatters by Halloween.
The string of losing seasons ends at one. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
• South Carolina will go 10-2 — its other loss will be to Arkansas — and lose the division title on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
• Tennessee will finish 6-6. Its new athletic director, whoever he/she is, will not be pleased.
• Utah will win the South Division of the newly configured Pac-12. Stanford will win the North because its biggest game — Oregon on Nov. 12 — is at home. Lane Kiffin and Southern Cal will finish 7-5, if anyone still cares.
• As for the SEC West … Alabama has the better schedule, but LSU has the better team. The Tigers will lose early at Mississippi State but not again. They’ll take down Alabama, which won’t lose to anybody else, in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 5. I see LSU beating Georgia for the SEC championship and Oklahoma in the BCS title game, which will, conveniently enough, be staged in New Orleans.
• Georgia State will go 8-3. It will, however, lose 51-10 at Houston on Sept. 24. Which, when you consider the Panthers lost 63-7 at Alabama last season, will be a sign of progress.
• After the doings of this offseason — Auburn’s trees, the Fiesta Bowl follies, the fall of Jim Tressel and the weirdness at West Virginia — the games themselves will seem almost staid. Even Tech versus Georgia will be nothing special. The Bulldogs will win by two touchdowns.
By Mark Bradley
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746 comments Add your comment
Jake
June 10th, 2011
10:27 am
why would anyone beleive in someone who gives a kicker the choke hold. granthma is a loser and the defense will once again look like a bunch of clueless idiots.
GTBob
June 10th, 2011
10:28 am
I just can’t see a team coached by Les Miles, with Jefferson at QB, winning the SEC. I also, can’t really see UGA beating Boise St and South Carolina. I do think they will win one of the two though. As for GT, 8-4 would be a pretty good season in my opinion. I hope you are right on that. I also think Oregon beats LSU, and mows through the Pac-12. They will play Oklahoma for the MNC.
TechSupporter
June 10th, 2011
10:28 am
Not bad predictions Mark. I like how optimistic you are about our teams from the state of Georgia, but I disagree with all of them succeeding. Tech will have a down year, IMHO as the transition at QB will lead to controversy over who should start, and thus, the team will lack critical leadership to pull out close games. They will make a bowl because of the more favorable schedule this year, but if they finish above .500 by more than a game I’d be surprised.
As for UGA, They will have a decent season this year, but despite the talent they’re bringing in on defense and at skill positions in the offense, the offensive line will struggle. They’ll do better than last year, but I don’t see them beating out South Carolina or Florida in the SEC East. And scheduling Boise as the first game of the year is a risky venture as well. Should be a close game, but you never know how a team will respond in the first game of the year.
Go Jackets!
chilidawg
June 10th, 2011
10:28 am
Sadly, I agree with Brad. Dawgs get up for Boise and pummel them, then come out flat and score 10 against Carolina.
chazzo
June 10th, 2011
10:29 am
Well, for the last two years I thought that Bradley under-ranked the Dawgs. I was wrong. So, i hope he is right this year. Although, I would like to see our Dawgs put it to the Gators. I am not a pessimistic about the Gators, by the way.
I don’t take the BSU game as lightly either. I hope that the players don’t. All of the “not in our house” crap in the world won’t amount to a hill of beans unless the guys come to play. BSU will come to play. You better believe it…. outmanned or not. (Georgia certainly outmanned Central FL last season).
I also think the BSU game could be a make or break for Richt. If the Dawgs fall to BSU, whether it affects SEC rankings or not, the entire conference will be asking for his resignation. Win or lose the first one, USC will be a tricky game emotionally. Better start practicing Saturday night (if you know what I mean).
DawginLex
June 10th, 2011
10:29 am
If we are 4-1 after the first 5 games, is anyone going to be surprised or upset?
UGA
June 10th, 2011
10:30 am
Ill take apetit dijounay for 300
14-0, right Dawgs97??
June 10th, 2011
10:30 am
I’m sure U R thinking your Dawgs r going 14-0 too Dawgs97.
Let’s see, GA, with a better O in 2008 & 2010 than it will have in 2011, couldn’t beat GT by 3 TDs. In fact, the dogs lost 1 of those years! GT’s D will be better this season than any of PJ’s first 3 seasons, but GA will win by 3 TDs? Keep the funnies coming D97, U R hilarious!
No WAY
June 10th, 2011
10:32 am
Boise State – Lose
South Carolina – L
Coastal Carolina – W
Ole Miss – L
Mississippi State – W
Tennessee – L
Vanderbilt – L close
Flordia – L
New Mexico State – L
Auburn – W
Kentucky – W
Georgia Tech – W
How do you have yours?
Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 10th, 2011
10:32 am
Lots of people here down on Jefferson but man how long has the kid been in the program, like a decade now? The kid has the athleticsm to excel at the position now with all the game exp he has to get it at some point. He is not going to be asked to win many if any games with his arm. With LSU’s stingy defense and abundance of RB’s he will only to manage games effectively to give them a chance in every game.
chazzo
June 10th, 2011
10:33 am
BSU will come to play. UGA had best be ready. I agree that BSU will be outmanned, but so was Central FL. If the Dawgs the Dawgs think attitude and a couple of late hits will beat the Smurfs, we are going to be sorely disappointed.
Furthermore, I think it is a make or break for Richt. I am not overstating it. If the Dawgs play half-arse and lose, everyone in the conference will be asking for Richt’s resignation.
Win or lose, USC could be a tricky game emotionally.
Better come to play. Go Dawgs!
RabidDawgFan
June 10th, 2011
10:34 am
Why do people act as if losing is the norm for Georgia? We are a traditional powerhouse. It’s a proven fact. We had ONE bad season and people act like we just can’t win ever again and it’s normal for UGA to go 6-7. That’s why your here because it isn’t NORMAL for UGA to go 6-7. I don’t see you bashing Vandy because they went 2-10. It’s NORMAL for them. Not UGA. Get a life haters.
Bogey
June 10th, 2011
10:34 am
@No WAY. Tressel’s name on the list to replace CMR. Thanks for the laugh.
Saban
June 10th, 2011
10:34 am
Would enjoy beating the dawgs in the SEC championship game. I could use my b team and save the starters for the National Championship game.
Life is good. Keep Richt.
No WAY
June 10th, 2011
10:35 am
No haters just giving the facts as I see them.
TechSupporter
June 10th, 2011
10:35 am
Oh, and my prediction for TEch vs UGA in Atlanta: Tech 21 – UGA 23.
Tech’s defense will be stronger this year, but UGA’s special teams is just too good and puts UGA ahead in the final minutes. No matter how down or up Tech or UGA are, this game will always be close. Tech’s only chance to win this game is the possibility that Vad Lee or one of the current QB’s fighting to start, Tevin or Synjyn, step up big time this year, and show something resembling Nesbitt’s first year in CPJ’s system.
Dreamless Team
June 10th, 2011
10:35 am
Boise State will roll over the Dawgs, 42-24.
The Dream Team will be licking Russ’s pathetic butt by midseason.
Grandmaster JeJe
June 10th, 2011
10:36 am
FIRE LARRY DREW
Z-Dawg
June 10th, 2011
10:36 am
I think we squeak out wins against Boise and the ole ball coach but lose at UT and get upset by those dern jackets. We get some payback on MSU, and dad-gum sooner or later we GOTS to beat Florida, right?? Right??????????????????????????????
Darth Visor
June 10th, 2011
10:37 am
On the 10th day of September !!! four o’clock, We will be ready. just bring a extra bag of ice for uga XX A$$.
joe
June 10th, 2011
10:37 am
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….UGA 10-2. Thanks Mark, I needed that!!!
Going Coastal
June 10th, 2011
10:38 am
Mark…no mention of the Peach State team that will see the most success in 2011….the Georgia Southern Eagles. You people like to think you know sports around this state… but you only come calling the folks in Statesboro when it’s playoff time or we beat Appalachian State.
Parker
June 10th, 2011
10:38 am
Think gt will win 9. Ga 7 or 8. It is the sec and they lost green. That guy accounts for so many catches other players cant make. SC wins the east and plays bama. Stanford wins the pac. Ok loses to fsu. Fsu plays stanford in the nc. Fsu goes undefeated
J Clay
June 10th, 2011
10:39 am
Kyle – next time you call out the delusional (which by the way I agree, many of my fellow Dawg fans are delusional), try not go and get delusional yourself. Tech wins 10 games? Quit smoking whatever it is your smoking – you just as delusional as all the rest.
Believe someone already said but I will trade SEC crown for a victory over dem Gators.
GatorHater
June 10th, 2011
10:39 am
Dawgs 10-2, I wish, but like UGA always is, “they’re a year away.” GT will NOT beat VT and go 7-5. Bama wins the National Title over OK, FSU wins ACC, Nebraska in B10, Oregon out West. Is the Big East still a FBS conference? It hurts to say, but don’t underestimate Florida, nobody is paying attention to them and Weiss can run an offense, Muschamp a defense. If he can figure out how to run a team, they can compete for the East, Urban didn’t leave a shallow talent pool.
Losersville
June 10th, 2011
10:39 am
Why do people act as if losing is the norm for Georgia?
With the gangbanger, me-first, no-heart bozos that Richt recruits, Athens will always be Losersville, USA.
Nostradamus
June 10th, 2011
10:40 am
I’ll take Boise Over UGA in a Dome burner…. FSU by 1 over Oklahoma….. Oregon beats LSU 27-31 right off the bat. UGA will beat UF this time on last min.play…
Even Tech versus UGA will be nothing Special, said Mark……..Never under mind Johnson against UGA..UGA has better team but GT will come to play. The game will be alot closer than the score.
Ted M
June 10th, 2011
10:40 am
Uggla blew his chance at the illusive 2 game hitting streak
1eyedJack
June 10th, 2011
10:41 am
Predicting who will do what in June is an exercise in futility. Too many story lines between here and there left to play out. About as accurate as trying to predict which Republican is going to unseat Obuma.
This is what I know. The defense will be better. Big improvement in pass rush and more athletic linebackers. If they can solve third down they’ll be fine.
Murray will be even better. Crowell will have an impact.
Somebody who is not being counted on now will step up big.
Somebody who is being counted on will suffer a serious injury.
Walsh and Butler are like being dealt a pair of aces.
Mark Richt will be the head ball coach this season.
UGA Insider
June 10th, 2011
10:41 am
UGA looks to me to have the 3rd best defense in the league behind Bama, LSU and barely ahead of USCe. We have playmakers and speed finally. Nick Marshall, Damien Swann and Ray Drew will be starting by 4:30 on September 10. Fully expect this defense and special teams to carry the team to 10 victories this year. Our offense will struggle and IC must be patient because or Oline is in tatters. We may have true freshman playing there as well which is NOT good. UGA is decimated as of now on Oline and will struggle so be patient Dawg Fans…. we will be lucky to score 20-24/game this year.
10-2
June 10th, 2011
10:42 am
Boy you haven’t learned anything over the past 5 years. How you have a job doing what you do with this kind of thinking is beyond me. Freshman rarely make an impact in the sec. They certainly don’t propel teams to 10 win seasons. How could you completely ignore losing Aj and Kris and Washaun.This will be laughed at in 6 months.
dan the nerd
June 10th, 2011
10:43 am
Wow. I am stunned. Looking at UGA’s schedule, I can understand why Mark made this prediction. But you can’t just close your eyes and say 2010 didn’t happen. It did. The D wasn’t good. And they lost their best player on offense.
Will the D be better? Maybe. Will the O be better? Probably not. The line will not be better, recieving will not be better, and the running game will be roughly the same. As much as I would like to say the Frosh is the 2nd coming of Herschel, we wont know until he actually totes the rock.
Lot of if’s in Mark’s prediction. As I like to say, if frog’s had pockets, they’d all carry handguns.
AltamahaDawg
June 10th, 2011
10:44 am
I’m more concerned about TN, because its in Knoxville. Tn may be down, but they will beat a few folks.
I do not understand the Love for MSU. I get that they are way better than historically. I get they beat us, barely, in at thier place, with thier best game, and one of our worst, us making a couple of huge mistakes to give it away. Maybe I haven’t paid attention, I haven’t, to what they have done over the offseason to dramatically improve, but Georgia has far more upside for improvement that MSU. Just seems to me that’s not the biggest game to worry about. Timing I guess could be a factor. IF IF dawgs get off to a rip-roaring start, then that game follows a pretty long road game, might be one of those deals.
I understand the UF loss prediction, although I have never been a believer that anything in the past matters in that game. With very rare exception the best team on paper wins that game. I think that will be particularly true this year.
wes
June 10th, 2011
10:46 am
Mark just picked the team coached by Todd Grantham to go 10-2.
LOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No Way
June 10th, 2011
10:46 am
Even with its weak all she she conference schedule Tech hasn’t got the talent to win 8.
Kevin Jones
June 10th, 2011
10:46 am
And I thought Barnhart took the Kool aid fountain with him when he bolted to CBS. i
Murray sophmore slump
June 10th, 2011
10:47 am
someone forgot about this
BFD
June 10th, 2011
10:47 am
Mark – UGA gets a top 10 recruiting class every year. The “dream team” is only different in that they have a corn ball moniker. It will be same ole same ole, just wait.
T3
June 10th, 2011
10:47 am
Thanks Bradley. My confidence has just been RE-AFFIRMED.
GT will beat UGA convincingly in November. GUARANTEED !!!!
Michael
June 10th, 2011
10:47 am
Come on Mark, you should know by now that we always recruit well but never do anything with the talent once it’s on the field. We’ll go 8-4, finish second in the division and get sent to Tampa. Richt will be fired before the bowl game is played.
AJC the Joke by the Coke
June 10th, 2011
10:48 am
Thanks for the nice article on Ga.Tech, it was so informative. You are a joke Bradley. You will never be a Tony Barnhart.
No WAY
June 10th, 2011
10:51 am
We have a No WAY imposter out there.
ClemsonBrad
June 10th, 2011
10:52 am
Mark, Whats your thoughts/predictions for Clemson this year and their new Offense?
No WAY
June 10th, 2011
10:53 am
GT will go 6-6 this year.
AltamahaDawg
June 10th, 2011
10:54 am
He wrote as much about tech as he did Georgia State. I though that was pretty generous.
Ed
June 10th, 2011
10:55 am
Bradley,
I see what’s going on here.
Trying to raise expectations for Richt, so if he has a bad year, he gets fired.
AJC tried the other way for years, didn’t work.
Truth is, no one expects UGA to go 10-2.
If Richt improves 6-7 to 7-6, he gets a contract extension.
Rooster
June 10th, 2011
10:55 am
Crowell and Murray will stink up the joint. Christian Robison will be diving at shoestrings. UGA begins the season 0-2 and loses this year to GT 35-21. Oh yeah, Richt gains twenty more pounds living off the milk and honey they are feeding him in Athens.
Ted M
June 10th, 2011
10:56 am
Where’s HT?
Ed
June 10th, 2011
10:56 am
Also, attempt at lowering the expectation bar for G Tech/PJ to 8-4 so 9-3 looks great? Nice.
Tech Fan Since 1950
June 10th, 2011
10:56 am
“Embers”? They are dreaming every year! Go Jackets!