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
Reservoir Dawg
June 10th, 2011
12:46 pm
I like your optimism Mark! If the OL can gel (quickly) and stay healthy, I like our chances. September 10, can’t wait.
Can’t see LSU beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Yes, State has a lot of returning starters but so does Bama, LSU and the Hogs. 8-4 for State.
UGA UGA
June 10th, 2011
12:46 pm
UGA has momentum. I just don’t see anyone beating them.
Old Dawg
June 10th, 2011
12:48 pm
BigTimeTechFan: UGA doesn’t play Arkansas this year! Just like in the ACC, teams from the different divisions have schedules the process through the other side of the conference. This is year begins a 2-year series with Ole Miss and the 2-year series with Miss State ends in Athens.
It’s a pretty easy concept to remember, even for a mathematically challenged person like me.
Mtn Dawg
June 10th, 2011
12:49 pm
So, @bruce mac, sounds like a prediction to me.
puppykiller
June 10th, 2011
12:53 pm
@ Fulmer Cup Champions 2011–Auburn Tigers : There are 2 games AU fans are not concerned about this coming season, THuga (winner of the 2010 Fulmer Cup, nice job!!), and bammer. We have our work cut out for us however with lswho and arky and clemson all on the road this years. But THuga and bammer will not be a problem for us to take out again in 2011.
Shane
June 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
LSU will not leave Morgantown undefeated. Stewart will be gone by the end of today and the Mountaineers will be putting on an aerial assault this year. Watch out college football.
God Outdid Himself When He Creaetd the Mighty SEC
June 10th, 2011
12:54 pm
Dink ,
“State defeated Arkansas in 2010. You omitted a blowout loss to Houston.”
Dink, this was an out-of-conference loss which doesn’t count.
Everyone knows that, because of that SEC speed (which no other player in any other conference has), that any OOC loss is entirely due to the fact that the SEC team didn’t come to play.
Yessisr, if they had, they would have won by 50 or more. Everybody knows that.
jals
June 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
No mention of Clemson? Come on . . . .
Daily Links: Lebron James needs to take his talents to the fourth quarter
June 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
[...] Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal Constitution writes about his predictions for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2011, [...]
Z-Dawg
June 10th, 2011
12:56 pm
SSlgater, very nice! Wow, that was really, really clever. I mean seriously, you outdid yourself. You must be really proud. I look forward to your witty commentary after UGA spanks that gator *ss in October.
GT Fan...
June 10th, 2011
12:57 pm
It Ain’t RS …. you’ve probably realized by now that my 1st post was just a joke. See my 12:37 post.
I will though wager that UGA doesn’t win 10 or more this season. Too many big/important shoes to fill. Espcially in the passing game. I think Ds will consider them 1-deminsional (run) until the OL proves it can pass block well enough for AM to prove he’s got WRs to replace 90rec:1,500yd:12td. I’ll go ahead and say IC (as a TRUE Fresh) will be as good (800+yd: 11td) or better than WE, but the passing game is where the dogs will be lacking. KD was as good as he was b/c of AJ. No AJ in 2011.
Z-Dawg
June 10th, 2011
1:00 pm
I don’t know much, but I know this: 1) UGA is going to put a beat down on Auburn this year. We were ahead in the 4th quarter last year and Auburn lost everybody worth a crap and UGA outside of AJ Green only got better. 2) SEC insider doesn’t know as much as he thinks he does. Most of his argument is 100% incorrect.
That is all.
Gator Mike
June 10th, 2011
1:02 pm
Mark, your analysis is as good as anyone’ that I have seen. It is very difficult to project where the Gators will go at this time, but it is going to be tough for them this year. Will Muschamp will be a very good coach, and I am glad we have him. The one thing which I like about this year is that the Gators are flying under the radar for a change.
Good luck to all!
John
June 10th, 2011
1:05 pm
UGA could be improved but relying on a true freshman in Crowell like they are is risky. It is different if you are only expecting them to contribute. UGA isn’t though. They are expecting him to be All-SEC worthy this season. UGA will lose 3-4 games this season.
Born2Buzz
June 10th, 2011
1:07 pm
MB, if you didn’t have such a sterling track record for prognostication I would say you are crazy, on almost all accounts.
Oh, wait…
bill
June 10th, 2011
1:08 pm
UGA 10-2, Gators 7-5? You need to quit smoking that stuff.
reebok
June 10th, 2011
1:11 pm
i am a big georgia tech fan, but i do respect the dogs and try to be objective about them…10-2 after losing their best offensive weapon? goign to the SEC title game? i don’t know…8-4 for Tech seems about right…a pretty soft schedule for my jackets. happy friday to all!
Dr. Nick
June 10th, 2011
1:12 pm
Well Mark,we’ve heard your predictions about everybody under the sun EXCEPT the other Div I team in the state (You know the one that made the FCS semifinal last year and has almost the entire team back)—Georgia Southern–5 time NCAA I-AA champs.Incidentally,they end their season @ Alabama the week before ‘bama-auburn.
puppykiller
June 10th, 2011
1:15 pm
Z-Dawg you are absolutely correct…………you don’t know much. THuga will be in ruins by the date AU comes in and wipes the field with what’s left of your team. It will get VERY ugly in Sanford and Son stadium. We’ll be playing all freshen by mid 3rd quarter just to try to keep the score down on you guys.
John
June 10th, 2011
1:18 pm
Solid picks Bradley. I’d take Bama over LSU, but that’s a toss up. Hard to win at Bama. UGA in the East is a fair pick, especially with their schedule. I do think they beat Florida this year. If Tech gets to 8 wins this year, Paul Johnson needs a raise. There isn’t the talent, especially on defense and the OL, to get to 8 wins. I see a 6-6 season on the Flats. I like the Luck for Heisman pick. Safe pick, and he’s the best player. Keep an eye on Landry Jones. If OU beats FSU, they are a lock for the BCS title game. And we all know that the high ranking teams have the Heisman candidates.
HBTD
June 10th, 2011
1:20 pm
Poor tech. Another weak schedule, weak team and pathetic fan base whose still trying to run with the Big Dawg. When will they learn?
TR
June 10th, 2011
1:22 pm
Joke of the day: Georgia will go 10-2 and play in the SEC championship game.
Z-Dawg
June 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
puppy-killer….c’mon man. Fiction can be fun, but I prefer reality. I know even YOU don’t believe that. UGA OWNS Auburn. Don’t let one win with the help of the best player money could buy distort your memory. Auburn will go 6-6 at best. And one of those losses will be an embarrassment between the hedges. Just like we do to yall every other year accept last. I used to like and respect Auburn as a rival. You guys are a national punch-line now. A complete joke. I’m sure yall will have a few more thugs locked up before season starts anyway.
It Ain't Rocket Science
June 10th, 2011
1:24 pm
GT Fan,
I have them winning nine games. SC should win the SEC East, if they stay healthy and Garcia stays sober. I think UGA will give them a run for their money just like last year though. If the offense jells I think UF can be a win, since a lot of these players will not be mentally defeated before they even play the game.
UGA can get in a mid bowl, but do not see us in a BC bowl. Too much lack of experience to expect that. Tech. could win 8-9 games easy but I still think Va Tech and FSU are the cream of the crop in the ACC at the moment.
Fulmer Cup Champions 2011--Auburn Tigers
June 10th, 2011
1:26 pm
Is it breaking NCAA rules to start sending Garcia cases of beer?
gdawginkalamazoo
June 10th, 2011
1:28 pm
Hell of a way to open the season, but if you think we can get by those first two Mark, then we have a grand shot to go all the way. I agree the Wei$$/Muschamp tandem will be in tatters by the end of the season.
Good luck to Tech, I have no idea what they have over there this year, but I wish them well for all their games except that one day in November.
Bama In Atlanta
June 10th, 2011
1:28 pm
I agree that UGA will have a much better record than last year but not sure I would have them winning both opening games. I hope they do win both since I’m an SEC fan against Boise and you just can’t beat a Spurrier team too often for my satisfaction.
I think the bottom line with SC will be which Garcia shows up to play, the one against Bama last year where he completed touch passes falling backwards with his eyes closed or the Garcia against Arkansas who thought everyone on the field was his teammate so it didn’t matter who caught the ball.
Obviously the Dawgs have a talented crop of freshman coming in, some of which could make an immidiate impact. However, I think there are two main items that need to be addressed in order to compete for the SEC championship. One is making sure everyone is in top physical condition to go four quarters. It’s a combination of strength training and endurance training that will make the difference down the stretch.
The other thing being overlooked regarding coaching is the lack of adjustments made during the game, especially at halftime. Any good team can struggle during the first half but where a great coach earns his fat paycheck is the adjustments made on the battlefield. The difinition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting different results. I kept waiting for Bobo/Richt to make some halftime adjustments last year that could have turned around the overall win/loss but it seemed like insanity ruled.
MB, I’ll agree with your 10-2 record but I’ll switch out one of the two opening games for a loss but say that the Dawgs will win against Miss St. As much as I hate to say it, I agree that Florida will be the other loss. Ok UGA, time to prove me wrong!
Dogs Smell
June 10th, 2011
1:30 pm
Georgia wins the East ? Now thats funny I dont care who you are !
War Eagle!!
June 10th, 2011
1:33 pm
Hey UGA fans – METH is illegal – quit smoking it!
YOU will then realize that Georgia football is about one step above Kentucky and Ole Miss.
Richt feel asleep at the wheel – these programs do not run themselves.
Richt got complacent and did not pay attention to changes that needed to be made.
Installing a 3/4 defense was STUPID when you did not have the correct personnel.
BOBO is a good QB coach – but he is a horrible OC and play caller.
Your OLINE always underachieves.
Your players do not develop .
Your fire your Strength/ Conditioning Caoch – and hire his assistant!?! (how stupid is that).
4th and inches on the UCF 5 – let’s kick a field goal! How stupid is that – well maybe not – Richt knew how bad your OLINE, RB’s and playcalling is – so he took the 3 points.
Way to Finish the DRILL!
Here is my concern – the Boise State Coach only accepted to play UGA because he views this as a lice audition. When he is named HC at UGA for 2012 season – he will be in trouble as your 2012 and 2013 recruiting classes are going to be medicore at best.
Alabama. Auburn, Florida, FSU, Tennessee, South Carolina get what they want – and leave the leftovers for UGA. It is happening now!
UGA has been passed by SC and Florida in the east – and Tennessee will soon do the same.
UGA would be the fighting Ole Miss for the coveted 6th spot in the SEC West.
Now take your weak lame excuse for an SEC team and join the ACC.
Colorado? UCF? are you kidding me???? BAHHHH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Wah – Wah Nick Fairley sacked our QB – Wah Wah. Grow some!
And remember one thing girls – WAR EAGLE!!!!!!!
7576DAWG
June 10th, 2011
1:33 pm
First , Jenkins and Geathers will both be playing as starters. Richt has already said that because Geathers has shown so much improvement that he would have to make sure UGA found a spot for him in the starting line up. Also , with McGarity guiding and the Grantham influence we will see a different Richt philosophy in that the best players , play , period. This will allow at least 6 to 8 of the Freshmen to play a lot and learn the play book by practical experience instead of repetition on the practice field. UGA will red shirt fewer freshmen this year than any in the last 10 years. UGA’s defense will be obviously faster than last year. The defense will be so much better than last year it will be very hard holding on to Grantham without a serious salary increase.
tiredOfBSBulldogs
June 10th, 2011
1:38 pm
Every year its the same thing, UGA will win the SEC East–as we get closer it will be winning the SEC, National Championship, World Series, Noble Peace Prize, and the list goes on….and I love it when they always fall on their faces…..WORST FANS EVER!!!
six and seven in 2010
June 10th, 2011
1:39 pm
…will not win the SEC East in 2011. Bradley’s stoned, although he’s about right on GT at 8-4. Dawgs also go 8-4.
Auburn Pride
June 10th, 2011
1:40 pm
Wahhh Wahh …. Nick Fairly tackled our QB really really hard – WAHH!!!!
Grow some you little girls.
Nice showing against Colorado and UCF – face it girls – UGA football is only a step above Kentucky.
Preditions for 2012:
Boise State Coaches interview will go well in Atlanta.
South Carolina is very much more physical than UGA – and runs over the pups.
Mississippi State takes up where they left last year – pulling away from UGA
Tennessee – getting ready to leave UGA in teh rear view mirror.
Florida – more talent, better coached, will continue the dominance
Auburn – has all ready passed UGA by – this game will not be a problem – count on it.
Peterson to be UGA’s coach in 2012 – but recruiting will suffer as Alabama, Auburn, Florida, S Carolina, Tennessee, FSU and Clemson are cherry picking the state – and leaving UGA the left overs.
How’s that recruiting class coming along ladies?
WAR EAGLE!!!!
Hal
June 10th, 2011
1:42 pm
The picture of you makes me think of the WikiLeaks guy. Is there something your not telling us?
jjGator
June 10th, 2011
1:46 pm
Wow! Some predictions! Can’t agree with severeal of them but thanks for the thought provoking ideas. I can’t see Georgia going 10-2 and not beating Florida. If they are good enough to go 10-2 they should beat Florida (my team) especially if Brantley plays anyway near his last season.
6-7
June 10th, 2011
1:47 pm
So you think a really bad 6-7 team that lost its best offensive player and its best defensive player along with several other defensive line starters goes 10-2. And Florida goes 7-5? Can I have some of what you’re drinking?
He Hate Gator
June 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
From ESPN: Veteran SEC journalist Jimmy Hyams of WNML Radio in Knoxville, Tenn., conducted a poll of 23 media members covering the SEC spring meetings last week in Destin, Fla.
One of the things he asked was to rank the SEC’s top 6 football coaches right now.
Here’s the way that vote turned out:
Nick Saban was the easy consensus choice for top SEC coach, but after that, it’s not so clear-cut.
1. Nick Saban, Alabama
2. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina
3. Bobby Petrino, Arkansas
4. Les Miles, LSU
5. Gene Chizik, Auburn
6. Mark Richt, Georgia
Z-Dawg
June 10th, 2011
1:51 pm
Add two more things to the things I know. 1)Auburn Pride is ‘tarded. 2)I also know he will disappear from the UGA blog (why is he here in the 1st place?)after Auburn loses to Miss St, @ Clemson, @ S. Car, @ Ark, @ LSU, @ UGA, and Bama. That’s 7 losses. Even Chizzie can’t cheat his way out of that.
AltamahaDawg
June 10th, 2011
1:53 pm
We didn’t lose several other defensive line starters. We lost one DL starter and 2 LB in total.
12 CRIMINAL CHARGES, 6 wins, 7 LOSSES
June 10th, 2011
1:54 pm
Of course they will retain the coveted Richt Cup.
TrueDAWG
June 10th, 2011
1:57 pm
WOW for the first time ever I like all your comments Bradley!
UGA UGA
June 10th, 2011
1:57 pm
I think our D surprises a few people this year – in a good way.
AltamahaDawg
June 10th, 2011
1:58 pm
Why would there have even been any doubt that the best player will play. When has that not been the case?
Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!
June 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
Tech won’t win more than 6 this year. I’m predicting 5 wins for the buggz.
puppykiller
June 10th, 2011
2:02 pm
My real question is what happens when Murray goes out for the season? I think he’s the most overrated QB in college football after a 6-7 career start, but who’s playing the spot when he goes down? We know from the Auburn game that he squeals like a little girl when big, bad defensive line growl at him.
UGA UGA
June 10th, 2011
2:03 pm
Richt says a RB must first know how to block or he doesn’t play. Old school right there.
dougmo2
June 10th, 2011
2:04 pm
Bradley,
After reading this column I have come to the conclusion that you are in serious need of drug testing. The only way that UGA wins the first two game is if the other teams don’t show up. They are not playing mediocre teams. Boise State has a senior qb that doesn’t make mistakes and an underrated defense. USC is just a better team all around. (especially coaching)
Joey
June 10th, 2011
2:05 pm
I think the D will be the bright spot, UGA UGA, as long as the DBs have got the system down now, and can just play at full speed.
The best DB on the field last season as a freshman will probably be the one of the best LBs in the SEC this season. Alec Ogletree.
bo
June 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
Mettenberger is at LSU. No more Jordan Jefferson.
Simple Techster
June 10th, 2011
2:06 pm
Absolutely no way UGA wins 10 games. 8 tops. They will be 1-1 after the first two games, I wont say which game they will lose, if I had to lean one way I say they lose to Boise and beat Spurrier.
GT wins 10 games, meets FSU in the ACCCG. CPJ brings an intangible that is hard to match in the ACC, if not the entire NCAA. Al Groh brings the same fire and determination. I had the opportunity to see the T-game, and had the pleasure of witnessing immense strides on the defensive side of the ball. I strongly believe we will have one on the top 2 defenses in the ACC this year as the core players continue to master the 3-4 defense. I believe that this will be our best defensive year both on the field and statistically in the past 30 years. We have several future stars on the defense now and many outstanding, talented players including Attaochu, Barnes, Burnett, Cross, Drummond, Johnson, Nealy, Reed, Sweeting, Walls, Watts, and Young. I strongly and truly believe that we may be the most underrated defense in the entire country.
Our offense contains two keys points of concern, the QB and OL. I will make you a promise now that Washington will not be the starter by game 3. Hopefully the OL will gel as the season commences….but I think that the strength of the A backs along with a much better year from the WR core will make that a wash. I think that by year end, the offense will hold a average of 24 pts per game and 305 yards per game on the ground.
Our best recruiting class, perhaps ever, is considered 2007, when Nesbitt, Dwyer, Morgan, Burnett, Claytor, Tallant, R. Jones and Jefferson all signed. Their recruiting scores, respectively, were 77, 81, 79,79,79,79,73 and 71. Our recruiting class from 2009 contained 17 players whose scores were over 74. Our class from 2010 contained 15 players above 74. Our class from this past recruiting effort, 2011, contain Vad Lee, scoring an 81, and 6 players with a 78 score, plus 8 more players scoring at 74 to 77. CPJ and CAG have gotten little to no respect for the past class…..and by the scores, it was our best ever!!!! I don’t understand. CPJ’s recruiting classes, efforts, and general demeanor and morale are much better than they were under Gailey, Oleary, the nut from ECU and I believe even better than Bobby Ross. I strongly believe CPJ and co. are amassing talent to stay competitive with our ACC brethren, and will go a step beyond and become a mainstay atop the Coastal Division and the ACC for years to come.
Our schedule this year gives us Western Carolina, Kansas, UNC, Maryland, Clemson, VT, and Georgia at home. We will go undefeated at home this year. This is more than a promise, this is a guarantee.. We have Middle Tennessee, NCSU, Virginia, Miami, and Duke on the road. We can win every one of those games as well.. We will destroy Miami as revenge for the prior 2 years. We will not sit back and allow VT, Miami and UNC to run roughshod through the Coastal division….we shall defeat them all. . Many people see this year as a rebuilding year for us. They are mistaken. Many critics, even those who consider CPJ’s offense to be antiquated and impractical at the BCS level, have severely underestimated our talent lever, schedule, and drive that consumes us this year. . The train for the fall football season approaches and is just over 3 months away. Be ready to hop on board and enjoy the ride….as we steamroll the critics, opponents and competition in the ACC and once again claim the conference as ours.
I hope the Dawgs enjoy Richts swan song season. It will be his last.