Georgia Tech fourth in the ACC Coastal? Sounds low to me
Crafty PJ plans to coach this season from the center of the field. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
The media assembled in Pinehurst, N.C., picked Georgia Tech to finish fourth in the ACC Coastal Division, which includes six teams. Me, I’d bump the Jackets up one spot. But maybe that’s just me.
My rationale: There aren’t many (if any) unwinnable games on Tech’s schedule. The Jackets don’t play Florida State, which stands to be the ACC’s best team. The toughest conference game — against Virginia Tech — will be played here on Nov. 10, which is a Thursday night. The second-toughest figures to be against Miami, and the Hurricanes are in transition yet again.
The ACC media picked the Coastal this way: Virginia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Virginia, Duke. We can all agree that the Jackets, who play Duke in Durham, shouldn’t lose that game anywhere. Carolina remains under a cloud and has lost a ton of talent, some of which was ineligible last season. I like Virginia coach Mike London, but his team won one ACC game — against Miami, a result that shoved Randy Shannon out the door — last season.
I know what you’re saying: Georgia Tech isn’t exactly brimming with talent. You’re right. It’s not. But here’s where I’m guessing Paul Johnson’s system makes a difference. PJ in Year 4 should be able to outcoach a lot of ACC folks. I’m not suggesting Tech will crack the Top 25, but I can’t see another losing season, either.
Me, I’d say the Jackets will run third in the Coastal (ahead of Carolina) and finish 8-4 overall. But again, maybe that’s just me.
By Mark Bradley
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195 comments Add your comment
techengineer
July 26th, 2011
6:17 pm
Nice analysis Jacket Man. About sums it up!
I too think the D will be better. I worry about the OLine and the QB is unproven. I don’t have confidence in the QB but he did get better each game last year. They couldn’t even complete damn forward pass last year! Just the ability to complete a pass or two will do wonders for the offense!
Heels Rock and Rule
July 26th, 2011
6:20 pm
I guess Mark thinks that 5-6 potential 1st -2d rounders on UNC team are going to lay down and quit playing and jeopardize their draft status worrying about whether UNC is going to go on probation. What say you Mark? Or is it just possible hay UNC might play the season with a chip on their shoulder.
JacketNation
July 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
The myth that CMR is a great coach has long been exposed. I think the mutts should worry about keeping their inmates on the field instead of worrying about where GT will finished. Last time I checked, they can’t beat SC or FLA. LOL
gtfanfrom1951
July 26th, 2011
6:59 pm
Mark is going to be Georgia Tech 10-2.
Gt79MD83
July 26th, 2011
7:15 pm
Just think how great our “gimmick” offense would be with better recruiting. The reason some teams have “figured out” our offense is they have bigger defensive lines. If we had the same talent level they would still have not figured it out. We often overachieve because of our offense and coach. UGA still hasn’t “figured out” our “gimmick” offense and may never. We need a better defense. Our offense is just fine. Just think of the possibilities with a better defense. Additionally, our recruiting for 2012 looks good so far.
Harvey D. Pooka
July 26th, 2011
7:27 pm
“On any given day , , , ” Yes, this 2011 GT team can be seen winning every game on the schedule. A good start and avoidance of injury, will help improve both experience and confidence levels. But, stay prepared for positive rebound should an early hiccup occur.
Tiny, Ugly, Empty Stadium on North Avenue
July 26th, 2011
7:30 pm
“Tech alumni and fans are legitimately proud of their school.”
Then why is teck’s football stadium always stark empty?
Old Tech & Mountaineer fan in NC
July 26th, 2011
7:36 pm
Icepack, App State head coach receives about $160K+…you really think that would lure Johnson back to the High Country? Especially after VLee gets that passing game going the next few years. You do realize the reason Tech passes seldom is the lack of a quality passer. That passer is a freshmen…give him time and Johnson will adapt/utilize what he has.
Mayflower or Beekins?
July 26th, 2011
7:39 pm
UGA 8-4 3rd in SEC East barely beats Tech on a 4th QTR QB fumble
GT 5-7, 4th in the ACC Coastal, almost upset by Duke
New coaches at both schools, UGA for 12′ and GT a year later.
Coach Grohbo
July 26th, 2011
8:13 pm
Our schedule sets us up well to win the ACC Coastal, which we will do this year.
We are 2-1 vs. the Hurricanes in Miami since they joined the ACC.
Virginia hasn’t beaten us in Charlottesville in three seasons.
North Carolina hasn’t beaten us at home in five seasons.
Virginia Tech hasn’t beaten us at home in six seasons.
Clemson hasn’t beaten us at home in seven seasons.
Duke hasn’t beaten us in Durham in seven seasons.
Maryland hasn’t beaten us at home in nine seasons.
NC State hasn’t beaten us in Raleigh in ten seasons.
If we sweep the regular season (and we should), I like our chances against Florida State for the ACC title.
Tennis Rodman
July 26th, 2011
9:20 pm
Well maybe if they threw a pass maybe they would compete.
Drexel Gal
July 26th, 2011
10:15 pm
Getting rid of Dan Radakovich is the first step in clearing away the stench of the NCAA investigation.
Hairy Dawg
July 26th, 2011
10:38 pm
Fourth! That laughable and probably to high. The pestky bugs has always been a bunch a second rate chumps and more likely to finish 5th or 6th in tying with Duke. They playing like a high school team with the offense and no talent except flabby gums slob Johnson. That why Dawgs best and will winning SEC while buggy nerds is last with jokes of Duke.
GT-97
July 26th, 2011
10:42 pm
@Drexel Gal: You’re a crazy beat-down. Radakovich gave us CPJ, and fired Gailey. He’s a winner, that made a mistake…. That he won’t make again.
Paul Johnson is the REAL DEAL. Maybe we win just 7 or 8 this year…
But CPJ will win an ACC Championship an NC before its all over.
Sean Tech Fan
July 26th, 2011
10:44 pm
Someone please tell me why the hell is tevin starting. Is it just me or is it incredibly obvious how slow and bad he is at quarterback compared to anyone else…and his decision making is worst than reggie ball.
Paul in RDU
July 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Smarty Pants
July 26th, 2011
5:44 pm
I’ve seen many “experts” predict that Unc can contend for ACC championship; Other than in the AJC, I’ve not seen such a prediction for GaTech
————-
I am not sure who your “experts” are, but none of them voted in the ACC preseason poll. UNC received 0 (ZERO) votes for first in the Coastal. GT received a measly 1.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/26/1369743/seminoles-favored-in-acc-football.html
ACC Forever & FSU Rules
July 27th, 2011
12:46 am
GT 97 must be drunk………………………………
surfrider
July 27th, 2011
12:55 am
Tech could at worst loose 9 games that’s right. I doubt it but last year thought we would win at Kansas and got beat. We have a week to week difficult schedule. We’ve lost two in a row to the Dawgs. Now, this year the defense should be better. However, as good at Tevin can be the QB will have to prove it in a game. The special teams need to improve and we need to improve passing. The good news is we could also run the table. So it’s going to be interesting to watch. We have a well of solid to above average talent and all positions. The first 4 games may tell the way the season will go.
ACC Forever & FSU Rules
July 27th, 2011
12:57 am
Surf the first 4 are the easy ones……………………just sayin
Tech Engineer
July 27th, 2011
1:11 am
Tech has three easy teams plus Kansas on their schedule. To have a winning season, Tech only needs to beat three good ACC teams. ADRad has given Paul Johnson a pass on the scehule. Tech has to win half their ACC games to have a winning season, and one of those is Duke. Another losing season with that schedule, would be really, really bad. That would mean that Tech beats Duke and only one other ACC team. I think Al Groh’s defense will be improved enough to win four ACC games and have an overall record of 8 wins & four losses. With the easy schedule, that’s mediocre but will be hailed by ADRad as a great turnaround.
TheAntiMe
July 27th, 2011
1:20 am
Yeah, that’s low. If they use Buzz correctly that should be good for at least 1.5 WAR.
Mountain Dawg
July 27th, 2011
3:32 am
WGAS?
Paddy
July 27th, 2011
7:09 am
ss……….you way underestimate FSU. They are LOADED! Unbelieveable size and speed at all positions except wr. They are a top 5 team by years end!!!!!
Paddy
July 27th, 2011
7:13 am
CPJ is a great coach. But if he has Washington as his starter for very long, Tech will struggle. He better be ready and do a Spurrier with all his qb’s until he finds the right combo. If not , you are looking at 6-6. I hope I am wrong, but I don’t think so.
Jan Kemp & Jim Harrick
July 27th, 2011
7:26 am
Cheating Nerds
July 26th, 2011
10:45 am
why are we talking about Tech? How about another UGA article. Coach Paul Johnson should get back to cheating.
HUH?
Dawgs Rule
July 27th, 2011
7:29 am
The Dawgs own the state. UGA will win the SEC East and tech will be lucky to break even. How much longer will tech fans put up with all those losses??
RambleOn84
July 27th, 2011
7:50 am
Butch Davis is a mediocre game-day coach…with that said, I think UNC has a good chance to beat us because they get us early.
Mark is wrong in stating we don’t have talent. The overall team talent level is higher than it has been since Johnson has been here…skilled players aren’t the only sources of “talent,” Mark. The O-line is vital to this offense, and this is the most talented O-line Johnson has ever had.
Inexperience is the MUCH bigger issue than talent. This is why UNC has a good chance to beat us early on in the season.
James
July 27th, 2011
9:23 am
Wow, I figured cheating as much as Yech does would pay off more than being 4th in the worst division in college football, LOL!!!
Peachtree St.
July 27th, 2011
9:25 am
Mark,
What you talking about? This is a generous prediction for the most overrated coach in America. His “Heisman hopeful” last year couldn’t hit the side of a barn if he tried, so this is a team that clearly cannot throw, and their high school offense has since worn out its welcome. GT is a laughing stock in college football.
BigTechFan
July 27th, 2011
10:53 am
Peachtree St.
Laughing stock? Like UGA is any better.
megan
July 27th, 2011
10:56 am
Yep Mark, its just you
Only viewing from the sidelines
July 27th, 2011
11:03 am
UGA grad here. NC is about to be drop kicked by the NCAA for cheating and if that happens soon, then Butch Davis will be fired. NC will go into a tailspin for about two or three years. They will ned a guy with a “system” that can ressurrect it and go forward; sort of like what CPJ has done for GT. He has no titles, or bowl wins yet, but that will not hurt him in the ACC.
I do see CPJ being offered that job. He would recruit the wishbone kids there BUT with the cache of his new school being NC, he might do well there. The administrators at NC would consider that goofy wishbone offense of CPJ’s as a quck start chance to win now, using the level of talent that just might be avilable to them. Just a casual comment. We shall see.
Besides, GT gets a new football coach on average since the Dodd era, about every 4 + years and CPJ is entering his 4th year. NC might come a calling.
wreckmaniac
July 27th, 2011
11:08 am
I like low expectations. Many radio sports talkers here in South Carolina are expecting Tech to go 9-3.
wreckmaniac
July 27th, 2011
11:13 am
Why would Johnson leave Tech to go to a basketball school ?
5150 UOAD
July 27th, 2011
11:32 am
Curious George
July 26th, 2011
10:46 am
Does the ACC have a “Fulmer Cup” (or reasonable facsimile) ?
If so, who is going to win it this year?
The Fulmer Cup is National. It covers the Entire FBS not the SEC.
here is a link to the Fulmer Cup Standings.
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2011/…/fulmer-cupdate-auburn-goes...
St richt
July 27th, 2011
12:02 pm
Synjyn days sure does look better running the ball than “twinkle toes” tevin Washington. It’s gonna be synjyn or vad by the 3rd game… Tevin can prance around on the sideline holding a clipboard.
Buzz 2011
July 27th, 2011
12:41 pm
GT should be around number one or two.. The defense undr Al Groh will be better and the option
will produce 400 plus yards a game.. We will be looking for the Dawgs after we clear the ACC schedule.. After all they tried to make believe we didn’t win the ACC in 2009, whuch of course we did.. We have room for a new trophy……………
Buzz 2011
July 27th, 2011
12:45 pm
Peachtree Street… Ask the Dawgs about GT ” high school” offense.. They ran up what 500 yards.. They made the Dawgs grade school defense look like the grade school defense they are..Paul Johnson is the coach you only wish you had.. You have Richt, ha, ha
BigTechFan
July 27th, 2011
3:01 pm
The only thing I don’t like about T. Washington is that he doesn’t have a killer instinct. He shows no emotion, and I know he’s a good game manager, but does he have the drive???
Italian_29
July 27th, 2011
3:35 pm
@Buzz2011, Richt is 9-1 against Tech and 2-1 against the MIGHTY Johnson. How does PROBATION taste?
Italian_29
July 27th, 2011
3:37 pm
Yeah, the Coach that you wish you had, if you were doing a Fish Fry, punching someone in the face, or modeling for a MANBOOB Bra. LMAO!!!
@view from sidelines
July 27th, 2011
8:59 pm
did you have advanced knowledge about Davis?
He is leaving
July 28th, 2011
9:49 am
CPJ is damaged badly by this latest GT NCAA scandal. He is faxing his resume to the folks up in his home state of NC right now.
He wants out of the mad house known as GT. He has no acomplishments there, like a title or a bowl win and he knows that to jump to a school like NC, that he could recruit a wider range of kids and that he could possibly, with three or four years as NC’s HC, put this misery far behind him.
It is what it is. WHY would he want to remain at GT ………….IF NC came calling?
ChrisCross
July 28th, 2011
10:29 am
Until Coach Johnson starts recruiting better players on both sides of the ball, we are going to be 7-5 at best and have a losing season every other year. UGA is a better head coaching hire away from blowing us out every year. At least we keep it close, under Richt.
Lebrick
July 28th, 2011
4:28 pm
Gonna be hard to finish fourth when the predicted 3rd place team doesn’t have a coach.