A tale of two seasons: UGA rights itself; Tech is going wrong
Florida usually wins this game. But maybe not this time. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Seasons can be confounding things. Georgia lost its first two games and its coach was thought by some to be a goner. Now Mark Richt stands one game from solidifying his position once and for all. (Well, at least until 2012.) The game will be played in Jacksonville, the place where Richt fares worst, but still: If the Bulldogs win Saturday, they’ll surely finish no worse than 8-4 and they could well win the SEC East, and either way significant improvement will have been shown.
Consider, on the other hand, Georgia Tech. The Jackets won their first six games and rose to No. 12 in the Associated Press poll. They’ve since lost to two unranked opponents and figure to be underdogs in three of their remaining four games. What appeared to be a bounceback season could become something far less, and a 7-5 record wouldn’t satisfy anyone. Not after the 6-7 of 2010. Not after starting 6-0. Should Tech prove unable to arrest its slide, it would represent the first real reversal of Paul Johnson’s stewardship.
Here we pause for stipulations: Tech’s 6-0 start was largely a function of schedule, the same as Georgia’s 0-2 beginning, the same as the Bulldogs’ five consecutive victories. (Georgia’s four SEC wins have come against opponents that are an aggregate 1-15 in league play.) But you can only beat the teams you play, and you can only play the teams on your schedule. And football, for all its intricacies, is often a game of sheer momentum. Georgia and Richt have found it. Tech and Johnson have lost it.
There are moments where you’d swear this Georgia team is scarcely an improvement over last season’s, but this team — key difference — hasn’t fumbled away so many winnable games. (Only one so far, that against South Carolina.) A starving Bulldog Nation will take the thinnest of victories over the hated Gators and treat it like fiilet mignon. And even if Georgia somehow contrived to lose to Auburn and Tech, it would be hard to part with Richt after a season in which he finally negotiated his tripwire game.
See you soon. Paul Johnson with Clemson's Dabo Swinney. (AP photo)
Tech could lose every game from here until New Year’s and Johnson wouldn’t be going anywhere. He remains in high esteem among his constituency. But here’s a cold slice of truth: The man who beat Georgia in Year 1 and won the ACC in Year 2 has gone 7-7 over his past 14 games. Last season’s collapse could be attributed to the loss of quarterback Joshua Nesbitt, who broke his arm at Virginia Tech on Nov. 4. These past two losses have been far more troubling.
When all else failed, Tech under Johnson could always be counted on to do one thing as well as any team in the land — run the ball. Heck, the Jackets rushed for 411 yards behind a backup quarterback against Georgia last year. In the losses at Virginia and Miami, Tech could muster only a total of 406 yards rushing.
If you’re a Tech fan, that’s scary stuff. It suggests the Jackets’ talent has grown so thin it can no longer power an offense that has been proved to work. After the Miami loss, Johnson suggested Tech was getting the five-blockers-on-four-defenders looks that mandate running up the middle as opposed to pitching wide, but that “the four [defenders] are winning.” That’s not a schematic issue. That’s a failure of manpower.
Most all the players he inherited from Chan Gailey are gone, and in four recruiting classes Johnson hasn’t yet found a talent on the order of Nesbitt or Jonathan Dwyer or Demaryius Thomas. (Unless it’s freshman quarterback Vad Lee, who’s being redshirted.) And if Tech can no longer do well what it has come to do best … well, what hope is there?
But that’s another thing about seasons. Just because you look awful one week doesn’t mean the next will yield greater misery. Georgia stunk out the joint in its opener against Boise State, but here the Bulldogs are, back in the Top 25. Even if Tech still has to face Clemson, Virginia Tech and Georgia, all three games will be staged at Bobby Dodd Stadium, and Johnson is a fairly daunting figure as an underdog. (Ask Georgia.)
Tech could still make something of its season. Georgia could still find a way to mess up. Right now, though, only one team is on the upward trail, and that’s the one bound for Jacksonville.
By Mark Bradley
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363 comments Add your comment
Dog Smell Deoderant
October 25th, 2011
8:56 am
Dog Smell, Virginia lost to Duke…..you aren’t very smart are you?
Rationalizations
October 25th, 2011
8:58 am
Deodorant
The DAWG
October 25th, 2011
8:59 am
DAWGs have improved because they are beating teams this year who they lost to last year. ONLY two losses so far this year, I’m happy even if the wins were over all 2a schools
Dog Smell Deoderant
October 25th, 2011
8:59 am
Elenora, when your team is bad you start the personal insults…. shows the immaturity and frustrations of TECH fans… it is sad really. Cheer up it’d just a game…
Rationalizations
October 25th, 2011
9:04 am
If the team’s record is exactly equal to that of the hated cross-state rival?
Hey! It’s Only Football
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
9:10 am
Dawg House ,
How much is weed these days? I only ask because you’re obviously High! Typical “Homer” Have you ever been to Athens on a weekday?
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
9:11 am
Dog Smell Deoderant – and Virginia is still better than your dogs!
Engineer Tech!
October 25th, 2011
9:13 am
the university of football—better than Tech this year!! Congratulations to the “scholar athletes” at georgia, just learning their letters and numbers in special developmental studies classes. Ga fans are proud.
MG
October 25th, 2011
9:16 am
Wins against second and third tier competition is not something the Dawgs should really gloat about. The Yellow Jackets vaunted advanced wing-t offense and super weak defense has been brought down to reality, yet again.
rcb
October 25th, 2011
9:24 am
I am having difficulty trying to remember who was calling for Mr. Richt’s scalp after the second week. It very well could have been the same person who now says Mr. Johnson’s scalp is not for sale, ever. Can somebody help me…somebody help me please.
Baldb
October 25th, 2011
9:24 am
Bottom line is, the jackets and dogs suck.
Roll Tide with Pride!!!
October 25th, 2011
9:31 am
As Tech benefitted from a less challenging schedule early – Georgia is doing the same now.
These are average to good teams at best – nothing special.
GT will struggle against Clemson – a team that is on the verge of being special – if not there already.
UGA will probably lose to Florida – and could lose to Auburn – but should win all other games.
Why Florida over UGA?
Florida hammered Tennessee (when TN was at full strength) more so than UGA did.
Yes, I know that comparing these type of games is not a real indicator – but the point is,
Florida played AL, LSU and AUB in 3 consecutive weeks. Losing their QB and QB backup along the way. UGA would have lost these games as well.
UGA can’t put away the mediocre and bad teams – see Tennessee, Vandy and MS ST.
I see Florida winning a tight game – even if UGA plays well, they will find a way to keep Florida in it, by poor special teams play, or conservative play calling – trying to lose than trying to win.
That’s my opinion.
At anyway – good luck to all this weekend!
TechLB
October 25th, 2011
9:33 am
Just ignore the HS “my daddy can beat your daddy” stuff gents, from both sides. Heck you can’t tell if they’re really Tech fans or Dawg fans anyway just Trolls…let’s talk football.
Bradley reports on the events man, of course he changes direction based on results that’s the nature of his job.
UGA is answering the mail, beating who they should although there’s still something wrong that’s stopping them from stepping up to the LSU, ‘Bama level. Not a criticism, just an observation. They are a better team than Tech at the moment, better athletes, well coached. It’s interesting though that every year Tech gets a lot of yardage and is in position to win the UGA game so maybe we’re not all that far apart.
At the moment Tech is under-achieving; we look bad beating poor teams, and we look awful losing to bad teams – honestly, Miami and UVA? I’ve never seen a team go backwards talent-wise so fast, we have no quality linemen on either side of the ball. I know we’re young but still, where are the athletes? Recruiting is broken at the moment, bring back Giff Smith!
Don’t blame the offensive system, that’s wrong. Figured it out? Seriously, DC’s work to “Figure it out” whatever system “it” is – every week against every school – when the Triple option is executed properly it is not stopped. BUT you have to win blocks at the point of attack, block the edge and read the keys correctly, in a word EXECUTE. You have to have athletes who can execute and we do not have many on this team.
Lifelong GT fan BUT Duke beats us this year. Something needs to change so come on CPJ!!
UGA Insider
October 25th, 2011
9:47 am
The Buyout for Chris Peterson is only $650k. Lose any combination of the next 2 of 3 to our rivals and it is over.
rabundog
October 25th, 2011
9:47 am
not to worry – uga will manage to lose a few more
not an old fart
October 25th, 2011
9:52 am
who the hell is jan kemp, and what happened in 1980?i mean all you old farts can do is live in the past.
Just Facts
October 25th, 2011
10:03 am
Some numbers to think about.
GT opponent overall combined record: 24-32 opponent win % 42.9
GT opponent combined record through 6 games: 16-26 GT: 6-0 opponent win % 38.1
GT opponent combined record last 2 weeks: 8-6 GT: 0-2 opponent win % 57.1
UGA opponent overall combined record: 29-20 opponent win % 59.2
UGA opponent combined record last 5 weeks: 16-19 UGA 5-0 opponent win % 45.7
UGA opponent combined record first 2 weeks: 13-1 UGA 0-2 opponent win % 92.9
Overall analysis:
Both teams wins came against opponents with combined sub .500 records, but UGA’s have been slightly better.
GT’s losses have come against two teams with just above .500 combined record (8-6), while UGA’s two losses game against teams with a combine record of 13-1.
While both teams body of work, both wins and losses, are not impressive, UGA’s is slightly better. Maybe this can be broken down further but numbers do not lie.
81 Dog
October 25th, 2011
10:06 am
for all the nerds who want to canonize Jan Kemp, when are you having St Carol Moore Day?
Saban
October 25th, 2011
10:06 am
Dawgs lose as usual. Believe Muschamp will probably do a honeybadger on choakdawg and simply eat him.
Florida 33 Dawgs 6
And does it really matter. I will beat either team by 50.
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
10:22 am
Live in the past ????????????? Is that not what all uga fans do ? Live in the day of Walker ? Please. BTW Jan Kemp was a Prof @ Uga who turned the athletic department becuase she was asked to pass football players who didnt attend class. Class , something most uga fans lack !
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
10:23 am
Florida will win and dog fans will make excuses. Ref’s, Bobo etc,,,
ARdawg
October 25th, 2011
10:31 am
A story of Haterz and Manboobs
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
10:50 am
not an old fart – Jan Kemp turned in the University for being asked to pass football players who never attended class. As far as living in the past , is that not all georgia has ? 1980 and Hershel Walker and you “Homers” will never let that go. All you have is a 1 year history of 30 years ago.
Kb
October 25th, 2011
11:01 am
Dogs smell, In past 10 years the georgia football team has more top 10 finishes, and as many bcs bowl wins as the entire ACC. Go to the duke board where your football team is relevant.Wake up on the wrong side of 2nd probation. Wasn’t it an odd coincidence that fkunkgate and Morris Brown losing accreditation happened within month of each other.
Dogs Smell
October 25th, 2011
11:04 am
Im not a Tech guy. A question was asked and I answered. Now go ahead and give us all georgias record against the SEC east ?
Bo in North Carolina
October 25th, 2011
11:05 am
Why do people keep pushing Kirby Smart? He burned his bridges two years ago when he could have come to UGA..
Spike
October 25th, 2011
11:06 am
Richt owns Techs a$$. Talk all you want nerds.
Steve
October 25th, 2011
11:16 am
Let’s be honest for a second…
UGA’s “revival” has come against the bottom feeders of the SEC: Ole Miss, Miss St, Tennessee, Vandy (and Coastal Carolina). Wins are certainly important, but there is not a “good” win in the bunch. UGA’s chances for a “good” win so far were against Boise State and South Carolina. They’ll have some more chances against Florida, Auburn and GT. For now, though, I would put UGA in a “wait and see” scenario. This year, like last year, winning the SEC (L)East just doesn’t mean very much. A whole lot of teams with less than 8 wins will fill up that division.
GT is now on the opposite end of UGA’s current schedule. GT played a bunch of cupcakes and a decent UNC team to make it to 6-0. They then flopped against UVA and are now starting the meat of their schedule. They will probably not beat Clemson (although history suggests an upset). VT is possible, as is UGA.
In reality, though, neither team is having that great of a season, and unless UGA can beat UF and Auburn, it will likely be Richt’s last season in Athens.
Ted M
October 25th, 2011
11:20 am
How does Tech freshman class of 2012 looking?
Jimmy Crack
October 25th, 2011
11:31 am
If Richt ever gets replaced, it will not be some assistant coach unless it is a top notch offensive coordinator like Malzahn. Even with that possibility, more likely the replacement will be a HC from another conference who has a fantastic record like Peterson or Patterson.
It wouldn’t shock me if Johnson gets the hook first between the two.
Ted M
October 25th, 2011
11:40 am
oops
How does Tech’s freshman class of 2012 look?
TECHREDNECK
October 25th, 2011
11:46 am
I hope I’m wrong but I don’t see the bees winning another game. (mabey duke). UGA should beat the gators. If I were JAWJA I would worry about Auburn.
Hot Seat on N Ave.
October 25th, 2011
11:48 am
Waffe House execs are not happy with CPJ. He is not so smart apparently and after the Clemson drubbing, HE WILL be on the hotseat.
CPJ’s funky wishbone option is being CONSISTENTLY EXPOSED now with athletic defensive squads. His lone decent win vs a good UGA was a fluke. The ACC beyond two or three schools does not ( I repeat ) does not field athletic D teams. Period. See Duke.
UGA laid down in that 08 GT game. Since then, GT has not won anything of worth. Stomped in the Urange Bowl ( like the 67 team was ) and beyond the Urange year ……………..what has Turkey Jowels won?
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
GT …………………. TWO major bowls over like 44 years ……………. 67 Urange and 09 Urange with two horrific losses. Iowa was a bunch of corn fed, SLOW German boys to make it worse.
TECHREDNECK
October 25th, 2011
11:48 am
Clemson’s gonna have a cake walk against GT.
DawginLex
October 25th, 2011
11:49 am
Jan Kemp was a deeply disturbed woman who led a life to which no rational human being would aspire. Consider: two suicide attempts, once by pills and once by stabbing herself multiple times in the chest with a butcher knife. She spent stretches in psychiatric wards and went to jail for almost a year for contempt of court. The rumors out there are much, much worse. But really, you don’t need to get into any of the rumor and innuendo to conclude that this woman had serious problems. Actually, given the climate in Athens in the early 80s, you’d have to be crazy to call out UGA on academic preferences for football players. That may be proof enough right there that she was nuts.
Ted M
October 25th, 2011
11:52 am
wow I never heard that about Jan Kemp.
D REAL MARK BRADLEY
October 25th, 2011
12:27 pm
Top five Recruiting Class 7 year and a row. We dont rebuild we reload…..LMAO…
Some body please fire the great under achiever CMRBOZORICHT
GT from SC
October 25th, 2011
12:29 pm
Upward? UGA’s last 4 opponents have a combined 12 -16 record.
The DAWG
October 25th, 2011
12:34 pm
Don’t accuse DAWG Fans of living in the past while your Dumb A– is bringing up Jan Kemp. Are you Not smart enough to come up with anything better
SRF
October 25th, 2011
1:06 pm
Tech will not win again this year – to finish 6-6. How many more years do we have to endure this crazy coach ?
DawgByte
October 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
Tech’s implosion comes right on queue! They’re going to lose the next three games. LOL!!!
Reggie Ball recently asked coach Johnson if he knew how many downs were in an offensive series and Tech’s High School coach replied “3?”.
Reggie Ball then asked, “How many games has Tech forfeited over the last 10 years due to NCAA violations?” Jan Kemp answered by saying, “A lot more than UGA!”
Cutlass81
October 25th, 2011
1:35 pm
This kind of posting is exactly why coaching jobs are so short lived here in the NCAA. Considering this season was supposed to be complete crap, we are ahead of how we should finish. Paul will get it together and if not we’ll just have to see how it goes next season and THEN we should look into reevaluating. People forget that our defense was a recent installment and as of last week it looked ahead of Al’s prospective 3 – 4 year schedule. And then we’ve yet to have a solid offensive line that wasn’t even all that impressive when Chan was here. People need to back off the guy. He is a proven winner and he’ll be a winner here at GT too. Man already netted us an ACC title regardless of what the NCAA says.
Bolo
October 25th, 2011
2:06 pm
UGA righted itself?
How? Beating up on 5 cupcakes without a single SEC win combined?
Losing, going 0-2, against both ranekd teams?
Richt is winless against ranekd teams sicne 2009.
Righted the ship? Try SUNK THE SHIP.
KDawg
October 25th, 2011
2:12 pm
Shoot Vandy can take Tech to the woodshed..
All I remember is
October 25th, 2011
2:30 pm
Clemson is 0-3
in the last three visits to Bobby Dodd Stadium.
— Go Jackets —
DodgerDAWG
October 25th, 2011
2:46 pm
Fire Paul Johnson now. 7-7 in his last 14. He has lost the ability to win. He only won with other coaches recruiting efforts. he is unable to recruit and he cannot win. FIRE PAUL JOHNSON NOW
Fire CPJ
October 25th, 2011
3:16 pm
Cant see any star on the horizon with CPJ unability to recruit, and his lack of concern for special teams.
Ron Smith
October 25th, 2011
3:24 pm
UGA is playing better but the only two teams they’ve beaten this year who have a winning record are Costal Carolina & Vanderbilt. Makes it a little harder to predict outcome for Saturday’s game.
Fire CPJ
October 25th, 2011
3:29 pm
lol…inability*
BulldogBen
October 25th, 2011
4:04 pm
I’m sorry but the Dawgs have played possibly the easiest SEC schedule in 20 years. Going 8-4 isn’t acceptable and going 7-5 is fireable.