Heat Check: Everybody – Tech, UGA, the Falcons – is smokin’
The men of Groh are growing on me, I must confess. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Georgia Tech wins a big game and is back in the Top 25. Georgia beats Florida and has climbed to No. 18. The Falcons don’t even play but gain on New Orleans in the NFC South. Our weekly Heat Check begins with the question: Are we Winnersville or what?
Georgia Tech: A big-time performance was needed, and that’s what the Jackets provided. Coming as it did after two small-time losses, Tech now gives the impression of having turned a corner. (Then again, it’s always nice to happen on a corner and find Dabo Swinney standing there.)
There was a neat little hidden stat coming into the Clemson game, so neat and so hidden I’d have missed it if a faithful Twitter follower hadn’t called it to my attention: In ACC games, Tech was 11th in the conference in total offense but first in the league in total defense. Which tells us that, for all the hand-wringing over Al Groh’s D, he has fashioned a unit that will give the famous offense a chance in every game, provided the offense doesn’t turn the ball over and the special teams don’t collapse completely. Heat Index: Beat the nation’s No. 5 team, even if it is Dabo-coached, and you’re certifiably smokin’ again.
Georgia: I have to say I’m a bit confused. Georgia beat Florida for the fourth time since 1989 after trailing by two touchdowns, and the reaction on this site wasn’t so much exultation but complaint. I’m willing to concede that reader comments aren’t necessarily an accurate gauge of anything and that some folks who present themselves as Georgia fans might not be. That said …
Are you serious? When you’ve lost as many games to Florida as Georgia has, you should take a one-point victory on a safety induced by a punt that bounces off a seagull and be happy with it. I know special teams were terrible. I know this isn’t much of a Florida team. Doesn’t matter. It was still Florida in Jacksonville, and Georgia won. Heat Index: Six in a row after 0-2 — me, I’d call that warmth.
The Falcons: Had a bye. Will have another Sunday. (Technically, they meet Indianapolis. Same difference.) Then again, the Saints thought they’d have a bye in St. Louis, and they lost to an 0-6 opponent. Which means the Falcons are tied with New Orleans in the loss column, which is a pretty good place to be after starting 2-3.
Do I think the Falcons have played to their capacity? No, I don’t. Do I think they can win the Super Bowl playing as they have? No again. But do I think they have room to grow into a Super Bowl-type team? Yes, I still do. Heat Index: After the trip to Indy, the Falcons’ next three are at home, including a Nov. 13 date against New Orleans. Time to get hot, I’d say.
Will Muschamp: The former Bulldog officially became the first Florida coach ever to have a losing record against Mark Richt, and Gator fans don’t know what to do. Should they write off Muschamp as the next Ron Zook, or should they blame Urban Meyer for leaving so little talent behind? Heat Index: Florida was winless in October for the first time since it went 0-10-1 under Charley Pell in 1979. That’s cold.
Dabo Swinney: He replaced Tommy Bowden, who would raise hopes only to dash them, and after two years on the job it’s unclear whether Dabo isn’t really Tommy B. in disguise. Because nothing at Clemson has changed. This is still the team you can’t believe in. Heat Index: When you come into a game thinking about a national championship and trail by three touchdowns at the half, you’ve undergone a cold snap.
The Braves: They finished one game behind the eventual World Series champs. Which sounds nicer than saying, “The Cardinals wouldn’t be champs if the Braves hadn’t squandered an 8 1/2-game lead in September.” Heat Index: A chilly winter awaits.
The Hawks: They’re locked out. Their new owner might not be their new owner after all. Other than that, everything’s hunky-dory. Heat Index: Let’s see, when were the Hawks ever a hot item? In 1988, maybe?
By Mark Bradley
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369 comments Add your comment
BobDawg
October 31st, 2011
8:53 am
Samuel sprained his foot… He finally learned how to run and break tackles and now he sprains his friggin foot… He won’t play against New Mex St. and should be ok if not a high ankle one.
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2011
8:54 am
I’m not so much arguing that the Urbanator didn’t leave Muschamp any talent. My point is that some Gator fans are now saying that’s what happened.
RedandBlackDawg
October 31st, 2011
8:54 am
Herschel talker,
Please tell me you are not married or even worse, aren’t married and have kids or will have kids. It would be ashamed to bring children into the world when their daddy is so negative and can’t wait to write negative things about UGA and I suspect most anything you encounter on a daily basis. I would bet your whole day depends on your ability to write something negative, at some venue or another.
When UGA beats Florida , be it tiddly Winks, football or any contest, it is a good time for UGA. That is out number one rivalry,,, not Tech.
You can complain all you want about CMR, but UGA is 6-2, no matter the supposedly low level of competition, and considering the injuries, defections, academic misfits dismissed and low level of experience, due to a lot of youngsters, he has done a credible job getting this team where it presently is. This team, like any young team, could have easily laid down after the two loses to open the season, but instead, they have continued to improve and learn each week. You claim to be such a fan, that you think the future is doomed because of CMR. You sir are dead wrong, as usual.
UGA will get a respectful bowl game this year, and deservedly so. UGA has a bunch of youngsters that continue to show that they want to win. News to you also. I don’t think the players or coaches read these blogs but if they did, they would just credit you for what you are. A sorry person who lives to try and cut them down, and I would bet most likely, you have never been in a team position in your life, be it in the military or athletics. You don’t understand the concept of team work, or if you were a true fan, what it means to stick by your team, through rich and poor times both. You are so obsessed with being negative, you don’t know what it is like to be positive anymore. You must be a true delight for your family, since your type of attitude usually is your predominant character trait, and dominates your outlook on life. This is football, not a game of life. Your sour disposition on life, has spilled over into how you converse in life, in general, and reflects poorly on you, not on a football team or others. Try being constructive sometimes. It will probably scare even you, but give it a try. It appears to me that you write your garbage, just to get a response from people like me, and at that you have succeeded. Read my response above and if this is the kind of reaction you wish to receive each time you blog negatively, then I would suggest that you have serious self esteem issues and could benefit from counseling.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Tom
October 31st, 2011
8:55 am
Man, the mutts can’t catch a break even after a Jax win.
They finally get another W against UF…..admittedly, a really bad UF team…..but within a couple of hours their victory gets overshadowed by a TECH win.
Sheesh.
Mark Bradley
October 31st, 2011
8:56 am
And very belated kudos to dtanner.
GoAwayHerschel
October 31st, 2011
8:57 am
Herschel Talker……take your miserable life and join the other “buzz kills” on another blog. Must suck being you. Can’t find any joy in the fact that UGA beat the Gators for their 6th straight win. Does not matter what the combined record of those 6 opponents is…..It’s college football. We get to enjoy it for 4 months a year. If you have a life, maybe a family, you should have some perspective. Though, based on your consistent negativity, I’d hate to be part of THAT family.
JB
October 31st, 2011
8:57 am
REad the Florida message boards last night. They should NEVER lecture us about our thoughts on Richt…….. I’d say 70% are done with Muschamp. The reasonable post were talking folks off the ledge.
They think the Gators are very poorly coached…..and the biggest insult, they said he played at UGa and coach’s like a UGA coach…….They will be bad for awhile I’m afraid. They have NO QB’s, No RB’s and No WR’s proven on their roster.
BulldogBen
October 31st, 2011
8:57 am
I never thought I’d be in a position to have to actually pull for a Bobby Petrino coached team. The only scenario that I can stomach is that the Razorbacks beat USC and Petrino is carted off the field after being run over by his own player.
Taste the bitterness Florida fans. Taste the bitterness.
RedandBlackDawg
October 31st, 2011
8:58 am
Tom,
There is the matter of that little game come November against tech. to be played out.
Remember, he who laughs last, laughs loudest and the DAWGS will be laughing up after the game, once again.
GO DAWGS and GATA
rcb
October 31st, 2011
8:58 am
With friends like you and praise like yours, Mr. Richt can sleep well tonight.
BobDawg
October 31st, 2011
8:59 am
@ MBradley, thanks for clarifying, BUT Mike Bianchi is saying it in his column, check it out at the Sentinel…. I just had to laugh….
@ Tom, we want Tech it keep on winning… Makes for a great game at the end of year…
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
9:00 am
Tom.. we’ll see you in a couple weeks…. talk the talk.. while you can
Lowcountry Bulldawg
October 31st, 2011
9:00 am
BobDawg,
The recruiting list I used was off of Rivals. Actually the 3 should be a 2. 2nd one year to USC.
HT,
Here those comments about the offense doesnt fit the talent now. Well that is coaching. Why try and implement a offensive scheme when you knowingly do not have the talent? Muschamp sounds like he is beating a square peg into a round hole. Muschamp has thrown the season away by trying to utilize guys in his attack that will never work? Sounds like a built in excuse for flopping year one.
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
9:03 am
we’re young and disorganized on Special teams… but winning… wait till next year !!
JB
October 31st, 2011
9:03 am
Gators fans on here the last two years have “lectured” us about our Criticism of Richt. Boy, check out the Florida Message boards. Muschamp getting a lot of heat…. I’ll defend him. No QB. No RB’s, No traditional WR’s, No depth at OL and the No DB’s. It’s a pretty bad team….and will be for a year or two.
DawgInaTruck
October 31st, 2011
9:03 am
Tom, UGA fans care about UGA and UGA only. It doesn’t matter if Islip State beats LSU 63-0, it has nothing to do with us. Nothing overshadows any win, especially one in Jacksonville.
HT, your stuff is old and boring. I scanned the first line or two of one of your page one posts and was reminded why I see your name and scroll down. You have made yourself irrelevant by repeating the same old crap over and over. The worst thing you can be on a blog is ignored.
Haters keep on hatin’
DAWGS keep on winnin’!
The DAWG
October 31st, 2011
9:04 am
UGA and GT beat two average at best teams, the Falcons did not even play and you have already crowned UGA SEC Champs, GT ACC champs and the Falcons Super Bowl Champs. I have to like your Monday morning dreams.
crusher dawg
October 31st, 2011
9:05 am
Extremely Thankful for the win.
DIT
October 31st, 2011
9:05 am
Thanks BobDawg. I was wondering how serious the injury was. That was the best I have ever seen Samuel run. I hope he is at 100% for the Auburn game. Him and Isaiah need to sit out this Saturday. Also, hope that Mitchel is back for Auburn. We will need everyone available for that game.
@Tom: I actually happy for tech this past Saturday. I sure hope that you’re not over looking VT though. That’s a whole different defense than ClemPsons.
the hot seat.....
October 31st, 2011
9:05 am
Does this hypothetical rant sound familiar?
The program is out of control. Absolutely no leadership from the head coach. He doesn’t have a clue and the team reflects his incompetence. 14 penalties for a total of 106 yards. Just no discipline from the top down thus the players act like T H U G S. The offensive coordinator is a dud. This bozo needs to be fired. He’s overpaid and over his head. Only 1 first down in the second half. Negative yards net rushing. QB only completes 35% of his passes. The defensive coordinator hasn’t a clue. Wasted a 17-3 first quarter lead. The guy needs to be fired. 4 losses in a row. Haven’t won a game since September. We get all these top recruiting classes and the coaches do nothing with the talent. Our head coach should be on the hot seat. I hope the AD cleans house after this season.
No, we’re not talking Georgia. We’re talking Florida
JB
October 31st, 2011
9:05 am
Richt’s wife in Nursing school? It’s not for the money. They are preparing for full time mission work. When, who knows.
Tom
October 31st, 2011
9:06 am
GT and UGA both TCB in-conference and we’ll have the Dawgs playing at Georgia Dome at 4:00 and the Jackets in Charlotte at 8:00 on Dec 3.
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
9:06 am
Muschamp will make Zook look great… at least the Zooker could recruit… UGA and Fla. State now getting all the good ones.. Muschamp is NUTS ??!! Go Dawgs !!!
carolinajacket
October 31st, 2011
9:07 am
I think UF may have done a bit better if they had had a qb who could at least walk. They did a lot of dumb things, but the qb was their main problem.
Tom
October 31st, 2011
9:08 am
DIT, true…even though Foster’s D has suffered personnel losses, those seemingly-depleted defenses seem to give us the most trouble.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 31st, 2011
9:08 am
What impressed me the most about the win Saturday was the defense in the second half. Evidently one side of the ball can go into halftime make adjustments that work. My worry was that Demps and Rainey would be running wild. Dyer and McCaleb from Auburn were a big concern IMO but the way the defense handled the Florida speedsters I feel a lot better going into that game.
JB
October 31st, 2011
9:09 am
hot seat post @9:05………..The Florida message boards are full of it. This is his first gig at calling all the shots, and taken over a very successful program…..and he was not left the horses to do it. He’s in a tough spot. Stumble next year to say 7-5, they will want him gone….By ‘they” I mean the sidewalk Alum and the “jorts” crowd.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 31st, 2011
9:09 am
JB, the way the injuries are piling up maybe she wants to help out around CMR’s workplace.
The DAWG
October 31st, 2011
9:10 am
Excuses, Excuses. The Gator fans are now guilty of what they accused DAWG fans for, Excuses for losing. Sorry Jackets our win overshadowed yours just because we win as seldom against the gators as you do against the DAWGS.
Dawglasville
October 31st, 2011
9:10 am
I think we will have to see the 12 game body of work to really see what we have with Georgia and Georgia Tech. If Tech can beat VT and if Georgia can beat Auburn we will be headed toward one hell of a Thanksgiving week.
oh brogther!
October 31st, 2011
9:12 am
It cracks me up how idiots on here call any team that gets beat “average at best”. If OSU, Bama, LSU are to lose a game or two…based on this logic…they now become average at best. Get real…Any and all wins in football..be it college or pro is a good win. Ask New Orleans about those lower than average teams! Great weekend for all teams who are winning!
RambleOn84
October 31st, 2011
9:12 am
The #5 team in the country is “average at best?”
Yeah, keep telling yourself that…
Flo- Ri- Duh
October 31st, 2011
9:13 am
When Georgia got back their starting defense at the half down by 7 I felt pretty good. The defense dominated the Florida o-line. Xavier Nixon, a Georgia native on the Florida o-line was schooled by Jarvis Jones and big Bean took care of Omar Hunter, the Georgia native at d-tackle for Florida. Maybe these guys should have gone to Georgia? Samuel is stating to come around at running back and I think we will have a good ONE – TWO punch at RB for the next two years. Dallas Lee, starting LG, was injured in the 4th quarter – broken leg and I wish him a complete and fast recovery. This leaves Georgia really thin on the OL.. There are no replacements unless the redshirt is taken off of a freshman at this late date. The special teams are a major liability and cost Georgia the game against South Carolina. Fortunately, Georgia has a breather next week with New Mexico State. Don’t expect Crowell or Mitchell to play – injuries. When was the last time Georgia came back from being down 14 points to win against Florida? The defense won the game. The offense played it’s usual game – moved the ball but trouble in the red zone. The special teams got an “F” for keeping Florida in the game to the end. Erk is smiling. NOw we need to get a special teams coach for next year.
JB
October 31st, 2011
9:13 am
I was impressed Saturday with how our DB’s adjusted in the second half with tighter coverage. I didn’t see them running open in the secondary. The sacks Jarvis had were a product of Brantley having to hold the ball…..exactly how it is suppose to work.
Goober Pyle
October 31st, 2011
9:15 am
You cant win in the sec with 175 lb running backs and an immobile qb. I’d not be so fast to condemn Dabo. I bet he wins more games this year than the dawgs with their pitiful schedule.
Flo- Ri- Duh
October 31st, 2011
9:18 am
Clemson is better than average but never deserved a #5 rating. Simply put, the average team in the SEC is better than the average team in the ACC and LSU and Bama would beat Clemson by at least 3 TD’s. Still – congratulations to Tech for beating a better than average team.
DIT
October 31st, 2011
9:19 am
Can’t blame Muschamp totally. Oscar Meyer left that program in shambles. New coaches and new schemes, it was expected for the gators to struggle this year. They have a ton of talent on that team. Very young.
However, our offense has no excuses for looking so bulimic. Thank the Lord for our defense! I use to be high on Murray, but as each game passes I’m starting to have that much less confidence in him. I would like to see Mason start and see what he can do. Even though it’s against New Mexico, the playing time will do him good. Anyone else feel the same way?
JB
October 31st, 2011
9:19 am
One more theme from the Florida boards. The result of the game was not a result of Dawgs being better, but them being short handed and just not very good this year. LMAO. you can’t make this stuff up.I’d like to tell them they were healthy on defense and Brantley doesn’t play defense, so why didn’t they just stop us from scoring and take the lack of offense on their part away.
robodawg
October 31st, 2011
9:19 am
Mark, if you had been in my living room late Saturday afternoon, you would have heard some complaining (especially at 17-3), followed by some believing, followed by some hand wringing, but in the end nothing but exultation. We were dancing and shouting. No complaints about the Dawgs from these quarters.
The DAWG
October 31st, 2011
9:19 am
Hey gooberpyle, those sure are big ol alligator tears coming out of your po lil ol eyes.
RambleOn84
October 31st, 2011
9:21 am
That’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard, “Flor-i-DUH.”
Clemson beat Auburn, who is better than every team in the SEC East.
Yeah, LSU and Alabama would both wear them out. They would wear out all other teams in the country, including every team in the SEC, which is what both are currently doing.
Hatfieldgeoff
October 31st, 2011
9:22 am
For recruiting purposes you have to extend Richt’s contract at least 2 years. No need to raise his salary or give too many years, but recruits need to know he will be here. What is all of this talk about how bad Florida is. They lost to Alabama and LSU without their starting QB (what other team in the country would not have?); Auburn, while again having to use a true freshman QB and now UGA who won a close game, though special teams play made it closer than it should have been. (Punter Butler is hiding behind the Walsh problem, but he hasn’t been any better this year). Florida has a pretty good defense and their offense will be much better when Brantley is healthy. Granted they are not the Florida of 3 or 4 years ago, but for people to say Florida is terrible is just stupid.
BulldogBen
October 31st, 2011
9:22 am
I’m sorry but I’m not buying that there isn’t any talent at UF. Are you kidding me? They’ve been getting Top 5 recruiting classes for over a decade. The previous years are no different.
If you want to tell me that they are learning a whole new system, fine, but don’t sell me on the talent level. It’s just not true.
reebok
October 31st, 2011
9:23 am
Georgia Tech can beat Virginia Tech if they play like they did against Clemson. Home field helps a lot. Not sure the Dogs will get by Auburn if they (the Dogs) play as poorly as they did against Florida. Congrats to both teams on their wins and on being nationally ranked. I hope both teams are still sittin gon 2 losses when we meet at Bobby Dodd in November.
DawgInaTruck
October 31st, 2011
9:25 am
Every time I think about winning any game I grin. Every time I think about winning in Jacksonville I think, “Get out the wide angle lenses boys, I’m getting ready to smile.”
Let the haters hate
While the Dawgs dominate!
cantondawg
October 31st, 2011
9:25 am
Mark Bradley,
When you say complaints on this board you are referring to that NON-Football playing idiot Herschel Talker who comes on here under a dozen names and types the same thing.
DIT
October 31st, 2011
9:26 am
No reason to be jealous about techs win guys. Regardless of who you thought was the #5 team in the nation, they handily beat them. Tip your hat, they played a great game. For me it makes that game on the 26th that much better. If we beat Auburn it will make it even better. I think people from both sides would rather beat their rivals on a hot streak and ranked than, “well, they stink, you were suppose to beat them.”
Big Dawg Daddy
October 31st, 2011
9:26 am
Hershel Talker makes the Occupy people look reasonable
Go Dawgs!
October 31st, 2011
9:26 am
Herschel Talker is the most negative person I’ve ever seen.
I bet as a baby he was weened on a pickle.
robodawg
October 31st, 2011
9:26 am
Clemson was bound to lose at some point. This is how I encouraged a Techie friend last week who was down about having to play Clemson. A first loss for those guys was inevitable, they’ve already won more than they should’ve.
Not exactly Dabo’s fault that they overperformed and went 8-0. A national championship was unrealistic.
Tech’s D looked impressive, that’s what surprised me the most. I thought the game would be closer.