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
HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH
October 31st, 2011
10:28 am
PEOPLE ACTUALLY WRITING ABOUT UGA BEING A GREAT ACADEMIC SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey kids, UGA doesn’t rank ANYWHERE near the top in US colleges and universities.
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
10:28 am
the longer they give Muschamp… the worse they’ll get .. Fla.. has has good recruiting classes… should not be this bad…
DIT
October 31st, 2011
10:28 am
I agree with JB… Plus, I feel that LSU will beat Bama anyway. We just have to worry about Auburn right now.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
October 31st, 2011
10:29 am
“can you read? check-out the national rankings? typical auburn fan….trying to blur factual information with opinion.”
Ok cupcake, tell me ONE good team UGA has defeated this year.
One.
outkasted
October 31st, 2011
10:30 am
all i’ve heard is this team is gonna beat ga and this team and this team and all week florida gonna do this if brantley plays they are going to do this then…………… GA wins and all i hear is florida not that good blah blah blah….. its so funny…and where are all my florida fan friends who texted me during the game speed kills and all this crap I HAVEN”T HEARD FRO U SINCE SATURDAY….. i hope ur still breathin b/c its just a game!!!!!
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
10:30 am
2010.. is history .. you have the felons.. our kids had traffic tickets
Strange Murphy
October 31st, 2011
10:31 am
Herschel Talker is a Tech fan and an idiot
DC
October 31st, 2011
10:33 am
Here we go again…this reminds me of 2010…UGA fans boasting their chest after beating a group of losing record teams…then boom reality hits…and it will hit with playing AU…keep talking smack about them…loving it!
Destin Dawg
October 31st, 2011
10:33 am
tech football players major in management… for 3 years.. graduate ??? Not so much
2010 BCS CHAMPS is a Richard Head
October 31st, 2011
10:35 am
I love men and cupcakes
P_The_Ricker
October 31st, 2011
10:36 am
no one is claiming UGA as world beaters…..moron! they’re simply better than auburn.
if you’re going to go around w/ some moniker form yester year, at least be able to back it up w/ some FACTUAL support for your bias of this year.
you bore me! i’m out!
JB
October 31st, 2011
10:37 am
Grantham WILL NEVER be the HC at Georgia. He does not fit their image. Adams does not like the Goff/Donan types………………..stereotype “bubba” types. Johnson fits that mold also. Gruff, mumbles etc. After Dooley and Richt, Georgia will always want someone a little polished….Say a Chris Peterson type.
Columbus
October 31st, 2011
10:38 am
Ummm…..UGA is not part of Atlanta. Atlanta has Tech….Dont claim UGA as “Atlanta” especially after sticking the knife in them and twisting it at EVERY oppurtunity and then some! Stick with Tech Atlanta. UGA is NOT Atlanta’s in no way, shape or fashion! Sheesh! UGA is Georgia’s Team. Got it? Why not claim Tennessee-Chattanooga while you are at it?! Or Auburn?
You can kiss UGA’s rear end!
duronimo
October 31st, 2011
10:39 am
I think Georgia fans are looking for a team that demonstrates competent coaching. Despite the win which resulted from exception plays by four or five players, the offense and special teams again underperformed. The glaring exception is Grantham. Fans see his defense is getting better each week … exactly the results one would expect from a good coach.
Sports Fan
October 31st, 2011
10:42 am
Let’s just hope they all stay Smoking and not end up Choking!
Hike!!!
October 31st, 2011
10:42 am
Rise and fall…
GT will not beat Ga. I have followed Ga Southern for years and can tell you the spread option doesn’t work against a truly “stout” defensive line like Georgia’s. That offense only works when the “fullback dive” play works and there is no better front seven in college football than Georgia’s.
If Georgia gets a crack at either Bama or LSU you will see that. This “D” is slowly evolving into one of the top “D’s” in all of college football…and barring injury will propel the Dawgs into the preseason top 10 next year. The one weakness is the secondary. Every game they give up big plays due to missed assignments, a trend that has to stop. They simply get “fooled” on several big plays each game, but a running team is toast against the front seven, so no win for the Jackets this year.
Herschel Talker
October 31st, 2011
10:43 am
BobDawg @ 9:58:
Richt made those 4th down calls knowing he had nothing to lose, and I thought they were great calls. If he were doing more of that rather than kicking field goals from the 1 yard line in mid-tier bowls, then perhaps this program would be in a better place.
HT
Come on, man..... .
October 31st, 2011
10:44 am
Let’s have some fun. Stick with me for a moment as I will be making some “ifs” that many will not agree with, but please indulge me for grins.
If – Alabama beats LSU next Saturday by just a point or two. And
If – LSU only falls in the polls to, say, #4 because of the close game. And
If – UGA runs the table on Auburn and Kentucky. And
If – LSU runs the table (after the Bama loss) and finishes the regular season at #3. And
If – UGA were to beat Bama in the SECCG. And
If – LSU would then move up to #2.
Should LSU be able to play in the NC game since “they didn’t even play in the conference championship game”? (Flashback to 2007)
It would be hilarious to see Les Miles and the whole ESPN crowed dance around that.
Joey
October 31st, 2011
10:45 am
I like polish, if there’s substance underneath.
But enough about politics.
I found myself strangely pulling for Vandy Saturday, until I remembered that SOB Franklin was their coach, then I took a lot of satisfaction in the way they gave the game to Arkansas.
Fal-Cans
October 31st, 2011
10:46 am
The Falcons are lucky they are in a division that on any giving sunday any one of their division counterparts can stink up the joint they are playing in!The million dollar question is “Are they good enough to beat the Packers?”…………… and that answer is No!
nobody
October 31st, 2011
10:46 am
gotta love that GT sense of humor…the only division 1 school in college football to reduce the size of the stadium to accomodate the size of the crowd…:)…
Herschel Talker
October 31st, 2011
10:47 am
Strange Murphy:
You are a fool. If I were a rival’s fan, why would I to fire Mark Richt? Just look at all the Gator blogs – they all want us to keep Mark Richt. Get a clue. If you want mediocrity, go cheer for Mississippi State, but get the heck off our blog, you clown.
HT
The Grinch .
October 31st, 2011
10:48 am
Joey
October 31st, 2011
10:45 am
I felt the same way.
Gator Bait
October 31st, 2011
10:49 am
Richt was lucky he faced a Florida team with a Mediocre Quarterback that couldn’t move and roll out like he could eariler this season………otherwise he would have lost another to Fla!
The Grinch .
October 31st, 2011
10:49 am
Herschel Talker
October 31st, 2011
10:47 am
Speaking of Mississippi State, do you think Mullen will be one of the hot coaching commodities this coming off season?
2010 BCS CHAMPS
October 31st, 2011
10:50 am
“they’re simply better than auburn.”
What makes them better?
DIT
October 31st, 2011
10:50 am
Just asking HT, but are you an athiest? Is that the reason for all this hate you have for CMR? You show more hate for this man than anyone I have ever read on these blogs.
2010 BCS CHAMPS
October 31st, 2011
10:50 am
“2010 BCS CHAMPS is a Richard Head”
What a lovely blog you have, Bradley.
aarh
October 31st, 2011
10:51 am
Most teams struggle in their 1st yr w/ a new coach. I don’t know that we should call Mus-Chump a bust quite yet. Urban Cryer & NIck Satan struggled in their 1st yr. as well. They’re switching from the spread to a pro style offense as well. Did you people really expect them to dominate everyone in that transition period after they struggled last yr. even w/ the established Cryer? As for the win….it would be nice to dominate, but I’ll take any kind of win against FL. Sure would be nice if UGA could put it all together. I think there’s potential there, but a lot of injuries are starting to pop up. Just hope we get back as many players as we can against AU, bc it looks like we’re going to need them. As far as the schedule goes, you play who you play, but people keep talking like UGAs going to lose, & then when they win people still complain. At least they’re winning those games unlike last yr. That’s a move in the rt. direction as far as I’m concerned. I sure hope RBs Crowell Samuel get healthy enough at least to be affective, & the same goes for M. Mitchell & I. Troupe, & not to mention OL Austin Long now that Dallas Lee is out. UGAs good, but they just seem to lack depth at certain positions. Go Dawgs!
dtanner
October 31st, 2011
10:51 am
hey joey,that SOB franklin,what about that bigger SOB petrino
Gator baiter
October 31st, 2011
10:51 am
WAAAAAHHHHHHHH!
2010 BCS CHAMPS
October 31st, 2011
10:51 am
Simple question.
What makes UGA fans think that UGA is good?
1: UGA hasn’t beaten a ranked team in years.
2: UGA hasn’t beaten one good team this year.
The Grinch .
October 31st, 2011
10:53 am
Gator Bait
October 31st, 2011
10:49 am
You mean like the QB did against Fla Atlantic and UAB?
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
witness
October 31st, 2011
10:53 am
MB. The “complainers” you refer too aren’t unhappy w/the dawgs win over FL but the way the dawgs almost gave the game away is the underlying reason for discontent. The same issues, i.e., special teams, inconsistent offensive play calling, etc, which were supposed to be addressed week after week have gotten worse in each game after the first two losses. This trend of getting worse instead of better in these areas will no doubt come back and be the reasons for defeat in remaining games and be fodder for your future columns on the state of GA football. Bottom line, CMR and his offensive staff apparently don’t know how to fix the wrongs we constantly see week after week and its frustrating to fans that do not want to settle for 2nd best any longer. I’m not one to get rid of Richt, but to see the same woes every game how can you not hold the HC and certain coaches on his staff responsible for not correcting them?? Its painful to watch a team you love being under coached and no one is being held accountable. Coaches learn from their mistakes and are paid to correct them not too continually make the same errors week in and week out.
Columbus
October 31st, 2011
10:53 am
Warmth? Yep, warm enough to probably make it to the SCE title game. Warm enough for Richt to be coaching at UGA the next few years. They are only going to get better and better. Defense wins championships. How many did Bama win with a mediocre offense? Several. UGA defense is smokin under Grantham!
UGA heat check should be: Smokin…….thanks to the Defense!
Confused? Let me sum it up Bradley! Its the same ignorant, young vocal minority who have been calling for Richts head for the last 2 years, whoc dont have a clue and have led you media around by your laptops and johnson’s talking about Richt on the hot seat, Richt on the hot seat….what a TERRIBLE off-season it was due to this! it was all blown out of proportion and you should have been wiser than to let some young igmos wag the dog….media hype, thanks to younguns and columnists eating their ignorant crap up.
Us wiser fans were not panicing and KNOW the deal….Us fans that have seen more than 15 years of UGA football. And know the deal about beating Florida. We will take it no matter how it comes.
UGA D was awesome except for one play…..Florida was lucky they scored 20 points. Certainly not all on the D. Special teams gotta pick it up. They are killing us and have already cost us the SC game or we would be in first all alone in th East!
StungByAYellowJacket
October 31st, 2011
10:54 am
Columbus,
????????? Couldn’t think of anything else to type here, shouldn’t you be in School or something????
Spider29
October 31st, 2011
10:54 am
I am a Bulldog fan and I am proud of both “my” team and the Jackets. Both won games that most people thought they would lose. Fans of both teams tend to rag on each other. That’s okay. But most of us are hoping that the Bulldogs and Jackets continue to win games and their respective divisions. Now granted, on November 26, I will be cheering for UGA to win. Until then I will pull for both teams. Success for both teams is good for the state and great for the rivalry. And it keeps things hopping here on the blog too!
StungByAYellowJacket
October 31st, 2011
10:55 am
Refering to you 10:38 post
Riddy
October 31st, 2011
10:56 am
Mark Richt coached a fine game on Saturday. And, as Dooley said, Richt will be at UGA for a very long time. So funny see the true colors of the Richt haters. They actually would have preferred UGA to lose. They have never been true fans. A true fan never wants his team to lose. The main concern is not that Richt will get fired, he will not. The main concern is that he will retire. Lets hope not. I think the likely option is he gets a long-term contract extension for recruiting sake and because he is a heck of a good coach.
H. Smyth
October 31st, 2011
10:56 am
Am I the only person that was completely disgusted with Gary Danielson’s constant making excuses and apoligies for Florida’s performance?
StungByAYellowJacket
October 31st, 2011
10:57 am
Fal-Cans,
Great game yesterday against the rams….. you guys look great!!!!!!
DIT
October 31st, 2011
10:58 am
Well said Riddy
Douglas
October 31st, 2011
10:58 am
I am a UGA fan who now lives in SC. I disagree with you about Dabo: he went out and hired a new OC because he was getting heat from the fans: and this decision has turned out great this year. On the other hand, UGA still has Bobo as it’s OC which means we will never win the SEC championship as long as he still holds this position. Richt made some good hires on defense but the special teams are terrible. For Richt to keep his job, no matter what his record ends up being, he needs to be told by our AD: fire bobo or you are gone.
Herschel Talker
October 31st, 2011
10:59 am
The Grinch:
Mullen looks like a fallen star at this point. He should have bolted Starkville last year when he had the chance. He was a talented coordinator, so he’ll be motivated to try and turn them around next year in order to position himself for a better job in 2013.
HT
2010 BCS CHAMPS is a Richard Head
October 31st, 2011
11:02 am
“What a lovely blog you have, Bradley”
Thanks Cupcake!
beanster
October 31st, 2011
11:03 am
At what point do you Richt haters finally shut the heck up? We are certain to be 8-4 with a win over UF. There is no way he doesn’t come back. We will most likely be 9-3 or even 10-2 and will play in the SECCG. He will not be fired. He will get a decent extension because recruiting will go down the tubes if he doesn’t get one. There isn’t a better representative for the University (esp.in Adams eyes, who wields the biggest stick). Get over it.
Playing for the SEC Champ after a 6-7 season isn’t good enough? I know, I know, if it weren’t for the schedule…..look how far Bama and LSU are ahead of us….
Why would Chris Petersen want to coach for some of the worst turn coat fans in the country? No matter what he is paid, why would he leave a comfy 1.6 mil/yr to 2015 on the West Coast (where he is from) recruiting guys just like himself with the support of great fans who don’t b*tch and complain if they don’t win the NC? All it would take is jumping on these blogs to read some of the garbage that is posted before he would decide this is no where he wants to be.
bucket
October 31st, 2011
11:05 am
@ 2010 – you do realize that UGA and their terrible coaching staff has beaten Auburn like 4 out of the last 5 times? Was last year an aberration with a phenom like Newton? I don’t know, we shall see. I promise we will show up and see what happens.
JB
October 31st, 2011
11:06 am
I agree, that CBS crew was doing everything they could to ” apologize” For Florida. Didn’t hear the same with Shockley out and we had to play Joe T III that year.
Fake UGA Fans
October 31st, 2011
11:09 am
Any fan that comes on here and complains after a win over FL is either a Tech fan trying to stir up trouble or not a true UGA fan……By the way most fair weather UGA fans aren’t real fans anyway just people that started pulling for UGA after the ‘02 SEC Championship…..
witness
October 31st, 2011
11:10 am
An addendum to my prior post. Clarkson’s take on the ugly win vs FL.
http://dogbytesonline.com/clarkson-ugly-victory-relieves-some-pretty-big-pressure-51233/