2011 college Heat Check: Georgia got hot; Tech got warm
Tech's Stephen Hill feels the hot breath of the Bulldog D. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
We’re nearing the end — news flash! — of the calendar year, and our weekly Heat Check takes on broader scope. We review the year just past, and we look toward 2012 and we tick off folks in the process. Got that? Here we go.
Georgia Bulldogs: They rose from 6-7 to the top of the SEC East, winning 10 consecutive games in the process. Then they lost by 32 points to LSU. The debate will rage until next September whether Georgia got really good again or just benefited from a bunny schedule. The view here is that it did both. (The two aren’t mutually exclusive.) But it’s true that the Bulldogs lost to the three best teams they played, and it wouldn’t hurt to beat Michigan State in the Outback Bowl. 2011 Heat Index: A hot season removed Mark Richt from the ol’ hot seat. 2012 Hotness Outlook: Should be a preseason Top 10 pick and the favorite to win the East.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: They rose from 6-7 to 8-4, but losing four of the final six games took the edge off the turnaround. That said, Tech did beat a team that is gracing a BCS bowl, and it is scheduled to return just about everyone of consequence. But the schedule will be tougher next season: Virginia Tech, Clemson and Georgia must all be faced on the road. 2011 Heat Index: The one-season slide was arrested, which was the main objective. 2012 Hotness Outlook: A better team facing a worse schedule should produce a similar record, give or take a game.
Georgia State Panthers: The brightness of a 6-5 inaugural season faded to the reality of a 3-8 followup. And next year GSU opens conference play in the Colonial Athletic Association, which could deliver another slice of reality. 2011 Heat Index: What have you done for us lately, Bill Curry? 2012 Hotness Outlook: More chills could be forthcoming.
Georgia basketball: The Bulldogs qualified for the NCAA tournament as an at-large team for the first time since 2002 but lost to Washington once there. The whole season had a similar mixed feel — Georgia was good enough again to take seriously but managed to lose most every serious game. And then Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie left early for the NBA. The 2011-2012 Bulldogs are 6-5, having won two in a row after losing four straight, and one of those four losses came against Georgia Tech at Stegeman Coliseum. 2011 Heat Index: Making the Big Dance was nice, but the season could have been nicer. 2012 Hotness Outlook: A chilly winter awaits.
Georgia Tech basketball: The Jackets had another losing season, prompting the buyout of Paul Hewitt and the advent of Brian Gregory. With limited talent, the new man has done OK. As noted above, Gregory beat Georgia in Athens, something Hewitt never managed. Tech should be 9-4 headed into the New Year, which figures to start with a thud — first Alabama, then Duke. 2011 Heat Index: An upgrade at coach constitutes a warming trend. 2012 Hotness Outlook: ACC play will prove no day at the beach.
Georgia State basketball: Fired Rod Barnes and hired Ron Hunter, who has led the Panthers to a school-record-equaling eight consecutive victories against nobody you’ve heard of. Which, in the grand rebuilding scheme, beats losing eight in a row to Name Brands. 2011 Heat Index: It’s getting a bit warm in the walk-up gym, if you get my drift. 2012 Heat Index: If Hunter can get close to .500 in CAA play, he should be the league’s coach of the year.
Kennesaw State basketball: Fired Tony Ingle and hired Lewis Preston, who comes with nice credentials. But this is a tough job, and Preston’s first season began with a 44-point loss at Wisconsin and has continued apace. The Owls are 2-8, having lost six in a row. But they are ranked 63 spots ahead of Georgia State in ESPN Insider’s RPI, for what that’s worth. 2011 Heat Index: Think Antarctica. 2012 Hotness Outlook: Think Saskatchewan. Which is warmer than Antarctica, is it not?
By Mark Bradley
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495 comments Add your comment
Burdell
December 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
“That’s how it works Sun”
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
Many UF and GT fans are turning to the DAWGS for the team to jump on board with! Soon to follow will be the UT crowd. Its a shame that everyone has DAWG ENVY!
Just read the AJC blogs and see for yourself.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
Burdell
December 21st, 2011
12:55 pm
Hey 1eyedJack—
The last recruit to commit to Tech was actually a steal from Bama…just sayin’…
Time for some new material, buddy.
O wow you got a decent recruit for once. It happens.
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
Outback meaningless??? So the first tier bowls out side of BCS are meaningless now???
All of the non BCS bowl games are meaningless. How exactly is the Outback bowl a first tier bowl outside of the BCS? That is an awfully generous description of it. lol.
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
True Dawg Fan -
“shut them down harder in the first half than Bama did”
I think while Richt was studying his “Cutting Edge Football” book he skipped Chapter One that would have explained to him that a college football game consists of sixty minutes. However, I guess UGA probably counts that as a “moral victory” now. I keep looking in the SEC stats each week and all I see is a won/lost summary. They have not included a “moral victory” column in their stats yet.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
12:58 pm
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
12:56 pm
Many UF and GT fans are turning to the DAWGS for the team to jump on board with! Soon to follow will be the UT crowd. Its a shame that everyone has DAWG ENVY!
Just read the AJC blogs and see for yourself.
when they stop crying we know we are in real trouble. But their crying is louder than ever must mean we are on the right path!
1eyedJack
December 21st, 2011
1:00 pm
“The last recruit to commit to Tech was actually a steal from Bama…just sayin’…
Time for some new material, buddy.”
Great!! What about the 12 or so before that? Y’all planning to play with 1 guy?
Army Vet
December 21st, 2011
1:00 pm
Spike
December 21st, 2011
11:21 am
Almost first. Darn it.
—————————————————————————-
Grow up!
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:02 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
Outback meaningless??? So the first tier bowls out side of BCS are meaningless now???
All of the non BCS bowl games are meaningless. How exactly is the Outback bowl a first tier bowl outside of the BCS? That is an awfully generous description of it. lol.
Only to loser programs like Tech are they all meaningless. Maybe when you finally win one again youll understand.
And its a top tier bowl bc they pick in the top for SEC schools. Capital one first then outback and cotton. So picked at the same time as Arky “who the polsters love” so yes top tier non BCS bowl.
Do research retard.
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:02 pm
It must be painful to be a GT yellow jacket. No respect!
Spike
December 21st, 2011
1:03 pm
Army Vet.. Merry Christmas. And get some decaff.
1eyedJack
December 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
And I wouldn’t call him a steal. Bama told him he was no longer good enough to compete at the position he was recruited for. Fishfry was willing to let him try QB. The kid wants to play QB.
Paul in NH
December 21st, 2011
1:04 pm
Based on many of the postings it looks like the middle schoolers in GA are out for the holidays.
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:05 pm
At what point will UF learn that you need A running back in this league?
Does the triple chin option really work?
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
1:05 pm
Scraping Teeth -
Don’t know about GT, but I am sure Barcardi “Speed Bump” Rumboy knows about pain after watching the LSU runningbacks coming at him.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:06 pm
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
12:57 pm
True Dawg Fan -
“shut them down harder in the first half than Bama did”
I think while Richt was studying his “Cutting Edge Football” book he skipped Chapter One that would have explained to him that a college football game consists of sixty minutes. However, I guess UGA probably counts that as a “moral victory” now. I keep looking in the SEC stats each week and all I see is a won/lost summary. They have not included a “moral victory” column in their stats yet.
So bitter arent you. Cant stand that Florida is in the sewer while UGA is on the rise. Its ok little man, who knows if Muschump stops lying to recruits you may actually get some good ones and turn it around hahahahahahahhaa (almost couldnt even type that out sarcastically).
Its ok we know that LSU dominated you guys all game long just like the dominated Bamas putrid offense.
Only team that wasnt dominated all game long was us. So call it what you want, but to us it just shows that we can compete with anyone. And these freshman are only going to get better and stronger adn faster hahahahaha. Almost scary to think that our Defense will dominate Florida even worse next year.
Chris Matthews
December 21st, 2011
1:07 pm
Time for Paul Johnson to go! His teams will never win big time!
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:08 pm
Two more bail in UT! Lots of ships sinking in the EAST including GT!
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:09 pm
Paul in NH we really do not care about your opinion down here bud!
Old Gold
December 21st, 2011
1:10 pm
Gators…What a joke of a team and coaching staff!!!!!!! Fire Johnson too!!
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
Calvin Johnson>Anything thats ever come out of Georgia
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
UF reminds me of the Cleveland Browns
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
1:13 pm
True Dawg Fan -
“just shows that we can compete with anyone”
Uh, I don’t think that Mark “I can win games – just not the big games” Richt and his sidekick Booboo have gotten that inside information yet. But hey, if keep trying maybe one day they might beat a top ten program once again. It’s like shooting dice – eventually you will roll a seven.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:12 pm
Calvin Johnson>Anything thats ever come out of Georgia
ahahahahhahaha you are joking right?? There have been better players and are better players, and will be better players. Good try though
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
CWM=CRZ but CWM will not beat UGA!
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
Name one.
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
UF has clearly crapped out on this one.
Spike
December 21st, 2011
1:16 pm
Sean.. Put the crack pipe down. I wouldn’t go there if I were you.
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:17 pm
Good one Spike?
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:18 pm
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
1:13 pm
True Dawg Fan -
“just shows that we can compete with anyone”
Uh, I don’t think that Mark “I can win games – just not the big games” Richt and his sidekick Booboo have gotten that inside information yet. But hey, if keep trying maybe one day they might beat a top ten program once again. It’s like shooting dice – eventually you will roll a seven.
ahahahahaha, your lame jokes never get old to you do they??
Actually we all know we can compete with anyone. We have beaten LSU, Bama, Florida, SC, Ark, Tenn, and AU all when they were at the top and can do it again. Thats how it works in the SEC. Anyone can beat anyone out of the elite group. Seeing as how the Elite group has shrunk in recent years now only including LSU, Bama, UGA, SC, and Ark.
Wonder where the Gaytors went??? O well enjoy dwelling in the basement with the Miss teams and Kentucky.
English
December 21st, 2011
1:19 pm
Let’s be honest. The state of Georgia basketball is up in the air with our new coaches. Coach Fox has done good so far but still very new to the state. He’s a great coach from Nevada that most of UGA nation hadn’t heard of until they signed him. Coach Gregory is another great hire for GT coming from Dayton. He’ll do well as he prioritizes on academics while succeeding on the court. Coach Hunter is the perfect hire for GSU. His excitement off the court as well as on it will propel GSU to success. The challenge between these 3 will be who gets their footing first in the rich recruiting soil of Atlanta/Georgia. I like Hunters chances at getting us over the hump and back into post season play.
Since 2002 (Last 10 Seasons) Final Four Conferences have been represented by
ACC 7 Teams
SEC 4 Teams
CAA 2 Teams
Mutual respect has to be given to the conferences that Georgia’s basketball programs play in. So, let’s see who wins the recruiting battle of Atlanta. Game on!
Go State!
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:20 pm
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:14 pm
Name one.
How about most of the five stars in GA this year and most 5 stars next year out of GA. Calvin isnt some godly figure that cant be replaced, well Tech sure as he ll cant replace him bc that means they would have to branch out from Wofford recruits.
Calvin was great but there are plenty better period. Now go do your HW like a good little nerd!
Reality
December 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
“shut them down harder in the first half than Bama did”
That’s simply hilarious!!! You got killed by 32 points!!!!
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:22 pm
Reality
December 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
“shut them down harder in the first half than Bama did”
That’s simply hilarious!!! You got killed by 32 points!!!!
Your simply stupid so…..
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:22 pm
You still havent answered my question. Do you know how to do that? And are you trying to say UGA has some 5 star that is going to better than Calvin?
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
Reality
December 21st, 2011
1:21 pm
“shut them down harder in the first half than Bama did”
That’s simply hilarious!!! You got killed by 32 points!!!!
0 first downs and under what like 15 yards of offense so yes that is what they call being shut down.
Wonder how those points for them came about, was it turnovers and short fields? hmmm…….
Go do some research you clown.
English
December 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
Well while the UGA/GT posters will continue to bicker GSU will sneak past you and once again will attain more wins in the state going forward. Good luck.
Spike
December 21st, 2011
1:24 pm
Calvin didn’t do squat against the Dogs. Ever heard of AJ Green?
Reality
December 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
True Dawg Fan .. Don’t even pretend that UGA is in the same league with BAMA….man, you crack me up!!! I would say that you aren’t too bright, but that goes without saying…
Reality
December 21st, 2011
1:25 pm
Spike….how’s AJ doing in the NFL????
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
UF and UT should combine teams next season and maybe together they could compete.
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
True Dawg Fan -
“we can compete with anyone”
Actually, there are times when UGA has shown flashes of doing just that. Too bad they cannot sustain it for the full sixty minutes of a game. Big difference between “compete with anyone” and being able to beat them. Don’t worry though. Rumor has it that the UGA AD is going to make Richt re-read his “Cutting Edge Football” book since he did not understand all of it on his first try.
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:26 pm
Oh yeah that guy who idolizes the best reciever in the league? Yea ive heard of em.
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:27 pm
Bama: lies, cheats, and steals. UGA does not!
Eaassyy
December 21st, 2011
1:27 pm
Is Florida even in the league anymore?
Spike
December 21st, 2011
1:27 pm
Reality.. Ask Julio Jones.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
Sean
December 21st, 2011
1:22 pm
You still havent answered my question. Do you know how to do that? And are you trying to say UGA has some 5 star that is going to better than Calvin?
Alright little boy, how would you like it to be answered, you want better WRs than him or just better players bc there are a bunch of both.
WR: Blake Tibbs, Malcolm Mitchell, Jaquay Williams, ect.. All BAs
Other positions: Reuben Foster, Robert Nd., Dillion Lee, ect…
There are plenty of better players. Calvin was great but not the best by any means. GA puts out some serious talent for football.
Scraping Teeth
December 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
News flash: UF has joined Div. AAAA along with UT!
Spike
December 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
Sean Calvin Johson the best reciever in the league? You truly are a sad Techie.
DawgHunt
December 21st, 2011
1:29 pm
English: Football is king in the South, nobody cares about State, not even in Atlanta. So pipe down, the big boys are trying to talk here.