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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
495 comments Add your comment
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:35 pm
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:33 pm
all you had to say was you had no idea what to do with my money…simple enough…you didn’t get enough hugs or assbeating as a child…
ahahahahahhahaha more ASSumptions. Hows the unemployed engineer line going these days?
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:35 pm
the outback bowl…where the sec sends their teams no other bowl wants…solid replacement for the independance bowl…
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:36 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:33 pm
The recent history of the prestigious Outback bowl:
2010: Florida (7-5) vs Penn State (7-5)
2009: Auburn (7-5) vs Northwestern (8-4)
2008: South Carolina(7-5) vs Iowa (9-3)
Wow, what an amazing game. UGA at 10-3 is equal to 7-5 SEC teams from the past 3 years. lol.
Wow how do you still not get it hahahaha, once again proves me wrong by coming back with something even dumber than last time
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:37 pm
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:35 pm
the outback bowl…where the sec sends their teams no other bowl wants…solid replacement for the independance bowl…
hahahahahaha yea bc no other bowl wants to have 10 win teams when they could get crappy teams like tech to come out and play and bring in revenue.
How hard is it for you retards to grasp these concepts!
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:38 pm
not an engineer or tech grad/fan…just hate the uga fanbase…
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:39 pm
10 wins over nobody won’t attract flies…
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:39 pm
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:38 pm
not an engineer or tech grad/fan…just hate the uga fanbase…
so you were just playing along before hahahaha so whats your team then?
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:40 pm
Wow how do you still not get it hahahaha, once again proves me wrong by coming back with something even dumber than last time
This is getting comical. Please tell us why the Outback Bowl usually gets 7-5 teams yet it is an elite bowl. Everybody would love to hear it.
True Dawg Fan = Idiot
December 21st, 2011
4:40 pm
You have been on this blog all afternoon spouting mindless dribble. Now run along and stop embarrassing the true Dawg fans.
crdawg69
December 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
GTBob. ESPN has the Outback Bowl as the 3rd best bowl game of the year and Sports Illustrated has it at number 5. Every major publication ranks it in the top 10. Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one. If you were a fan of football and not a perpetual agitator, you’d get this.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
evil empire
December 21st, 2011
4:39 pm
10 wins over nobody won’t attract flies…
hahahaha more retardedness
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:45 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:40 pm
Wow how do you still not get it hahahaha, once again proves me wrong by coming back with something even dumber than last time
This is getting comical. Please tell us why the Outback Bowl usually gets 7-5 teams yet it is an elite bowl. Everybody would love to hear it.
We have been over this 5 times now retard last chance for you to get it.
The teams vary every year for the bowl. The past 3 year were down years and not many teams to fill the slots. This year there are 5 10 win teams in the SEC so the top 4 bowls that are allowed to pick SEC get all 5 with LSU and Bama playing against each other.
So the three top SEC teams left go to Capital one, outback and cotton. All recognized as top tier bowls. Sucks to be retard.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:46 pm
True Dawg Fan = Idiot
December 21st, 2011
4:40 pm
You have been on this blog all afternoon spouting mindless dribble. Now run along and stop embarrassing the true Dawg fans.
ahahahahahaha another nerd. Watch out grammer and spelling police are gunna come in and “Dribble” you away.
I know its all over your head and you must not know football its ok youll get there one day
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:52 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:52 pm
I’m an imbecile and love it!
Still at it I see. so sad
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
The teams vary every year for the bowl. The past 3 year were down years and not many teams to fill the slots.
lol. Ah the SEC has been down the past 3 years. How about the 7 years before that? The SEC has not had a 10 win team in this game in the last 10 years. It’s a middle of the road bowl game for the conference. Your desperation in trying to convince people that it’s an elite bowl game is getting pathetic. Just accept that UGA did not make a good bowl game.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:52 pm
I’m an imbecile and love it!
It ok though I would prob hide too if I had just gotten embarrassed like you. But thats what happens when you try and talk about something that you dont know anything about. Sorry nerds leave the football to us
1eyedJack
December 21st, 2011
4:55 pm
Just checked back into the blog.
True Dawg Fan, you have done a man’s work this day. You have valiantly smote the trolls and Orcs and you have slain the Jabberwocky.
You sir, are a true warrior!
Now, when arguing with idiots it is important to note that they will avail to bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:55 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
The teams vary every year for the bowl. The past 3 year were down years and not many teams to fill the slots.
lol. Ah the SEC has been down the past 3 years. How about the 7 years before that? The SEC has not had a 10 win team in this game in the last 10 years. It’s a middle of the road bowl game for the conference. Your desperation in trying to convince people that it’s an elite bowl game is getting pathetic. Just accept that UGA did not make a good bowl game.
crdawg69
December 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
GTBob. ESPN has the Outback Bowl as the 3rd best bowl game of the year and Sports Illustrated has it at number 5. Every major publication ranks it in the top 10. Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one. If you were a fan of football and not a perpetual agitator, you’d get this.
Enough said retard
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
1eyedJack
December 21st, 2011
4:55 pm
Just checked back into the blog.
True Dawg Fan, you have done a man’s work this day. You have valiantly smote the trolls and Orcs and you have slain the Jabberwocky.
You sir, are a true warrior!
Now, when arguing with idiots it is important to note that they will avail to bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
hahahaha they can try but all have failed so far
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one.
Then why did they get the #4 seed coming out of the Big 10? Because the good bowls didn’t want them. Now they have only sold about half of their ticket allotment for the game because their fans don’t even care.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:57 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:54 pm
The teams vary every year for the bowl. The past 3 year were down years and not many teams to fill the slots.
lol. Ah the SEC has been down the past 3 years. How about the 7 years before that? The SEC has not had a 10 win team in this game in the last 10 years. It’s a middle of the road bowl game for the conference. Your desperation in trying to convince people that it’s an elite bowl game is getting pathetic. Just accept that UGA did not make a good bowl game.
So if its not a good bowl game then why is it so highly rated??? Ill wait, you obviously know more than SI and ESPN combined on bowl rankings so go ahead why are they wrong and you right?
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:58 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one.
Then why did they get the #4 seed coming out of the Big 10? Because the good bowls didn’t want them. Now they have only sold about half of their ticket allotment for the game because their fans don’t even care.
See I told you he is too dumb to get your post. Complete moron.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:58 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:57 pm
I can’t dribble and drool at the same time. Dang I’m stupid!
What a coward
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:59 pm
crdawg69
December 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
GTBob. ESPN has the Outback Bowl as the 3rd best bowl game of the year and Sports Illustrated has it at number 5. Every major publication ranks it in the top 10. Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one. If you were a fan of football and not a perpetual agitator, you’d get this.
Enough said GT Joke you lose. better luck next time hahaha. Well 5:00 off till after Xmas dont go missing me now. Ill try and drop in and let you know your a retard from time to time!
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:00 pm
crdawg69
December 21st, 2011
4:41 pm
GTBob. ESPN has the Outback Bowl as the 3rd best bowl game of the year and Sports Illustrated has it at number 5. Every major publication ranks it in the top 10. Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one. If you were a fan of football and not a perpetual agitator, you’d get this.
Enough said GT Joke you lose. better luck next time hahaha. Well 5:00 off till after X mas dont go missing me now. Ill try and drop in and let you know your a retard from time to time!
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:01 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:00 pm
My mom wears the pants in my family and my dad wears the skirts!
Im guessing this is that lvl of stupidity I was warned about hahaha
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:01 pm
Just in case this idiot keeps it up. Im out till after xmas so all posts under my handel will be this coward posing as me
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
5:01 pm
So if its not a good bowl game then why is it so highly rated???
The bowl games get rated by the matchups. The outback bowl is a pretty good matchup. A middle of the road Big 10 team vs a middle of the road SEC team. Should be a good game. Not one that anybody cares about but is should be competitive.
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:02 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
Michigan State beat the Big 10 champ and is a very good team but the Dawgs should pull it out in a close one.
Then why did they get the #4 seed coming out of the Big 10? Because the good bowls didn’t want them. Now they have only sold about half of their ticket allotment for the game because their fans don’t even care.
number 3 or number 5 rated non bcs bowl anything else???
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
5:01 pm
So if its not a good bowl game then why is it so highly rated???
The bowl games get rated by the matchups. The outback bowl is a pretty good matchup. A middle of the road Big 10 team vs a middle of the road SEC team. Should be a good game. Not one that anybody cares about but is should be competitive.
ahahahahhaha what a clown. Even your own fans think your a retard!
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
Ill try and drop in and let you know your a retard from time to time!
What is your obsession with the word retard? You have said it about 400 times now. Is it in response to CPJ’s joke?
Stephen A. Smith Dawg
December 21st, 2011
5:03 pm
@SSI Gator: You have a lot to say about UGa’s problems and I must say it’s hard at times to disagree with your comments. But aren’t your worrying about the wrong team? How ’bout them Gators, dude?! Muschamp is clearly in over his head with no OC to coach UF’s toothless offense. Weis got the hell out of dodge and it appears no worthwhile OC wants to work for Muschamp, who showed everyone through numerous foul-mouthed sideline tirades he was not ready for the pressure of being head coach at Florida. His defense performed admirably, but UF’s impotent offense will ultimately cost him his job in less than two more seasons if he doesn’t get it fixed asap. The Swamp was dead in UF’s final game vs. FSU, as was both offenses in a very, very, very boring game, and there were a lot of empty of empty seats in the stands. Will Muschamp should be very afraid because Ron Zook went 8-5 during his first year at UF, then 8-5 the second year, before his termination midway into his third season in 2004. So SSI Gator, you need to be blogging your butt off at the Times-Union with your fellow Gators son ! And try to help them figure out who the new OC is gonna be for next season. Then after that you guys need to try to figure out who the next head coach for the Gators is going to be for 2014, because Foley is going to run CWM out Gainesville as sure as the world!! LOL ! The hotseat is on for poor ol’ Muschamp in 2012, and he will be a lame duck before the end of 2013 if Foley sticks to his script. We at UGA don’t need your inputs anymore, SSI Gator, but you fellow Gators do !! GO DAWGS !!
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
5:04 pm
ahahahahhaha what a clown. Even your own fans think your a retard!
Yeah, yeah. You enjoy the elite 7-5 steak bowl against a team that was passed up by two other bowls.
GTBob
December 21st, 2011
5:11 pm
Just so everyone knows, there are plenty of Outback bowl tickets available on stub hub for less then face value. You should hurry though. With this being one of the biggest sporting events of the year, they will sell out quickly. lol.
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
5:31 pm
Stephen A. Smith Dawg -
Actually, I am not worried about either team. It is college football – not the global financial crisis. The AD’s at both schools will make the decisions they feel are necessary to correct whatever problems there are, but for pure entertainment value, you just can’t beat a UGA football story that is open for comments and then reading what some of the UGA fans have to say. UGA football – home of the occasional ten win season, but no titles. A proud tradition since 1980.
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
5:35 pm
Stephen A. Smith Dawg -
Any relation to that fool Screamin’ A. Smith on ESPN?
harold
December 21st, 2011
5:40 pm
THE 10 GAME WINNING STREAK AGAINST UNRANKED TEAMS. COME ON.
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
5:54 pm
Well, I guess True Dawg Fan has finished his shift at Tire Kingdom. Darn. He left before letting me know if my Pirrelli’s had come in yet. He certainly is very confusing fellow to follow when he posts. He keeps talking about his Handel. I am not sure why. I guess he is trying to impress everyone with his vast knowledge of great classical music composers.
JOS
December 21st, 2011
5:58 pm
To say UGA was improved or even “hot” is like saying Obama has fixed the economy. Yes, they won 10 games,but only beat three teams with a wining record (Coastal Carolina, Ga Tech and Auburn). And while UGA fans boast about finally beating Fla, it was a 6-6 team. Their “success” was built on creampuffs, teams having down years and media hype and just like Obama’s Nobel prize, the praise is not deserved.
JOS
December 21st, 2011
6:00 pm
Enter your comments here
CTG Punches Himself in the Face
December 21st, 2011
6:09 pm
Is it like pro wrestling where CMR will pay CTG for how much blood he shows on TV?
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
6:09 pm
“Georgia got really good again”
Funny, I just caught this in Mark’s article. Really good again? Really? Since when? 1980? That Mark Bradley. He really is quite the witty guy when he wants to be.
TheTruthHurts
December 21st, 2011
6:27 pm
The schedule may not be any tougher in 2012 if they take Bama off the schedule. If Richt can beat Spurrier in Columbia, then Richt may back into the SEC East again. Can’t tell about FL yet. Won’t make any difference though. That will be the end of the line as Saban or Miles will taket Richt to the woodshed in the SECCG. Another non-BCS bowl and a finish out of the top ten (again). Then the same old BS will start about wait till next year…blah, blah, blah. Same old story.
And the moron of the day award goes to....
December 21st, 2011
6:42 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:28 pm
” 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…
—-
A Pro Bowl WR in the NFL is not as good as a HS SR who only received an offer from UGA because their main WR target (CJ Curry) switched to Oklahoma State??
True Dawg Fan adds new levels to the meaning of DA.
Yet another dumb post from....
December 21st, 2011
6:47 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
1:50 pm
Hines Ward, Champ Bailey, Matthew Stafford (Who is the only reason Calvin has great seasons No QB no receptions, check stats before he was there to now retard), Terrell Davis, Thomas Davis, Boss Bailey, Stinchcomb, Richard Seymour, David Pullack (if not for breaking his neck), Ellerbee in a few years will take over for Rey Lewis, shall I continue???
—
And the DA doesn’t even mention the greatest player in the history of the State of Georgia. I’ll give him a hint – 34
Yet another dumb post from....
December 21st, 2011
6:50 pm
True Dawg Fan
December 21st, 2011
4:56 pm
1eyedJack
December 21st, 2011
4:55 pm
Just checked back into the blog.
True Dawg Fan, you have done a man’s work this day. You have valiantly smote the trolls and Orcs and you have slain the Jabberwocky.
You sir, are a true warrior!
Now, when arguing with idiots it is important to note that they will avail to bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.
hahahaha they can try but all have failed so far
—–
I agree – True Dawg Fan has definitely demonstrated today that he has much more experience as an idiot than anyone else on the blog
SSIgator
December 21st, 2011
6:55 pm
Yet another dumb post from….
Now, now. Don’t be too hard on True Dawg Fan. According to him, it is hard to answer customers questions, answer the telephone and play on the computer while working his shift at Tire Kingdom.
LHarding Dawg
December 21st, 2011
7:22 pm
Same haters every day and night. Mark, you should really do something.
DIT
December 21st, 2011
7:54 pm
Just on here for a moment and had to SSIgator how big of an idiot your fellow UF fans think you are. I’m having a Christmas get together tonight and, being that I live in Florida, I have several UF Alumnus over and I had to show them the crap you spew every day.
They were embarrassed as all. They all said that you are no way a UF ALum. Probably never stepped one foot in a class room.Gotta agree with them on that one. You should shut up because your making your own fan base embarrassed.
Thanks for the comic relieve! Gotta go
DIT
December 21st, 2011
8:00 pm
SSIgator, you’re an embarrassment to your own fan base. I’m throwing a Christmas party at the house and being that I live in Florida I have several friends that are UF Grads. They think you are the biggest idiot! First thing out of their mouth’s were, “No way this tool is a UF Grad, probably never stepped foot in a college classroom.”
Just thought I would pass this little piece of info on so you can get a clue. Embarrassing your own people. Keep it up! We are laughing, AT YOU.
Back to the party. Merry Christmas everyone