Pigskin pickin’: Tech wins its division; UGA takes the SEC title
The Honey Badger had his way last season. But that was then. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
Georgia will go 11-1 and win the SEC East. Then it will beat LSU for the SEC championship. And then … well, what destination traditionally awaits the SEC champion? (Hint: It ain’t beautiful downtown Shreveport.)
With that, we commence our annual long-range look at college football, which is guaranteed to please absolutely no one. If I pick your team to do less well than you think it should, you’ll be miffed; if I pick your team to do better, you’ll gripe about the Bradley Jinx. Which didn’t, I should note, seem to trouble Georgia overmuch last season: The Bulldogs, as predicted, did take the East. And this year, for better or worse, I foresee better.
Georgia Tech will upset Virginia Tech on Labor Day night and will win the ACC Coastal Division. I can’t really believe I’m making this call. (Perhaps you share the feeling.) But before you succumb to an outbreak of whooping scoff, check the Jackets’ schedule. They’ll play only one road game — that at Clemson — between Sept. 4 and Nov. 2, and their final three ACC games are against Maryland (2-10 last season), North Carolina (new coach plus a bowl ban) and Duke (still Duke).
One game doesn’t usually a season make — you’ll recall Georgia losing to Boise State — but history does note that the Tech-Tech winner has become Coastal champ every year there has been a Coastal. History also notes that Virginia Tech doesn’t always start quickly. History also notes that Paul Johnson is pretty good as an underdog. I’m thinking he coaches the heck out of that game and his team goes 9-3 (losses to Miami, Clemson and Georgia) and wins the division on a tiebreaker. I’m also thinking nobody else will agree — except maybe Paul Johnson.
Georgia Tech's Tevin Washington against the Hokies last year. That didn't end so well, either. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
LSU will lose a regular-season game but win the SEC West. Maybe the loss will come at Auburn, or at Florida, or even at Texas A&M. Just for the heck of it, let’s go with the new-to-the SEC Aggies. I do not, however, believe LSU will lose against Alabama on Nov. 3 or Arkansas on Nov. 24. The men of Miles will rise up for those Titanic tilts. (I also don’t think Bama will be quite as good as advertised, and I can’t see John L. Smith lifting Arkansas to great heights.)
Once again, South Carolina will beat Georgia but lose the SEC East. Because the Gamecocks will lose at LSU on Oct. 13 and at Florida the next week. (The Gators will start to get well this season. They’ll go 9-3.) Another 10-win season will leave South Carolina frozen out of the SEC title game — mostly because of the imbalance in SEC scheduling. Steve Spurrier is right: Somebody does need to do something about that.
Speaking of significant openers … Tennessee cannot lose to North Carolina State on Aug. 31. Derek Dooley’s Vols could be positioned for a rebound — provided they beat the Wolfpack in Game 1 of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff. And State, which was 8-5 last season even after letting Russell Wilson leave for Wisconsin, won’t be easy. But this is a must game for the Vols, and I’m thinking they’ll take it. Besides, the SEC always beats the ACC, right?
Hold that thought. I like Clemson over Auburn the next night in the same building. Cam Newton: Gone awhile. Gus Malzahn: Gone to Arkansas State. Auburn’s 2010 national championship will soon be rendered one of those how-did-that-happen comets if Gene Chizik doesn’t think of something fast, and I’m not sure G-Chiz is about to make us say, “Gee whiz!” The schedule’s not that bad; I just don’t see Auburn being that good. Eight wins, tops.
Florida State will win the ACC because somebody has to. League loyalists point to the good coaches entering the conference — Mike London of Virginia, Al Golden of Miami, Larry Fedora of North Carolina — as reason to believe. Honesty compels me to confess that I’ve rarely seen the ACC appear less imposing. (So why am I picking Clemson over Auburn? Because I’m stupid, that’s why.)
Southern Cal will go undefeated behind their boy genius coach and will play Georgia for the BCS title in Miami. I’m not going to make a pick on this one yet — I’ve done enough damage for one day, don’t you think? — except to say this: Lane Kiffin absolutely owns Mark Richt. (OK, so they’ve only met once.)
Kidding aside, I really do think Georgia has the makings of a championship team. Great defense. Good quarterback. Lots of running backs. I have the same concerns as you about the offensive line, but no team is without blemish. And the schedule — no Alabama, no Arkansas, no LSU, not even a Boise State — looks mightily inviting. Not to heap pressure on anyone, but you have to wonder: If Richt doesn’t play for the BCS title with this team, will he ever?
Lane Kiffin at work against Georgia: Oct. 10, 2009. His team won by 26. (AP photo)
By Mark Bradley
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624 comments Add your comment
Arby
June 2nd, 2012
9:52 am
SC lost the east to us? They lost to Auburn !!? We beat Auburn, thats the difference. Spurrier needs to remember all Sec games count. Georgia simply turned the ball game over to SC. Nobody knows how good SC’s defense will be this year. Are all of the coaches there? Did another coach leave? Is that his strategy change coaches every one-two years ?
Arby
June 2nd, 2012
9:55 am
I agree about Murray, but somebody needs to tell him if it ain’t there, scramble (both hands around ball).
Easy Breezey
June 2nd, 2012
10:01 am
Tech thing CAN/Should happn……UGAG thing MIGHT happen…LSU and Bama might have something to say bout it………..Go Jackets!
SC's GREAT D Coach left
June 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
Was his name Ellis Johnson? The former D Head Caoch at SC bolted and his departure will take a toll on SC’s D. UGA plays them in October, so maybe they will be jelling by then. He was a fine coach and they will not be the same without him OR Athlon Jeffery and also, The R back M. Lattimore will be slowed by his badly, badly damaged knee. He will htinking NFL, so why hurt it for playing for FREE?
Go Dogs.
atlxman
June 2nd, 2012
10:59 am
south carolina with conner shaw as a qb will not beat uga.. his only hope of staying that game for all 4qts is to keep handing off to lattermore….and i dont see the gamecocks defense being as good this year as it was last year…
laughable
June 2nd, 2012
11:10 am
What a genuine moronic homer you are. The Dawgs choke it up again even with the high school schedule they fashioned and Tech will beat its patsies but be blown out when they play any ot the “tougher” teams in the that pansy basketb…..er…footb…..er…baseb…er….women’s soccer conference. It’s proof positive that you and the rest of the good folks here in LaLa Land think you all know football, but deep down y’all only grow more envious of the real football players, coaches, and teams that reside in the west division and in Gainesville, FL. Keep up the fantasizing, it does make me laugh and pity you all at the same time. Sincerely, the most avid Bulldog hater to reside in this state.
WHOA
June 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
here’s what will happen (out of spite)….UGA will be undefeated and over confident heading into the GT game and they will get upset. I’m not a GT fan, but I can smell this a mile away…only b/c UGA is so used to beating GT and will overlook an improving (yet still inferior) GT team. A championship season ruined…..
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
All the UGA haters seem to suffer from jealously and envy. Makes y’all look very small and insignificant. The stars are aligned for a UGA run and all you’re belly-aching and boo-hooing won’t change things. The powers that be, have put Ga. in this position, and all they have to do is play hard, do their best and stay out of trouble. For the losers that hate the Doggies, too bad, suck-it up and take it like a man, not a bit*h…
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
KingDaddy the STARS Aligned?
Don’t you mean the SEC Non-stars aligned on your schedule? LOL
wild one 13
June 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
The best indication of future performance is past performance. With that said, all Dawg fans should put down the kool aid and accept the fact that this is not going to happen.
You have a good team and a good coach but, the Dawgs will never elevate to the next level under Richt and Co.
zeke
June 2nd, 2012
12:11 pm
USC, South Carolina that is, WILL KICK GEORGIA’S REAR END!!
captguitarman
June 2nd, 2012
12:22 pm
I think you just said that Georgia will win the SEC East because it has an easier SEC schedule than South Carolina. And then having won because they did not play the best teams in the SEC, plus they play several other Little Sisters of the Poor teams, they will then go on to play for the SEC championship and beat the western champ, LSU. And then the implication is that since they are SEC champ, the inevitable will occur and they will play for the national championship, and win? Some how that does not all add up, but you were candid enough to concede that possibility, and as noted, you were accurate about the SEC east last year. It is possible to play a couple of strong teams and then get to a championship bowl game (that was how it was in the Big Ten for many years. But, these days, it is not as likely, and as every one knows, any game against an SEC opponent in its home stadium can be a trial by fire. Let’s just hope that if your predictions come to pass, that the Puppies don’t some how get into the national championship game . . . and lose to a non-SEC opponent. Can you say, “stigma?”
wild one 13
June 2nd, 2012
12:40 pm
@ Capt
I think the Dawgs already have that stigma. Seems like they love to loose to non SEC teams the last two years. It really does make the conference look bad. I am still trying to figure out why Ohio St. gave away two ” sure fire ” wins against an SEC team.
Techster
June 2nd, 2012
1:15 pm
Mark: GT wins its division. With this prediction I would say you are brilliant and an excellent journalist!
The dogs win the SEC? When you mad this prediction if must have been after you had been drinking lots of tequila.
GA Rules SEC
June 2nd, 2012
1:35 pm
This is the year that Ga wins the SEC–bet the house. The dog roster is loaded with top talent and Grantham’s D will be the best in the conference. The only 2 teams that can challenge the dogs this year are lsu and alabama.
Truthiness
June 2nd, 2012
3:09 pm
Mark, please get back on your medication. UGA hasn’t beaten a quality team in two years. Suspect QB, inexperienced O-line, new kicking game, defense that fades against ranked teams—looks like an SES champ to me.
Bama Boy
June 2nd, 2012
3:48 pm
Hahaha kingpuppy and his wishfull thinkin,whats be been smokin or drinkin now?Same thing as tbose dbs I guess lmao rtr to another national title!
Good grief
June 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
In other news……..RTR!
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
5:29 pm
Bama, I guess you get no respect. You wona N.C., but still get no respect. Maybe you should try to win you division. You will probably lose your first game anyway. Most football fans agree that bama will lose at least 3 games this year, but I think you will probably win your games with Western Kentucky. You’ll probably win against the powerhouse Fla. Atlantic too, but you might have your hands full with Western Carolina and Ol Miss.(2-10 last year) is looking to give you a beatdown. I’m sure LSU has something special for you.LMAO…
Hal
June 2nd, 2012
6:01 pm
Ha!
That’s funny!
Hal
June 2nd, 2012
6:03 pm
Georgia always has the best team in the SEC — during the off-season.
Rooty Tooty
June 2nd, 2012
6:12 pm
With UGA’s schedule, they need to be playing Ft Valley St in the toilet bowl…
Rick James
June 2nd, 2012
6:23 pm
@GT Fan
LOL at UGA going 11-1. No WR’s, No DB’s, no chance at 11-1, much less beating the SEC West champion.
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Funny how you didnt lol about the prediction of Georgia beating Tech again.
Rick James
June 2nd, 2012
6:41 pm
@John
I honestly believe UGA loses to Missouri at the beginning of the season. How good was UGA’s defense last season when they played good teams. It was average and not nearly as dominating as people are making them out to be. They can win the east but there is a big disparity between UGA and Bama/LSU.Alot of this is their mental makeup.
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Obviously you dont have a clue..Even Tech’s offense might score 50 on Missouri’s defense which lost 3 starters from it’s line.Georgia is returning 10 starters from a top 5 defense.
Rick James
June 2nd, 2012
6:44 pm
@Buzz2011
June 1st, 2012
5:19 am
GT will br ACC Champs!! Dawgs, well are they in the same conference as Alabama and LSU? Thought so, they will win nothing and indeed lose to Tennessee
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And if what you say is true Tech will still lose to Georgia and lose in the Orange Bowl..
The Truth is in the Coaching
June 2nd, 2012
6:49 pm
Get real, to the homer UGA fan who thinks UGA’s talent is as good as LSU and Alabama, please think again. Add to that the Coaching staffs of both LSU and Alabama are much much greater due to the leadership of their respective Head Coaches.
Richt has proven nothing, while Les and Nick have over and over again.
Rick James
June 2nd, 2012
6:50 pm
@GoTech
Georgia is always picked to win something and they have really disappointed their fans for the past few years. Her’s hoping the trend continues this year!
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I dont recall being disapointed when Georgia has played Tech over the last few years.That’s one trend that I’m sure will continue.Dont you agree?
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
6:57 pm
Rick James
You can’t talk sense to a real idiot or a troll. A real idiot doesn’t understand common sense, they can’t grasp reality. Grantham’s Defense should be even better this year and if our Offense and Special Teams don’t cough it up as much as last year, then the D. should be rested and ready to Rock Their World! As far as a troll goes, well they’re just jealous, haters who can’t see the forest for the trees…
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
7:00 pm
Michigan has a much better chance of beating Alabama than Missouri does of beating UGA…
Bama Boy
June 2nd, 2012
7:41 pm
You must be three sheets in,the wind already!
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
8:34 pm
B.B.
Even three sheets in the wind, I know you’re FOS! I see you ignored your cupcakes. It must bring back bad memories for you. Can you remember LOUISIANA, MONROE??? Don’t want to go there do you? So if Bama’s so great, why do you schedule all the deadwood??? Why do all the Sporting mags see you as second or third in your division???
kingdaddy
June 2nd, 2012
8:48 pm
B.Boy
It’s funny how you want to cry like a little girl about a schedule. Why are you worried about UGA schedule ,you won’t make it to the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP game anyway…
Bama Boy
June 2nd, 2012
8:57 pm
Yall play a cupcake schedule every year a.nd still aint won crap,vandy ky. Ole miss miss.state 2titles in 150 years Hershal Walker away from being Ole Miss the programs a joke!yet the bonehead fans only care about football at least Ky. Wins in bball lmao
savannadawg
June 2nd, 2012
9:18 pm
Thanks Mark. That means alot coming from a guy that bashes the Dawgs way too much! UGA does not have an easy schedule. OR the SEC is not what we think it is and the Big 10, 12 and PAC schools are all better. You people complaining about UGA schedule better be careful. I’m not going to sit hear and say we don’t have any winnable givens, but neither are you, so go bark up another tree idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!
savannadawg
June 2nd, 2012
9:22 pm
@ Bama Boy, shove it! You guys couldn’t beat your way out of a paper bag five years ago and you know it! Plus you’ve made a guy God that lost to Louisiana Monroe (Who?) So shut your pie hole.
Braveschipper
June 2nd, 2012
9:28 pm
Lol I went to both schools but I am a yellow jacket at heart ..
Rich
June 2nd, 2012
9:49 pm
Top Row Dawg – I thought UGA was in Athens, not Atlanta. The AJC is not your hometown paper.
Steverino
June 2nd, 2012
9:51 pm
“Besides,the SEC always beats the ACC, right?
Uh, no.
suwannee dawg
June 2nd, 2012
10:28 pm
Not sure where we will land but not as concerned about SC as others. Last year, we gave them 28 points and do not see the talent level shifting this year. Auburn and Florida are always a struggle and the away game at Mizzou will be interesting. Can only hope O line is decent enough for depth of RBs.
suwannee dawg
June 2nd, 2012
10:30 pm
Bama boy – sounds like that OT loss at home still hurts. That pass from Stafford in the end zone corner was a beauty!
Cdpridg
June 2nd, 2012
10:36 pm
Dawgs are set up for a great year in the toughest conf in America…tech….well the bug comunity will endre another season of a porous defense….a high school offense that cannot come from behind….struggling to be over 500 in the weakest conference in America
techgrad12
June 2nd, 2012
10:37 pm
I am a tech grad and fan, I’m shocked at MB’s bs use of the schedule argument to put GT in the ACC championship. You forgot just how bad the football is here at Tech, and the coach…he’s pretty garbage as well. Atleast you put the thought in. The UGA prediction is just a joke I’m pretty sure. Anyone who overlooks the scary teams like Auburn and LSU doesnt deserve to be taken seriously.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 2nd, 2012
10:52 pm
techgrad12………..you didn’t graduate cause you are obviously are an idiot.
I dropped my fried twinkie
June 2nd, 2012
10:54 pm
techgrad12..when did you graduate? What Coach did you see when you went to the games? Did you even go to the games? Did you ever play football and Madden doesn’t count?
Rick James
June 2nd, 2012
10:59 pm
@Run the Table…not!
June 1st, 2012
4:38 pm
Losses to the Gamecocks & maybe Mizzou. I’m glad we got Slive in our hip pocket. This cupcake schedule should get us to 10 wins…but I don’t see the Gamecocks losing more than two. Therefore, they will win the East.
Thanks for building up the hopes of Dawg Nation…but it ain’t gonna happen!
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Hey Tech fan..Nobody who supports a team that plays an ACC schedule can call anybody’s schedule “cupcake” Do you realize that if the ACC champion goes undeated it will only go to the Orange Bowl with no consideration for playing in the national champioship game? Do you know why? A weak cupcake ACC schedule!! I dont need to mention the SEC champion do I? Do you know schedules are put together years in advance and not year to year?
LSU will own the rednecks puppies again...fact
June 2nd, 2012
10:59 pm
What a stupid article. Dem Dawgs aka rednecks are a joke….
hop
June 2nd, 2012
11:28 pm
the Gerogia defense is dominating the pre-season all american teams and they will continue to practice against the offensive line which should to show improvement as they did during the spring practice drills.they will continue to get strong each day with going against the best defnse in the SEC,IF NOT THE NATION
the dawgs will play vince dooley offensive by playing 4-5 tailbacks and wearing out opposing defenses.
this will not be a very good year for the SEC.Bama,LSU,arkansas will not be as strong this year as compared to 2011.auburn will be better this year.
florida is years away also, losing all of their playmakers last year and they have no answer at qb this year. tennesse does not the players to compete this year.
vandy will be much better this year. south carolina lost many key players on defense and they will lose to uga this year.
mark might be right on both georgia and tech
dawgs will win the east ,sec and maybe the national title!
flo- ri - duh
June 2nd, 2012
11:48 pm
Enter your comments here
flo- ri - duh
June 2nd, 2012
11:50 pm
Geogia will lose a game but it sure won’t be to the Game Clucks. Probably LSU.
BS Patrol
June 3rd, 2012
12:08 am
I never thought I’d see the day when the doggies were trembling over the Poultry, the toughest team on their schedule. How the mighty have fallen.