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
cdpridg
May 31st, 2012
7:34 pm
You do that bob…i can help with some ideas but I can’t do your work for you.
Reggie Ball for Heisman
May 31st, 2012
7:35 pm
It won’t be long before Tech starts playing on Tuesday nights instead of Thursday.
Dawg Whisperer
May 31st, 2012
7:42 pm
MB… that sounds about right, either #1 or #2 in the nation. If everything falls apart, UGA may slide to #3.
kingster
May 31st, 2012
7:46 pm
Good going Mark B, very good, I am a heavy Tech Fan and I must agree with DawginLex (at 3:45 P.M.) he sound right, he has some good points, it all may play out like that.
GTBob
May 31st, 2012
7:46 pm
You do that bob…i can help with some ideas but I can’t do your work for you.
I changed my mind cdpridg. After thinking about what UGA fans are like, I don’t want to take that chance. If we ended up like you guys I would seriously set my diploma on fire and become an exclusive pro sports fan.
Adrimal Obvious
May 31st, 2012
7:51 pm
If GT wins the ACC it’s confirmation that’s it’s the worst D1 conference in the USA
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:06 pm
GT at 9-3? Very possible. If GT defeats VT in the opener, then the sky is the limit from that point, because that is the best opponent they will face all season (including UGA).But I firmly believe that GT is still a season away from taking the next big step for the program. Lots of talent on board now, but it’s all VERY young and most of the real impact players who’ve signed on won’t see the field much, if at all, until the 2013 season. GT should have a VERY good defense to compliment their already potent offense at that point, plus they’ll have a couple of QB’s who can throw at least as good as they can run and a bunch of 300+ pounders to block for them. I think most casual observers are going to be shocked by the team CPJ fields in 2013-2016!!! But this year will be largely a repeat of last season.
UGA SHOULD win every regular season game — but they won’t. I don’t see them losing to SC again, but I DO see them dropping a game or two unexpectedly (UF and AU are the most likely candidates, with GT as a very real possibility because I seriously doubt Washington is still the starting QB by that late in the season). IF UGA manages to win the SEC Least again, which they should condidering it is a total creampuff of a division (No better than ANY other division in ANY other conference. The SEC Least has been riding the SEC Wests coattails for quite a while now)
UGA should lose 1 or possibly 2 regular season games, but will get slaughtered again in the SEC championship game — IF they make it that far — and will then go to another B-Grade bowl and lose again if Murray (Das Chokemeister) is still at QB and that idiot Bobo is still OC. UGA has some awesome talent on the roster, but they lack the coaching and the discipline required to win a NC.
Of course, if we’re all going to be delusional, then I want to see UGA and GT BOTH undefeated when they play in November (and ranked #1 and #2), then I want them both to win their conference championships. GT wins regular season game and conference title — goes to NC to face ……..UGA again, who would be SEC champions. Now THAT rematch would make for a wonderful season for BOTH programs!!!!
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:18 pm
VT is not better than UGA. No ACC team is better than UGA.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:20 pm
UGA will NOT lose to AU this year. AU is not going to be that good next year.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:21 pm
The only CREAMPUFF in college football is the ACC period!
I dropped my fried twinkie
May 31st, 2012
8:21 pm
Kerry B done been smoking with the other UGa players I see.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:22 pm
And you are right: If CMR can’t win a NC this season with the roster he has and the pathetically easy schedule they play, then he never will. But it isn’t going to happen, and I don’t think it ever will as long as CMR is head coach (unless he grows a pair and gets rid of several of his assistants/coordinators). Sad too, because UGA has such a genuinely talented roster with LOTS of probable future NFL’ers — but coaches who can’t seem to put it together in the big games. Sad but true.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:22 pm
The ACC is not even coming close to being on the SEC’s coat tails.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:24 pm
Write a blog and the Tech morons will come out of the closet trying to bash UGA which they have lost the last 10 out of 11 games to. Hey, before you can talk smack you have to win some. If not you are not in position to.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:25 pm
It probably wasn’t a geeky nerd degree.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:25 pm
Put down the pipe Kerryb — and get back to doing your homework before Mommy gets mad and takes away your Barbie dolls again!!!
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:27 pm
I noticed how Tech fans always talk about how AU can beat us, and how UF can beat us but they never talk about how THEY can beat us.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:28 pm
Probably older than you Tech nimrod.
I dropped my fried twinkie
May 31st, 2012
8:28 pm
Kerry B you are right Asher Allen studied to be a Scientist. Not geeky nerd degree.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:29 pm
Tech guys are always the first ones talking about being in Momma’s basement or living with Momma. That’s because they know something about it.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:32 pm
Am I the only one that notices that the ONLY fans in college football who brag about what conference they are in is SEC Least fans??? Any normal folks brag about and pull for THEIR teams. But SEC Least teams are so below-par, that they have to brag about their affiliation with the other half of the conference, who actually has a few good teams. Actually 2. Take away Bama and LSU and the SEC suddenly becomes one of the weakest conferences in Div-I. BUT, you’ll never hear Bama fans or LSU fans bragging about how good the SEC is — they brag about how good their TEAM is. Only total losers try to elevate themselves through affiliation with REAL winners, rather than actually going out there and winning something themselves.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
Asher Allen’s degree was in Exercise Science. Maybe he’s about to become one of UGA’s strength coaches to take Tony Gilbert’s spot.
cdpridg
May 31st, 2012
8:37 pm
Gt bob……what would be the difference…you hangout daily on sports blogs…..primarily topics dealing with UGA
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:39 pm
GTBob can set his degree on fire. Apparently it does him no good because he is on UGA blogs everyday talking nonsense.
GTBob
May 31st, 2012
8:44 pm
GTBob can set his degree on fire. Apparently it does him no good because he is on UGA blogs everyday talking nonsense.
If it was laying on the ground in ashes it would still be worth more then a UGA diploma.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:45 pm
With every post by Kerryb, the collective IQ of this blog diminishes. And we generally reference you living with your mother because most dwags don’t even know who their Daddy is!!!!
Actually, we are being nice. We are assuming that you are a child, based upon the maturity of your posts. It is logical to assume that since you are presumably a child, that you live at home with your parent(s). The alternative would be that, if you actually ARE an adult, then you are suffering from a serious rectal-cranial inversion and you are extremely immature and totally lacking in cognitive logic skills. So it’s nicer to just assume you are a child playing on Mommy’s computer, than to acuse you of being an adult who is ignorant and immature enough to come on here and post such mindless drivel. So, which are you? An insolent child? Or a mindless, incredibly immature “adult”? Either way, your knowledge of the realities of Collegiate athletics is severely lacking. Now move along little dwaggie.
Red Stick
May 31st, 2012
8:46 pm
Georgia is thin on the O line which will be an issue if some guys don’t step up. That said, I think they win the East but I just think Bama or LSU is better.
I give a slight edge for LSU over Bama for 3 reasons: Mettenberger ( I know he’s unproven but he is already a step up from Jefferson & Lee), Bama lost more on defense than LSU and LSU has Bama at home in prime time on CBS. Before you Tide fans get in a tizzy, I said a SLIGHT edge. Bama very well may be running on all cylinders when they come to Death Valley and beat the Tigers.
LSU or Bama vs Southern Cal in Miami.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:46 pm
Apparently a Tech degree does you no good. You’re on UGA blogs all day like someone with no job.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:47 pm
I dropped my fried twinkie
May 31st, 2012
8:35 pm
It seems Asher Allen is an Exercise Scientist.
Does that mean he can work for the Catholic Church chasing the Devil out of people?
____________________________________________________________
So, this is an example of a highly intelligent post?
GTBob
May 31st, 2012
8:49 pm
Apparently a Tech degree does you no good. You’re on UGA blogs all day like someone with no job.
I am jobless. I am homeless too. I mooch off other peoples internet.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:49 pm
Bama is not automatically going to be that good. No one can lose 7 starters on the defensive side of the ball (which was their strength last year) and stay that good.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
May 31st, 2012
8:49 pm
“So, this is an example of a highly intelligent post?”
Most assuredly not.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
230gr Full Metal Jacket, So, how can a Tech fan talk intelligently about college athletics?
Gene
May 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Georgia will never win the SEC while Richt and Saban are at the respective schools. Sad but true.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
Gene
May 31st, 2012
8:52 pm
Georgia will never win the SEC while Richt and Saban are at the respective schools. Sad but true
____________________________________________________________________
Why? Richt and Saban are 1-1 against each other at their respective schools.
Art Vandalay
May 31st, 2012
8:53 pm
The “Underachievers” winning the SEC ? I cant stop laughing !!!!!!
GTBob
May 31st, 2012
8:55 pm
No one can lose 7 starters on the defensive side of the ball (which was their strength last year) and stay that good.
If Bama kicked everyone off the team and played only incoming freshman they would be better then UGA.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:55 pm
I bet Tech offers the same degree.
I dropped my fried twinkie
May 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
But Saban is 3-2 head-to-head with RICHT. Don’t just forget Saban at LSU like it didn’t happen.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
If UGA played their 3rd string and walk ons they would be better than Tech.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:56 pm
He said at their respective schools.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Once again a Tech person is some talking how much better some other SEC team is better than UGA. They NEVER talk about how they are better than UGA because they know they are not.
I dropped my fried twinkie
May 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Kerry B and you would LOSE. Try research first before you offer to make losing bet.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
8:58 pm
Once again a Tech person is talking about how much better some other SEC team is better than UGA. They NEVER talk about how they are better than UGA because they know they are not.
Spike
May 31st, 2012
9:01 pm
GT beating Va Tech? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAH Your killing me…
GTBob
May 31st, 2012
9:02 pm
They NEVER talk about how they are better than UGA because they know they are not.
We know we aren’t better then UGA. Its a trait of intelligence and character to realize such a thing. Unfortunately UGA fans think they are the best team in the country every year so they wouldn’t know.
kerryb
May 31st, 2012
9:07 pm
Tech will not beat Clemson at Clemson. The last time they were there they had their behinds handed to them and Clemson is better than they were then. Tech was lucky to beat them last year.
Dawg48
May 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
Twinkies for all!
Clive
May 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
Not predicting anything, but UNC should be clicking on offense by the time they play Tech, great QB, great running game, and great Oline. It will be a shootout.
Dave
May 31st, 2012
9:08 pm
With time to prepare, decent teams beat GTs gimmick offense. VT is much better than decent. That’s a bad pick.