Heat Check: Dogs and Falcons are smokin’; Tech’s a-mopin’
Who's sitting pretty now? Alexander Ogletree, for one. His team, for another. (AJC photo by Bob Andres)
Our weekly Heat Check was set back a day due to logistics (delayed-but-thankfully-not-canceled flight from Philadelphia on Sunday night), fatigue (mine) and breaking news (Dan Radakovich). But we’re up and running again. And we begin with:
GEORGIA: The Bulldogs won the game they had to win. (Some nut predicted as much, I do believe.) They’re exactly where I expected them to be, albeit not quite in the manner I expected. The question now becomes: Can they beat Alabama/LSU? Forecast: The same nut who liked Georgia to beat Florida sees no reason why the Bulldogs can’t give the West champ a run in the Dome come Dec. 1.
FALCONS: I put a 50 percent premium on road victories. (Even a lousy team, I figure, can luck out at home.) Sunday’s performance under ominous skies in a city that has never been kind to the Falcons was the most impressive regular-season road victory I’ve witnessed by this franchise since Nov. 8, 1998. Forecast: Those Falcons won at New England 41-10; they would finish 14-2 and reach the Super Bowl. Just sayin’.
HAWKS: They’re about to start playing for real, and consensus is … non-existent. ESPN The Magazine/Basketball Prospectus picks them to finish second (!!!!) in the Eastern Conference. Matt Dollinger of SI.com ranks them 15th in the NBA and seventh among Eastern teams. Forecast: There’s a chance all these shooters will hit a bunch of shots and this team will win 50 games; there’s also a chance nobody will guard anybody and this team will finish in the lottery. I’m know I’m hedging, but I honestly don’t know what to think. At least not yet.
BRAVES: They have to decide what to do about Brian McCann’s option. Forecast: I’m thinking they’ve already decided they’ll keep him for another year. But sometimes I’m wrong. (Though not, I say again, about Georgia-Florida.)
GEORGIA STATE: Lost again. Forecast: More losing.
GEORGIA TECH: Lost at home to BYU by 24 points on a day when the Jackets got touchdowns from special teams (stop the presses!) and the defense (miracle!). Which means Paul Johnson’s offense was the worst of the three units. Which means the whole operation was officially deficient. Which means nothing good. Forecast: Dan Radakovich, who hired Johnson, chose this happy moment to take a job as Clemson’s athletic director. This is getting serious, folks.
By Mark Bradley
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227 comments Add your comment
WTF
October 30th, 2012
11:24 am
Mad Dog, I doubt it. He can’t hire Paul Johnson, as Tech is stuck with him through 2016 and can’t afford to hire a real coach.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
11:27 am
No GTBoob, I think what he meant was your AD quit two weeks before he wsa to open his crown jewel. That says a lot about the state of your athletics program.
Our athletics overall are much better then they have been in the last 20-30 years. Leave it to UGA fans to think that one bad football season means the end of the world for an entire institution.
The Truth
October 30th, 2012
11:28 am
Dabo – when was the last time you won a meaningful game?
atlfalconsfan0125
October 30th, 2012
11:29 am
UGA has no national title shot. It was left in Carolina.
The Truth
October 30th, 2012
11:32 am
GT Bob – sorry to hear about you losing your job at Pace Academy.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
11:32 am
You have one successful men’s sport at this point, and it’s baseball.
You think we only have three sports total don’t you? How is our Golf team doing?
rhbDAWG1
October 30th, 2012
11:34 am
Jeffrey – nice post – completely accurate. The O-line has developed nicely; they will get better.
GT in SC
October 30th, 2012
11:40 am
Next year will be last for CPJ. We do not need to go buy him out and then spend big money on another coach. Tech needs to find a solid coach that we will not have to pay big bucks to. Heck, go find a high school coach (like Clempsons OC) yeah they have been lighting up the score board!) and start over.
ARdawg
October 30th, 2012
11:41 am
The Dawgs will likely do Saturday against Ole Miss the same thing they’ve done all year, play up to or down to the competition. Hopefully, while staying on the winning side. If I were a betting man I’d take Ole Miss with the points.
Dawg1
October 30th, 2012
11:51 am
Read a comment on a blog from the front page article from a Tech alum. He was claiming that Tech’s Athletic Department has gone from $125MM to $225MM in debt since DRAD arrived.
Forget wins and losses, probation, whatever…
If that is true – then this is reason enough alone to celebrate this guy moving on to Clemson…
Personally think that the new A.D. will release Paul Johnson…
It will have nothing to do with wins/losses/ personality…
It will have every thing to do with $.
This is Atlanta…
You want a dynamic coach who can recruit – period…
If Vandy can be compete in the SEC – then Tech can compete in the ACC. And Tech is in GEORGIA – not Tennessee…
The program needs a change and it needed to start at the top…
I know it’s dark right now, but I’m guessing the Tech folks will look back as the week as the beginning of a turnaround…
Provided – they pick the correct A.D.
Steve
October 30th, 2012
11:54 am
I will be like GTBob and make comments on everyone else like he does. GTboob says:
“Leave it to UGA fans to think that one bad football season means the end of the world for an entire institution.”
2011 – 8-5 with a bowl loss
2010 – 6-7 with a bowl loss
2009 – 11-3 but did not count, and a bowl loss
2008 – 9-4, with a bowl loss
2007 – 7-6, with a bowl loss
2006 – 9-5, with a bowl loss
2005 – 7-5, with a bowl loss
Shows you right there that GTBob thinks 7-9 wins is a good season. I guess that would be good for the Tech program.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
11:55 am
Tech fans
Phil Fulmer wants to coach
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
11:56 am
Tech fans
Why not go back and get O’leary
Dawglasville
October 30th, 2012
11:59 am
I wish Freeman would take a page out of Chippers book and move to left and put Mc at first. I know that will initially make us weaker on defense but these guys are pros and they will make it work.
Silly Bloggers
October 30th, 2012
11:59 am
I am not one of those who hates on Tech. I wish you would play better. It keeps the end of the season more interesting and certainly would benefit UGA’s SOS. While GT may hate UGA more than anyone, GT is way down my list behind USCe, UF, Auburn, Tennessee…and even Ohio State. Unless you are playing UGA, I almost always pull for the Jackets.
With that being said, does anyone besides GTBob believe Paul Johnson is right for the job? This isn’t about comparison with Chan Gailey. Granted, you do gain a huge benefit of not recruting directly with UGA…and to some degree the rest of the SEC. On the same token, you are missing out on some amazing recruits. In the ACC, it only takes a Calvin Johnson type or two to become a premier team. While Johnson may, and I say may, get a player of this quality once in a blue moon, I can’t help but think GT could recruit at a higher level running a pro-set or even spread offense. Despite all the hate spewed on these blogs, there are many 4-star recruits and even some 5-star recruits that would come to GT for the education.
ARdawg
October 30th, 2012
12:03 pm
Petrino I hear is looking for a job
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:05 pm
If Vandy can be compete in the SEC – then Tech can compete in the ACC. And Tech is in GEORGIA – not Tennessee…
Vandy is 5-24 in the SEC in the last 4 years.
GT is 19-11 in the ACC in the last 4 years with an ACC championship.
Things are bad this season but lets not pretend that GT has fallen below Vandy.
lee
October 30th, 2012
12:08 pm
Mark:
Did you see the full page ad a Florida Fan put in the Red and Black last Friday. Unbelievable! Check it out. Go Dawgs! Way to win a game your quarterback almost lost.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:09 pm
Shows you right there that GTBob thinks 7-9 wins is a good season. I guess that would be good for the Tech program.
7-9 wins is not a bad season for GT. UGA fans seem to think that because they can recruit 5 star players at ever position and easily get 10 wins every year that GT should be able to do it to. It doesn’t work that way.
Bumblers
October 30th, 2012
12:09 pm
Tech may not have fallen below Vandy in regards to league records but put Vandy in the A She She and they would easily have a winning record. Trying to compare the A She She to the SEC is child’s play.
JoeFan
October 30th, 2012
12:10 pm
Don’t know what Clemson sees in DRad but his leaving gives Tech a much easier opportunity to clean house with the football program.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:14 pm
Shows you right there that GTBob thinks 7-9 wins is a good season. I guess that would be good for the Tech program.
7-9 wins is a pretty decent season for GT. GT is not UGA. They are not going to start magically getting 4-5 star recruits at every position that can win 10 games in their sleep. That is not how the world works.
ARdawg
October 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
“Things are bad this season but lets not pretend that GT has fallen below Vandy.”
Vandy would put a world class beatdown on GT if they played today. I’d say that’s fallen well below Vandy
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
Yes Bumblers, we all know the normal drivel. Kentucky, Vandy, and Auburn would all be undefeated in the ACC and winning games by 30-40 points. Blah blah blah.
DIT
October 30th, 2012
12:16 pm
To all my tech friends on here posting on how bad UGA is and saying Murray is over rated. Thanks, some of these posts are down right comical.
I do believe that you have your full share to worry about than what UGA is doing.
Envy is for the weak. Envy away my friends.
Go Dawgs!
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:19 pm
Vandy would put a world class beatdown on GT if they played today.
Im not so sure about that. Northwestern smacked Vandy around with no problem. They are not one of the best teams in football like you seem to think they are. Having an SEC patch on your sleeve doesn’t make you Alabama.
Ted M
October 30th, 2012
12:22 pm
“Sunday’s performance under ominous skies in a city that has never been kind to the Falcons”
The fans were less kind to Vick & the Eagles then Falcons…on this particular day.
Al
October 30th, 2012
12:23 pm
You Tech fans and your excuses. Academic restrictions???? Please.
Tech sucks always has always will!!
Bumblers
October 30th, 2012
12:23 pm
Having the A She She patch on your sleeve does make you the laughing stock of BCS games….just saying…….
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:23 pm
How about hiring Mike Bobo
I mean I hear all the time from the kool-aid gallery that he is one of the hottest coaches in waiting
Bumblers
October 30th, 2012
12:25 pm
I hear Reggie Ball @ Stephenson High School is available for coaching duties. Should be an easy transition from one high school offense to another. Might want someone to keep up with downs for Reggie, though.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:26 pm
Notre Dame has faired much better than Tech with Academic restrictions
So has Stanford
Next Excuse
kingdaddy
October 30th, 2012
12:26 pm
Success and failure start from the top down. Rads gone, now is the year to dump Johnson…
Hire a successful AD and let him hire a new HC, cause what you got ain’t working. Tech should be better than they seem to be. BTW, start with Defense this time…
Joey
October 30th, 2012
12:28 pm
Sounds like the “new sheriff in town” (circa ‘08) is about to get voted out of office . . .
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:28 pm
Bob, do you agree Tech needs a more creative coach(due to the academic restrictions) than most colleges/universities?
Yes, I do. That’s why I liked the hiring of CPJ. We will never be able to compete running a pro style offense unless the coach is just a defensive mastermind. Im not sure if CPJ will work out, he certainly isn’t trending upward right now but if we fire him and bring in a pro style coach then dark days are ahead.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
O’leary did fine a Tech
So did Bobby Ross
Didnt hear academic excuses from Tech then
Hotty Toddy
October 30th, 2012
12:39 pm
Paul Johnson is hot!
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:39 pm
How is Tech Handcuffed in recruiting compared to Notre Dame and Stanford Bob
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 30th, 2012
12:42 pm
“Can they beat Alabama/LSU? ”
UGA will not beat Alabama in the Dome. Alabama will rape LSU this weekend.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
“Those Falcons won at New England 41-10; they would finish 14-2 and reach the Super Bowl. Just sayin’.”
Was Brady there?
No.
Was the hood there?
No.
Nuff said.
Jimmy Crack
October 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
“Leave it to UGA fans to think that one bad football season means the end of the world for an entire institution.”
No, leave it to Tech, who fired the team’s DC in the middle of one bad season, and just watched as their AD snuck out the door and ran over to a school in their own freaking conference!
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:47 pm
How is Tech Handcuffed in recruiting compared to Notre Dame and Stanford Bob
Ill have to investigate ND but Stanford has many many more degree programs then GT, less academic rigor in easy majors, and they provide this to their incoming athletes:
http://www.stanforddaily.com/2011/03/09/1046687/
Academic restrictions in recruiting are not limited to entrance requirements. Stanford can easily admit and hide an athlete. They aren’t nearly as bad as an SEC school but they have flexibility that GT doesn’t have.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
14 GT
Tech hasnt been relevant since the 60’s
Notre Dame has won more games than Tech in that 20 yr span
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:53 pm
Didnt hear academic excuses from Tech then
The admissions requirements for incoming athletes were raised significantly after O’Leary left and he was one of the causes of it. You are over blowing those guys also. They were 83-59-1 (58%) combined. CPJ is 37-24 (61%). If those guys are the gold standard at GT then we probably shouldn’t even be considering letting CPJ go.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
12:54 pm
GT Bob
Its well known most of the entire football at Tech are in the business program one or two might be an engineer
Tech hides their ball players too
Here is the thing Tech needs to give up the athletic dept if academics is all they want; and the truth is Tech will never be recognized ahead of the northern schools and a few out west
The nothern People all think southerners are a bunch of hicks that dont know anything
Reckman
October 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
Being a long time suffering Tech fan (and grad), it pains me to say that I think Tech is in the beginning of what could be an extended downcycle in football. I feel the ship taking on water….
Kelvin
October 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
Do I detect a little gloating on picking Georgia over Florida? Ok Mark you deserve to brag a little. I certainly didn’t see it coming.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
Its well known most of the entire football at Tech are in the business program one or two might be an engineer
Yes, and that business program was designed for real students and is ranked very high nationally. Everyone seeking a degree in that area still has to take the core GT requirements which are much more difficult then most schools. They aren’t hiding in that program, they are working their butts off.
Way Ahead of Ourselves
October 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
Mark, don’t the Dawgs have a few more games to play before we know if they play at the Dome? I do like the dream you are selling though.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
October 30th, 2012
1:04 pm
Rechman
The Tech boat sunk in the 60’s did you just here the news