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
Here we go
October 30th, 2012
4:14 pm
I’m a Dawg fan and alumnus,but I wish GT would improve their football team.It would be good for Atlanta and the State.I’m old enough to remember the day’s of Kim King,Lenny Snow and Coach Dodd. Growing up in Atlanta,I loved games at Grant Field.Also my sister dated several GT football players at that time.Anyway I grew up,got smart and went to UGA.Thank GOD!!!! Hire a good AD and a coach who can recruit and maybe just maybe you can be competitive one day.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
4:19 pm
Hire a good AD and a coach who can recruit and maybe just maybe you can be competitive one day.
And maybe one day you will realize that the AD and the coach have little power to really change anything.
Here we go
October 30th, 2012
4:23 pm
@GTBob–You are funny.I LOL everytime I read your comments.
Dawgy
October 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
@GTBob———Don’t go there with Tech’s “rigorous academic requirements” keeping out all of the atheletes! I am from Greene County, and personally know, and have known for many years, your recently departed star quarterback. He is a tremendously gifted athelete, and an extremely fine and humble human being, but a SCHOLAR he is NOT!
kingdaddy
October 30th, 2012
4:37 pm
Bob is a regular at The AJC Comedy Zone, 7 days a week…
Skeptic
October 30th, 2012
4:40 pm
GTBob: I haven’t really understood what your position is on this topic. You are replying to a lot of posters, but what is your argument, and what is your proposal to fix Tech’s a-mopin’, as the columnist put it.
Whopper Dawg
October 30th, 2012
4:42 pm
The Falcons had a great game on the road outdoors, Ryan had his best game or at least his best half as a pro and we defended our undefeated record vs a team that most picked to give us our comeuppance.
And all the media does is talk about the Eagles. Look, we have been terrible, far worse than the Eagles for decades and never got national press like this. We can’t get press like this and we are undefeated.
By gingo, give us our day in the sun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr. (A Great American)
October 30th, 2012
4:48 pm
I wonder if Mark’s taken the opportunity to give Schultz a hard time since Schultz pick Florida.
Go Jackets
October 30th, 2012
4:50 pm
Am I crazy for thinking that Damon Evans would make a great AD for Tech? He proved that he could do the job at Georgia and then they turned their backs on him in his time of need. I can’t think of an experienced candidate that would be more motivated to do a good job, if for no other reason than to show UGA how wrong they were for letting him go. He’s been on the sidelines for two years now, so I think that he has paid his dues. I just don’t know how I feel about having any sort of former Bulldog connected with the GTAA. I had the same thoughts when Muschamp was on the interview list for the HC job in 2007, although now I feel like that would have been a good hire.
JB
October 30th, 2012
4:57 pm
Dawgs lose entire Defense for 2013. Schedule get serious. Possible losses. Clemson, SC, LSU,Fla.
Programs with a grudge and a new coach. Tenn & AU………..6-6 at the worse….Probably 8-4
Skeptic
October 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
Regarding the Falcons and a trap game, I would be more worried about the Cowboys than the Eagles. They always seem to pull wins out of their butt on people. I’ve disliked them since ‘80.
JB
October 30th, 2012
4:59 pm
Go Jackets…………..never happen……It’s the Bill Lewis rule…..never again
kingdaddy
October 30th, 2012
5:22 pm
Skeptic
not going to happen at home. Dallas going down if Falcons take care care of business. Smith sees to that…
Bad Dawg, Yeck
October 30th, 2012
5:32 pm
If you’re astute you could predict these results:
A.) Falcons – Arthur Blank is committed to success. You don’t build a global entity like Home Depot without visionary leadership and character.
B.) Dawgs – But can they go all the way after 11 long years with Richt and 32 since their only MNC? Probably not….goes back to A above. Leadership.
C.) Tech – Aside from the academics (Stanford, Northwestern and TCU have academics also) the recruiting has taken a step backwards since Gailey and don’t believe that alumni will sacrifice academic reputation for football to lower recruiting standards. You don’t see the number of off-the-field issues that is accepted in Athens. Again, leadership but leadership who says 12 Saturdays a year won’t define Georgia Tech.
SlimG
October 30th, 2012
5:44 pm
Great sports weekend……Dawgs and Falcons really stepped up. Congrats guys and keep it going. As for Tech, wow, this smells really bad. Is it basketball season yet? My predictions don’t see that much improvement from Tech.
On the CPJ front, how could Drad extend that contract based on such a short sample. Wasn’t like the masses where offering him jobs. Outdated offense and lack of recruiting playmakers doesn’t warrant an extension. Just bad judgement in my opinion.
On the dawgs, could still be a special season. Win the SEC and the sky is the limit.
Falcons will find out in the coming weeks where they really are. Beat Dallas, NO twice, and the Giants then we’ll talk.
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
GTBob: I haven’t really understood what your position is on this topic.
It depends on which topic. There have been a few in this blog. Tech has issues that prevent them from ever being consistently competitive in football. Some are academic, some are not, and they are not going to change. That is my position.
dawg4life
October 30th, 2012
6:09 pm
Don’t worry Techies. If CPJ gets fired, the Army coach should be able to step right in and take the reigns…
Skeptic
October 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
GTBob
October 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
GTBob: I haven’t really understood what your position is on this topic.
It depends on which topic. There have been a few in this blog. Tech has issues that prevent them from ever being consistently competitive in football. Some are academic, some are not, and they are not going to change. That is my position.
————————————————–
I meant the topic of why Tech’s a-mopin’. Man, your’s is a pessimistic position. So, what should we do, just shut ‘er down?
Dacusville Bill
October 30th, 2012
6:26 pm
Dabo and Dandy Dan will bring Clem and Son down to Tech’s level–Tech should consider joining the Southern Conference and replace Clem and Son with Furman—They by Ga Law can still lose to the Dawgs 7 outta 8 times–
Dawgy
October 30th, 2012
6:31 pm
Whassa mater GTBob, didn’t see my comments? No response? How many of these student atheletes do you know PERSONALLY to allow you to post your constant drivel? I know exactly ONE who went to your exalted power of academic brilliance (which, according to you, handicaps said institute(ion) in the recruiting process, thus leading to a “sucky” football team), and said star quarterback was NOT an academic superstar (or even an “honorable mention”)? Where you at academia?
Muttley
October 30th, 2012
6:51 pm
He gets one prediction right in thirty years and there’s no livin’ with him.
Walmart Retards
October 30th, 2012
7:10 pm
I call it now – Tech beats UGA… For all the obvious reasons.
David
October 30th, 2012
7:22 pm
UGA will not be able to beat Alabama. The Falcons will win the Division and like the Braves will lose in the Playoffs…no Superbowl. Tech, needs a new Coach and maybe the new AD will take care of that.
kingdaddy
October 30th, 2012
8:27 pm
LSU beats Bama to face the Doggies. Will be one of the best games of the year, but Dawgs get their revenge. They go on to play ND in another classic. Year of the Dawg…
Nothing
October 30th, 2012
9:12 pm
I have seen from LSU since the start of this year’s football season leads me to believe that the out come of Saturday’s game between ALA and LSU will be any different than this past NC game. Still struggling to score.
Bigjoe
October 30th, 2012
9:43 pm
Alabama will bury the DAWGS in the SEC title game. Don’t get false hope just because the DAWGS beat the Gators. Gators even as bad as they play was just one fumble away from a win. DAWGS are not good enough to beat Alabama.
1lovefalcons20
October 30th, 2012
9:52 pm
ALL I CARE ABOUT IS MY ATLANTA FALCONS…I,M SO THRILLED RIGHT NOW…THIER PLAYING LIKE BEASTS…THIS 30YR FALCON FAN IS SO EXCITED…THEY PLAY LIKE THEY MEAN BUSINESS BEAT NEW ORLEANS TWICE AND I WILL WET MY PANTS….FALCONS FLYING HIGH
Mudcatjoe
October 30th, 2012
10:00 pm
Going to be so much fun watching Bama destroy them in the Dome! UGA has zero chance in that game. I predict Alabama by at least 30 pts. I can’t wait!!!
oh brother!
October 30th, 2012
10:19 pm
lol…Bama is so beatable…many holes in that team and will be exposed early and often. Can’t cover the pass at all.
out of touch with reality
October 30th, 2012
10:28 pm
Georgia finally beat a top 10 team in what 2 years, and the gators had no offense, once again the dogs will have easy prey untill they run in to Ala in the SEC champion and get blown out.
Florida once again saved Mark Richt season who every one knows would have been fired any where in the country, what are these overated puppies going to do when they have to play LSU or Ala during the regular season like every one else in the conference.
out of touch with reality
October 30th, 2012
10:36 pm
Wow, the puppies play Old Miss, Auburn and Tech all with a combine with of 7, this is why Mark Bradley along with Mark Richt could not work anywhere in the country because of the false realites set for this program.
The dogs no longer push for NAT they have made their fans settle for East Championship and get blown out by SC, auburn, ole miss, gtech, have a combine wins of 7, Mark Bradley, along with Mark Richt would be fired any where in the country with being ok with average.
scfalcon
October 30th, 2012
10:57 pm
Best Falcon win since ‘98? We did win the first playoff game ever at Lambeau.
daddo
October 30th, 2012
11:14 pm
Alabama has holes? Compared to Georgia, with no offensive line, a choke quarterback, no coaching, can’t kick a PAT, a swish cheese defense that can’t stop the run (or pass) that is one of the worse defenses in the SEC (gave up 44 against Tenn), who got blown out 35-7 by SOUTH CAROLINA….yes, that is the pedigree of a national championship team. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
benchwarmer
October 31st, 2012
12:14 am
Well the guy who hired PJ at Tech is gone. Now get a better AD who can replace PJ with a winner. Tech deserves better than they have had and I for one would like for them to regain their national status.
P Rose
October 31st, 2012
12:17 am
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — The San Francisco Giants’ sweep of the Detroit Tigers set a record low for the World Series’ television ratings.
The 1-game play-in created baseball burnout — at least with this viewer. After the Braves’ debacle against the Cards and the umpires, I didn’t watch any more baseball.
Go Falcons.
Cobb Dawg
October 31st, 2012
12:45 am
“Tech’s a-mopin’” In other news, the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor!
Jeff
October 31st, 2012
5:13 am
Definitely loved the results from this past weekend. Any win any year against Fla is a good win. The question now become which team we will watch this weekend. The one that physically beat up on Fla for 4 quarters or the one that we’ve watched the previous games. In the past UGA has played down to their competition. See Kentucky game. A championship team would simply destroy their remaining opponents and seal their spot in the Atlanta. CMR has a way of backing into Atlanta. See last season.
Eric C.
October 31st, 2012
5:33 am
P Rose, well said. A one game play-in is a joke after a 162 game season.
There are too many folks taking UM lightly…this game is going to be uncomfortably close.
The Falcons have won by 6, 2, and 3 pts at home. I’m thinking Dallas will also make it close and wouldn’t be surprised to see the streak end Sunday Night.
We (did) Run The East
October 31st, 2012
6:37 am
Real Dawg team showed up in Columbia, SC this year and will show up again before this year is out. 4 qtr beat down, a 3 qtr lay down by dogs. No heart, no fight. Dogged out by ESPN announcers. UGA probably lost more future recruits on that night than any other night. 35-7, to be the best you gotta beat the best and UGA has not beaten the best. You will suffer until CMR is gone- hope CMR coahes at UGA another 10 years.
We (did) Run The East
October 31st, 2012
6:38 am
35-7 UGA sux. That same team will show up again this year.
We (did) Run The East
October 31st, 2012
6:40 am
West champ a run… just playing it up for the homer crowd, huh bradley. UGA futball is a joke Probably will not make it to dome.
We (did) Run The East
October 31st, 2012
6:48 am
Kingdaddy- You are delusional. If dawgs were national cahmpionship contenders, they would not have lost so badly to SC. Great teams don’t lay down like that. Sure, FL turned it over 15 times to give UGA a victory, but UGA still ain’t nothin special.
Nativebird
October 31st, 2012
7:15 am
Okay all you CPJ apologists…I have a solution that will stop the bleeding on the field AND make sure you and your precious love heart for this jerk do not feel so burnished: make Paul Johnson the AD at GT, and hire a new football coach. You say who? ANYONE….pulleeze. As long as they don’t run the Option. So that’s rules out a lot of CPJs fellow high school coaches.
Old Dawg
October 31st, 2012
7:25 am
Gotta hand it to GTBob, he tries awfully hard
Go Dawgs!
Nativebird
October 31st, 2012
7:30 am
The positive potential from the AD move to Clemson? Maybe he’ll hire Paul Johnson as head football coach there?
bad brad
October 31st, 2012
7:33 am
@ Just the facts (posted at 321pm yesterday)…
Here’s a fact for you: who wins a National title in the Tangerine Bowl? (Hint…happened in 1990)
C’mon man.
Just the Facts
October 31st, 2012
7:56 am
Major SEC school plays independent school Notre Dame, many #1 Georgia high school recruits every year and it has been 32 years since the last one. Right back at you man.
Peter
October 31st, 2012
8:58 am
GA Tech needs a coach who will play a college or pro set offense. Not only is it a High School offense…it is BORING to watch…. I have barely paid attention to Tech this year.
Kind of like the Braves who filed a Softball type team, slow as heck, and boring to watch.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
October 31st, 2012
9:19 am
“Bama is so beatable…many holes in that team and will be exposed early and often. Can’t cover the pass at all.”
How many teams have come close to beating Bama?
ZERO
Please tell us about those “holes” Bama has.
kingdaddy
October 31st, 2012
9:28 am
You still run the least…
Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaahhaaaaaaaaahhhaaaaaaaaaaahaaa!
What’s that? We had a bad game and shook it off, what’s your excuse (again) this year dumbace? You cry like a bunch of babies. You can’t win a division to save your lifes. Chickes go down in flames again. You’ve got another whole year to cry about mean ol JAW – GA swooping in and stealing your Glory again. Don’t you get tired of blaming everybody else for your failures? What was your excuse for barely slipping by UT? Tell me We Run The Least, since all you do have is excuses. Take some Midol and a deep breath and prepare to lose a couple more games, lol…Loser…