Georgia Tech as Coastal champion? Yep, it could happen
It was a stretch to think the Jackets could be in such a position, but here they are. (AP photo)
With one conference game remaining, Georgia Tech stands a real chance of winning the Coastal Division. This development is so outrageous as to shock someone who picked Georgia Tech to win the Coastal Division. Namely, me.
Know how bettors at the horse track turn losing tickets into a cascade of confetti? That’s what I’d done, albeit figuratively, with that prediction. Tech was 2-4 halfway through the season, 1-3 in ACC play. No way, I figured, that Virginia Tech and/or Miami — they’d beaten the Yellow Jackets in overtime — would lose the four conference games needed for Georgia Tech to finish ahead of both. Well, the Hokies have, and Miami might, and even if the Hurricanes don’t, the Jackets could still play for the conference championship. (More on this in a bit.)
There’s also the likelihood that Georgia Tech, should it squeeze into the title game in Charlotte, will do so at 6-6. (Assuming a victory over Duke on Saturday and a loss at Georgia on Nov. 24.) This wouldn’t be the greatest advertisement for ACC football, but the last great advertisement for ACC football came in the 20th Century. Somebody has to win this crazy league, and who better than these Jackets?
Georgia Tech is 68th among 120 FBS teams in total defense, 83rd in scoring defense. It dumped its defensive coordinator in midstream and has actually seen its points-against average rise since the change — from 30.17 under Al Groh to 30.25 under the interim Charles Kelly. The Jackets are still yielding 40-plus points every other game (three times in six with Groh, two in four without), and somehow they have a chance to be champions of one of the Big Six conferences.
Cold numbers don’t quite capture the degree of improbability. Tech needed three big things to happen last week, and all three did: Florida State scored with 40 seconds remaining to beat Virginia Tech on Thursday; Virginia scored with six seconds remaining to beat Miami on Saturday, and the Jackets won at North Carolina on a day when they yielded 50 points but scored 68.
If the Jackets beat Duke — they’re a double-digit favorite, which might not be a great thing — they’ll finish 5-3 in league play. Miami must win at Duke on Nov. 24 to get to 5-3. If Tech and Miami tie for first, the Hurricanes win the tiebreaker. (Thanks to their 42-36 victory here Sept. 22, a game the Jackets led by 17 points entering the fourth quarter.)
There’s another way Tech can make it, but it has nothing to do with Tech. Miami is facing NCAA sanctions, and the school is trying to decide if, in the attempt to lessen those penalties, it should impose a postseason ban on itself. The ACC will not allow Miami to represent the Coastal in the title game and then decide to skip a bowl; the conference has made it known that the Hurricanes must declare their intentions before the conference-championship match is made.
There’s no consensus as to what Miami will do. Given that the program has never played in an ACC title game, some believe the school will see this opportunity as too prime to punt. Others believe that the Hurricanes, who figure to be very good next season, don’t want to find themselves in 2013 occupying the space Ohio State does now — having a team capable of playing in a BCS bowl but being hamstrung by a postseason ban.
Miami hasn’t been forced to declare: At 5-5, it’s not yet bowl-eligible. But we could see something like this: The Hurricanes beat South Florida on Saturday for their sixth win, Georgia Tech beats Duke and then, on Monday, Miami announces that will forgo postseason play, thereby ceding the Coastal title to Tech. How might the Jackets celebrate this bizarre achievement? By tearing down the goalposts in an empty Bobby Dodd Stadium before practice on Day 1 of Georgia Week?
On Sept. 29, Georgia Tech was beaten at home by a Sun Belt opponent. Today Georgia Tech faces the possibility of becoming the first team ever to lose to Middle Tennessee by 21 points and then play in the Orange Bowl. Crazy league. Crazy season.
By Mark Bradley
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211 comments Add your comment
Dadgum....
November 13th, 2012
10:09 am
Mark, is there some reason every other post of mine never makes it onto the page. Just curious. Just a regular post and it doesn’t show up. Has now happened two days in a row. I have been posting for 9 years on DOB’s blog without any posting issues. Do you filter posts differently. Just asking….it is annoying.
Dadgum....
November 13th, 2012
10:18 am
Beast…..I agree. The ACC is really hurting. Mainly because of VT and GT having down years and UNC on probation. The rest of the teams are mediocre with an occasional glimmer of hope. The addition of Pitt and Cuse won’t help much either. Truth be told if ND was a full time member in football they would be our 3rd best team. They wouldn’t pass the eye test against either FSU or Clemson. Quite honestly they may not beat GT. The ACC will be fine as long as the marquee teams restore order and start winning some of the higher profile out of conference games.
LawDawg
November 13th, 2012
10:28 am
GT GRAD: Quite simply, that is the dumbest comment I have ever read on the Internet. You think the ACC schedules are tougher than Bama and Florida? Are you crazy? Ole Miss, Vandy, and Tennessee would all win the Coastal in the ACC. That division is terrible.
Your FaceBook Friend
November 13th, 2012
10:33 am
Vad is a poor man’s Reggie Ball.
GTBob
November 13th, 2012
10:38 am
The ACC has exactly 2 teams that are any good….FSU and Clemson.
We are copying the SEC strategy of having 1-2 good teams carry the conference.
How bout them BEES!
November 13th, 2012
10:40 am
You ever notice how UGA fans are the ones that want CPJ fired? That should tell you something.
Your FaceBook Friend
November 13th, 2012
10:44 am
I think UGA fans want CPJ’s contract extended withe a huge raise.
GTBob
November 13th, 2012
10:46 am
You ever notice how UGA fans are the ones that want CPJ fired? That should tell you something.
It really bugs them that he doesn’t really care about them. They would rather hate a coach that cries when he loses to UGA.
econaggie
November 13th, 2012
11:25 am
Yeah, Tech can win the ACC and I hope they do. Because then that will make our drubbing of Tech that much more meaningful and should get us a BCS game if not the national championship
gtalum2006
November 13th, 2012
11:41 am
One simple comment… as a huge Jackets fan and alum, I still think we are shooting for the stars here. Duke has beat us before, I think we are going into that w/ a bit too much confidence. One game at a time…
The ACC is just a cluster this year. Miami doesn’t deserve to play for the ACC title b/c they got little more than a slap on the wrist from the NCAA. Whether or not GT makes it to the ACC championship game, there are a few simple facts:
1) We were beat by MTSU… Duke is not a guaranteed win for us… one game at a time, guys.
2) GT used to be a powerful team on defense. We aren’t now… our offense can only score so many points to make up for the deficit created by a weak defense. Even Duke knows this and can take advantage of this.
3) If we manage to somehow, miraculously beat UGA, they should be embarrassed. In fact, if the puppy Dawgs don’t beat the crap out of us, they should hang their heads in shame. That all-powerful SEC name would be tarnished if one of their top teams this season can’t take down a very mediocre GT this year.
That being said, I’m pulling for GT through and through to pull off a miracle… I don’t see it happening, but it sure would be pretty awesome to finish on a high note after this shameful season.
gtalum2006
November 13th, 2012
11:43 am
@econaggie beating this season’s GT shouldn’t earn anybody a national championship… not beating this season’s Jackets should be cause for a minimum 5-spot drop in the rankings. I’m a Techie, and I can acknowledge when my team is weak. Right now, we are weak.
gtalum2006
November 13th, 2012
11:44 am
@econaggie – what I meant was actually “not beating the CRAP out of this season’s Jackets should be cause for a minimum 5-spot drop in the rankings.”
Actually losing to us should be just embarrassing….
Lifelong ACC Fan
November 13th, 2012
11:47 am
Flawed system that allows a likely 10-1 team to be out of the conference championship race, but a 3 conference and 6 overall loss team could be the conference champion.
Hell of a, Hell of a, Hell of a, Hell of a, Hell of an Engineer
November 13th, 2012
11:53 am
The “Perfect Storm”
Clemson finishes with only one loss but is eligible to be the champion of nothing. Notre Dame, Oregon, & Kansas State each lose one or more. Georgia beats Alabama in the SEC Championship game……….only after having lost to Tech.
Heat check: UGA’s hot, Tech’s warm and the Falcons are 8-1 | Mark Bradley
November 13th, 2012
11:56 am
[...] Gave up 50 points. Won by 18. That’s Georgia Tech football. Barometric reading: The Jackets could well play for the ACC championship. When was the last time Georgia and Tech won divisions in the same year? Why, [...]
Sunbury Ga dawg
November 13th, 2012
12:21 pm
You guys are drinking the kool aid, the dawgs will roll tech and then bama, and then on to the bcs championship.
BILLY JACK
November 13th, 2012
12:33 pm
If tech goes to a conf championship with that record they should do away with it.
G.T. to the toilet bowl.
November 13th, 2012
12:40 pm
Ingition.YOU CAN SAY THAT AGAIN. SOO TRUE.
Don
November 13th, 2012
12:41 pm
People keep forgetting miami has to play at duke next week. They could very well lose that game.
Don
November 13th, 2012
12:43 pm
Dadgum are you really this stupid? ND might not beat gt? Really? Nd beat miami like 41-3. Remind me again of the outcome gt had against miami.
Lifelong Jacket
November 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
Let’s be real. I love Tech and would love to see us win the Coastal and an ACC Championship. I will already be in Charlotte for the game to celebrate Ken Swilling being honored as a legend of the ACC and it would be wonderful if I could be cheering for Tech as well. But honestly, I would be embarrassed to win it like this. This is one of the lousiest conferences in the country and the Coastal is pathetic this year. Also, we must give the AD at UGA credit. Scheduling GSU the week before Tech was brilliant. The UGA defense will be ready for us this time. Tevin doesn’t have the talent to compete on that stage and Vad just won’t be ready for it yet. I will be happy if we are able to avoid a bloodletting in Athens this year.
Justin
November 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
Ok law dawg, when fsu beats uf by 20, i guess we can say fsu and clemson would easily win the sec least and west.
FSUFSUFSU
November 13th, 2012
12:47 pm
GT can’t even carry FSU’s Jockstraps… Good LucK!
Rick
November 13th, 2012
12:59 pm
Anything can happen on any given day. Look how vt almost beat fsu. They lost to two big east teams and are 2-4 in the acc.
Miles
November 13th, 2012
1:01 pm
I am a Tech Alum and the biggest fan, but I think UGA is going to run up 50+ points on us this year. Worse thing we could do would be to make it to the Championship game or the Orange bowl, would just give PJ validation. We need a modern offense and better recruits.
ACC Football Daily Links — Florida State’s Jimbo Fisher Blasts BCS Computers, Playoff System | Atlantic Coast Convos
November 13th, 2012
1:06 pm
[...] Georgia Tech as Coastal Champion? Yep, It Could Happen (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) [...]
BS Patrol
November 13th, 2012
1:12 pm
Doggies lost to hapless KY.The KY player was pushed into the doggie punter.His Oscar performance was laughable.
kingdaddy
November 13th, 2012
1:15 pm
Miles
Thankyou for trying to be the voice of reason. Good luck with that…
kingdaddy
November 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
BS Patrol
I’ll bet your BS alarm goes off everytime you pass a mirror, lol…
Einstein
November 13th, 2012
1:22 pm
Hey Miles, this time next year you’ll be praising PJ’s boys because with Vad Lee playing the whole year at QB we’ll all get to see what happens when the perfect QB for PJ’s system performs. Think about it: VL’s a great runner and already passes better than just about any QB we’ve had since Kim King, we’ve got a bunch of young receivers who have been learning how to block and run patterns in PJ’s system, and by opening up the passing game = even bigger gains on the ground. So we’ll see more passing, more yards and more points. And the defense can only get better, so sit back and enjoy the future. And yes, it is highly unlikely we’ll be able to hold uga under 38 points but we’ll give their defense some problems and it might just turn out to be a fun game …….
GTBob
November 13th, 2012
1:26 pm
Also, we must give the AD at UGA credit. Scheduling GSU the week before Tech was brilliant.
I really don’t understand this. UGA was probably going to beat GT anyways, whether they scheduled GSU or not. Now they have to spend the last two weeks of the regular season practicing for triple option offenses instead of getting ready for Bama. Doesn’t seem like that smart of a decision.
Final
November 13th, 2012
1:30 pm
Uga 47
Gt 31
Final
November 13th, 2012
1:31 pm
i don’t think they will have to practice too much bobby. maybe like an hour.
Stiffneck
November 13th, 2012
1:35 pm
I hope Georgia Tech ends up as Coastal champion. Would salvage an otherwise trainwreck of a season.
GTBob
November 13th, 2012
1:38 pm
i don’t think they will have to practice too much bobby. maybe like an hour.
So you think they won’t practice for the triple option and will just start getting ready for Bama now? That would probably be the smarter thing to do so I doubt your coach will do it.
Einstein
November 13th, 2012
1:40 pm
Final – 47 – 31 sounds about right.
The Simple Scenario
November 13th, 2012
1:53 pm
Not sure if mark mentioned this:
GT beats Duke
Duke beats Miami
GT is in
Did I miss something??
TechFanForever
November 13th, 2012
2:15 pm
Funny how most folks consider a game with GA Southern before playing Tech an advantage for UGA. I still believe CPJ is one of the best game coaches. I think it is equally Tech’s advantage to see how UGA plays GA Southern before Tech steps out onto the field. CPJ will for sure be watching that game. Not saying Tech will win. My goodness, UGA has way superior athletes. The game should not even be close. Athletically speaking, it should be UGA 52 Tech 9.
1980 was so long ago
November 13th, 2012
2:18 pm
“”I think it is equally Tech’s advantage to see how UGA plays GA Southern before Tech steps out onto the field. CPJ will for sure be watching that game”"
Excellent point, it works both ways.
GT 4 Life
November 13th, 2012
2:20 pm
I see a lot of FSU fans talking smack about GT. Do they realize that Paul Johnson is undefeated against FSU? Do they realize we put up 50 points on them last time we played in Tallahassee?
lkb
November 13th, 2012
3:21 pm
Just goes to show how lousy the ACC really is- Don’t worry basketball season just started.
List Mama » Duke, Ga Tech still alive in ugly ACC Coastal race – Yahoo! Sports
November 13th, 2012
4:07 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Charlie Hayes
November 13th, 2012
4:15 pm
This just proves how far the ACC has fallen! GT stinks and so do the other teams in the coastal division. Dont forget that GT got smoked by the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders! Go away you baby bumble bees!
No chance, after all, for Tech in three-way Coastal tie | Georgia Tech
November 13th, 2012
5:00 pm
[...] Bradley: Tech as Coastal champion? Yep, it could happen [...]
Delusional
November 13th, 2012
6:33 pm
By all means, please keep CPJ…..he makes UGA look good! No complaints here!
Duke, Ga Tech still alive in ugly ACC Coastal race – Yahoo! Sports | South Sport
November 13th, 2012
7:07 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Notes: Washington looking like starter for Tech | Georgia Tech
November 13th, 2012
9:32 pm
[...] Bradley: Tech as Coastal champion? Yep, it could happen [...]
Vad the Impaler
November 14th, 2012
9:28 am
“By all means, please keep CPJ…..he makes UGA look good! No complaints here!”
Thanks, we plan on keeping him.. He’s great and we love him… and if he ever got a defense worthy of his offense we would be seeing something special…
Johnson on Lee, offense, redshirt freshmen | Georgia Tech
November 14th, 2012
10:23 am
[...] Bradley: Tech as Coastal champion? Yep, it could happen [...]
Blaster
November 14th, 2012
4:59 pm
Whoa boys! Tech ain’t going to any Orange Bowl if they have to play the ‘Noles to get there.