Heat Check: Destiny’s Dogs? No-bowl Jackets? Whoa, Nelly
Surrounded by the enemy: The Georgia Tech band in Sanford Stadium. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
Our Heat Check arrives just in time to warm what promises to be a chilly week. Face facts, folks: There’s not much happening in local sports.
Kidding.
GEORGIA: Will play for the BCS title — some guy I know predicted they would — with a victory over Alabama on Saturday. Barometric reading: Three weeks ago, people were saying the Bulldogs would have no chance against the mighty Tide. A lot of those same people seem to have changed their minds, and I’m not just talking about Georgia fans. I’m talking about neutrals who see the Dogs as no less talented as Bama. Just as Bacarri Rambo said.
GEORGIA TECH: Paul Johnson now believes his Jackets didn’t give much of an effort in Athens. (Who knew, huh?) But if Tech can rouse itself to topple Florida State — maybe the nation’s most overrated team — in Charlotte on Saturday, the Jackets will be headed for what Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports calls potentially the worst BCS bowl matchup ever: Tech against Kent State. Seriously. Barometric reading: Then again, if Tech loses to the Seminoles, it might not grace any bowl. Tech insiders insist they’ll land in a bowl even at 6-7, but there now appears no guarantee their request for a waiver would be favorably met
FALCONS: Everyone around the team was heartened by the one-point escape from Tampa Bay, for good reason. It was a big-time win over a tough opponent, and the Falcons haven’t beaten many tough opponents … well, all season. Barometric reading: They can clinch the NFC South with a month to spare by beating hated New Orleans on Thursday and then watching the Buccaneers lose at Denver on Sunday.
HAWKS: Remember when it was suggested this team was about to embark on a nice little run? This team has embarked on a nice little run. Having won five in a row, the Hawks hold the fourth-best record in the NBA East. Barometric reading: Check the schedule. They might not lose again anytime soon.
BRAVES: Waiting for B.J. Upton to decide where he wants to play. The good news is that Upton has long been hailed as one of the game’s biggest talents. Barometric reading: The sabermetric reality is that Upton was half the player Michael Bourn was in 2012. According to FanGraphs, Bourn’s WAR (wins above replacement) rating was 6.5; Upton’s was 3.3.
By Mark Bradley
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344 comments Add your comment
flatsdawg1
November 27th, 2012
10:49 am
Billy Bob Cyrus, you only had one cheesy country hit, but I think you hit the nail on the head with that comment, Murray will be ready, but being patient and controlled in the first half will be the key, turnovers will kill. Saban and Kirby will have some different looks on the defense guaranteed and will try to rattle him. I believe our defense can contain them enough to win, but our O line and Murray’s nerves are the key to the game.Sure would be nice to have Marlon and Michael out there too.If i’m Richt, I play all the backs in this game try to wear down that front , and have a few tricky plays and use that speedy freshman WR, their secondary can be beat down!
The Auditor
November 27th, 2012
10:49 am
I’ve got an extra lower level SECCG ticket available. Lower level end zone – $360. Let me know if you’re interested.
GatonnDC
November 27th, 2012
10:50 am
I agree with Mark. GA does seem to have a chance to beat BAMA as BAMA does not look unbeatable.
That said, Saban has experience in coaching big games and knowing Murray’s issues with top 10 teams, he may have something special for him (In 2010, Saban made sure Tebow does not hurt them like the previous year and they were successful)
Good luck. Bama wins by 3.
WDE
November 27th, 2012
10:50 am
The Hammer lets review Stanford beat Oregon and Stanford got rolled by Washington who got rolled by LSU who got rolled by the Gators who got rolled by…wait for it UGA so what is your point?
GTT
November 27th, 2012
10:51 am
What happened to Clemons College? I thought they’d be in the ACC title game for sure, being coached by Dabo and all.
Kirby Smart
November 27th, 2012
10:52 am
Alabama will totally destroy the Bulldogs.
Alabama 45 – UGA 10
Georgia will never again win the SEC…enjoy the Outback Bowl…again.
The only great teams in the SEC are:
1. Alabama
2. LSU
3. Florida
4.Texas AM
If not for UGA playing an easy schedule…
UGA is obviously second tier in the SEC. Well, at least you got to the dance. Just be prepared to be embarrassed.
dean
November 27th, 2012
10:53 am
I also went back and read Mark’s predictions. Nice job. Next I’ll go back and read the comments. That should make for some great laughs today.
Buzz Belle
November 27th, 2012
10:54 am
“UGA is sure to win many more against Tech now with such stupid support”
And what team was on national TV sporting the sign “GO DWAGS”? Stupid? Because I support my coach, your calling me stupid? Hahaha!
GTBob
November 27th, 2012
10:55 am
According to you the last several weeks the SEC is way overrated and FSU and Clemson were these really good teams
I never said FSU and Clemson were good teams, although I did think they would win their games this past weekend. It is pretty obvious that they are awful. The SEC is overrated though.
WDE
November 27th, 2012
10:59 am
Kirby Smart lets see in your top 4 we beat one of them and that team beat the other two including one that beat your bunch…damn your easy !
The SEC wins The 2012 ACC Championship
November 27th, 2012
11:00 am
GTBob
If the SEC is overrated then so is every other conference
Mike S.
November 27th, 2012
11:03 am
Kirby Smart likes to talk schedule when Bama didnt play any better. Neither Bama or UGA played any of the top 3 teams from the other division. They both played two tough division games and went 1-1.
Mike S.
November 27th, 2012
11:04 am
The SEC championship game is more a matchup of the two teams that survived with the easiest SEC schedules than it is the best two SEC teams. I think the top 6 SEC teams are all on the same level. If they played a round robin, they would all beat the crap out of each other. Not one of them would rise above the rest. UF was lucky to play A&M first game of the season too.
ADMan
November 27th, 2012
11:07 am
Kirby Smart is hung like a field mouse ….like most Bama fans are.
The Hammer
November 27th, 2012
11:09 am
As for UW beating Stanford, notice that it was at Husky Stadium, where UW lost only once this year, to USC. Their only two wins on the road were at Cal and at Colorado. The Huskies even lost in Pullman this year. Notable wins at home were against Stanford and Oregon State, two ranked teams. So, UW losing on the road to LSU isn’t all that surprising, is it?
Bill
November 27th, 2012
11:11 am
Ga has played a joke of a schedule. Once again they miss lsu and bama. And their ooc was an absolute joke. Does anyone really think bama loses twice in a month? Ha. Good teams don’t lose 35-7.
Bama wins this one easily 38-21
MS Bully
November 27th, 2012
11:14 am
You have at least one Miss. State fan pulling for the other Bulldogs. Buck Fama!!!
Turd Ferguson
November 27th, 2012
11:15 am
BAMA by 17 over GA the thugs will have to many penalties. they had a weak sched and are still overrated.. TIDE ROLLS AGAIN .
Joey
November 27th, 2012
11:17 am
Seems “some guy I know” has been right a lot this season.
Congrats on that, MB.
Oh and, maybe the Jackets took PJ’s famous, “we have bigger fish to fry” comment to heart this year.
“The new sheriff in town!!” is now 1-4 vs UGA.
Seems he was more of a Barney Fife . . .
Reality
November 27th, 2012
11:19 am
Dogs lose to Alabama. No doubt in my mind. This is particularly true with Rambo’s remarks recently that will obviously be used by Alabama to get them up for the game – as if they needed anything. How stupid si Rambo? Wait a minute – he is a dog, so why ask?
GA Tech goes bowling. No doubt in my mind. What bowl is uncertain. If the NCAA can grant a waiver last year to another team for the exact same scenerio, then they sure as heck will grant the waiver this year to Tech.
Silver Fox
November 27th, 2012
11:20 am
Strength of schedule….UGA #42. Alabama #39. SOS is a moot point. Overcoming the Al mystique is the issue. Win or lose, love the Dogs. Whatever bowl we end up in will be a great opportunity to support my team.
DawginLex
November 27th, 2012
11:21 am
Easy schedule?
How about Bama avoiding
UGA 11-1
Florida 11-1
SC 10-2
?????
the_athenian
November 27th, 2012
11:22 am
Gt bob:
Do you have nightmares about Georgia beating Alabama, then defeating Notre Dame and becoming national champs?
1971DAWG
November 27th, 2012
11:23 am
Bill, this easy schedule argument is getting old. UGA didn’t play the top 3 teams in the West(Bama, LSU, and A&M), Bama didn’t play the top 3 teams in the East(UGA, S.C. and Florida). 2 of the top 3 teams in the East are ranked in top 5, only one of the top 3 teams in the West is ranked in top 5. UGA beat the #2 ranked team at the time they played in Florida, Bama beat the # 5 ranked team when they played them in LSU. Your rationale is totally stupid.
Silly Bloggers
November 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Once I saw GTBob type that he just watched the replay of the Georgia game against Florida ten seconds after someone talked about a play in the game that happened a month ago, I started to get a bit scared of him. He is like a cyberterrorist sitting in his basement surrounded by all things UGA putting on red lipstick. Scary. Don’t push the red button GTBob. Seriously, has your DVR run out of space from recorded UGA games? How far back to the games go?
Vampire Bill
November 27th, 2012
11:26 am
Is the ACC Championship even televised? Sports South maybe with lots of Title max and Hair club for men commercials?
Silly Bloggers
November 27th, 2012
11:26 am
If you pay $1,000 at the SECCG, you get a decen seat. You pay $1,000 for the ACCCG you get to play in the game.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 27th, 2012
11:29 am
Richt has his chance
Now lets see if all his talk is going to be backed up
I hope he does it; but in my opinion I dont see him pulling it off; hopefully Im wrong
DIT
November 27th, 2012
11:31 am
I hope the Jackets come up with their best game of the year and beat Free Shoes U. It would be awesome!
Heisenberg
November 27th, 2012
11:31 am
Is the ACC Championship even televised?
Yes in prime time on Saturday night. The SEC championship is at 4PM must be the warm up act. That is like the Stones opening up for a local club cover band.
Patched Tire On I-95 in Jacksonville
November 27th, 2012
11:32 am
I think if you pay $1000 you get lifetime season tickets to Tech games and you get to take home the ACC trophy
Even though it has already been taken home by the SEC
Lee
November 27th, 2012
11:32 am
You guys give too much credence to Sponge Bob!
doc
November 27th, 2012
11:32 am
ncaa please, just say no!
simple response to get some reality here. maybe all teams should be alliowed to have “post season” practice so this folly of a reason to go to a bwl game is rendered obsolete!
DawgFaceBlues
November 27th, 2012
11:33 am
If UGA wins Saturday, what will be the excuses then? Still easy schedule? Still cupcake OCC,
Cuz you know when we beat BAMA, we gonna rip ND a new one. What will be the excuses…..Anybody, Anybody?
Lee
November 27th, 2012
11:34 am
ACC game has been “Blacked Out” to the country. People are filing suit to the local station for calling it a championship game. I bet there is not even 10,000 people at that game
Bronc62
November 27th, 2012
11:35 am
Headline….Kent State takes the sting out of Jackets…
slydog
November 27th, 2012
11:37 am
CPJ makes me sick and here is why: It’s always the player’s fault when they lose a game and never his. Either it’s lack of execution or effort or both. Also, from what I saw on the field Saturday with my own two eyes: Forget lack of talent, GT lacks size across the board. CPJ’s recruits belong at a service academy or the WAC. When you looked at FSU play Florida and Clemson play USCe, there is no discernible size/ speed difference. I have never seen a Tech team so physically inferior. CPJ cannot continue to think he can outsmart other teams. Sometimes you just have to line up and smack somebody in the mouth. The entire defense and the offensive line is pathetically small and looks like a well-dressed, well-funded, GA Southern team.
murfdawg
November 27th, 2012
11:37 am
note to Bill:
You are right about good teams should not get beat 35-7.
How good was Bama when they were down 20-0 to A&M and a freshman qb?
Also, how good was Bama when they had to score in the last minute to beat LSU with an exiled qb?
Bama was getting beat for 119 minutes this year and UGA for only 60.
There are six good teams in the SEC and imho UGA is one of them.
See you Sat!!!!!
blackandwhitestripes
November 27th, 2012
11:39 am
and just think, it was not long ago when the leg-humper fans were throwing eggs. Mutts lose to Alabama, fire MR. This will be their cry!
DawgFaceBlues
November 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Good teams like Kansas State don’t get 52 hung on them either. Weren’t they ranked #1 at one time predicted to win it all when Baylor manhandled them.
GatorBoy
November 27th, 2012
11:40 am
Whoa, Nellie!
D
UGA’s not going anywhere!
Enjoy the Chik-fil-A bowl against Clempson!
Rick James
November 27th, 2012
11:42 am
@GTBob
If UGA could stick with Mark Richt through the terrible job he has done over the years then GT can hang with CPJ a little longer.
———————————————————————————————————————————
Bob I wont wallow in the mud with you regarding overall records.Let’s just look at head to head records between the two coaches.And consider this,when Tech hires a new AD unless its you would he rather have Paul Johnson or Mark Richt? And dont give me that Mark Right cant do any better than the Paul Johnson at Tech argument.Dumping that Knute Rockne offense alone would be a vast improvement.
DawgFaceBlues
November 27th, 2012
11:42 am
Spurrier’s primary goal every year is to be UGA, anything beyond is a bonus.
Lee
November 27th, 2012
11:43 am
Tech need to get rid of Johnson. Or expect the same thing every year until you do. There are many more qualified coaches out there that can win and recruit. Tech needs some serious recruiting right now AND GET RID OF THAT OUT OF DATE OFFENSE.
Don’t care how many yards you rck up rushing, bottom line is that your team is at.500 because of Johnson.
Possible Hires:
Derek Dooley
Brian Van Gorder
Mike Bobo( laugh, but what a huge improvement he would make)
Pay Todd Grantham
Chizik
Joker Phillips
Too many to name. All which are better than Johnson.
Jacket Nation Deflation
November 27th, 2012
11:44 am
There are two pretty good teams in the ACC and Tech is nowhere near those two. Tech might play in the Pepto Bismol Waiver Bowl. It will feature two sorry teams that are not as sorry as sorry as someone like Auburn. Tech specializes in Upsets of the Stomach kind. Which makes this a suitable bowl for a team on the road to nausea and vomiting. Why should the Jackets go to a bowl game when it’s fan won’t even drive up the road to Athens to see a disgusting end to a losing season. 6-6? Losing season after we give up 42+ to Florida State. Our defense stinks! Florida State is in the top ten in almost every defensive catagory. Look for a massive beat down of about 45 to 14.
Rick James
November 27th, 2012
11:44 am
@DawginLex
Easy schedule?
How about Bama avoiding
UGA 11-1
Florida 11-1
SC 10-2
?????
——————-
Its amazing how only Georgia fans seem to catch that..
Big Time???? Not!
November 27th, 2012
11:44 am
Internet special. ACC Championship Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes. Oh and what time do you want kick off to be?
Buckeye
November 27th, 2012
11:44 am
dogs lose vs. Bama
dogs lose vs/ Michigan in Capital One
Gerald Abrams
November 27th, 2012
11:45 am
I called a sports station in Birmingham this morning and announced to the Tide Nation that Georgia will roll all over them this Saturday. I guarenteed a Georgia victory of 27-10. Alabama will take a 10 – 7 lead at half, but Murray & Gurly will turn it up 2nd half. Georgia D will rise up in 3rd qtr.
Gerogia reminds me of the NY Giants last year. The Giants were so-so first part of year, then they got hot at playoff time. Football is just that…….all depends when you get hot. Georgia is on fire right now and even though Alabama is playing good ball, they are just not playing at the same level of intensity of Georgia right now.
Alabama is everybody’s pick and that just give Georgia fuel to go out and put the beatdown on Crimson Tide.
Georgia will no doubt explode on Notre Dame. That will not even be close. Georgia wins NC easily by at least 28 points.
Lee
November 27th, 2012
11:46 am
“Boy” is appropriate there “Gator”