Tech-Georgia outcome not pivotal to recruiting
We’re comparing everything else between Georgia and Georgia Tech this week so we might as well compare recruiting, as hard as that can be.
As everyone knows, these two schools — and especially their fans — are bitter rivals. But while they go head-to-head every year on the gridiron, they don’t go head-to-head on a ton of prospects.
Part of that has to do with the schools’ academic curricula and part of it has to do with Tech coach Paul Johnson’s spread option offense. The run-oriented Yellow Jackets’ scheme is just so different from Georgia’s pro-style setup that they don’t recruit a lot of the same players on that side of the ball. More and more, however, they appear to be going after the same defensive prospects.
Of the 12 recruits committed to Georgia Tech’s 2010 class — all of them from the state of Georgia, by the way — the Bulldogs offered five of them. Of those all but one is expected to play defense: DB Ryan Ayers, DB B.J. Bostic, DB Jake Skole, DB Isaiah Johnson and OL Morgan Bailey. Just a few years ago, you’ll recall, they were in a major tug-of-war over Tech safety Morgan Burnett, whose brother Cap Burnett played for the Dogs.
Of course, there have been plenty of offensive prospects fought over, too. In fact, some of the biggest stars for the ACC Coastal champions were recruited hard by the Bulldogs, including quarterback Josh Nesbitt, wide receiver Stephen Hill and All-America running back Jonathan Dwyer.
Fans of both schools assumed that Georgia chose running back Caleb King over Dwyer when the two were coming out of Metro Atlanta high schools in 2007. Coach Mark Richt adamantly denied that was the case this week. He said the Bulldogs wanted them both.
“We tried like mad to get Jonathan Dwyer,” Richt said of the 2008 ACC Player of the Year. “We thought he was one of the finest backs in the state and in the country and a very fine young man. I didn’t know he was going to grow into such the big ‘hoss’ that he is now. I thought he was a good-sized back, but I didn’t think he’d get up to the 235-240 range and still keep his speed and power. But we tried like mad to get him.”
Neither coach believes the actual outcome of the game has a significant bearing on their schools’ recruiting abilities from year to year.
“I think there are a lot of other factors involved,” Johnson said. “Do [recruits] want to see the programs comparable? Sure. But there are a lot of contrasts between Georgia and Georgia Tech, far more than who wins the game. The location, majors that are offered, prestige of certain programs, there’s a lot of factors that go into it.”
If the recruits grew up in this state, their upbringing often can be the most important factor.
Said Richt: “I think there are probably some men who grow up wanting to be a Dawg and some guys grow up wanting to be a Yellow Jacket. I think that’s part of it. Then there are going to be guys on the fence.”
As far as comparing their current recruiting classes, that’s really apples and oranges. For starters, Georgia currently has 18 commitments and will sign from 22 to 24 in February. Tech will have a much smaller class. It has only 12 commitments and may not sign more than 13 or 14 on national signing day.
Nevertheless, here’s what the two classes look side-by-side using the ratings and rankings of Rivals.com and Scout.com as a measure:
- Georgia: National ranking of No. 9 from Rivals and No. 8 from Scout. Rivals has them with one 5-star, nine 4-stars and six 3-stars. Scout has the Bulldogs with three 5-star prospects, nine 4-stars and six 3-stars.
- Tech: National ranking of No. 37 per Rivals and No. 31 from Scout. Rivals has the Jackets with zero 5-star players, two 4-stars and 10 3-stars. Scout has them with five 4-stars and seven 3-stars.
That’s their rankings not mine, folks. Now have at it.
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162 comments Add your comment
Cuttysark
November 25th, 2009
5:18 am
Well done Chip. It is true that offensively the two schools have different needs, however, winning carries a certain cache’ that goes a long way in the recruiting process. UGA will always have a higher recruiting ranking, but Tech will get the right players it needs for their triple option. Stars are nice, but it means nothing if they can’t play football. I don’t that skinny kid who went to Mississippi Valley College way back when had any stars. But Jerry Rice did okay for himself. I will say that I enjoy reading all of the recruiting barbs that UGA and Tech throw back and forth based on the “stars” and rankings.
Go to http://isportsweb.com for a preview of the Georgia Tech Game and their “High School Offense” as they take on UGA for the State Championship. THWG!
Cuttysark
November 25th, 2009
5:20 am
Oops! I meant to say; I don’t think that skinny kid…..
jdl2
November 25th, 2009
6:31 am
Grew up with Tech/GA. Kids want to play for a winner, get good rankings, get TV coverage, go to big bowls, win championships. Every game matters, and in this state, Tech/GA matters big time. Right now, thankfully, that means Tech. So a kid on the fence (that doesn’t want a liberal arts major) will pick Tech over GA. At least they know who their coach will be by the time they start school.
Saint Simons
November 25th, 2009
6:36 am
All he ever wanted to be was a Georgia quarterback. hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Kennesaw Dawg
November 25th, 2009
7:02 am
I hate to say it, but Tech will probably accomplish more with their 37/31 ranked class than we will with our 8/9 ranked class. Sad. Somebody at UGA had better learn how to develop these talented kids!
Bobbi Dud
November 25th, 2009
7:14 am
Is it time to change the name of the stadium at the corner of North Avenue and Techwood Drive?
collegeballfan
November 25th, 2009
7:27 am
Interesting take on the recruiting Chip. Bottom line I get from your column is that GT & UGA will not tangle over many offensive players.
This based on the needs of their respective systems. But they will tangle over the defensive players as both run the same basic defense.
I am a Tech fan but I have always considered UGA as having a big advantage on recruiting. First, Georgia is the State university.
Second, just the sheer number of majors UGA offers compared to GT.
Third, the relative success of the programs over the last 45 years.
UGA sat with Vince Dooley as coach all those years he he gave the school a stability it is still enjoying. Tech has had coaches coming & going like a bus terminal over the last 45 years. Do I have it correct; Tech has had 10 head coaches since Dooley joined UGA, UGA has had 4? This correct?
But with the players in the game Saturday all being in their 1st through 5th year, UGA has a big advantage. The UGA players all come from top 10 recruiting classes. The Tech players come from top 30 to low 40 recruiting classes, except for the 2006 Tech class rated in the mid 20’s. Based on recruiting, there is no way Tech should win this game.
Of course, Tech should not have won last year. So it comes down to how you play that game. Georgia has mo betta players than Tech. But we shall see. Let’s get it on!
The Real YellowJacket
November 25th, 2009
7:30 am
All we do is win.
45-42
karen
November 25th, 2009
7:48 am
we wanna be bravo!!!!
Paddy
November 25th, 2009
7:57 am
The stars attached to players are for fan ammusment only and to sell the internet product of same. College coaches pay no attention to those evaluations. They are not going to put their job status on the line because some internet reporter says a kid can play or not play!
Starring Peter Graves as Capt. Clarence Over
November 25th, 2009
8:03 am
Georgia offered 5 of the players that have committed to Tech? No way. I didn’t think UGA EVER offered anyone Tech recruited, I thought it was “beneath” them. Recruiting ratings are a pile of crap anyway.
SickandTired
November 25th, 2009
8:06 am
The stars mean nothing if not developed. Georgia has shown that they can recruit. Jim Donnan was a much better recruiter. Georgia fired him and Mark Richt won with his players. Now Mark Richt has his own players and is an also ran in the SEC East much less so in the SEC. The decline of Georgia under the leadership of Mark Richt is stunning and if the powers that be are paying attention they will fire him now or they can fire him later but fired he shall be. Knowing how Georgia does things, it will be several years later than they should have. But hey, he’s a good man. So was Chan Gailey. How’s that long contract extension looking right now? Well at one time the Dawgs were paying three coaches, Goff, Donnan and Richt. Now they are paying one and half the fan base wants him gone and the other half wants him for life……if Georgia wants to compete with Urban Meyer, Kiffin, Saban and whoever LSU hires when they fire Miles they better get started with getting the right guy in the Head Coaching spot now.
chiefdawg
November 25th, 2009
8:06 am
UGA coaches pay attention to the stars. That’s how they recruit.They certainly don’t do a good job of evaluating talent themselves. They sit back on their rear ends and just assume players will come to UGA.
Joe Hamilton
November 25th, 2009
8:07 am
What kind of academic requirements do you really have to achieve to get into GT as a football player. The requirements were obviously not that high.
m
November 25th, 2009
8:08 am
There are currently 7 players that have committed to either TECH or ugag that were offered by BOTH TECH and ugag.
Out of these 7 players, Tech has 5…ugag has 2.
So Paul Johnson is not only kicking ugag’s arse on the field, he is also kicking their arse in head to head recruiting battles too.
There is a new sheriff in town…his name is Paul Johnson…and ugag is going to regret the day they ever heard of him. Mark it down.
Joe Blow
November 25th, 2009
8:09 am
Translation: We know GT is going to beat us, so don’t get too upset when they do.
Wait…
for….
it…
45-19!
SuperB
November 25th, 2009
8:14 am
Chips’s comparison of Rivals vs. Scout is interesting. I use Rivals for my columns –not Scout. We’ve found over several years their ratings are more accurate when reviewed after a player’s career has ended.
hotbobby
November 25th, 2009
8:18 am
Is GT’s lower ranking because they only are recruiting 13 players, dadgumit?
tech is very ripe for a huge upset
November 25th, 2009
8:21 am
Saturday is coming and St. Simmons and all his cronies must get ready for loss number 8 out of 9. What are you idiots talking about. When tech is winning 7 of the last 8, you guys can run your mouths…funny that UGA puts tech as maybe the 5th or 6th most important game on our schedule…Paul Johnson and his high school offense has a long way to go to truly change the tide.
Rankings are BS
November 25th, 2009
8:22 am
Enter your comments here
Rankings are BS
November 25th, 2009
8:27 am
No way you can tell how good kid is nationally as the games and the teams are so different regionally. How does a team like Lowndes compare to Trinity in Dallas or Hoover in Alabama. We’ll never know. It’s guesswork and speculation. You have to recruit kids whose talent fits your system and whose character fits the culture of your institution. That said, I do believe UGA coaches have a tougher job than many as these kids come in with big heads after being told how great they are, and don’t listen to or want to hear what the coaches tell them. You can read the stars of the rating services or develop the stars of your program like Paul Johnson chooses to do.
Hey Jo Blow
November 25th, 2009
8:30 am
Saw your prediction of GT 45-19. Question? Is that at the half or the end of the 3rd quarter?
-Willie Martinez
5 star players
November 25th, 2009
8:36 am
5 star players need 5 star coaches UGA. That’s the difference. Go jackets!
Dawgtime
November 25th, 2009
8:41 am
The voice of reason has returned. This notion of firing Coach Mark Richt is ludicrous. The man has a winning percentage above 70%. How many coaches can claim that? He revitalized the Dawg program from the days of mediocrity. I realize that much of this omnipotent BS is coming from fans of other teams and flash-in-the-pan fans. Some of these people live to stir of trouble and instigate gossip and drama because of their lack of accomplishment and achievement. Some of these people consider a high school diploma to be the pinnacle of their educational career. Most have never played football past a recreation league level. A Pop Warner star developing a case of diarrhea of the mouth and constipation of the brain. I read recently that Mark Richt is being criticized for his religious devotion. That is a poor commentary on the state of our society. We have cultivated a culture of apathy, sarcasm, cynicism, and attacking the fabrics of our society that produced this great country. If you are positive, successful, and conservative, you are attacked by social anarchist. To that end, I take solace in the fact that the majority of Dawgs realize that we have a great coach that has a religious conscious that guides him. As a parent, I would prefer my child plays for a coach that cares more about my child than wins and losses. I am constantly amazed that fans of other teams are constantly posting on UGA recruiting blogs. What can you possibly get out of that? Is that the only way you can get attention? Is your inferiority complex really that bad. The only time I have posted on a GT blog was to compliment a young man such as the Bostic kid. I realize that this post will be quickly removed because it isn’t inciting or childish in nature. Mark Richt is a fine coach and person. Yes, we do need to make some changes. I’m hoping that Coach Martinez accepts a head coaching job to stop all that war chanting. If that doesn’t happen, I would suggest promoting Coach Rodney Garner to defensive coordinator and demoting Coach Martinez to secondary coach. I would mandate a move to the 34 front and a much more aggressive approach. On offense, I would update the offense. The truth is that the future of UGA is very bright. We are addressing major need areas such as pass rushers and more physical blockers with the recruiting class. Our recruiting is a wonderful collection of athletes that will reestablish UGA as a top 5 program. That scares many programs, hence the constant stream of negative comments. I am still amazed at how the Butler kid was criticized, yet no sources were cited, no description was revealed or confirmed, and the event can only be speculated on. This is a high school kid. Teenagers tend to make mistakes. If the young man was a GT commitment, he would be given the benefit of the doubt and the article would have never been written. I heard all this gossip about a GT commitment from a couple of years ago. He is now playing at a prep school, yet I have seen not one article. That is appropriate because it is a private matter. These are young people that should not be condemned by ignorant malcontents. Go DAWGS.
GaTech41
November 25th, 2009
8:41 am
I have always find it amusing that people get all excited about “recruiting rankings”. It seems sort of similar to stock analysts. Sometimes, no matter whether a company’s actual results are good or bad, the analyst will take an opposite view of what the stock should do. I have always wondered why people don’t get mad at the analysts instead of the company. And the same is true for these people who pick 5 star athletes. When those athletes don’t succeed, it is always the coach’s fault; Why don’t people just realize these recruiting analysts just guess at what someone will do over 4 or 5 years. People, they really don’t know.
GaTech41
November 25th, 2009
8:43 am
oops – have found
Frank
November 25th, 2009
8:43 am
With all of this discussion, I only have one thing to say….
Wait…
For…
it…
THWGT!!!!!!!!!
ATLVOL55
November 25th, 2009
8:44 am
Good article. However, I would have to disagree. While this game may not make much of a difference between a guy choosing between Tech or UGA, this game could make a big difference between a guy choosing between UGA, Florida, TN, Alabama, etc.. I have been saying this repeatdly and trust me as a TN fan, you will see it is true… When you miss on your top one or two guy and end up with your third or fourth guy it just won’t cut it with the big boys…I think this game is very big for UGA.
Dawgtime
November 25th, 2009
9:03 am
Mathew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, Ben Watson, Leonard Pope, Sean Jones, Jon Stinchcomb, David Pollack, Charles Johnson, Charles Grant, David Green, Thomas Davis, Greg Blue, Asher Allen, and so on. We have a problem with developing players. That is a truly stupid comment. Name the teams that have more wins than Coach Richt during the same period of time. Name the schools that have sent more players to the NFL during that same period of time. The man has one off season and all the glory hounds start spewing their ignorance. This is crazy. Yes, we know the majority of negative dawg posts are really GT and Gator fans. Paul Johnson is being lauded as a god, yet he has not won a bowl game (LSU dominated the only bowl), a conference championship, and defeated UGA only once. Wow, I’m impressed. He has won with Gailey talent that will be going pro in a few months. What happens then? Yelp, the Gailey effect will return with the bandwagoners jumping off with the losses. They consider being the best team in a state as a major event. This is not high school. The truth is that the ACC and UGA has been down for a couple of years which just happens to be the time in which GT peaked. As the ACC rises back up, GT will fall back to a mid level program. As the young talent at UGA matures, GT will become an after thought again. Study the history of the series. Enjoy your limited time of fame. It’s going to end. Not this year, but next year. Then we will see a new decade of domination. Maybe GT should play is a 5 star conference. I have seen better 5A teams in high school this year than some of the ACC teams. Go DAWGS.
Dawgtime
November 25th, 2009
9:12 am
I have read all the article posts. It is GT fans that are bringing up the recruiting rankings as some sort of validation. These people are delusional. They go on and on about 5 and 4 stars, yet they condemn UGA for it. Coach Richt does not rank these kids. Recruiting gurus do that to make money. GT focuses on it because the gurus rank their commitments very low. That is not done by Coach Richt. I have openly stated that the Bostic kid should be considered a top 5 talent. Why do you focus so much on stars? What is the difference between a 4 and a 5 star? The truth is that the differences are based on biases and which program’s fans are buying the recruiting services. How can a kid’s ranking change when he is not playing? Take a 2 star and have USC offer him and he will be a 4 star in a week. Did he grow 3 inches, increase his bench press by 200 lbs, rush for 500 yards, and increase his 40 time by 3 tenths in that week? No, it’s all about selling a product. Yelp, you are actually building up the recruiting propaganda with all this gossip. Have you received your advertising check yet? Go DAWGS
George P
November 25th, 2009
9:20 am
TV exposure used to be a factor, but now most games by most BCS schools are on TV. It’s unlikely that a great player isn’t going to get noticed, no matter where he plays.
TRUE BLUE
November 25th, 2009
9:41 am
I THINK IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE THESE 4 AND 5 STAR PLAYER DON’T HAVE THE HEART AND WORK ETHIC TO GET BETTER LIKE A 2 AND 3 STAR PLAYER. 4 AND 5 STARS PLAYERS ARE TOO LAID BACK. THEY LIVE IN THE LIMELIGHT THEIR SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL AND WHEN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER IS OVER. JUST BECAUSE THEY WERE THE MAN IN HIGH SCHOOL THEY THINK IT WILL BE THE SAME IN COLLEGE AND ALOT OF THEM DON’T ADJUST TO THAT TO GOOD. GOING FROM BEING THE MAN IN HIGH SCHOOL TO A AVERAGE PERSON IN COLLEGE. THEY FORGET EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME LEVEL AND THAT YOU HAVE TOO WORK HARDER, BECAUSE ITS A DIFFERENT BALLGAME.
atl xmen
November 25th, 2009
9:42 am
half of the uga fan base doesnt want richt fired..i would say all of the tech fans would though..haha,,uga will never fire richt…all he does is win at a 80 percent clip…and when these young pups grow up he will be back at it again..8-5 season every 8 years with 10 wins or more most of those years with 2 sec championchips and top 5-10 rankings in the hunt for a NC most years than not since he has been there…
richt will be at uga way after johnson is gpne from tech…i think tech will fire johnson in a bout 4-5 year when his recruits cant muster more than 7 wins a year..
atl xmen
November 25th, 2009
9:47 am
most of these uga 4-5 star and even the 3 stars go on to play in the pros and as long as they keep doing that uga will continue to recruit…and these 4-5 stars now just need time to grow up
Dooley's Cardiologist
November 25th, 2009
9:48 am
The title of your article is why UGA loses big…..Very Big!!
Navigator
November 25th, 2009
10:21 am
In Pro football, the quality of the players on the team is not measured by the top recruits, but the teams ability to draft in the lower rounds successfully. Tech is in the same position with their recruiting, as said in the article, they have to find quality players in the lower rounds that are also top students. They will never be able to go after recruits that most schools sweat the young means passing the ACT. At Tech they have do well on the ACT, as just passing isn’t good enough.
NC Dawg
November 25th, 2009
10:25 am
I read on college football news.com that they think Urban will go to Notre Dame and Florida will go get Brian Kelly. They also said if Rich Rod gets let go then Michigan will go get Les Miles. They then said LSU could get Gundy from Okie st. Even with those changes CMR better get with it or we will sink further.
Ask yourself this…do you really think the other coaches I just named would keep playing someone as bad as B Evans? He may be one of the worst d players we have had recently. Any other staff would have made changes.
instate
November 25th, 2009
10:26 am
this is a nice thanksgiving article
Official Sports Report: November 25, 2009
It’s Not The End-all, Do-all
Johnson said it; other examples prove it
by Matt Winkeljohn, OSR Managing Editor
ATLANTA – Right off the bat, before I dabble in the delight of Paul Johnson’s weekly council fire with the media, I am compelled to opine a tad on something almost entirely unrelated.
Georgia Tech is playing host to Georgia Saturday night in a football game that is important in one way or another to a whole lot of people aligned on two sides of an occasionally ugly line.
But learning as I did a few hours ago that Tech baseball players are about to launch into a fundraiser for a would-be Georgia baseball player not only made me blink, but re-consider the idea of trying to lend gravity to a mere ball game.
Then, I read again what I couldn’t believe I read the first time I read it.
Chance Veazey, a talented UGA freshman from Tifton who went through fall workouts with the baseball team, crashed on a scooter in Athens in late October.
Now, he’s at the Shepherd Spinal Center here in Atlanta, torn nearly asunder. He’s paralyzed from the waist down. After leaving a study hall of some sort, he hit a car, or it hit him.
Doesn’t matter which.
Here’s the double-take maker: Yellow Jacket baseball players are working up a fundraiser for a young man who hasn’t even played against Tech.
Sorry to jump the gun on a story Sting Extra OSR’s Jon Cooper will write for next week, and sorry again that the Tech sports information department folks preferred that SE-OSR wait to write about this until later for fear of compromising this weekend’s start to the Michael Isenhour Toy Drive.
The moment moves me, though, and the greatest joy in my role with Sting Extra OSR is something approximating an absence of rigid oversight.
I have no great, deep, super meaningful words here. It seems a bit of a shame to go this route when Johnson was more intriguing than usual – and that’s saying something – today with a big and perky media crowd in attendance.
But holy cow!
In taking into account all the recent conversations I’ve had with my 12-year-old son about the dangers of motorcycles, we’ve had none regarding scooters.
So in an odd way, this underlines yet again for perhaps the 10,000th time in my life, the fragile nature of existence, and the value of – and need for — perspective.
We all assign different emotional values to things material and ethereal.
I’m having a hard time calibrating the emotional verdict that should be rendered on the concept of the Jackets raising money for a Dog.
But I think it’s big.
In a way, it renders easier to believe Johnson’s comments today that the Georgia game, while very big to some, will not define this squad of Jackets. It’s not likely to define much, in fact.
Johnson referred to a larger body of work meaning much more. He was onto something.
The pending act of the Tech baseball team defines the potential of humanity in simultaneously small and huge ways. This is a small thing writ large.
If I need to apologize for getting your hopes up, for teasing you into reading on with the idea that there would be great Johnson nuggets, I will. I’m a little low on that kind of juice right now, though, as I close another edition of Sting Extra OSR with children behind me who need to be put to bed.
I’m also unabashedly proud to have been moved by all of this, proud that my older and more calloused heart still has soft spots. And I’m glad that people are capable of greatness on many levels.
Lastly, I’m thankful ahead of a special holiday for a forum to open that ever older heart.
Bless Chance Veazey and all on the wrong side of fate. Bless, too, the baseball Jackets, and all who endeavor to help those in need.
Matt Winkeljohn is managing editor of Sting Extra OSR, with a mail box at gtstingx@gmail.com. He promises more football later in the week.
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CPJ rocks
November 25th, 2009
10:34 am
you UGA fans are delusional if you think it is the GT fans in diguise that write on these blogs to fire Richt…no it is your redeck fans….who has the time to send 1000’s of comments especially after losses to Oklahoma St, Tn, Florida and then KY. If UGA beats GT all will be forgiven because it is like th 18th hole in golf but if GT beats UGA, your fans will start up again calling for his head. Even national radio sportstalk programs have already before the season began talking about how UGA fans will call for Richt’s head should he lose to UF a 3rd time and GT a 2nd time. As Bob Dole use to say, “I know it, you know it and the American people know it”
Dawgs forever!
November 25th, 2009
10:35 am
SickandTired….what an idiot you are with your comments. CMR is NOT the problem with the program! Should Oklahoma fire Bob Stoops? They are 6-5 right now! They have to play their in-state rival this weekend. If they lose should Stoops go? No way, just like CMR should NOT go. You idiots out there that think we should clean house over a bad year. Or even over a bad year and a half. Last year was not a bad year!!
DawgTime….you are right on the money!! You make a lot of great points. All the other “haters” that claim to be Dawg fans, but are most likely GT, UF, UT, AU, USC, etc….fans need to go on their on sites and let us Dawg fans talk about some changes that need to be made, but the changes are sure not at the top of the Dawgs!! Dawgs win another close one against the North Ave Trade School!
Dawgs forever!
November 25th, 2009
10:41 am
Instate….great post!! Thank you for sharing and yes it puts it all in perspective!! Great job GT baseball team!
Southern Football
November 25th, 2009
10:51 am
Rivals only lists UGA with One 5-star prospect.
Reality Check Where Are You?
November 25th, 2009
10:53 am
Come on out boy, chk, chk, come on boy, you bark so much and so loud, why can’t I find you this week of all weeks? Lead me to the beatdown by the coke, come on boy…..
Guess she ran away.
Joe B Hall
November 25th, 2009
10:57 am
I know Lane Kiffin said he owns Georgia and will never loose to them while he is at Tennessee, but Kentucky has beaten Georgia 2 out of the last 4 years, don’t we own at least a piece of Georgia?
Urbane Myer
November 25th, 2009
10:59 am
I own Georgia, I’m just letting Lane and Rich Brooks and Paul Johnson sit there for a minute.
Texas Dawg
November 25th, 2009
11:10 am
In the big scheme, football is entertainment just like movies. Some great directors spend a year on a film and it bombs. This year the football at UGA has been hard to watch, flashes of greatness followed by scenes of disaster. The coaches at UGA watched the same games we did, whatever plot this was didn’t work. I am looking forward to next year with the same group of coaches as this year. Will they go to pressure defense all the time? I hope so. Will they go with control the game offense in the first half and overkill the opponent in the second? Would be very entertaining to see UGA put up a 65-10 win over someone in the SEC. This year was more of taking clips that didn’t make it other films and trying to make a cult classic. I think most UGA dawgwatchers like the smash’em up style best, I know I do.
I'm on St Simons Island right now
November 25th, 2009
11:23 am
and for what it’s worth, I don’t see even ONE (1), Yellow Jacket! But I see a LOT of ‘Dawg people! SSI is Georgia Bulldog Country: yesterday, today, and forever.
dwdawg
November 25th, 2009
11:29 am
saint simons had to be a weiner dork since kindergarten
Whatever
November 25th, 2009
11:32 am
You got your stats on Rivals and Scout backwards for UGA.
Brian
November 25th, 2009
11:37 am
It all comes down to coaching and recruiting. UGA seems to win the recruiting battle every year. Hmmmm. Wonder what that says about the coaching and player development. Paul Johnson has exceeded everyone’s expectations and is brilliant as far as I’m concerned. With the game on the line – I want PJ as my coach. Mark is a nice guy, but so was Chan Gailey….
Gator Fan
November 25th, 2009
12:26 pm
Have no stake in the game either way, but I wonder if the Dawg fans (or even our fans) would show the class of the GT baseball team. Nice touch.
Chip Towers
November 25th, 2009
1:10 pm
Somehow inversed the Rivals and Scout rankings. They’re fixed now.
Dawg Fan 74
November 25th, 2009
1:20 pm
The Dawgs will roll over the Jackets and DESTROY the YELLOWjackets with the final score of 49-7. The Jackets will be crying for the next year!
Go DAWGS!
Dawg Fan 74
November 25th, 2009
1:24 pm
The Jackets just had a lucky year.
I know it, you know it and the American people know it.
Nativebird
November 25th, 2009
2:08 pm
Recuiting for the trenches is where programs are built, and ’style’ of offense has a much less affect on the likelihood of the big men moving on to the NFL, than it does on the skill positions.
Winning = higher ranking = more TV time = more exposure for highschoolers with ambitions to consider.
I see more talent choosing Tech than historical trends would dictate, given the choice of only the two and the present condition and trend of both programs.
Ogeechee Dawg
November 25th, 2009
2:22 pm
Look forward to the game – I was raised to root for both schools due to a split family situation. Grew up going to games at both schools.
I do wish GT was back in the SEC.
Could send SC to the ACC – they have more of a rivalry with Clemson and any school from NC.
Along with UGA – Imagine Florida, Tennessee, KY and Vandy regulary visitng Bobby Dodd / Grant Frield!. Now imagina Auburn (95 minutes?) – Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss rotating in.
Miss the GT/Auburn series and the GT/ TN series….. and GT/Alabama just hated each other.
I guess I am showing my age!
Go Dawgs – let’s pull it together for this great rivalry game!
wrl
November 25th, 2009
2:50 pm
tech is very ripe for a huge upset:
5th or 6th most important game? Go review the Channel 2 Action News sports segment from last night featuring UGA’s own Chuck Douchebag. The question was asked to CPJ if this game was the most important, he said something like, no, the ACC championship was and you guys (media) were treating it like the Super Bowl. Douchebag then chimed in “Coach, the superbowl pregame show starts at 7:00PM Saturday night” 5th or 6th most important, get a friggin life!!! I am sure you leg humpers have now put Vandy & KY ahead of beating Tech!!!!
THWG
toe meets leather
November 25th, 2009
3:10 pm
UGA is going to wish they had those 42 points from last year. Oh by the way I have a stuffed bulldawg on a leash no wait a minute that’s a NOOSE that you can use at Bobby Dodd Saturday night.
THWG
toe meets leather
November 25th, 2009
3:13 pm
re: Dawg Fan 74
Are you on Crack?
dogman
November 25th, 2009
4:10 pm
By sunday, i wonder what the ajc will say about tech, everyone knows they are a heavy tech lean, just like fox news is for the repubs, The dogs will right the ship, just like the Hornets!
Go Dawgs!
http://www.swarmhornetswarm.com
Delbert D.
November 25th, 2009
5:30 pm
” He has won with Gailey talent that will be going pro in a few months. What happens then? Yelp, the Gailey effect will return with the bandwagoners jumping off with the losses.”
Let’s get real. 6 seniors, 4 who are starter (2 offense, 2 defense).
3 possible early pro prospects (Morgan, Thomas and Dwyer).
Thomas’ replacement: 6′4″, 200 lb Stephen Hill (offered by UGA). Playing this year.
Morgan’s replacement: Izaan Cross, FR, same size as Morgan. Playing this year.
Dwyer’s replacement: Daniel Drummond, 6′4″, 252 RS this year,
*or*
Anthony Allen (6′0″, 231) converts to B back. 550 yds rush,10.6/attempt 5 TDs
* “Playing” means on the 2-deep chart.
thomas johnson
November 25th, 2009
5:58 pm
Coach Mark Richt is a smart man. How else could he land one of the prime coaching plumbs in all of college football? Why else would Florida State go completely in the tank since losing him? What other person would be so hallowed by the state of Georgia while going through the toughest of times? He has all the qualities that we admire in both a person and a human being.
Coach Mark Richt is a smart man. He came to Georgia in the midst of one of the longest SEC Championship droughts anyone can remember. Richt won the SEC almost immediately. He brought some great coaches with him from FSU. He hired Brian Van Gorder to run the defense. He turned over the offensive play-calling to a bright young assistant.
Coach Mark Richt is a smart man. Richt has outlasted Phil Fulmer, Tommy Tuberville, Sylvester Croome, Ron Zook, Tommy Bowden, Mike Shula, and two different UGA’s. He plans to be at Georgia for a long time.
Coach Mark Richt is a smart man. Granted, he has made some mistakes. The coach would prefer to promote from within. He moved Tony Ball from running backs coach to receivers coach so that rookie Bryan Mcclendon could take that position. McClendon knew little about the offensive backs and has no coaching experience of which to speak. Bobo also was promoted to offensive play caller with virtually no background other than as a player. This certainly shuts off outside ideas, experience, and any fresh perspective. But I really think he is going to remedy this at the end of the season.
Coach Mark Richt is a smart man. He is in the midst of battle and won’t make any decisions about field commanders until the war is settled. If he’s savvy enough to discover Van Gorder, he’s certainly got the smarts to go out and do it again. Let me be the first to predict another top 10 finish next season with one of the most dynamic young teams in the country! http://www.wedgeorgia.com
Sarah's Set
November 25th, 2009
6:27 pm
Georgia Tech 52, UGA 24. And no recruit in his right mind would sign with UGA this year or any year until Richt is gone.
Sarah's Set
November 25th, 2009
6:29 pm
Dawg Fan 74 is still trying to scrape the Obama-Biden bumper sticker off his car.
Americus Jacket
November 25th, 2009
6:45 pm
You noted that there were 5 Tech guys chased by UGA, but how many of the defensive signings did UGA have that were chased by Tech? I can understand that running different offenses that they might not recruit the same players, but is UGA taking most of the players we both want?
Just by the fact that they only have 12 available spots if no one goes pro or leaves the program, I have to guess that the Jackets coaching staff is pretty happy with their recruits so far.
Joe Cox vs. Dan Marino
November 25th, 2009
8:44 pm
Dan Marino, Pittsburg, 1982
58% completion, 2432 yards, 17 td’s, 23 int’s, 67 pass rating
Joe Cox, Georgia, 2009
56% Completion, 2350 yards, 21 td’s, 14 int’s, 138 pass rating (2 more games to go)
CBB1
November 25th, 2009
9:04 pm
Well said, Thomas Johnson!! ALL teams and coaches go through this. Look at one of the best college coaches of this decade-Pete Carroll at USC. He has had the best recruiting classes every year and has only won ONE BCS National Championship! Look at this year with the losses and the past years where he has lost to an unranked PAC-10 team every year. Coach Richt loves this team and the Bulldawg Nation too much to let HIS program go down the tube after HE is the one who knocked the lid off it.
I really can’t believe that all these GA Tech fans are running off at the mouth after you beat UGA once out of Richt’s NINE years at UGA. UGA has owned GA Tech since 1964-the year Vincent Dooley stepped in Sanford Stadium. Yes, Paul Johnson is a helluva coach and he will take GA Tech to places no other coach has since Bobby Dodd. But understand this-do you really think you will own UGA for as long as CPJ is at GA Tech? UGA is the better football program and ALWAYS will be. There is too much of a fan base and a much larger alumni base than GA Tech can fathom. Lots of fans and alumni with lots and lots of $$$$$ have too much influence on that program. How many seats in Bobby Dodd stadium-50,000? The games are rarely sold out too. How many fans SELL OUT Sanford Stadium on a weekly basis-93,000? They could sell out 100,000 if the stadium held that many. If you guys beat UGA 3 or 4 years in a row-which I doubt will happen under Richt-UGA will just replace their coach. Where is Jim Donnan now? ESPN.
GA Tech fans, show some humility please. GA Tech has only beaten UGA 12 times since 1964. Are you freaking kidding me??? Hell, even Ray Goff owned GA Tech’s ass.
I use to pull for GA Tech when they weren’t playing UGA, but I doubt I will after this year. Just be prepared to hear it and take it if you can dish it out. Did you guys do this with Florida State after BARELY beating them this year in one of their worst seasons of the Bobby Bowden era???? I hope not since they have owned your ass too the past 15 years.
Delbert D.
November 25th, 2009
10:10 pm
I seriously doubt that you are pulling for Georgia Tech this year. Something about your last sentence tells me that.
If beating FSU by 4 points is “barely”, I’ll buy that. Georgia would be 4-7 if the dogs hadn’t “barely” beat USC by 4 and “barely” beat AZ. State by 3.
I’ll take a “barely” win every time.It beats a “barely” loss.
Dwyer got 7 yards on 5 carries against Miami
November 25th, 2009
10:34 pm
Yes, really sad we missed out that Dwyer kid, really lit Miami up for 7 yards. And the QB got what, 28 yards on 14 carries. Wow, Georgia REALLY missed out on Dwyer AND the QB. They almost broke 35 yards together on 20 carries.
Paul in RDU
November 25th, 2009
11:52 pm
Dwyer got 7 yards on 5 carries against Miami
November 25th, 2009
10:34 pm
Yes, really sad we missed out that Dwyer kid, really lit Miami up for 7 yards.
Did you read the article? Mark Richt is the one who said he really wanted Dwyer. Or is your point that Richt doesn’t know how to evaluate talent?
doggiedooo
November 26th, 2009
12:25 am
CBB1 – I assure you than not one Tech fan gives an UGA turd that you won’t be rooting for Tech anymore. What would make you think we might?
BS Patrol
November 26th, 2009
2:46 am
Has it ever occurred to any of you brain surgeons like CfbFan that there is a reason people want Tech coaches & are not interested in ga coaches? Could it be success? I’ll help you with this one. Dooly AU. Goff? Donnan? Richt? Richt has coasted on the backs of the three best QBs in ga history. Clue…..no one wants these coaches.
There’s the end of that argument.
Football Fan
November 26th, 2009
7:59 am
I think it is hilarious that Tech continues to gloat over one win out of eight tries when they gave up 42 points. I guarantee a victory by Georgia because any team that gloats this much always ends up getting shut up on the field.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 26th, 2009
9:48 am
AMEN .FOOTBALL FAN
UGA can't tackle
November 26th, 2009
10:28 am
Tech will probably win, because UGA corner/safety play is really bad against the run. But know one really believes Tech would have just 1 loss if they played UGA’s schedule.
GT
November 26th, 2009
10:29 am
We already know (Dawgy fans included) those recruiting rankings don’t mean jack.
GT
November 26th, 2009
10:31 am
Football Fan, it’s the fans gloating not the team. The team plays on the field not the fans. You gotta love these brilliant UGA fans.
jojatek
November 26th, 2009
10:41 am
Forget Rivals, Scout, and the others. We want kids with character who can handle a classroom and play a little football. We have the right coach and the perfect philosophy to accomplish that mission. Richt’s comments about Dwyer say it all. If we can find a few kids like Dwyer every year with heart and character that other coaches overlook because they never realized they would develop into a big “hoss” on the football field, we’ll be just fine…
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard…” Those words capture precisely why we will compete with Georgia every year regardless of how others may wish to compare our recruiting classes. We have a coach and a philosophy that are in perfect alignment with our school… that’s not easy to do (just ask the good folks at Notre Dame…)
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 26th, 2009
10:50 am
NEW COORDINATORS=GOOD NEWS AHEAD
HeHateMe
November 26th, 2009
11:42 am
Hey Joe Blow..nice name..I’m sure the name comes naturally to a stud like you…now wait…hold on..come on wait….it won’t hurt much…wait… wait.. wait… BAM!…GEORGIA 38, Tech 17….you lose!
Dwyer's running skills are good for recruiting
November 26th, 2009
11:56 am
Woe, Georgia should be scared!!
Dwyer got 7 yards on 5 carries against Miami.
The QB had 28 on 14 carries.
Powerful running game there, that triple option. Ha!
AmyTann
November 26th, 2009
12:42 pm
“Dwyer got 7 yards on 5 carries against Miami.”
-He was injured during that only game we lost. Hince the low yardage.
Shut Up Tech
November 26th, 2009
12:54 pm
Tech may win the game this year. And yes, they may continue to win two or three games a decade. But if a recruit “on the fence” picks Tech over UGA for anything football related, they are sorely mistaken! I can understand a kid picking Tech because they offer the degree program they would like to pursue, or because they are from the Metro area and want to stay close to home. But anyone who thinks the two football programs are comparable is not living in reality.
Look, it’s been a rough year for the Dogs, but c’mon, they are one of the most successful programs over the past decade, they play in the best conference in the country, in a cathedral of a stadium, awesome tradition and fan base, are located in one of the greatest college towns in the world…
Bottom line: Georgia will continue to get 80% of the guys they want, and will also, will 80% of the games they play against Tech. Go to that school if you want to, but don’t do it for anything football related.
BOOGIE MAN FROM HARTWELL GA
November 26th, 2009
12:55 pm
JOJATEK………………KIDS WITH CHARACTER………. YEAH LIKE LITTLE REGGIE BALL, RIGHT?
bull - dykes
November 26th, 2009
1:28 pm
richt likes to recruits player that look good with strap ons.
bull - dykes
November 26th, 2009
1:29 pm
boogie…
Your team better beat USC. Then you’ll play the real state champion of GA.
bull - dykes
November 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
it’s funny how we put Tech as our 5th intense rival. How many times does FL consider us with our ginger quarterback as their rival.
humorous… we suck
Navigator
November 26th, 2009
1:58 pm
Your implication is that UGA gets all of the low academic players and Tech gets the best student athletes. I hope that wasn’t what you meant, but nonetheless, consistent winning of this game has a huge impact on recruiting, and if you believe less you’re fooling yourself. It’s a barometer of who has the attention of the players in the state. Remember UGA can’t accept a recruiting class of players lacking academic accomplishment.
TechAlum
November 26th, 2009
2:26 pm
I don’t even consider playing UGA a rivalry any more. Everyone thinks their team is too weak.
Sarah's Set
November 26th, 2009
4:05 pm
The outcome of the Tech-UGA game won’t affect recruiting at all. Tech will continue to recruit and sign student-athletes of outstanding character, and UGA will continue to recruit thugs and felons of low character and no self-discipline. And Warden Richt will continue to bail these losers out of jail.
That’s the ugly truth.
And by the way, the ugly mutt died.
Gator in the Hootch
November 26th, 2009
4:26 pm
Interesting story on ESPN.com. Kevin Nelson, a Miami commitment and a top Gainesville (Florida) High School player, tells ESPN that the Florida staff is two-faced for not letting him make a tour of the facilities to recruit for the Hurricanes during his own visit to the Florida campus. The Florida coaches knew why the kid was on campus and told him he could not come in with the official recruits. He then tells ESPN how mistreated he was on his visit and how two-faced the Gator coaches are. Well, this kid goes to Gainesville High School and my brother taught the kid. I called my brother to talk about the kids comments. My brother, who taught the kid remedial reading and writing, told me the kid would not meet the entrance requirements at Florida and that is why the Florida coaches did not recruit him heavily and did not want him messing around with those kids who are thinking about coming to Florida and can be admitted. This kid is just ripping the Gators because he is bitter. Well, if he had applied himself in middle school to improve his reading and writing skills, he might have had the opportunity to go to the U of F and be recruited actively by the Gator coaches. Now, this low-academic focused student will fit right in with the type of athletes Miami recruits. But, please, tell the truth, kid, about what is going on with you and the University of Florida.
Cotter
November 26th, 2009
6:00 pm
The ranking system is stupid. They base it on quantity. Gt doesn’t have many spots available but if they did, and you double what they have, then they have a 15-20 ranked class. But because it’s only 8-9 players, they don’t get a higher ranking. Stupid
P-head
November 26th, 2009
6:32 pm
Shut up Tech, I think Tech is going to shut you up Saturday and for many Saturdays to come. Dude, Tech has better coaches and better players than Georgia does right now and I for one think that trend is going to continue as long as Johnson is the coach at Tech. That might be Tech’s only long term concern
Jackets21
November 27th, 2009
12:03 am
Yeah Boogie, nothing like the gems you pull over in Athens. Didn’t former UGA DB Terreal Bierra get arrested for murder? You are an idiot.
GTPAIS
November 27th, 2009
12:38 am
Chip- I know you are a dawg but your writing has come a long way. Thanks for being a good journalist and showing us facts and not assumptions. I hope the dawg nation ceases and GT rises but at least you will write what happens. THWG!
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2009
8:14 am
364 days ago today
By the time Roddy Jones finished tightroping his way down Georgia’s sideline, the dog nation had been put in their rightful place from pre-season national champion to real-season state runner up.
There were many big plays in Georgia Tech’s 45-42 victory over georgia (Tech’s new bitch) at Sanford Stadium (Tech’s home away from home) last season. But none was bigger than Jones’ 54-yard, game-winning touchdown run with 7 minutes, 13 seconds remaining.
Cheers ring out every time the run is played on Tech’s scoreboard during games. There are more than a dozen versions of it on Youtube.com that have been watched more than 40,000 times. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLlAAkUYZ1Y
It capped a comeback from a 28-12 halftime deficit (that’s 16 points if you are a Georgia fan). It came with a little more than 7 minutes remaining and really put an exclamation mark on a third quarter beat down/fourth quarter bitch slapping that has silenced all but the rabid azzholes of the dog nation for an entire year.
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2009
8:18 am
georgia = Tech’s bitch for the last 364 days and Florida’s for the last 20 years!
Yellow Fuzz
November 27th, 2009
8:45 am
Sending georgia to the Papa John Bowl in Hoover Alabama = PRICELESS
………………………………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………..Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………..Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……..Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………..Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
……………………..Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…………………………….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
………………………………….Papa John bowl < # 9 from SEC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
“Look at the sausage falling from the sky”!
Sarah's Set
November 27th, 2009
10:01 am
UGA will continue to slide downhill as long as coaches like Richt continue to recruit players who are morons or felons of low character and low intelligence. Someone remind me again how many UGA players have been arrested this year.
Central Georgia Dawg
November 27th, 2009
10:01 am
I will congratulate Georgia Tech fans for overtaking TENN. and FL fans as the most obnoxious. You have officially lost your minds. Paul Johnson is a very good coach, I will give you that. But, before your fanbase acts like Florida, please at least win a bowl game that isn’t sponsored by Emerald Nuts or played on blue turf. Please win an ACC championship. CPJ is winning with Chan Gailey’s recruiting classes. Navy was a good program, but with subpar talent that offense will be totally different. It won’t have Nesbitt or Dwyer. They were both 4-5 star recruits who thought they were going to play in a pro style offense. When these players go to the NFL, they will have to be totally deprogrammed and broken down. If you ask both of these players if they would have considered Tech if Johnson were there 4 years ago, both would have probably ended up at UGA , Clemson, or some other pro style offense school. Live high now, but in two years we will all see what happens when CPJ gets his Double Wing offense players. Dwyer and Nesbitt will leave for the NFL. No game breaking FB. No success with the Double wing. Good luck this weekend. If you win, then all your obnoxiousness will be felt by the bulldawg nation for another 12 months, but if you lose I would not come out of the house, blog, or communicate. The amount of crap you will take will almost be unbearable. I can promise you that.