Stereotypes Exist for a Reason: GT Edition

Let's start with the fact that "producer" of this video learned his math skills at the legendary feet of Reggie Ball. Tech has lost 7 in a row leading up to Paul Johnson's hiring. Not six as the video suggests. The sooner they come to grips with the totality of their futility, the better.

Silly nerds.

PWD

Update: Please tell me it was this guy who uploaded the video.

ACC Bowl Predictions

I'm a sucker. Let's get that out of the way. I know better than to pick Tommy Bowden to win anything of substance, but I can't help it. The Tigers avoid Miami and Virginia Tech on the schedule, and they own FSU lately. (Image: I prefer unhappy Tigers if given the choice.)

With FSU still rebuilding, the Clemson schedule shapes up in such a way that as long as they beat Wake Forest, they should win the ACC Atlantic Division with a 6-2 record or better. With that in mind, I'm predicting them as ACC Champs. I realize they have OL issues, but the entire ACC has issues. Unfortunately, I'm not alone. Here's how the experts pick the ACC.

Darkhorse ACC Team - UNC
I don't think the Tarheels can win the ACC or even their division; however, if they can make some real noise. After playing Virginia Tech and Miami in weeks 3 and 4, they UConn and Notre Dame at home to build back some confidence. If the Heels get to 8 wins, they could be a Gator Bowl selection.

ACC Bowl Predictions:

Orange - Clemson
Peach - Virginia Tech
Gator - UNC
Champ Sports - FSU
Meineke Car Care - Wake Forest
Music City Bowl - Miami
Emerald Bowl - Boston College
Congressional Bowl - Virginia
At-Large Bowl - Georgia Tech

I keep wavering on whether or not Georgia Tech has a Bowl eligible team. The Mississippi State and UNC games loom enormous on their schedule if they want to go bowling, and the more I learn about UNC...the more I like the Heels over the Jackets.

See Also:
-- Clemson Preview - CFN
-- Athlon's Clemson Preview

Agree or Disagree?

PWD

Around the ACC: Media Days 1

The sixth most relevant BCS conference is having their media day extravaganza at Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA. A quick look at the headlines of interest for the snooziest league in college football (note: You guys don't care about most ACC teams, so I'm ignoring many of them):

Overall:
-- ACC needs to bolster its resume - Charleston Post and Courier
-- ACC projected starting QBs - Charlotte Observer
-- 5 Burning Questions about the ACC - Barnhart

Georgia Tech:
--Tech OL to heavily leverage cut blocking - AJC
-- NCAA '09 video game confused by GT offense - AJC

Clemson:
-- Clemson: In theory a national title contender - SportingNews
-- Eager to live up to expectations - AJC
-- Attention and expectations for Harper - GoUpState
-- Harper no longer off the radar - AndersonMail
-- Tigers Convinced they are the best - UpStateToday
-- Bowden carrying "label" - Charlotte.com

Tobacco Road:
-- Davis may have Tar Heels turned around - AJC
-- Wake's CB talks a good game - Washington Post
-- UNC a trendy pick to knock VT off - Scout.com
-- Wolfpack duo sets the pace - Charlotte Observer
-- Cutcliffe Cuts Up with Area Coaches - Charlotte Observer

Miami / FSU:
-- Miami / FSU hope to return to power - Rivals.com
-- FSU QB talks about last year - AP
-- FSU's QB not in a daze - Orlando Sentinel
-- FSU hopes rest on youth movement - Jacksonville Times
-- Bowden: "On our way back" - Bradenton.com
-- Canes will use two QBs - Jacksonville.com

UVA/VT:
-- Cavs retool offensive line - Charlottesville Daily Progress

That's it for now.

PWD

Georgia Tech NCAA Video Game Cover

That's one of my all-time favorites. There was also a classic floating around with Al Bundy on it, but I couldn't find it.

On a related note, Citizen Crane at GatorsWearJeanShorts has some covers with Les Miles, Joe Paterno and Mark Richt on them.

PWD

About the never been kissed Tech nerd

I know if the shoe were on the other foot, the Tech nation could never take the high road here. But I'm not going to write anything about this kid. I know it's funny, and it fits the stereotype square on. But he's sort of a civilian...for lack of a better word. If he was a student-athlete, I would've taken the day off of work to write about it non-stop. lol.

Dawgnoxious thinks I'm nuts to turn it down because the kid went on Fox 5 and voluntarily drew additional attention to himself. Maybe I'm missing out on a good time by making fun. Maybe I'm just going soft in my old age.

I'll probably regret this later, but I'm passing on it.

Update (on second thought)...the Hive Reaction is pretty funny. Most of the comments start with "Please let this be a hoax." Then they go to insulting their own once reality strikes. Hmmm...sort of like how they deal with their football actually.

PWD

SMQ's Georgia Tech Preview

Sunday Morning Quarterback takes a look at Georgia Tech's opportunity in 2008. The article does a good job of facilitating a discussion related to what sort of expectations the Georgia Tech fans (sic) should have for the program.

(Image: Hipple)

Much of their optimism seems to built on the idea Johnson has won everywhere he's been. And that Navy had great success in Div I with his triple option. However, SMQ correctly points out that Johnson was completely lacking in success against quality BCS teams.

Number of Midshipmen victories since 2002 over teams that finished with a winning record: five, against Air Force (2003, 2007), New Mexico (2004), East Carolina (2006) and Colorado State (2005), if you’re willing count the 6-6 Rams. In six years under Johnson, the Middies’ best performance was probably against Boston College in the ‘06 Car Care Bowl, which they lost only because a late pitch in the rain squirted free and set up the winning field goal for BC. None of Navy’s actual BCS conference victims came anywhere near a winning record. (emphasis added)

Where will Tech finish this year? I think a seven win season would be a tremendous accomplishment given the mass defections, recruiting woes and normal learning curve for a triple option team.

2008 Schedule
Aug. 28 (Thur.)      JACKSONVILLE STATE
Sept. 6                   at Boston College
Sept. 13                 at Virginia Tech
Sept. 20                 MISSISSIPPI STATE
Sept. 27                 Open
Oct. 4                    DUKE (Family Weekend)
Oct. 11                  GARDNER-WEBB
Oct. 18                  at Clemson
Oct. 25                  VIRGINIA (Homecoming)
Nov. 1                    FLORIDA STATE
Nov. 8                    at North Carolina
Nov. 15                  Open
Nov. 20 (Thur.)       MIAMI
Nov. 29                  at Georgia

I see two three sure fire wins on the schedule (JSU, GW and Duke). The rest of the games look like toss up or much worse.

However, the must win games on the schedule that will decide whether or not his team is going bowling are:

• at Boston College - Tech badly needs to win this game. A loss here and 1-2 or 1-3 start becomes very likely. It will be extremely difficult for Tech to go bowling without a win against BC.
  
  
• vs. Mississippi State - Jokes about whiting out Croom aside, this is a big one. Win this and they have a chance to be 4-2 or better heading into their road game against Clemson. Sweeping BC and MSU would give the Jackets a tremendous shot at extending their meaningless bowl streak. Although a trip to the Congressional Bowl vs. Navy (where they would ideally lose) could make for great comedy). Lose to both MSU and BC, and the Duke and G-Webb games will be some of the most depressing BCS home games in America.
  
  
• at UNC -- A loss could mean that Butch Davis is rebuilding a much more broken down program at a faster clip than Johnson who inherited a relatively stable situation only one year removed from the ACC title game.

On the other hand, the program defining games for Johnson look to be:

• FSU or Miami - Both of these programs are in transition. If Josh Nesbitt (Tech's fumble prone but race car fast QB) has figured out the triple option, either of these games are winnable. Tech currently is riding a shocking three game winning streak against the Canes. A win vs. either team would give Tech fans reason to hope for better things in '09.

I didn't list the Georgia game as a potential program defining game. They are already defined by losing to us every year. What would another "L" really change? And beating Clemson hasn't changed much of anything for Tech historically. So I left that off the list as well. Although, it would certainly be a big win if it were to happen.

So what are your thoughts? What do you expect from the NATS?

PWD

Tech Throws Mississippi State Into the Briar Patch

Croom at work (Image: BulldogBlitz.com)
Georgia Tech is apparently planning a White Out for their home game against Mississippi State. Given the variety of uniform combinations at Tech's disposal, it's not shocking that they would eventually land on an all-white ensemble. I'm guessing they go white pants, white jerseys and gold helmets.

With the myriad of gold, old gold, yellow, vegas gold, cheddar, urine, navy, blue, black and white rainbow of suck their fans generally bring to the game, settling on a white out will give them the opportunity to match for once. However, they picked one helluva weekend for a White Out.

Tech could be limping into the Mississippi State game at 1-2 following road games against Boston College and Virginia Tech. It's going to take a lot more than free cokes, free hot dogs and white t-shirts to get Tech fans to come watch a losing product play a non-rival SEC West team.

Conversely, MSU should be 2-1 with some nice post-bowl momentum. State fans are desperate for prosperity of any kind, and their record showing at the Liberty Bowl is evidence of that.

Imagine the shock of the Tech fans as they enter Bobby Dodd Stadium only to find:

30,000 Tech Fans
15,000 Mississippi State fans
10,000 Empty Seats
5,000 Cow Bells

They think Bulldog fans who bark are obnoxious? Wait til they get a load of the ones that have cow bells. Tech will be facing Bulldogs, wearing their favorite shade of Red, making more noise than they are in their own stadium. I expect their team to just roll over and play dead in the fourth quarter out of Bulldog induced habit.

If Tech had worn their gold unis, the MSU team would've worn their all whites. A color the MSU fans are much less passionate about. Throwing MSU into a White Out environment where they get to wear Maroon is like throwing Briar Rabbit into the briar patch.

Originally, I said that beating this brand of Bulldogs was not the methadone they crave. Looking at the divergent paths of the two programs, I think this is a game that will only make Tech matters worse.

More Cow Bell indeed.

PWD

Your Moment of Bulldog Zen

It's not enough that prosperity has been heaped upon the Georgia Athletic programs. It's also important to remember that Tech fans have been forced to watch us bask in the glow of our awesomeness. Daily. With that in mind, I present you with...

When Reality Strikes the Hive

ht - Quinton

PWD

Just because

As you were.

PWD

More Baseball Headlines

From the cyberwebs...

• Can anbody out there F**king Play? - DawgsOnline (safe for work)
  
• What a difference 3 days makes - DawgSports
  
• Georgia hammers Tech - Catfish and Cornbread
  
• Buzz Kill - DawgPost
  
• Call the Bug Man - UGAsports
  
• Photos - ABH
  

(Note: Youtube hat tip - Catfish and Cornbread). PWD

Kudzu Hill Fans = Damn Good Dawgs

image: georgiadogs.com

The announcers on CSS mentioned several times that the speaker system on Kudzu Hill piping in batters' anthems, etc was chapping Tech's ass (my paraphrase). I'm proud of the Dawg Nation for supporting the guys and turning Sunday and Monday into a doube-dose of noogie-giving, wedgie-serving, ass-kicking Tech beatdown.

Do you think Tech fans ever feel like they've become college athletics' answer to the Washington Generals?

Just like football...clap, clap, clap, clap, clap

...and basketball...
...and women's basketball...
...and tennis...
...and golf...
...and swimming...
...and well...everything but Zit Popping.*

When we were leaving, I got the sense that the Tech fans were shocked to learn that there's no trip to Boise following this one.

As Mike Knobler of the AJC said, it was an epic flop by a Tech squad that was unable to hit, pitch or field. This one stings for them for legit, very unfunny reasons and for the normal ones, too.

(Image: the unstoppable Matt Olson)

The next time a Tech fan tells me that, "The Bulldogs aren't in our heads." I will point to the six errors tonight and the public bed wetting that took place in Athens as UGA obliterated Tech 26-6 in the two games. You take away the first inning tonight, and Tech was outscored 23-1 in the other 17 innings of the regional.

I don't mean to say that it was just Tech playing poorly. That would be grossly inaccurate. The Dawgs played lights out against LU (Game 2), Louisville and Tech (2x). The pitching was at times overwhelming, the defense strong and the hitting was remarkable. No one would've beaten Georgia this weekend.

I was just glad to see it in person.

See Also:
-- Dawgs drill Jackets - DawgPost.com
-- Georgia kills Tech - DawgSports.com
-- McCree saves Bulldogs with solid effort - ABH
-- Poythress Cleans Up - ABH
-- Dawgs Pummel Tech - ABH
-- Georgia wins Regional - Red and Black
-- Ticket and TV info for Super Regional - GSB

PWD

*Line ripped off from the dude sitting behind me in Section 4. Well played sir.

UGA vs. Georgia Tech: Game 7 Tickets on Sale

From Georgiadogs.com:

Athens, Ga. – Tickets to game seven of the NCAA Baseball Athens Regional will be available Monday beginning at 8:30am. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Athletic Association Ticket Office or by calling 1-877-542-1231.

Reserved seat tickets are $12 and general admission tickets are $10.

Game seven will feature Georgia and Georgia Tech in a winner-take-all contest with the winner advancing to a NCAA Super Regional. First pitch is set for 7:06pm.

(video from OnlineAthens.com)

PWD

Domination: Bulldogs Shutout Tech

Nick Montgomery, fifth year senior pitcher for the Georgia Bulldogs, picked the ideal moment to have the best game of his life. Montgomery threw a complete game four hit shutout in which he surrendered only one walk and issued nine strikeouts as Georgia beat Tech 8-0 at Foley Field in the Athens regional.

Montgomery faced just 30 batters, three over the minimum with the aid of a double play and a runner caught stealing. It was about as flawless of a performance as you will ever see from a collegiate baseball player.

When you combine the pitching with the defense and impressive offensive power display, you have complete domination. In the 8th inning my mom looks at my brother and says, "The only Tech fans left are their mothers." The Tech crowd never really made a peep as they weren't given a single thing to cheer about. When the lead stretched to 8-0, they started hitting the exits.

For a football comparison, I thought of the 2003 season opener at Clemson that UGA won 30-0. After that game, I remember thinking that the Tigers didn't really have anything they could point to and say "we can build from X, Y or Z." It was just a total write-off. I would imagine that's how Danny Hall will spin this one. There's nothing positive about it for the Nerds except that they still have Game 7.

Speaking of Game 7, Coach Perno was quiet on who his starter will be tomorrow. I imagine that we'll see everyone with a functioning arm tomorrow.

This and That:

-- Before the game, I felt that Georgia had to win Game 6, but Tech would have to win Game 7. In other words, all the pressure shifts to the Yellow Jackets in Game 7. Their legacy of post-season collapses to the Dawgs weigh on them as they toss and turn tonight.

-- The Bulldogs are an eye popping 14-0 at Foley Field in post-season elimination games.

-- Do your self a favor and read the player profile articles on Nick Montgomery in the AJC and Banner Herald. This kid has beaten Tommy John surgery and career threatening blood clots. Amazing.

-- Nice work by the Kudzu Hill gang. From the ABH: "NCAA rules prohibit the stadium's public address system from playing music between at-bats during post season games. But the NCAA cannot silence the fans atop Kudzu Hill when Georgia's players went to the plate. Using a sound system powerful enough to wake up the Rolling Stones' Keith Richards, they cranked up each Georgia batter's individual walk-up theme before every plate appearance."

See Also:

-- Dawgs Force Game 7 - DawgSports
-- AJC Photo Spread
-- ABH Photos
-- Tech's Inferiority Complex - AJC
-- Montgomery Tosses Shutout - DawgPost
-- Tech Wrecked - UGAsports.com

PWD

Get Yourself to Foley Field

The Diamond Dawgs are still alive. They avenged Friday's loss to Lipscomb this afternoon, 14-3. Tonight's game against Tech is a win-or-go-home situation. First, no one wants for this baseball season to end. Second, no one wants to see Tech celebrate advancing to the superregionals on our field.

Tonight's game is not sold out. If you're anywhere close to Foley Field, get over there and scream "Nerds."

Quinton

Bulldogs Land Top 8 National Seed

Image; georgiadogs.com
I count myself among those who thought the Georgia Bulldogs would enter the NCAA baseball tournament without a prestigious Top 8 seed. I was wrong. The Dawgs got an especially tough draw of Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Lipscomb. The AJC has the full Bulldogs vs. Bees story angle.

The Schedule in Athens:

Friday, May 30
Game 1: Lipscomb vs. GEORGIA, 3 p.m. ET
Game 2: Georgia Tech vs. Louisville, 7 p.m. ET

Saturday, May 31
Game 3: Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2, 3 p.m. ET
Game 4: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2, 7 p.m. ET

Sunday, June 1
Game 5: Loser of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 3, 2 p.m. ET
Game 6: Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5, 6 p.m. ET

*Monday, June 2 (*If Necessary)
Game 7: Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6, 7 p.m. ET

If we win, we'll host the winner of the NC State regional (NCSU or South Carolina most likely).

See Also:
-- Dawgs are the #8 Seed - UGAsports
-- Diamond Dawgs Capture #8 Seed - DawgSports
-- NCAA Tournament Bracket - NCAASports.com
-- Dawgs Land National Seed - DawgPost
-- Bulldogs get National Seed - ABH
-- First look: Athens Regional - ABH

Merchandise:
-- College World Series Bound White T-Shirt - GSB Store
-- White College World Series T-shirt (Design 2) - GSB Store
-- SEC Champion T-Shirt (Ash) - GSB Store

PWD

Facilities Arm Race, GT Transfers and More

We looked around the Blogosphere for some lunch time snacks. Here's what we found (in NO order whatsoever):

-- The Gators are investing in new football offices. An indoor practice facility is still not in the works.

-- A few weeks ago, East Carolina and Memphis were rumored to be pushing hard to escape Conference USA for the Big East. With the Big East putting the smack down on those plans, ECU's Athletic Director is making noise about a possible expansion of CUSA. SMQ looks at the problems with CUSA's current structure.

-- DawgsOnTop has some kind words for the SEC Baseball Champs. He wrote this before the collapse in Hoover...not that the last two days should change anyone's opinion on our inherent awesomeness.

-- From the Bleachers suggest that you listen to the ESPN College Football Podcasts. I'm in 100% agreement. It's like the daily ESPN College Football Live show...only without Mark May, Lou Holtz or the other parade of ass clowns slowing the place down. While we're talking media, check out Orson Swindle's appearance on Finebaum where he talks about blogs vs. the media.

-- ThirdSaturdayinBlogtober looks at the Tennesse Vol secondary.

-- We've made considerable fun of the recent recruiting woes and transfers involving the Yellow Jackets. However, I've got to give Paul Johnson some credit for landing a quality running back transfer from Louisville.

-- Speaking of transfers, Les Miles is on the LSU Road Show speaking circuit, and he's trying to crack jokes about his QB situation. Better laugh than cry I guess.

Those are your headlines heading into the weekend. Have fun.

PWD

Baseball Dawgs Talk NCAA Tourney Seeds

Both Coach Perno and Coach Hall (GT) are hoping to avoid each other for as long as possible in the NCAA Tournament. However, BaseballAmerica projects UGA, Georgia Tech, Jacksonville State and Charlotte as playing in the Athens Regional. UGA gets the #7 national seed in that scenario.

If the Dawgs take two of three against Bama and win two in Hoover, I think they get the Super Regional Seeding. I personally don't care where Tech is seeded. The Jackets haven't done anything meaningful in the post-season in a while, and they've crumbled against UGA when it matters in the playoffs. So bring it on.

See Also:
-- SEC Baseball Tournament Bracket (PDF) - SECSports.com
-- Fields Raising Eyebrows - Macon Telegraph
-- Omaha Struggling to keep CWS - Omaha.com


PWD

Cock-a-Doodle-Doo Perrilloux to JSU

Ryan Perrilloux will be attending Jacksonville State University next season according to the B-Ham News, ESPN and Perrilloux. But, why should you care? (Image: Visitors Section at JSU)

Because schadenfreude makes my heart warm and because Georgia Tech opens its season against the JSU Gamecocks. Frankly, I had seen the other JSU QBs in action up close and personal, and they were positively wretched. Luckily for JSU, all of those bums are off the roster. According to ESPN:

He'll have a clear shot at the Jacksonville State starting job, though. The Gamecocks' 2007 starter, Cedric Johnson, was kicked off the team after the season for violating team rules. Two other quarterbacks left the team and another graduated.

I'm not going to kid you. Tech should beat Jax State by three touchdowns. But a single, ultra athletic QB facing a defense with a new system and a fumble prone GT offense could make things much more interesting than the GT faithful would like.

As for motivation in that game, there are two coaches walking this planet who know more about the pain of losing to Div I-AA opponents in season openers than anyone else. Those men are Lloyd Carr and JSU head coach Jack Crowe. Crowe was the head coach at Arkansas in 1992 when the Razorbacks dropped the season opener to The Citadel. Crowe was unemployed by Sunday following the loss. That doesn't make him a great coach. Just a guy that knows both sides of the David and Goliath story.

I honestly don't expect Perrilloux to make it through the season at JSU without incident, and I frankly don't care. However, I do think that he can stay out of trouble long enough to start the season opener in this one.

PWD

I doubt I'll work for the Techie that can't spell "Future"

Oh sure, the Nerds will say that the "e" is just covered up by his hand. That's Nonsense. Photos don't lie. Only Techies lie. Image: AJC (ht - Dawgspeare)

PWD