JJ Lanier
Rebuilding The Nest
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Even though we are in the thick of the football season, for basketball junkies, like myself, there is added excitement since the start of the basketball season is just around the corner.
For fans of the Atlanta Hawks there may not be much to cheer about this upcoming season when it comes to their overall record. However, there will be plenty of identifiers that will give them an idea of where their team is headed.
The first person I’m watching is new head coach, Lloyd Pierce. When whatever soap opera revolving around Mike Budenholzer came to end and the Hawks decided to rebuild from the ground floor up, it made sense to bring in a coach with a reputation for working with young players.
Not only did Atlanta get that with Pierce, but he also knows what it’s like to work through those “growing pains” having been in Philadelphia the past five years.
Much like when Brad Stevens was hired in Boston a few years ago, Pierce won’t be judged on his win/loss record right away, or at least he shouldn’t be.
What Travis Schlenk, Atlanta’s general manager will be focusing on are the “how’s” of Pierce’s coaching:
How does Pierce relate to his players?
How does he use his rotation?
How does the first year coach react to particular end of game situations?
The way Pierce handles himself in these instances among, I don’t know, a hundred others he’ll encounter during the season, will speak louder than their final record.
Obviously, no matter how good Pierce may be leading the Hawks from the sideline, ultimately his fate rests with the players in the floor (come for my pop culture references, stay for my obvious analysis). In Atlanta’s case, most of those players are still acclimating themselves to the league.
Atlanta has a nice core of young players, starting with the trio of Taurean Prince, John Collins, and Trae Young.
Prince may never be an All-Star caliber player, but he’s solid on both ends of the floor and seems like the type of player who will fit in well with what Pierce wants to do.
Collins tends to remind me of a more athletic Al Horford, back at the start of Horford’s career.
Collins doesn’t have the array of offensive moves his elder does, but he does have the potential to get there. I really liked his game when he was at Wake Forest and look forward to seeing what he can over the next few years.
I’m not quite sure how I feel about Trae Young. While I understand the Stephen Curry comparisons to when Steph was coming into the league, Young is still a big gamble.
You could argue the player the Hawks traded away Luka Doncic for Young. Luka Doncic- has the highest floor, while Young has the greatest potential to be a bust.
Personally, I can see him averaging a double double in points and turnovers, just as easily as points and assists.
It would be easy to chalk this season up to a learning experience and spend time doing other things besides following a team that may not win 20 games. The reality though is this season is extremely important.
The Hawks are starting to put together the pieces they hope will bring them back to prominence over the next couple of years. This year will go a long way in determining if they’re starting with a solid foundation, or if they’re going to have to go back to the drawing board.
The Wrong Kind Of Buzz
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
I applauded Georgia Tech a few months ago when they decided to extend Paul Johnson’s contract.
In a profession where the people making these decisions tend to suffer from long term memory loss, it was refreshing to see a program reward their coach for his overall body of work and not just the past twelve months.
I admit it’s easy for me to say that based on the fact I’m not a Georgia Tech fan. If I were a fan, I’m sure my feelings would be quite different.
After the Yellow Jackets slow start to the season it would be easy, if not a bit premature, to write about whether or not Johnson needs to keep his job.
So, I’m going to do my best not to get too deep down that rabbit hole; besides, those articles have already started.
To me the more interesting question isn’t whether or not Johnson should be fired if this season continues on its current downward slope, but what direction will athletic director Todd Stansbury go, if it does.
When Johnson’s contract was extended after two losing seasons within the last three years, it gave off the impression there was a confidence that he would be able to turn things around.
Or at the very least, Johnson would be given time to turn things around, since his extension goes through 2022. You don’t give a coach who still has three years left on his contract an additional two years if you’re contemplating firing him after one season.
If you look at Tech’s first few games this season, along with how their future opponents have fared up to this point, you can see a scenario play out where they win only 4-5 games this season.
Georgia Tech isn’t exactly considered a powerhouse in college football but I also don’t see their fans and alumni being ok with three losing seasons sandwiched around one 9-4 year.
I imagine if that scenario were to come to fruition there would be a loud majority calling for Johnson’s job.
Would the outside pressure cause Stansbury to make a change or would he stand his ground and continue to have Johnson’s back?
One thing that has the potential to be a big factor revolves around Johnson’s buyout. If I’m not mistaken, it would “only” cost Georgia Tech about $4 million if they were to fire Johnson.
I know that amount of money isn’t chump change but in relation to what it costs most Power 5 schools to fire their head coach, $4 million certainly isn’t a deterrent.
As I stated earlier I’m not here to debate whether or not Johnson should lose his job if the remainder of the season mirrors what has taken place so far.
There are a lot of things that would need to be taken into consideration; actual win/loss record, how did the team play, were they competitive in most games.
It’s intriguing though to see how all this could possibly play out. Johnson has been one of the winningest coaches in Georgia Tech history and seems to have a substantial amount of support within the program.
Could another bad season negate all that good will and confidence or will he be able to maneuver through it for yet another year?
Of course, the Yellow Jackets could reel off a bunch of wins and finish the season 9-4, completely rendering this entire situation a moot point.
Outside of Paul Johnson there may not be a single person hoping that takes place more than Todd Stansbury.
I’m A Believer
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
It took to the end of last season before I could finally allow myself to believe the Georgia Bulldogs were a national champion caliber team.
I mean it was literally halftime of the championship game when I thought “Damn, they may actually pull this off.”
I know we’re only a few weeks into the season but I don’t plan on making the same mistake again.
Normally, I would be doubling down on how we need to wait and see what happens over the next few weeks before anointing the Bulldogs as national title contenders; make sure that last year wasn’t some sort of aberration.
I’d mention all the accolades they’re currently receiving are just people being prisoners of the moment and the rest of this column would be spent bringing up all their areas of weakness.
However, this year, I just don’t feel that this way.
For one, despite the reputation, they play in an extremely weak division. I don’t mean it as a backhanded compliment, it’s just the truth.
The difference between Georgia and the rest of the division is like the difference between Guns N’ Roses and a GN’R cover band. The cover band may look the part but they’re not the real thing.
To be honest, the school I went to- Appalachian State- would have just as good a shot to finish 2nd in the SEC East and I truly don’t believe that’s hyperbole.
Even if their schedule was more difficult, I still think I’d feel the same way about Georgia’s potential for this season.
Kirby Smart, in a much shorter time period than I thought possible, has turned Georgia into an extremely solid team, from top to bottom.
Their defense is one of the best the country and the ground game isn’t that far behind. Jake Fromm, one of the main reasons I was hesitant to buy in last year, may never be a Heisman winning quarterback but it doesn’t look like he will suffer from any type of “Sophomore Slump”. (I get the coaching staff wants to get Justin Fields on the field, and I completely understand why. But, unless something drastic happens, this is Fromm’s team and it should be.)
I’m not putting them in the same category as Alabama but I feel like if everything is equal Georgia should be the best team on the field in every game they play, leading up to the SEC Championship game.
It’s not something I’ve ever said about the Bulldogs before and I feel a little uncomfortable saying it now. It basically goes against everything I’ve ever felt about the Georgia program.
Obviously, there are unforeseen circumstances that could happen, mainly injuries, that would change the trajectory of the season.
If you happen to be a superstitious person and blame my sudden confidence in Georgia’s ability last year as the reason for their second half swoon against Alabama, I can understand; it is a bit coincidental.
All I can say is if that is the case, at least I’m expressing that confidence in them early in the season. That way, if I am a jinx, it’s better to happen during the regular season and not when you’re 30 minutes away from a championship, right?
Of course, the kicker is this year I don’t mean to be a jinx. I truly believe Georgia is one of the four best teams in college football and anything less than a playoff appearance should be considered a disappointment. No pressure.
Just Kickin’ It
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If defense wins championships and offense puts butts in the seats, what does special teams do?
Oftentimes the difference in winning and losing isn’t all that exciting. It could be your team showing discipline and not shooting themselves in the foot with stupid penalties. Or maybe it’s just being “fundamentally sound”; a coach’s favorite catchphrase.
More times than not it’s the difference between the place kicker consistently connecting on a 45-yard field goal and kicking like how your uncle throws darts, five beers into a six pack.
For the past nine years that’s an area fans of the Atlanta Falcons haven’t had to worry about, thanks to Matt Bryant.
Now, before I go on I completely understand that reading about the accomplishments of a kicker isn’t nearly as engaging as reading about Matt Ryan or Julio Jones but that doesn’t mean his contributions aren’t valuable.
In Bryant’s case, he has played a huge part in Atlanta’s success and basically been about as good, if not better, at his position than anyone else on the team.
Excluding the 2009 season when Bryant was brought in to replace Jason Elam over the last five games, he has converted just under 89% of his field goal attempts since joining the Falcons.
I feel pretty confident saying that if you were told at the beginning of the season your place kicker was guaranteed to hit 90% of their field goal attempts you’d take it and not think twice.
Plus, he’s only failed to convert on one extra point attempt, out of 330, over that same time frame.
Normally I wouldn’t put too much stock into extra points but since the NFL moved the distance back on those attempts in 2015, Bryant’s numbers are pretty impressive.
He signed a three-year extension this offseason and based on the last few years, even at the age of 43, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down.
In 2016, arguably the best year of Bryant’s career, he led the NFL in scoring, received his first Pro Bowl invite and surpassed Morten Andersen as the Falcons all-time leading scorer.
Place Kickers are kind of viewed like children were a hundred years ago; they are to be seen, but not heard. If they’re doing their job they go largely unnoticed, except for game winning field goals.
If they’re not, they suddenly become the “drunk, idiot kicker” whose position needs to be eliminated because they’re ruining the game.
Over the course of the upcoming season most of the success, or failure, will be placed on the shoulders of guys like Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, and Vic Beasley. And don’t get me wrong, that’s the way it should be; those guys are more instrumental in a team’s success than a punter or place kicker.
Tough Hunt For Tigers
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
To steal a quote from The Office, “It’s like we’re touring Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and dropping off, one by one… Well, guess what? I’m not falling in a chocolate river.” The comment is made by Ed Helms’ character, Andy Bernard, in reference to the number of Bernard’s coworkers that have quit since the Stamford branch merged with Scranton.
However, when I came across that episode the other night, it automatically made me think of the LSU Tigers.
In recent weeks, leading up to the start of the college football season, LSU players having been diving head first into the chocolate river. The Tigers have lost two players to transfer and another three to indefinite suspensions.
Granted four of those players weren’t expected to make much of an impact this season- Ed Ingram being the one possible exception- but this is not the kind of publicity any team wants before the season starts.
So, what about the players LSU will actually put on the field this year? It’s kind of a wash, rinse, repeat situation. Their defense will be one of the league’s best; they have a new offensive coordinator that promises to open up the playbook and throw the ball downfield more; and they have a quarterback who they guarantee will be able to handle the passing game, even though there’s nothing in his past that should make you believe it. Sound at all familiar?
Like most SEC schools, the expectations are always high in Baton Rouge, but even those seem to be tempered somewhat this year.
While I’d be hesitant to put too much stock into their success this season based on the product they’re likely to put in the field, it’s their schedule that’s really daunting.
Things will change as the season begins and games are played but don’t be surprised if LSU winds up playing seven games against teams that will wind up spending time in the Top 25.
Besides the normal gauntlet of SEC West teams (Alabama, Auburn, Mississippi State) they’ll face, their two opponents from the SEC East will be Georgia and Florida.
That’s like entering a three-point shooting contest against two other people, only to find out those two people happen to be Steph Curry and JJ Redick.
It’s not like they took it easy with their out of conference scheduling, either. They could’ve gone the route of other programs and had home games against teams like the College of Underwater Basket Weaving, and the University of Perpetual Sorrow.
Instead, they begin their season on a neutral site against the Miami Hurricanes, a team with legitimate playoff aspirations.
It may not bode well when it comes to their overall record, but you won’t be able to knock the level of competition the Tigers will be facing.
Speaking of their record, 1999 was the last time the LSU Tigers failed to win at least eight games. Not that it’s impossible, but I have a hard time seeing them reach that eight win plateau this year.
Every football season at LSU begins with the goal of winning the national championship; the proverbial “goose that lays gold eggs for Easter”, so to speak. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, as I believe every program should start the season with that goal in mind, even if it’s a bit unrealistic.
All I’m saying is don’t be surprised if three weeks into the season the Tigers remind you more of Veruca Salt’s ultimate fate than Charlie Bucket’s.
The Tiger’s Stripes
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
Prior to the 2015 college football season, you could argue the perception of Clemson Tigers achievements was more hyperbole than anything.
Despite a raucous fan base, a fantastic tradition and reputation for being a big-time program they had only one Top 5 finish in school history; their championship season of 1981.
After three straights playoff appearances, two championship games and another National Championship the Tigers are finally cashing the checks their fans and reputation have been writing; and things don’t look to be slowing down.
Behind Alabama, Clemson has become one of the premier programs within college football. Last season, one that was considered to be somewhat of a rebuilding year, resulted in a 10-1 regular season record, an ACC Championship title and that third straight playoff appearance that I mentioned.
If you’re waiting for trend to be broken, don’t get your hopes up it will take place this season.
Clemson will be one of the deepest and most talented teams entering the 2018 campaign.
Normally people look at the offensive side of the ball in the same my wife looks at Chris Hemsworth when he’s shirtless in any Thor movie. In this particular case it’s Clemson’s defense that give football fans the googly eyes.
Usually, when people debate about whether or not a college team could actually compete with a professional one it’s completely ridiculous. It’s no so farfetched if you focus in on strictly Clemson’s defensive line.
The Tigers had three defensive linemen on last year’s squad- Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, Austin Bryant-that would have been high draft picks had they entered the 2018 NFL Draft; none of them did. When you hear analysts talk about Clemson having an NFL defensive front, and trust me you will, it won’t be an exaggeration.
Include some of the returning players they have at linebacker and in the secondary and you’re looking at possibly the nation’s best defense.
Even if the Tigers defensive side of the ball is the stronger of the two, their offense won’t be any slouch, either. Kelly Bryant, who exceeded expectations last year, returns at quarterback, along with Trevor Lawrence who will almost certainly see time under center.
Much like Georgia’s situation with Fromm and Fields, it will be difficult for the Tigers to keep both of their young quarterbacks off the field.
Clemson also returns it’s top three running backs and a deep receiving core, including Hunter Renfrow, college’s version of Cris Carter; all he does is catch touchdowns.
Clemson’s schedule sets up nicely for a championship run, too. There’s always a chance for a slip-up against an inferior team but if they are able to avoid the bump in the road, their two biggest games will be back to back against NC State and Florida State, respectively.
The Wolfpack, a team that has caused the Tigers issues in the past, visit Death Valley, while Clemson travels to Tallahassee.
Top to bottom, Clemson may be the most complete team in the country and that’s including Alabama. Barring any major injury, or a widespread case of complacency, Clemson is almost a sure bet to make it to their fourth straight playoff appearance.
It’s taken decades for the production on the field to match the high expectations. Now that Clemson has finally arrived, I wouldn’t be looking for them to relinquish that elite status anytime soon. They certainly don’t seem to be slowing down.
War Chant
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
When the clock struck midnight and the year rolled over to 2018, I’m sure there were a lot of people happy to leave 2017 in the rear-view mirror. A certain fan base emanating from Tallahassee, FL would fall under that category.
To proclaim that the 2017 college football season didn’t turn out quite the way the Florida State Seminoles had anticipated is a bit of an understatement.
For a team that started the season with the goal of a National Championship, they finished with a 7-6 record (relying on a makeup game against Louisiana-Monroe and a technicality ruling concerning the number of scholarships awarded by Delaware State just to become bowl eligible) and lost their head coach when Jimbo Fisher pulled a “Lane Kiffin” on his way to Texas A&M.
Like every team heading into the season, there are few things to keep an eye on; in Tallahassee, it starts with the new man in charge.
Willie Taggart, who has changed coaching jobs so much over the past nine years that he had a forwarding address for his forwarding address, was brought in to replace the aforementioned Fisher.
And yes, it’s easy to joke about the number of head coaching jobs he has had during this nine years (four) but to Taggart’s credit they have all been a step up in prominence; Western Kentucky- South Florida- Oregon- Florida State. He is regarded as a very good coach and an excellent recruiter but he has yet to win a bowl game and arrives at FSU with an overall losing record of 47-50.
With all the uncertainty surrounding Taggart, I will say he is just as deserving of this opportunity, if not more so, than other coaches who have been given this chance- here’s looking at you Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain.
It should help things that he’ll have Deondre Francois back under center. I say “should” because after suffering from a season ending injury in the first game last year, you don’t know how Francois will be once he comes back. I imagine the 2016 ACC Rookie of the Year will be more than capable of regaining his prior form but until he’s able to prove it, you would understand if there’s some skepticism.
There’s plenty of talent on this year’s squad, too- something Florida State never seems to be in short supply of- especially on the defensive line and at running back.
However, even though I believe they return four starters on the offensive line, that is their area of weakness; another reason to temper expectations on Francois’ return.
If Francois is healthy and the offensive line is able to help keep him upright, things could be very promising.
However, if neither of those things take place, I do believe this team is more capable of holding things together better than they were last year.
Francois’ injury became a convenient excuse for last year’s troubles, but there’s a team in Athens that may have a different opinion on whether your season is over when it comes to losing your starting quarterback.
Florida State doesn’t necessarily have an easy schedule either, with road games against Miami, NC State, and Notre Dame. But, they do get Clemson at home, which I guess is a plus?
Regardless of the questions entering this season there’s a new era beginning in Tallahassee, and with it comes a renewed sense of optimism.
After last season, what other choice do they have?
Renaissance Man
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
In the midst of our fandom it’s easy to look at the team name on the front of the jersey, and not the player name on the back.
No matter your feelings towards the Carolina Panthers, it’s hard not admire their current linebacker and former Georgia All-American, Thomas Davis. (I realize Davis will serve a four-game suspension to start the season due to testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs, so I understand if that changes your opinion of him. Personally, while it certainly factors in, I view it as merely a footnote as opposed to the main story.)
Normally, when a player like Davis is about to retire- he announced months ago this would be his final season- unless that athlete was a complete malcontent, most of the focus is aimed towards any accomplishments he or she received on the field.
A Super Bowl appearance, 3 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro team, and one 2nd team All-Pro tends to lend itself to pats on the back. I’m not quite sure if Davis is Hall of Fame worthy, but you could make an argument in his favor. However, in this particular case his on-field achievements are merely an opening act to a much larger headliner.
For starters, and it has been well documented, are Davis’ return from three ACL tears.
Sports has a history riddled with athletes that couldn’t get over the mental and physical hurdle of one ACL year, let alone three.
Not only did Davis return but he came back better than he was before; all those accolades I just mentioned above, they after took place after those three surgeries.
I’m so mentally fragile, I came across a copperhead walking my dogs the other day and now I’m trying to teach them to use a toilet so I don’t have to take them outside. If I tore my ACL once I just render that leg useless for the rest of my life.
Now the one piece of recognition I didn’t mention and the second piece of Davis’ legacy that will be remembered is his philanthropy.
In 2014 he was awarded the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, given to a player based on his volunteer and charity work.
There have been numerous instances of Davis’ charitable work around the Charlotte/Mecklenburg area, as well as his hometown of Randolph County. None have been more influential though than his Defending Dreams Foundation.
Through his foundation Thomas has spent an immeasurable amount of time and money giving the youth in his community opportunities they would otherwise never be afforded. As someone who has friends and family in the Charlotte area, the name “Thomas Davis” has become synonymous with giving.
There are better and more athletic players that have come out of the Georgia football program but I’m not sure there has been a more successful one, considering all the different phases of life.
As Davis enters his final season it will be easy to get caught up in his suspension, after all we are a country that seems to feed off negativity. My suggestion though would be to focus on what he has overcome and how incredible it has been for him to actually achieve what he has.
Once the season ends though, there really will be only one question on my mind- “How does Thomas Davis feel about copperheads?” The potty training hasn’t gone according to plan and my dogs really need to go outside.
Jones About The Benjamins
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
If you ask a team what is the one thing that can derail a promising season, aside from injuries, it would be distractions.
Whether or not those distractions have any influence on the outcome of season, probably depends on who you ask. Depending on how the next few weeks play out which Julio Jones and his desire to renegotiate/restructure his contract, the Falcons may find out about soon enough.
Normally I’m all for a player getting as much as money as he or she can. Even though as fans we love the idea of loyalty, from both player and organization, professional sports are all about the bottom line. I don’t begrudge anyone trying to make as much as they can, while they can.
So, while I fully respect Jones’ decision and understand where he’s coming from, it’s just a little hard to get on board with the timing of it all.
When Julio signed his current 5-year deal, two years ago, he was the highest paid wideout in the NFL. He’s currently the 7th highest paid wideout and you could argue that he’s better than all the players making more than him, AJ Green being the one possible exception.
With the way NFL contracts are set up, in order for Jones to get as much guaranteed money as he can, he’s got to sign for an extended period. Essentially, he’s sacrificing prime market value down the road for the upfront cash. Regardless of how you or I feel towards football contracts, that’s just the way it is.
There are two main reasons I have an issue with timing of it. For one, he still has three years left on his contract. When most contracts are signed, depending on the player, management almost figures in that with a year or two left they are going to have to renegotiate.
Acquiescing to Jones’ request with more than half his contract still on the books, could have a rippling effect on other players Atlanta has intentions on extending down the road.
The second reason is I’m not sure his last two seasons have really warranted a renegotiation. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely think Jones is one of the 3-4 best receivers in the league but he is coming off his two least productive seasons, back to back, since his first two years in the league. (I’m excluding the 2013 season when he was injured and only played in 5 games.)
Normally when you see a player wanting to revisit his contract it’s because he has outperformed his current salary; kind of hard to make that argument in this situation.
Trust me, I’d love nothing more than to have two years of subpar reviews at work, only to get a larger pay raise. It just doesn’t normally happen that way.
And I get that his dip in production isn’t solely on Jones’ shoulders; Atlanta’s offense as a whole struggled last year adjusting to Steve Sarkisian’s play calling. But having a solid season this year, proving that 2017 was more of anomaly, would only strengthen Julio’s case in asking for more money.
At this point it doesn’t look like the Falcons are going to bend and I can’t really blame them.
I suspect that at some point Jones will be back on the field with an understanding they’ll address his contract after the season. If he doesn’t, you probably won’t even have to ask how the distraction affected Atlanta’s season; I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to tell.
Coastal Buzz
By: JJ Lanier
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
No matter the level of sports you play and no matter what conference or division you play in, you’re going to always have one group that is more dominant than the other; beside the whole “sports camaraderie” thing it’s kind of the purpose of playing, right?
When it comes to ACC Football, the more dominant division, historically, has been the Atlantic. The Coastal Division, which Georgia Tech won in four of the first seven seasons after Paul Johnson was brought in, has played the role of the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
Basically, the Coastal has been the little brother that keeps swinging at the older brother (Atlantic) but is always kept at arm’s length, just far enough to never really land blows.
This bodes well for Johnson and the Yellow Jackets, who after a seventh, fifth, and third place finish in the Coastal over the past three years and a new extension for the aforementioned head coach, need to see continued improvement as they try to regain that early success.
At first glance, Georgia Tech’s schedule seems fairly daunting, however I think it’s more than manageable. Like most college football teams, the difference between a successful season for the Jackets and one that ends in everyone eating away their pain at the Varsity, will come down to handful of games.
I know it’s dangerous to assume, but let’s roll the dice and assume they defeat Alcorn St., USF, Pittsburgh, Bowling Green, and Virginia. And that they lose to Clemson and Georgia. This leaves them with a 5-2 record, with 5 games up in the air; all five of which happen to be in row.
The first of the five is against Louisville, at Louisville. With Lamar Jackson in the NFL and the Cardinals matador style defense, I like Tech’s chances. This is one I would not be surprised to see them leave with a win.
The next opponent is Duke, at home. Now, before David Cutcliffe arrived this would be more of a guaranteed win than the Alcorn St. game, but Duke has played Tech well over the last few years, winning in Atlanta two years ago.
After the Blue Devils come to town and a bye week, there are back to back road games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Truth be told, the season could come down to these two games.
As tough as the Hokies are at home, the Yellow Jackets have always played them tough since Johnson’s arrival and have won three of the last four. A win won’t be easy but it won’t be stunning either.
There’s absolutely no telling which Carolina team will show up this season but the games always seem to be close, a common thread with Georgia Tech and I would expect nothing different when they meet in November.
This stretch of five games concludes back in Atlanta, against Miami. The Hurricanes have looked good since Richt’s return and I know the expectations are high in Coral Gables. I almost included this game in the loss column but with it being at home and the potential for a first-place division title on the line, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. I don’t think they will win, I’m just not convinced a Georgia Tech loss is a sure thing.
So, there you have it; a Coastal Division title, right in their grasp.
Of course, now that I’ve said all this, you realize Alcorn State is going to win that first game, don’t you?
