Thinking About Your Rivals' Offense?

Dear NCAA fans,

Just a question for you I am very curious about.

If you are an Auburn fan, do you think about whether or not Bama’s power I offense will work next year and in the future?
If you are a Bama fan, are you thinking that Auburn’s spread option offense will not work next year?
If you are Gamecock, are you thinking that Clemson’s various offensive formations (wild cat, power I, shotgun) will not work next year?
If you are a Clemson fan, are you thinking and hoping that South Carolina’s Power I will not work next year?
If you are an FSU fan, are you hoping and thinking that Florida’s spread option or direct snap offense will not work next year?
Florida fans, are you hoping and anticipating that FSU’s offense will drop off now or in the future?

I ask this because I am just wondering if it is normal to have thoughts about your rival’s offense and whether or not it will work. I have only spoken with 3 UGA fans about football, this Spring, and to the man they are all expecting, hoping, and anticipating that (at a very minimum) GT’s offense will be less effective this year and in the future. They seem to think that the flexbone formation, spread option type offense is going to be “figured out”. I find it bizarre! I never think about UGA’s Power I offense. Don’t get me wrong, I want GT to defeat UGA very badly. For some reason though I am just not expecting, hoping, talking about, and anticipating that their Power I/play action offense will be down this year or in the future. I hope it’s down, but I definitely don’t think about it or expect it to be down. Is something wrong with me? Do I need to start blogging, calling my GT friends, and thinking about how UGA’s offense (the Power I) is going to be less effective this year and certainly in the future?

I believe offense is 90% execution and 10% the formation. Is that unwise thinking? Is it 90% formation and 10% execution/coaching?

Help me out,
Tommy

Jonathan Dwyer 2009 Predictions - All Wrong

Mel Kiper and NFL weekly both had Dwyer has the top back taken in the draft to start the 2009 football season. Dwyer was a Heisman trophy candidate, not Mark Ingram, at the beginning of 2009. Dwyer was preseason first team All-America.

If you want to tell someone they were wrong then please contact Mel Kiper, the Associate Press, NFL Pro Football Weekly, and the Heisman Trophy Foundation. As an undisputed fact, many football experts, ended being wrong in their predictions about Dwyer’s draft order.

Only when Dwyer was a sophomore, I stated that “he is a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 in talent. Whereas Herschel, Calvin, and Bo were 10s.” I still stand by that statement, when Dwyer was a sophomore. At the end of the summer of 2009, I specifically stated Dwyer had gained weight and looked awful. When I watched the 2009 Vandy game, with my son, I told my Dad that Dwyer looked fat and slow.

If you know of anyone that called Dwyer “average” or “a joke” you may want to call up those people and tell them they were dead wrong because Dwyer ended up rushing for 144 yards and 2 TDs against his team's main rival, was 2009 ACC POY, and was drafted in the 6th round onto an NFL team! Whoever said Jon Dwyer was “average” and “a joke” was dead wrong. Not me, I never stated anything about Dwyer that was incorrect.

As a sophomore I would have taken Dwyer over Moreno, when Moreno was a Redshirt freshman. I would have taken Moreno as a Redshirt sophomore over Dwyer as a Junior. If Dwyer gets himself back into shape he may have a good pro career, so I wouldn’t count him out yet. Or mark Moreno as the clear winner. Dwyer is 1 year younger than Moreno and right now, by my count, the score is 1-1. We will see if Dwyer’s rookie year is as good as Moreno’s rookie year, in the NFL.

AJ Green Compared to Randy Moss?

Randy Moss ran a 4.25 at FSU and Deion Sanders ran a 4.23.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Moss:
“While at Florida State, Moss ran a 4.25 40-yard dash,[10] with only Deion Sanders being faster (4.23).”

I know CMR made a comparison of AJ Green to Randy Moss. I don’t agree with Coach Richt’s comparison because Randy Moss is n for his speed, as is evidenced by the fact that he is one of the fastest football players of all time. In my opinion, I think Richt used the name Randy Moss as a substitute for Calvin Johnson. As you can see from the attachment Calvin Johnson was voted the best WR in the history of college football and Randy Moss was voted #2.

After this year will AJ Green catapult himself up to be mentioned with guys like Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, Tim Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Fred Biletnikoff, Peter Warrick, etc.? I don’t think so, but my opinion doesn’t matter. In NCAA football, when comparing players and teams on how good they are, the truth is established by the opinion of the majority and the experts. It’s very interesting that way.

UGA has a legitimate claim to the best RB (#34) and the best DB (Champ Bailey) ever to play college football. When I say claim, I mean to communicate that UGA fans can logically argue that Herschel Walker and Champ Bailey are one of the best all time to play their positions. Why? Because the experts and fans, that aren’t UGA fans, say the same thing. GT fans can logically claim that Calvin Johnson was one of the greatest WRs in the history of college football for the same reason. Is AJ Green going to give UGA fans a logical claim to one of the best WRs in the history of college football? Time will tell.

I want to help UGA fans find a WR that they can legitimately compare AJ Green to, but I don’t think Randy Moss is the that guy. I will keep thinking and try to get you back my sincere opinions. One thing I do think about AJ Green is that he is a great WR. I think Calvin Johnson had the ability to go up in the air and get the ball better than any WR to date and also Calvin had unbelievable body control. Best ever, in my opinion. More so than any WR to play college football, Calvin Johnson was known for his acrobatic catches, raw talent (leaping, speed), good character, and work ethic.

Throughout this process my goal is to find the truth about AJ Green. I can tell UGA fans want to talk about AJ, so let’s do it in an respectful, truthful, and logical fashion. I also hope to share some facts about Calvin Johnson. Comparing AJ Green to Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson may be seen as disrespectful to the work these 2 men have put in. Kind of like comparing Dwyer to Herschel Walker. Additionally, it is a lie, because again the majority opinion establishes the truth.

Demaryrius Thomas Runs a 4.38 - Forty

Thomas hopes broken foot won’t affect draft status Tech: "Thomas was taped running the 40-yard dash, the length NFL teams use to measure speed, in a blistering 4.38 seconds during a camp training session."

Annual All Two-Star Team - Andy Staples - SI.com

congratulations to Drew Butler (UGA) and Sean Bedford (GT) for making the SI All Two-Star Team!

Case Keenum, Greg Romeus headline annual All Two-Star Team - Andy Staples - SI.com

Georgia Tech Class of 2007 Ranked #3

Georgia Tech's 2007 recruiting class was reranked as #3 in the nation.

Florida, Boise State top revised 2007class recruiting rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com

ACC vs. SEC coaching salaries | Tech

ACC vs. SEC coaching salaries Tech: "ACC vs. SEC coaching salaries"

SEC coaches' salaries are 22% higher than ACC coaches' salaries.

Still though in recent history Jim Grobe, Paul Johsnon, David Cutcliffe, and Butch Davis have all turned down higher salaries from SEC schools to continue coaching in the ACC.

So are the higher salaries getting better coaches? Are Gene Chizek, Bobby Petrino, Dan Mullen, and Derek Dooley better than Jimbo Fisher, Paul Johnson, David Cutcliffe, and Mike London? These are 8 of the most recent hires in the both conferences.

Groh heading to Georgia Tech to run defense - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com

Groh heading to Georgia Tech to run defense - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com:
"Al Groh says he's heading to Georgia Tech to be the Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator.

The former Virginia coach told the Associated Press on Friday that he set out several criteria before deciding where he wanted to coach in 2010, and Georgia Tech meets them. The top priority was taking a job where there's a chance to win championships.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off their first outright ACC title since 1990 and played in the Orange Bowl. But they struggled on defense, firing coordinator Dave Wommack shortly after the season.

Groh was fired after nine seasons as Virginia's head coach."

Saban: UGA won’t get Smart | UGA Sports

Saban: UGA won’t get Smart UGA Sports: "Kirby Smart won’t be coming to Georgia as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator, Alabama coach Nick Saban said today.
“Kirby is going to be staying here at the University of Alabama with us,” Saban said at a press conference this afternoon to announce Rolando McClain’s decision to enter the NFL draft."

Three more stars leave Georgia Tech for NFL Draft - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com

Three more stars leave Georgia Tech for NFL Draft - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com:
"All-America defensive end Derrick Morgan, running back Jonathan Dwyer and safety Morgan Burnett held a joint campus news conference Monday to announce they'll enter the NFL draft with a year of college eligibility remaining.
They followed the course set by Georgia Tech's leading receiver, Demaryius Thomas, who said last week that he'll be entering the draft rather than returning to the Yellow Jackets for his senior season."

FootballCoachScoop.com - Rumor Mill on Coaching Changes and Scoop in College/NFL Football

FootballCoachScoop.com - Rumor Mill on Coaching Changes and Scoop in College/NFL Football:
"Georgia Tech:
On January 9, FootballCoachScoop had BREAKING NEWS and FIRST TO REPORT that Al Groh had been hired as Defensive Coordinator by Head Coach
Paul Johnson. According to our sources, an announcement could come as earlier as Monday since Groh is already employed by the University.

Georgia Tech:
FootballCoachScoop has learned that Head Coach Paul Johnson has promoted Offensive Graduate Assistant coach Lamar Owens to Slot Backs coach."

FootballCoachScoop.com - Rumor Mill on Coaching Changes and Scoop in College/NFL Football

FootballCoachScoop.com - Rumor Mill on Coaching Changes and Scoop in College/NFL Football: "Georgia:
FootballCoachScoop has BREAKING NEWS and the FIRST TO REPORT that Alabama Defensive Coordinator Kirby Smart has been hired as the new Defensive Coordinator by Head Coach Mark Richt."

Firing assistant after 11-3 season says a lot about Johnson | Jeff Schultz

It appears as though Richt has not made an written official offer to anyone but he has pursued to coaches that did not want to come to UGA. Richt is using the word "offered" as a way of "telling the truth" to satisfy his religion and a way of avoiding talking about getting turned down to satisfy his employer, the Dawg Nation.

Firing assistant after 11-3 season says a lot about Johnson Jeff Schultz: "At least two of his top candidates have turned him down (Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster and LSU’s John Chavis)."

Penn State Fan on Iowa vs. GT

Quote of the week from UGA friend:
I talked to one of my favorite UGA fans Brian at church on Sunday. [Why is he one of my favorites? Because he isn’t a huge homer of UGA or the SEC. I think this is largely because he works with a VT and PSU fan.] Anyway, I was told that the PSU fan he works with said, “GT will not have success against a disciplined Big Ten defense like Iowa. GT cannot handle the disciplined defense of the Big Ten.” Sounds crazy to us, I know, but remember everybody thinks their conference is the best or one of the best. That is why I try to read articles and look at the facts because I just don’t want to be a homer. It would make me feel bad about myself to be accused of that. It’s like when people call Christians stupid. I have hard facts to support my faith in Christ. Faith always boils down to believing what you can’t see, however there is substantial evidence to support Christianity.

Why Watch the FedEx Orange Bowl

FedEx Orange Bowl preview - ACC Blog - ESPN: "WHY WATCH: Because it’s been a long, long time since Georgia Tech was in a bowl game that meant this much (since 1967), and because the Jackets have the chance to cap off the ACC’s first winning bowl season since 2005. It could also be the final collegiate game for a handful of impressive Georgia Tech juniors, namely Demaryius Thomas, Jonathan Dwyer and Derrick Morgan. This game also features two coaches who were named Coach of the Year in their respective conferences in Georgia Tech’s Paul Johnson and Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz."

Three-point stance: ND, Bama, ACC - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

Three-point stance: ND, Bama, ACC - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN: "3. The best sign that the ACC is on the rise is that 20 All-ACC first-teamers are underclassmen. You have to assume that one or two of them will declare for the NFL Draft. Georgia Tech alone has three juniors with pro prospects (TB Jonathan Dwyer, DE Derrick Morgan, WR Demaryius Thomas). But the future is blinding, especially with two All-ACC freshmen, TB Ryan Williams of Virginia Tech and LB Luke Kuechly of Boston College."

Mark Richt on Recruiting Jonathan Dwyer

Bulldogs Blog: Practice Notes: Rambo Likely, Green Questionable:
"THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY

Back when Georgia was courting two of the top running backs in the state in 2006, Richt was sold on both Caleb King and Jonathan Dwyer as the next big thing for the Bulldogs’ ground game.

As it turned out, however, Dwyer found a better fit at Tech, and he even surprised Richt by how good he became.

“We tried like mad to get Jonathan Dwyer,” Richt said. “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. 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.”

Georgia did land King, who has started the past three games for Georgia and appears to have a bright future. Dwyer, however, already has an ACC offensive player of the year award to his credit, and he could be departing for a job in the NFL as soon as next year. The Tech tailback has racked up 1,203 yards and 11 touchdowns this season for the 10-1 Jackets.

Richt doesn’t fault Dwyer for choosing Tech over the Bulldogs, however, and the opportunity clearly worked out for him.

“I think he felt like he had a better opportunity to play at Tech,” Richt said. “I don’t want to put words in his mouth, but I think that was part of it. That’s kind of what those kids are looking for. They are looking for where do I fit in and do I fit in more quickly here than I do over there.”"

My opinion on the ACC and SEC and Other BCS Conferences

I am sick of getting these questions about which conference I think is the best and so forth.

Here are my opinions on the conferences:
· All of the BCS conferences provide excellent competition year end year out.
· I agree with my brother-in-law (UGA grad) when he states: Everyone is fanatical about their conference often times based on where they live geographically.
· The SEC does have an impressive BCS bowl record and has recently done well against the ACC in the Peach Bowl.
· With the SEC and ACC both having 9 bowl tie ins and sending approximately the same number of players to the NFL, I think it is hard to say there is note worthy difference in the level of competition in these conferences.
· The TV commentators say so many wonderful things about the SEC, only during the SEC games, because of all the money invested in that conference. The networks are trying to sell their “investment” to their viewing audience. Not to mention, Jesse Palmer, played QB at Florida and SEC school.
· The ACC hasn’t had a National Champion caliber team last year or the year before.
· The SEC hasn’t had the top to bottom quality of the ACC last year and maybe this year. The ACC sent 10 teams to bowls last year.
· The SEC’s best teams over the past couple of years would end up losing at least 1 conference game if they went through a typical ACC schedule.
· I don’t think Florida or Alabama would go undefeated in the ACC and am surprised that SEC fans use that as a bragging point to say their conference is the best.
· Finally, and to repeat, I think all 6 BCS conferences are competitive and deserving of credit and respectable comments. With UCLA beating UT, Washington (#7 in Pac-10) playing LSU (#3 in SEC) tight, GT beating Vandy and MSU (#9 in SEC) worse than most any other SEC team, and UGA (#7 in SEC) losing to OkSt and struggling with ASU. You can’t intelligently go around and declare your conference as world beaters or dominant. And don’t ever, ever forget: that putting 100,000 people inside of a football stadium in no way makes a football team better than another. Never, ever, never. Some experts also believe that a high percentage of fans that attend SEC games are intoxicated.
· Year in and year out I think the ACC and SEC are the best 2 conferences based on the number of bowl tie ins, out of conference BCS+ record, and number of players that go to the NFL from these 2 conferences.
· I would have to give the SEC the edge over the ACC because they send a few more players to the NFL and have won more National Championships. Remember though, for every year you have an undefeated Florida or Alabama, there is a Vandy or Kentucky that must be weighed equally. You still have to give a National Championship a little more weight for a conference.
· The college recruiting rankings mean only a little to me because they seem to rank the teams with the largest subscriptions with the best recruiting classes. What matters to me regarding talent is how many players go pro!

Big Question About Conference Scheduling

GT and UGA WRs Performing Well
Right now, AJ Green is rated the #8 WR and Bebe Thomas is rated the #5 WR, in all of college football.
http://collegefootball.rivals.com/viewCFSE.asp
Both are in the top 10 finalists for the Biletnikoff Award.
Congrats to these players and UGA and GT.

SEC and ACC in the Top 25 – Strength of Schedule
Both conferences have 3 teams in the top 25. Because Clemson choose to play #6 TCU, out of conference, and lost 10-14, they are not rated in the top 25 with 3 losses. Please note: the SEC has all 3 of their top 25 teams in the top 10 but LSU and Alabama play this Sat.! Because Virginia Tech choose to play Nebraska and Alabama, out of conference, they have 1 additional loss as well and are only ranked like #23. Clemson will also play USCe out of conference. Meanwhile, Alabama, Florida, and LSU only play one BCS+ game out of conference all season. Boston College has played #22 Notre Dame and the #1 team from the MAC (Cent. Mich), out of conference. UGA is the lone team in the SEC willing to play more than one game out of conference and they are currently 4-4. And of course GT plays 3, out of conference, BCS+ games in addition to their treacherous ACC schedule.

Big Question
Should the ACC teams change their schedules to only play one out of conference BCS+ games to be like most of the SEC teams or should the SEC teams play 2 out of conference BCS+ games to be like the ACC? Right now, it like trying to compare apples to turnips.

Congrats to Calvin Johnson and David Pollack For Making the All-Decade Team

Congratulations to Calvin Johnson and David Pollack for making the Sporting News All-Decade Team. When a player makes the All-decade team they are also considered to be one of the top All-time at their position. In fact, in 2007, Rivals.com voted for the Ultimate Team and David Pollack and Calvin Johnson were both listed to vote for them. Calvin Johnson was voted the #1 WR of all time in college football and David Pollack was voted the #9 DE all time in college football.

Calvin Johnson was also voted onto the ACC-All Decade Team. The experts and fans continue to prove that Calvin's impact on college football at WR will never be forgotten until Jesus Christ comes and then God destroys the earth!

OFFENSE
WR Larry Fitzgerald, Pittsburgh
WR Calvin Johnson, Georgia Tech
T Chris Long, Virginia
G Shawn Andrews, Arkansas
C Alex Mack, California
G Marcus McNeill, Auburn
T Robert Gallery, Iowa
TE Kellen Winslow, Miami
QB Matt Leinart, USC
RB Darren McFadden, Arkansas
RB Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma

DEFENSE
DE David Pollack, Georgia
DT John Henderson, Tennessee
DT Tommie Harris, Oklahoma
DE Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
LB James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
LB Paul Posluszny, Penn State
LB Derrick Johnson, Texas
CB Terence Newman, Kansas State
CB Lito Sheppard, Florida
S Sean Taylor, Miami
S Roy Williams, Oklahoma

SPECIALISTS
K Mason Crosby, Colorado
P Daniel Sepulveda, Baylor
KR Ted Ginn, Ohio State
PR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri