Tough to predict next year

W

wfjacket

Varsity Lurker
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Jan 5, 2002
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I'll tell ya, guys, I've seen a lot of the posts below about next year and I can't begin to make such predictions. We've got a lot of change with the staff and the players (new starting quarterback).
One major plus -- it appears we have the strongest coordinator combination we've enjoyed in years (O'Brien/Tenuto). I look for major improvement on defense. I love Tenuto's defensive back coaching experience and his resume of success. However, our pass rush (or lack thereof) will make or break us. I think lack of pass rush has been a much bigger cause of trouble for us than dback play.
Major obstacle -- The schedule, with most toss-up games (Clemson, NCState, Maryland, Georgia) on the road. Y'all know road games are extremely difficult to win. We'll need great quarterback poise and leadership with the tough schedule.
 
Ah, I gotta play devil's advocate. We haven't gone 4-0 to start a season in I don't know how long. Granted, FSU has always been on the early season schedule, but with a new QB and all new coaches, I don't know if 4-0 is possible. Granted, I would LOVE to be 4-0 to start off for our coaches and our players' confidence level. But three of those first four could go either way and Clemson on the road is always a BIG challenge.

I DO like your optimism though!
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I do agree it's a good year to start with a couple of the less challening opponents (Vandy and UConn) because we can't underestimate the transition time with a new quarterback (remember Godsey's first game vs. UCF?). One real good advantage -- Suggs is not exactly a rookie quarterback. We might find a transition with him happens rather smoothly. And you're right, we have significant veteran numbers (especially on defense). I will personally watch the development of both lines with keen interest and the return of Nate Curry.
 
Thanks WF for keeping this thread going. I don't care who starts a thread or who continues it, as long as it's about football. I just know that we are on the dawn of a great new era with GT football and Chan is going to lead us to great places. I sure hope I don't eat my words, but with the coaches and players we have in 2002, you gotta feel good. Then in 2003 and beyond, GET READY FOR AUBURN! We gotta kick some War Chicken BUTT! (I married into a huge Auburn family)
 
Yea, I want revenge on Auburn in 2003! We lost nine years in a row to them(1979-1987) before we regrettably dropped Auburn from the schedule. That was a cop out saying we had to make room for Maryland. Here's hoping CG puts Auburn back on the schedule permanently.
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I'm with all the folks that want Auburn back on the schedule permanently. I'd love to play them every year. We owe them bastards 9 consecutive arse-whoopins. I hate Auburn.
 
Originally posted by bugboy:
I'm with all the folks that want Auburn back on the schedule permanently. I'd love to play them every year. We owe them bastards 9 consecutive arse-whoopins. I hate Auburn.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Auburn is the same team that beat a pretty good UF team last year. I agree that we probably need one more stout out of conference game, but if it is Auburn then it will not be a one way street. It was tough enough losing to Clem's son last year could you imagine if we had lost to AU too.
 
I too am glad we are playing Auburn in 2003, and I would like to see GT go to another region for a matchup, ie. PAC10. IMO, this would give us the national exposure teams need for MNC,BCS and other acronymns. F$U has done this as well as Miami. Pac 10 is just one idea and is not carved in stone.

CG has stated he plans on a national search for recruits and IMO the glories of GT Football could be seen live and this is the best way.

I am looking forward to March 22 when Spring practice starts.

THWG, Up with the White and Gold

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Originally posted by law_bee:
Auburn is the same team that beat a pretty good UF team last year. I agree that we probably need one more stout out of conference game, but if it is Auburn then it will not be a one way street. It was tough enough losing to Clem's son last year could you imagine if we had lost to AU too.
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<font size="2" face="Arial, Verdana, Sans-Serif">Law,
I know what you're saying. Most likely if we played Auburn every year, it'd be one of those 50/50 rivalries, if that. I'm just making that point that some of us Jackets have not forgotten how lopsided that rivalry became before we dropped them.
And I don't think they'd come near to dominating us like they did in the 70's and 80's. We've improved too much for that.
If it was up to me, we'd play Auburn every year. But given that won't happen, I'm pleased to have teams like BYU and Notre Dame on the schedule. I wouldn't mind playing UT once in a while or even Bama. South Carolina would also be a good matchup.
There's simply no substitute for playing other good Southern teams from the standpoint of local interest. And I also realize the value of playing a national opponent. But if CG wants to establish more pipelines in Georgia and nearby, beating some other big-time SEC teams will do the trick.
 
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