USA Today Rankings (10/1/2006)

[GTechstar09]

1.​

Ohio State (62)

5-0​

1,574​

1​

2.​

Southern California (0)

4-0​

1,475​

2​

3.​

Auburn (1)

5-0​

1,418​

3​

4.​

West Virginia

4-0​

1,366​

4​

5.​

Florida

5-0​

1,309​

5​

6.​

Michigan

5-0​

1,277​

6​

7.​

Texas

4-1​

1,178​

7​

8.​

Louisville

4-0​

1,140​

8​

9.​

Georgia

5-0​

1,039​

9​

10.​

LSU

4-1​

1,038​

10 (tie)​

11.​

Oregon

4-0​

946​

12​

12.​

Notre Dame

4-1​

851​

14​

13.​

Oklahoma

3-1​

706​

16​

14.​

Tennessee

4-1​

673​

18​

15.​

Clemson

4-1​

657​

19​

16.​

Florida State

3-1​

601​

17​

17.​

California

4-1​

588​

20​

18.​

Virginia Tech

4-1​

421​

10 (tie)​

19.​

Iowa

4-1​

418​

13​

20.​

Georgia Tech

4-1​

347​

NR​

21.​

Boise State

5-0​

344​

22​

22.​

Nebraska​

4-1​

326​

21​

23.​

Rutgers

5-0​

192​

23​

24.​

Texas Tech

4-1​

141​

24​

25.​

Missouri

 

[BarrelORum]

Any poll that has UGA ranked that high and VT ranked in front of us is a joke. If we beat Maryland, everything will right itself. Coaches tend not to be able to look at footage until the next week.

 

[TechSBP]

Coaches tend to vote with their heads stuck where the sun doesn't shine.

What does it say when you struggle to beat a team that lost to unranked Weak Florist 27-3 and you move up in the rankings?

Not to mention that VT is ranked in front of us. Apparently, what you do on the field is secondary to where you are ranked in the preseason.

 

[The Jacket]

Well, the USA Today seems to be full of.. character.

 

[beej67]

Actually, coaches tend not to vote. They leave it up to their aides and whatnot because they're too busy coaching. The only time they really pay attention to the voting is towards the end of the year.

 

[pocket_watch]

Didn't this poll have us at 31 before the game? If thats right, a jump to 20 is pretty big.
That the hokies come in higher is just another indicator of how pointless these polls really are in September and August. Magazine and internet sales along with TV ratings aside.

For all you youngsters out there, you don't know what a longshot it was for Tech to have gotten to the top spot in 1990. We were unranked coming in that year too. Beating #1 uva was huge, but really strange things happened to higher ranked teams coming down the stretch.

 

[McWreck]

Well until we start putting opponents away and quit playing so conserative to protect a lead.......we don't deserve a higher ranking in my book.

We have the talent, but conserative play calling makes a great win look as if we couldn't hold a big lead.

 

[GT_Dean]

Well until we start putting opponents away and quit playing so conserative to protect a lead.......we don't deserve a higher ranking in my book.

We have the talent, but conserative play calling makes a great win look as if we couldn't hold a big lead.

Conservative? One time in the 2nd half(IMHO), there was a conservative play call... One stiknin play!! What about the reverse throwback to Reggie pass? Was that also conservative? I guess the drive in the 4th quarter(where we took 6 minutes off the clock) was STUPID too? Some people kill me!

 

[Techbert]

Dean, Don't Get Fussed Because Some People Don't Think Things Thru

but conserative play calling makes a great win look as if we couldn't hold a big lead.

Heavy sigh. We just disassembled a Top 10 team, and some people complain just to complain. I'm guessing this poster goes to games and moans to the heavens that he is stuck with Chan another five years. In-between great plays by GT, that is.

If you carefully review the film, you will see that we (very correctly) shortened the game while (very correctly) mixing the run, pass, and trick plays to keep the other team off balance. You will see a masterful control of field position in the second half.

The only reason we did not absolutely BURY VPI is because the Conference refs went into overdrive to protect a perceived conference powerhouse from being blown away. It is not in the conference's best interest for VPI to be blown away.

Note the officials didn't really do anything to seriously threaten GT from winning the game. They just tried to make the score respectable. They manipulated the second half. (And that is one reason why we need national officials, and no more conference officials.)

We can't sack the QB if we get held every play. We can't make catches if they hang onto our receivers every play. We can't maintain ball control if they create phantom personal foul calls. We can't run out the clock when they call, "Pass Interference.... Back Judge doesn't want the game to end.... So he made some stuff up.... The Replay Official does not want to get dragged into this...."

That's why the game score was so much closer than the game itself. It was neither Nix nor Gailey.

Lest we forget. The 1990 team started the season unranked. They were like 16th when the knocked off #1 Virginia. They didn't get the respect they deserved until the end, and even then they didn't get the respect they deserved for some people who voted instead for a one-loss/shudda been two or three-loss team, if the game officials had called their games straight up.

 

[GTCalvinist]

Ranked 18th in AP (VT 21st).

 

[McWreck]

Some people kill me!

Didn't mean to kill you GT_Dean !

Yes we ran 6 minutes off the clock.

I just have a problem with 3rd and 25 and we toss sweep to the tail back for 2 or 3 yards. What is wrong with throwing it down field 30 to 40 yards? We have some pretty good receivers. So what if it is intercepted. It is as good as a punt. Personally have have more faith in the players than just wasting a play and have to kick.

 

[midatlantech]

Techbert this is twice in a month that I have to disagree with you. You're slipping man.

Yes, officials take it easy on slaughtered teams now and then. However, 18 points and the game isn't over any more.

VPI had a real and believable chance to win that game. If they score a quick TD with 1 minute left, then they have a chance at the onside kick and then who knows what could have happened.

The officials went way overboard on this game. I watched the replay with the VPI announcers and even they felt the one running TD was not even close, etc.

 

[pocket_watch]

I just have a problem with 3rd and 25 and we toss sweep to the tail back for 2 or 3 yards. .........Personally have have more faith in the players than just wasting a play and have to kick.

You're being serious, aren't you?

I believe we were winning by 18 at the time, and our defense had just caused 2 consecutive fumbles.
I really can't fault Nix for not pulling out his 3rd and 25 playbook.

 

[GT_Dean]

Didn't mean to kill you GT_Dean !

Yes we ran 6 minutes off the clock.

I just have a problem with 3rd and 25 and we toss sweep to the tail back for 2 or 3 yards. What is wrong with throwing it down field 30 to 40 yards? We have some pretty good receivers. So what if it is intercepted. It is as good as a punt. Personally have have more faith in the players than just wasting a play and have to kick.

That was 1 play and that is the one that I was talking about. But how is 1 play going conservative?

If we would have called a pass play and (praise God that this wouldn't happen), a fumble or INT for a td results in the play then we would have 50,000 GT fans calling for Nix's HEAD. So what, he went conservative for 1 play. How is that for the whole 2nd half? Did we not score any in the 2nd half? Were we going 3 and out on every series? If we were, then I would be right behind you saying the same things you are.

 

[McWreck]

That was 1 play and that is the one that I was talking about. But how is 1 play going conservative?

If we would have called a pass play and (praise God that this wouldn't happen), a fumble or INT for a td results in the play then we would have 50,000 GT fans calling for Nix's HEAD. So what, he went conservative for 1 play. How is that for the whole 2nd half? Did we not score any in the 2nd half? Were we going 3 and out on every series? If we were, then I would be right behind you saying the same things you are.

check out the second half stats.........

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=262730259&confId=1


No offensive scores in the second half....I believe this is correct.

Another 4th quarter with no scores at all.
I am just saying I believe in our team and our offense. Needed one TD in the 4th. This has been a opportunity all season thus far.

So I guess your right behind me !;)

 

[gtfan088]

check out the second half stats.........

http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=262730259&confId=1


No offensive scores in the second half....I believe this is correct.

Another 4th quarter with no scores at all.
I am just saying I believe in our team and our offense. Needed one TD in the 4th. This has been a opportunity all season thus far.

So I guess your right behind me !;)

Do you not recall Choice running it in for a TD on 3rd down in the 3rd quarter?

 

[beej67]

Do you not recall Choice running it in for a TD on 3rd down in the 3rd quarter?

Running TDs don't count, because they're 'conservative.' Sheesh, didn't you read chapter five of your Chanbasher handbook?

 

[pocket_watch]

No offensive scores in the second half....I believe this is correct.

Did you happen to see the game yesterday? I won't correct you because it's too easy.

I am sure you are a very smart guy in real life.
I'm really just kidding around, but dude!

 

[gtfan088]

Running TDs don't count, because they're 'conservative.' Sheesh, didn't you read chapter five of your Chanbasher handbook?

:hugelaugh:

 

[floridajacket]

Do you remember 2004, perhaps the most gut-wrenching loss under Chan? It started with a blown coverage, which Tenuta made sure wouldn't happen with a young secondary using a soft zone. Then Reggie threw the pick 6.

ANY interception made by that secondary has a chance of going the distance. But even if it doesn't and it ends up the equivalent of a punt, why give them that kind of momentum? Converting a 3rd and 25 ain't very easy, and interceptions become more likely the farther one throws the ball.