LSU Chimes in on CPJ's UCOBS

I posted a link to some LSU fan opinions on LSU's chances against our offense in the Peach Bowl in a post about a week ago, and today some of the LSU reactions and opinions of it. LSU officially accepted their Peach Bowl invitation today, and the media was there to take down some comments, etc.

Head Coach Les Miles

On Georgia Tech’s offense running option ...
“You have to be disciplined when you play them. There has to be relentless effort to pursue it. Let’s not forget (Georgia Tech’s) defense. They are very talented up front with two big, strong defensive ends and a defense that is ranked about 32nd in the top division in the NCAA rankings. We understand that this will be a great test. This is what we need. We need to play a really good football team and we are fortunate to have that opportunity.”

On if Georgia Tech’s offense will cause LSU to prepare in a different manner ...
“I think our team understands the direction and the very specific preparations that when it comes to this offense, it will require a different practice schedule. Frankly, we will seldom be in a third down and long and have a nice pass rush in the quarterbacks face. They don’t quite throw it that often. It is going to be gearing ourselves toward our opponent. It will be a great, new challenge to be honest with you. There isn’t anyone in our program that doesn’t understand where we want to be. You don’t have to enlighten anyone, there is no re-gear. It’s more like we ‘We understand. Let’s get it going.’ The opportunity is right here.”

RB Charles Scott

On what the defense will face with Georgia Tech’s option offense...
“They have a great rushing attack, but I think our seven guys upfront are pretty good too. As long as we prepare, keep our minds right, come into the game focused on our assignments and be disciplined, I think we’ll have a pretty good battle.”

TE Richard Dixon

On what the defense will face with Georgia Tech’s option offense...
“I ran Georgia Tech’s type of offense in high school, and it’s a tough offense. We’ve got great guys on defense. We’ve got great speed and some of the greatest defensive linemen in college football. I think they’re going to do great. We’ve got three weeks to prepare for it, and it should be fun for us.”

Clearly the LSU staff and players have a lot of respect for what our offense has done (for good reason - we're 3rd in the nation in rushing ypg). Everyone keeps saying that the three weeks will help LSU prepare for our offense, but no one is mentioning that CPJ and his staff will have three weeks to get ready for the LSU defense (which btw is a respectable 17th in the nation against the run). Should be an interesting matchup of two coaches with different stories this season...one program has overachieved while the other has underachieved.

What Christmas is all about...Giving

Tomorrow (today?) marks the last day of finals week for Fall 2008 at GT land. Of course I'm stuck with two of them, in the last two periods no less. But no big deal, I've crammed enough for them, and am actually pretty thankful that my finals were heavy at the end of this week rather than at the beginning (my first one wasn't til Wednesday, which went really well).

Before I go to bed, I wanted to post this video that I first saw in church a few weeks ago, and it's actually caught on well I think. Unfortunately Christmas in the US has become over-commercialized (obviously it doesn't take me saying that to make anyone realize that). It has become too much about material gifts and receiving things that have little or no meaning. But what if we as a nation and culture gave something bigger than gifts? What if we instead focused our giving to those who have very little than to those that we normally give to who have very much? I'm certainly not suggesting that we stop getting presents for our friends and loved ones altogther. But I just want yall to think about how much we could change the world for the better. Hope yall enjoy...


Merry early Christmas!

Finals week...pshh

This week marks my 7th trip to the five days in april/may and december...the epic finals week. For me, it's actually not a big deal. IMO, finals week is the second best school week of the year (the first being the first week of class)...for one, there's no class. During a stretch where I'd normally have to go to class on 13 separate occasions, I only have to go to three (this semester at least). Second, things are usually quieter since most people are studying. All this results in a lot of free time - one of my favorite things.

Chick-Fil-A Bowl Updates...Geaux Jackets!

So it's official (as of yesterday)...we'll be playin LSU in the Chick-Fil-A (Peach) Bowl on New Year's Eve at the GA Dome. As of now, I've heard two conflicting reports on what to expect in this game (even though I know what's gonna happen). CFN is gettin pretty screwy, saying that the time off between now and the bowl game will give LSU enough time to prepare for CPJ's UCOBS. Does the time off not also mean that we'll have time to prepare for LSU's defense? I mean, I doubt CPJ and the rest of the coaching staff will be picking their noses for the next three weeks and two days. Granted, LSU does have the 17th best run defense in the country, but that's probably attributable to the fact that most teams have been destroying them in the passing game, where LSU is 82nd in the nation. On the flip side, Kirk Herbstreit finally got something right. Today he did a quick spot on the Buck & Kincade show, stating that Georgia Tech would "handle" LSU in this matchup. Well said, Kirky.

Where Are They Now - Tashard Choice & Calvin Johnson

Both Tech boys clean up on Sunday against their respective opponents...sorta. Deuce got his first NFL start yesterday...against the NFL's best rushing and pass defense (@ Pittsburgh), no less. But he did pretty darn well. On top of 88 yards on 23 (that's also his jersey #) tough carries, he was the Cowboys' leading receiver with 78 yards on only five catches. Way to go, Deuce. Not sure when Marion Barber will return, but hopefully we'll get to see the former Jacket get some more carries and receptions before all is said and done.

CJ got some solid numbers too yesterday. Too bad this guy is stuck with the now 0-13 Lions. I'd recommend checking out this highlight video and watching his 70-yard catch-and-run TD reception. You'd think a guy his size would be slow...which I guess is what NFL DCs still think (though maybe not after yesterday). He just outran the Viking DBs...ridiculous. Could anyone imagine what CJ might do with a Peyton Manning or Drew Brees (go Saints!) or Matt Ryan throwing him the pigskin? Neither can I.

But the Lions can't expect to win a game when CJ has only three catches (for 84 yards though). They're a mere three games away from the second 0-16 NFL season ever. Not something to be proud of, I imagine. CJ's gotta find a way to get out of Detroit...New Orleans maybe? (I can be hopeful, can't I?). I'd love to see him as a Falcon too, that'd be solid.

Get this...CJ has 56 receptions, 1055 yards, and 9 TDs. His 56 receptions barely get him in the top 25 in the NFL, but his 9 TDs is good for a second-place tie. He averages one TD every 6.22 catches, good for 6th in the NFL. However, in terms of 1000-yard WRs, he's first on the list. The #2 guy w/ at least 1000 yards receiving is Anquan Boldin of the Arizona Cardinals, coming in at 7.55 catches/TD. This means that it takes over one catch more for Boldin to get a TD than it does Calvin. CJ is also the #4 WR in the NFL when it comes to yards per catch, and again the #1 guy w/ at least 1000 yards, with 18.8 yards per catch. The #2 again is pretty far behind, with Greg Jennings of the Packers coming in at 17.1 yards per catch...over a full yard behind Calvin. Ladies and gentlemen, when it comes down to it, this guy in a bona fide freak. No DB in the league can really defend him. All they can hope for is that they don't throw it to him...which is what is going on. If you have any doubt about CJ's ability, just watch this video and look for the clip of him running a reverse at the 3:10 mark. Those aren't high school defenses that are trying to tackle him...those are NFL defensive players. The best. And he was only a rookie last year.

Louisiana #1 for all the wrong reasons...again

Can't say I'm too proud of my home state for this one. A recent Forbes report shows that the real LA is 50th out of 50 states (or is it 58?) in terms of total health (they use binge-drinking, pollution, and disease as indicators). C'mon guys. Put the eighth beer down, and go workout some. Sheesh.

The most wonderful time of the year...

Christmas is right around the corner, a mere 17 days away. Today's Christmas question:

What's your favorite Christmas song? (bonus points to anyone who responds with "Christmas Shoes")

Dead Week Friday

Despite it being the week before finals, today was actually quite interesting...

Expired fire extinguishers = reason to burn stuff

We had a lot of fun this afternoon burning a few things thanks to a few fire extinguishers around the BCM that had expired :D The aftermath is pictured below:


Lady Jackets beat UGAy Lady Dogs

UGAy fans must be really upset now. Six days after beating the football dogs on the gridiron, and for only the 3rd time in 31 tries, the Lady Jackets beat the Lady Dogs in basketball tonight at the Thrillerdome 57-42. However, those three W's have all come in the last seven years, a testament that program is headed in the right direction (we also got the school's first NCAA Women's Bball Tourney invite in 06(?)).


Center Street Christmas

This year marks round three of Center Street Christmas (it'll be my last one). We started early tonight with some movies and gingerbread cookies. Tomorrow morning we'll be doing secret santa with everyone, should be lots of fun (again). It makes me sad that this is my last Christmas at Tech. The previous three have been a lot of fun, there's no doubt about that. Those times have reminded me that Christmas isn't about the gifts, but being with the people you love.

Championship Weekend Predictions

Bama vs. UF: No one's giving the Tide a chance, which is why I think they win. They've been underappreciated all year, "winning games they shouldn't have won", whereas UF's opponents haven't been on the same planet as the Gators (except for the Fighting Nutts). There's a reason you don't lose a single regular season games, so Saban and the boys must be doin something right. Tide win 28-24.

BC vs. Virginia State: IMO, neither of the best teams in the respective divisions are represented in Tampa tomorrow. I think everyone wishes it could be a rematch of Tech and F$U. But I digress...BC is without senior QB Chris Crane, who broke a collarbone a couple weeks ago against Wake. Now QB Dominique Davis will be making his second career start ever - against the 6th best defense in the country. BC's defense will force a few TOs, but it won't be enough with no offense (yes, even less than the chokies). VPI wins 17-13.

Mid-Week Updates

A lots been goin on since Saturday's beating of the doggies on their turf. Yesterday was actually a big day in the state of Georgia, and today was a big day for our Jackets.

Saxby wins Runoff

Thank goodness for that. Chambliss (unofficially) beats Martin by a 57%-43% margin, though Martin conceded last night. Big win in terms of the dems not having a super-majority in the Senate (which is bad for everybody).

Braves Trade for Pitching

Last night, the Bravos picked up former ChiSox starting pitcher Javier Vasquez in a six-player deal. To acquire Vasquez, we gave up SP Jo-Jo Reyes (who was good, but never consistent) and SS Brent Lillibridge (a solid prospect). With the recent loss of Mike Hampton to the Astros, Vasquez looks to bolster our rotation for next year, which is still the biggest concern of the offseason.

Paul Johnson - 2008 ACC Coach of the Year

Huge congrats to CPJ for this award. It's Tech's first ACC COTY since O'Leary won it back in 2000. CPJ got 46 of the 67 possible votes, and looks to have an early edge on the national competition.

Jonathan Dwyer - 2008 ACC Player of the Year

Big, big congrats to the big man in the backfield for the Jackets for picking up some more hardware. Dwyer is by far the most deserving player in the conference, picking up 12 TDs on a total of 1328 yards (no other ACC back had more than 1000), including nine 100+ yard games. Dwyer is the first player to win this honor since CJ did it in 2006. This guy's just a sophomore, and will only get better and grow in CPJ's system. Let's just hope he stays after next year.

ACC/Big 10(11) Challenge continues tonight as Tech hosts Penn State

The Jackets (4-0) welcome the Nittany Lions (6-1) to the ThrillerDome tonight for game 7 of the ACC/Big 10 Challenge. The ACC is 9-0 all time in this challenge, but the conferences are tied as of last night at 3 wins a piece (Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin have all won). Tech beat PSU 77-73 a couple years ago at AMC; the only active Tech player from that game was Zach Peacock. The Jackets are 1-1 all time against the Nittany Lions on the court. Tech looks to go 5-0 for the first time since that 06-07 season.

Going Bowling - Close to Home

Last night, Tech officially received an invitation to play in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl (Dec. 31, 7:30 @ the GA Dome). This is big for the Jackets, who have had to travel to the West Coast for many of the past bowl games (Humanitarian in 07, Emerald in 05, Humanitarian in 03, Silicon Valley in 02, Seattle in 01).

Our opponent is TBD, but will likely be either LSU or South Carolina. LSU fans are already sweating over a matchup against CPJ's UCOBS, and rightfully so. The Bayou Bengals are giving up 326 yards and 26 points per game, but have struggled mightily against the big boys (27 to Bama, 31 to Ole Miss, 51 to UF, 52 to UGAy). South Carolina, however, is only allowing 288 yards and 20 points per game, good for 11th and 27th in the nation, respectively. Keep in mind though that the Fighting Spurriers got bombed by the only real option team they faced in Florida, giving up 56 to Urban Meyer's squad (that's 8 TDs, folks).

If we are to in fact play LSU on New Year's Eve, it will be an interesting matchup from a personal perspective. I have four relatives who are LSU alumni, and two really good friends who are current students. Those in my family who aren't LSU alums still cheer for the Tigers, like I have most of my life (not to worry boys and girls, I'll be rooting for the guys in White and Gold and would be very happy for us to get a W over the Tigers). So this game could create a rift of sorts in my family; should be interesting to see. I'm sure I'll never hear the end of it if LSU beats us, and there might be some extended silence if the Jackets win.

Regardless, I'm looking forward to Tech's bowl game. I'm not sure anyone could stop our offense - only outscore us. With the CFA Bowl being 4 weeks from today, we'll have plenty of time to rest up, get healthy, and prepare for our opponent. Bowl practice starts next Friday for the Jackets.