Going 3-1 to start the ACC is historically important. GT has won 3 of the first 4 conference games 11 times and has never finished below .500 in ACC play or below 5th place in the conference standings. This is in contrast to seasons where GT has failed to win 3 of the first 4 games. In those seasons, GT has never won the conference and accumulated a 51-63-1 conference record. Check out the seasons in which GT has won 3 of the first 4 conference games:
Now, check out seasons where GT started 2-2 or worse in conference play:
I definitely don't mind being lumped in with the 3-1 or better conference starts (even if it includes a Bill Lewis year). And for even more historical comparisons, George O'Leary had a 36-20 (64%) all time record against conference opponents. Chan Gailey had a 28-20 (58%) all time record against ACC schools. And CPJ has a 15-5 (75%) record in conference play. Only 7 ACC head coaches all time are on par with CPJ's winning percentage. Can you guess them?
Now, check out seasons where GT started 2-2 or worse in conference play:
I definitely don't mind being lumped in with the 3-1 or better conference starts (even if it includes a Bill Lewis year). And for even more historical comparisons, George O'Leary had a 36-20 (64%) all time record against conference opponents. Chan Gailey had a 28-20 (58%) all time record against ACC schools. And CPJ has a 15-5 (75%) record in conference play. Only 7 ACC head coaches all time are on par with CPJ's winning percentage. Can you guess them?