Last year we drank the Georgia Tech Kool-Aid and proudly proclaimed 2010 to be another successful year for Georgia Tech. Sadly, we are all too disappointed by the end of the season. Now, as we're 9 days away from football, too much optimism flows again. Bird grabbed his gold shoes and I bought a new pair of gold-colored glasses for 2011. It's time to go prognosticating!
What do you think will happen to Georgia Tech in September?
Western Carolina Catamounts
Bird: The Catamounts went 2-9 last season including a 28-7 loss to Georgia Southern. The Eagles racked up around 270 yards rushing against the Catamounts so despite WCU's experience against the triple option I doubt they'll have much punch to counter Tech's offense. Tech should roll in the Thursday night opener.
Winfield: First half starters. Second half backups. Thursday night romp.
Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders
Bird: We faced off with a the vaunted Dwight Dasher last year. Our abysmal passing defense picked off 4 Dasher passes (we only had 8 interceptions all season). If the MTSU's second all-time career yardage man couldn't amount to much against Tech in 2010, I don't see a 2011 Dasher-less MTSU team doing much either. Tech should win by 20.
Winfield: I envision September as someone easing themselves into a hot bath. Western Carolina is the foot, MTSU is the lower body. We're getting warmer and better, cleaning up the loose ends, ready for the big games in October and November. Jackets take this one in "The Skillet".
Kansas Jayhawks
Bird: Three KU guys beat us last year and they're all back. Jordan Webb torched us for 3 passing TD's in 2010. He's back as a sophomore with a year under his belt. James Sims burned us for 101 yards on the ground last year and he's back. Daymond Patterson caught 7 passes for 87 yards against us and he's back. I can't say we'll beat Kansas. We are going to be a notch down offensively and unknown defensively. I'm predicting a loss because Kansas is definitely going to be better in its second year under Turner Gill. I hope the home crowd shows for this game but I am very worried about the way KU adjusted to our offense and flat out outplayed us in 2010.
Winfield: This game will be indicative of the team's level of desire and hunger for the season. If Paul Johnson can't motivate the team by reminding them about the debacle that happened back in Lawrence, then it's going to be a very long three months of football. I EXPECT to see Jayhawk blood on the field from the way GT pounds away at them. Because I trust in Paul Johnson, I trust we'll win this football game.
North Carolina Tarheels
Bird Note: BIrd wrote his segment clearly while taking crazy pills. TJ Yates is now in the NFL! Bird: UNC returns TJ "Crazy" Yates.He was the ACC's second-most efficient passer behind Tyrod. (Winfield: So assuming there is no more TJ Yates, this is a negative attribute about UNC now) Carolina returns a pretty solid core of wide receivers as well. Despite losing head coach Butch Davis, I think many could argue UNC as a darkhorse Coastal champion with Miami out of the picture, VT new QB, GT new QB, Duke as Duke, and UVA as UVA. The only reason I pick GT as a winner in this game is because it's at Bobby Dodd. Tech plays UNC well at Bobby Dodd (we have won 6 straight at home). I give Tech the slight edge because of homefield advantage but I wouldn't surprised if it's a 30-28 type game.
Winfield: Georgia Tech has won the past 6 meetings in Atlanta. I don't know what to make of this game with all the chaos that has surrounded the Tarheels. Do they band together and put a ridiculous run on the season? Or do they have a dismal year that just makes all Tarheel fans line up for pre-season basketball again? Recently, the games have been close, but we've pulled it out in the end. I don't doubt we'll do anything different.
Season outlook:
Winfield picks smooth sailing in September while Bird vomits on his shoes vs. Kansas.