Oh My

I had to post this for those of you that missed it. It's either completely brill or totally brutal, beauty is truly in the eye and sometimes a poke in the eye. You gotta had it to Groban, he's got a sense of humor.

21 goes 88

Just a little something to tide you over. More later.

Written under pen name - Michael Johnson

Click to Enlarge

Michael Johnson wrote an article for Sporting News Today about the MissState game, very well-rounded guy. Enjoy!

Playing against Coach Croom is an honor - LINK

Favorite quote:
"We're taking that loss very personally, and it's going to show in how we play this week."

A bad season for tailgating

If you haven't noticed I've been out of commission this week. It's just been a busy one. Special thanks to everyone for their restaurant recommendations, I think I fed the family well last weekend while they were in town. I was looking for something that was more of an experience than a meal. As a result Fogo De Chao was the selection. And for anyone who has ever eaten there you know all to well that it is in fact a gastrointestinal extravaganza. Meat on a stick, what could be better. I especially love the nursing home food they serve as a side dish, grits (they call it polenta) fried bananas and mashed potatoes. Just a little something to release the pressure before your jaw unhinges from the constant meat assault.

It's weird, in some ways it feels like the season is just starting with tomorrow being our first chance to really tailgate. There's part of me that's kind of enjoyed having several away games early this year. You don't have to endure the early season heat as the weather tomorrow couldn't be better with a high in the mid 70s. Several weeks ago that would have been a much different story. As Tiffany and I were discussing our plans for tomorrow I got to thinking that I'm not sure if I ever remember a schedule being less friendly to tailgating. Lets look at the schedule and break down the points.

I was looking over the list of home games and thought about the fact that the opponents so often dictate the kickoff times, and that kickoff time directly impacts your tailgate. Obviously TV plays a huge roll as the networks take their option on which games to televise and when. Ranked teams, traditional rivals, winning records, interesting match-ups all go into their decision making process. This will change from year to year. Win and you're more likely to get prime kickoff times as well as good television coverage. Lose and you're doomed to noon kickoffs. Play lower division teams and you may not be televised at all. Become a traditional powerhouse team and you'll get the benefit of the doubt for awhile over those that are either up and comers or flashes in the pan. Regardless how well Wake has played over the last few years more often than not the television networks assume that people would rather watch Miami or FSU. All this and I'm not even touching on geographic and conference bias or time zone differences. OK, I'm getting a little off the point, and my point is that many factors determine a kickoff time, something that really goes without saying.

For example, losing last week at VaTech was the decision maker on whether tomorrows game vs MissState would be a noon or 3:30 kickoff. Hardcore tailgaters obviously prefer a 3:30 time at the earliest, thus adding to the time required to get in a good quality tailgate. "Breakfastgates" (as I call them) leave little time to even bother with the full set up and many times an Egg Muffin and a Rum & Coke become the extent of your extravagance. Yes, I will now get e-mails from those who say if I was a true tailgater. That I'd wouldn't let the kickoff time bother me and I would be set up on Thursday night. Trust me, I wish I could.

So here is my look at what I assume the kickoff times will be for this years home schedule and we've already established that noon kickoff don't make for the best tailgates.

JaxState (Thursday Night)
MissState (Noon Kickoff)
Duke (Noon Kickoff)
Gardner Webb (Noon Kickoff)
Virginia (Noon Kickoff - Homecoming)
FSU (3:30)
Miami (Thursday Night)

Thursday night games are a little bit of an anomaly. Yes, they are night games and should make for a great tailgate. But they are also in the middle of the week. So unless you can take the entire day or at least half a day off work then you spend more time in traffic than enjoying the game day atmosphere. One Thursday night game a year is fine, but I'm not thrilled about two.

I don't recall ever seeing a Duke game that wasn't an early kickoff and Gardner Webb goes without saying. For some reason Homecoming has a habit of being a noon game leaving one potential 3:30 or later game on the schedule, FSU.

I'm not sure how much say Radacovich has in kickoff times. TV is usually the deciding factor and I'm sure the ACC has a big say in the matter. But for games that will not be televised I'd love to see the Athletic Department given freedom in setting the time. I can't see how a Duke and Gardner Webb 3:30 kickoff would hurt anything and would only add the that fans experience by giving us more time to enjoy ourselves.

Thoughts?

BeBe Questionable

Looks like BeBe aka BayBay aka Demaryius Thomas is questionable for Saturday's game vs VaTech with a undisclosed injury, apparently it will be a game time decision. Rumor is he was suffering "concussion" like symtoms even before the BC game and will have to be "cleared" to play. This hurts, aside from being he lead receiver BeBe has become team leader not to mention the blocks he's thrown. If he can't go redshirt freshman R.B. Clyburn will likely start opposite true freshman Tyler Melton. Especially since Correy Earls is still out with a hamstring injury.

Linebackers Anthony Barnes and Brad Jefferson and cornerback Martin Frierson also will not play due to injuries.

Foreshadowing?

So, the other day I stop off at the local petstore to buy our boys the 35 pound bag of super organic, made in the USA, flaxseed and oatmeal infused dog food. As I'm walking down the isle I noticed they had several toys on sale for a buck. Our boys had been good lately so I thought grabbing them a new toy would be a nice surprise. As I shuffle though the bin, I run across two soft chew toys that were hard to pass up. The Republican Elephant and the Democratic Donkey in all their star-spangled glory. Letting the dogs chew up these plush logos seemed like a nice symbolic gesture, a protest of my disgust for the status of our political system, so I grab them both and head to the register.

Upon arriving home, I hold out the toys, allowing each dog to cast a vote. The Boston Terrier voted for McCain, the Cocker Spaniel is an Obama man. As I go about my nightly duties I look over and notice that the Terrier had quickly switched to the democrat and proceeded to rip off the head, allowing the insides to spill out onto the carpet. Hmm, I thought, perhaps a bit of foreshadowing of the upcoming election? The Terrier was obviously predicting a Republican win.

Back to my duties. Later while walking from the kitchen I look over and see the elephant, ass chewed off....intestines everywhere....

Does this signal the rise of an independent candidate?

Academics?

Major props to Scott over at the GT Sports Blog for bring us all the eye opening little ditty regarding schools admitting players that don't meet the school standards. Check out his blog for all the details, but this is obviously the part that jumped out the most:

"University of Georgia in 1999/2000 allowed 7% of their general student population in with lower standards, while 78% of their overall student-athlete population got in without meeting university standards. The kicker - 94% of the football players admitted to the University of Georgia did NOT meet UGAg's minimum admission standards.

Georgia Tech allowed no exceptions (0% statistically) for the student population, 9% of the student-athlete population and also 9% for football players (data from 2004/2005)."

That's just amazing. We all knew that UGA would let anyone in as long as they could help the team win, but goodness...94%? And you wanna know the real interesting part....the SEC just lowered their admission standards.

Remember these nice little pearls of wisdom from UGAs now infamous Jan Kemp case:

"We may not make a university student out of him, but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbage man when he gets through with his athletic career."
- UGA's defense attorney, Hale Almand

Explaining that higher entrance requirements for athletes would mean that "The athletic program would not be able to compete at any level, and the chances are I would not be the football coach or the athletic director."
- Vince Dooley, Athletic Director/Coach

I guess somethings haven't changed.

LINK - Story from GT Sports Blog

Paul Johnson Radio Show - REPLAY

Incase you missed the Paul Johnson Radio Show last night you can download it from the link below. There was quite a turnout, one of the biggest crowds ever according to 790TheZone! Nice job everyone for coming down to show your support. Let's keep it up!

LISTEN TO THE SHOW

Sarah Palin Action Figure

Feisty budget slashing, reform minded executive by day.

SuperHero by night!

Comes dressed in a tomb raider outfit and is equipped
with a leg holstered .45 handgun. She's the perfect arch nemesis to your Obama
action figure.


Get yours today!
LINK

The race just got more interesting.
Now if I can just get the Obama vs. McCain Rockum-Sockum set, that would be sweet!

Don't Forget - The Paul Johnson Radio Show - TONIGHT

Don't forget, Coach Johnson and Wes will be broadcasting the Radio Show live from Fox Sports Grill at Atlantic Station tonight. Stop by, have some Buffalo Wings and enjoy the show.

LINK - Fox Sports Grill
LINK - Paul Johnson Radio Show
LINK - Atlantic Station

GT vs BC Highlights

Enjoy some highlights from the GT vs BC game.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

By the way...his name is Roddy JONES.

Also follow the link below to vote for Dwyer's TD run as the ACC play of the week.

LINK

Some Thoughts...

Photo Credit: Johnny Crawford - AJC

1. This was a HUGE win, and will go a long way towards establishing this team and this season. Make no mistake, we are in the mix. Going on the road and winning a hard fought, ugly game means a ton.

2. Conditioning paid off, the defense spent almost the entire first half on the field and the combination of good conditioning and rotating players kept us in the game in the 4th quarter. Apparently it was hot and humid in Boston, so two-a-days in the August heat of the south has it's advantages.

3. BeBe is quickly becoming one of the most important elements on the offense just on his blocking.

4. Nesbitt made smart decisions. I especially love the scramble near then end when it was imperative to get the first down and stay in bounds. He actually held up, let BeBe throw a block for him. It was the play that sealed the win.

5. Game ball goes to the defense, we gave BC every chance to run away with this game in the first half and the D kept us in it.

6.

7. Special Teams - ugh. The kicking game worries me. Granted 2 field goal attempts were long, but the snap and hold weren't great.

8. I'm not sure what was wrong in the first half, 3 turnovers is rarely something you can overcome. But hats off to the team for regrouping during halftime, it shows the character of a team. Gotta come out better in the future.

9. BC's D-line is huge, but our O-line needs a lot of work.

10. The all white looks sweet!

Sarah Palin is fun

I get the feeling if I don't do as I'm told Sarah would headbutt me and then
place me in the figure 4 leg lock until I submit.

Some Media...

Listen to last nights Paul Johnson Call-In show from last night.

LISTEN - Paul Johnson Press Conference Replay.

Listen to Monday's press conference.

LISTEN - Football Press Conference Replay

Listen to Wes's Highlights from the JaxState game.
You gotta love hearing Wes call a game.

LISTEN - Wes's Highlights

These audio nuggets are always available at RamblinWreck.com or you can subscribe via iTunes.

Things we know so far...

Photo Credit: Rich Addicks - AJC

Sorry I've been out of commission this week, just been busy lately with both work and freelance. I would normally bring you a recap of the JaxState game but I really don't see the point when several other blogs have brought you good rundowns of the game over the last several days. So I'd recommend checking them out. What I can say is what I saw last Thursday was surprising. After watching the spring game and the last scrimmage I was worried, but we have come a long way. Not to say there isn't more to do. How we look this Sat against Boston College will be a truer look. The opening game always comes with many ups and downs, many mess ups. I've heard Coach Johnson say more than a few times that you learn the most between the 1st and 2nd game. BC will be a game of fundamentals. Old fashioned blocking and tackling will win or lose this game. If you learned anything from watching the Alabama / Clemson game you learned that games are dictated by the line, both of them.

So, until then I thought I'd bring you a little list of some of the things I think we learned over this past weekend.

1. The SEC is not as good as it seems - college football is cyclical, they are good but not as good as the media makes them out to be.

2. The ACC is not as bad as it seems - Ok, they're not great either, but they will bounce back.

3. VaTech and Clemson will still be good. East Carolina is no slouch, VaTech is better than they played. Clemson wasn't prepared, they'll regroup.

4. Miami will be better than many expect - Just a gut feeling on my part.

5. Demaryius Thomas can block - he laid the wood on a few JaxState players down field.

6.

7. Jaybo needs to eat some cheese burgers. He looked good on the field, but he's so little I worry about his durability. He'll hit the weight room and maybe in a few years we'll get shades of Eric Crouch. I sure hope so. Nesbitt is the clear number one and maybe in a few years we'll get shades on Joe Hamilton. I sure hope so.

8. The uni gold looks good in photos, not so good on the CSS rebroadcast. The helmets don't match the pants, at least on TV. Looked good in photos though and overall I think the uni is more vibrant but much more yellow than the past color. Didn't look nearly as good as the pic of Calvin to your left.

9. People Love the GTG's, People Hate the GTG's. For every person that enjoyed the "Perfect Option" video before the game Thursday, there were just as many that hated it and felt like it should never be shown again. I think it's supposed to be all in good fun and not taken so seriously, but I can see how it could add to the nerdy white guy stereotype that Tech carries.

10. Dan Voss is bringing sexy back. You gotta love the 'stache. They have such a 70's porn star meets child molester quality. Very fetch!