Toughest ACC non-conference schedule: GT of course

[forensicbuzz]

Per preseason FPI, MS ST is 16th, Mizzou is 38th, and Vandy, the lowest ranked SEC team, clocks in at 88, which is better than three ACC teams, including GT. 13 of the 14 SEC teams are ranked in the top 50, 46 being the lowest other than the obvious outlier in Vanderbilt.

Rk	Team A	Rk	Team B	Rk	Team C	Rk	Team D	Rk	Team E	Rk	Team F	Rk	Team G	Rk	Team H	Rk	Team I
1	Georgia	16	Mississippi State	31	Oregon State	46	Arkansas	61	Duke	76	UTSA	91	San Jose State	106	Rutgers	121	Texas State
2	Alabama	17	Washington	32	Oklahoma State	47	James Madison	62	Western Kentucky	77	UAB	92	South Alabama	107	Western Michigan	122	Rice
3	Ohio State	18	Florida	33	Cincinnati	48	Fresno State	63	Troy	78	Ohio	93	Wyoming	108	Temple	123	UTEP
4	Michigan	19	Minnesota	34	Tulane	49	Memphis	64	Indiana	79	San Diego State	94	Coastal Carolina	109	Central Michigan	124	Bowling Green
5	LSU	20	Iowa	35	Texas Tech	50	Maryland	65	Louisiana	80	Buffalo	95	Boston College	110	Arkansas State	125	Charlotte
6	Tennessee	21	Wisconsin	36	Air Force	51	Purdue	66	Marshall	81	Arizona	96	Georgia Tech	111	Northern Illinois	126	Connecticut
7	Penn State	22	Florida State	37	Wake Forest	52	Michigan State	67	Nebraska	82	Northwestern	97	Georgia State	112	Nevada	127	New Mexico
8	Clemson	23	USC	38	Missouri	53	North Carolina	68	Army	83	Stanford	98	North Texas	113	UNLV	128	New Mexico State
9	Texas	24	Auburn	39	Washington State	54	NC State	69	Navy	84	Florida Atlantic	99	Utah State	114	South Florida	129	Akron
10	Utah	25	Ole Miss	40	Illinois	55	Appalachian State	70	Kansas	85	Toledo	100	Eastern Michigan	115	Louisiana Tech	130	Florida International
11	Kansas State	26	Texas A&M	41	South Carolina	56	SMU	71	Arizona State	86	Tulsa	101	Miami (OH)	116	Old Dominion	131	Sam Houston
12	Notre Dame	27	Iowa State	42	UCLA	57	BYU	72	California	87	Liberty	102	Southern Mississippi	117	Colorado	131	Jacksonville State
13	Oregon	28	Baylor	43	Boise State	58	Houston	73	Miami	88	Vanderbilt	103	Kent State	118	UL Monroe	133	Massachusetts
14	Oklahoma	29	UCF	44	Louisville	59	Syracuse	74	East Carolina	89	Virginia Tech	104	Middle Tennessee	119	Colorado State
15	TCU	30	Kentucky	45	Pittsburgh	60	West Virginia	75	Virginia	90	Georgia Southern	105	Ball State	120	Hawaii

This is garbage. It means nothing to me. Almost all of the teams on this list have had so much turnover on their teams that the numbers from past seasons (what this is based on) don't matter. In addition, there is an SEC bias, and rising tides float all ships.

However, I will say, that my comment was a gut feeling and at least you have data behind what you're saying. Let's see how these teams do when they play each other. I would love to have a 1:1 comparison at the end of the season. Unfortunately, there will still be the SEC bias, so I expect it to be skewed somewhat.

All this being said, I really only care about GT and how we fare.

 

[slugboy]

Ws there any doubt that Ole Miss would improve? And that their advantages in recruiting probably meant that they would be a tough out for most of the coming years? I'm an Ole Miss fan, right behind Tech and Mississippi State. I knew they'd get better; it was only a matter of finding the right coach. If I knew it then Stansbury should have known it too. And not scheduled them.

Why, oh, why does Tech keep doing this? As I've also said over and over and over and over and over and over, 10 years from now nobody will be interested in anything but our win/loss record. And, I might add, that's what the recruits will be looking at as well.

Was there doubt they’d improve? Yes—Ole Miss had been hovering around the same range for most of our lives.

Ole Miss had repeatedly hired an OK coach but not a good one.

Kiffin is more effective than their previous coaches

I suppose that it was predictable that we’d hire a bad coach to follow Johnson, but the AD making the hire and the boosters involved sure didn’t see it. Also, it’s amazing how bad he was

The main issue isn’t Ole Miss—it’s GT falling off of a cliff. It’s not scheduling—It’s getting drastically worse in one year, and never improving.

If we were middle-of-the-pack P5, Ole Miss would be a winnable game—maybe an upset, but a marquee game worth watching. Maybe they’re favored by 4.

 

[Root4GT]

and FSU in Dublin is a ACC home game for GT and Notre Dame at Mercedes. So FSU in 2 of the next 3 years is in Dublin and Tallahasee. How does that make any sense? Unless we are getting a big payout to play in Dublin, another mistake in scheduling.

Why does Jacksonville play more games in London than Dallas? Because there is little fan interest in them. There is little fan interest in GT so we give up the home game. This is a no brained for the ACC.

 

[CEB]

First, I’ve never suggested that 7-5 attained via 3 OOC patsies should be a standard. It can, however, be employed as part of a path to rebuilding.

Perhaps I misunderstood your earlier post regarding 7-5 as attainable. Or perhaps you’re moving the goalposts. Either way, I agree that getting back to seeing the type of win-loss records that we saw during CPJ’s tenure would be a massive improvement. Of course, if we did that, we would still have a fair share of fans (not me) grumbling about “accepting mediocrity”.

I don’t think we disagree on the ultimate goals for the team. But I see easier scheduling as a means to get there rather than a reward after we are good.

I didn’t (intentionally) attribute the 3 OOC patsies to you. That was my personal qualifier... if not eloquently presented.

My position; We need to be a 7-5 team and 5 of those ought to be ACC wins. If we go 5-3 in ACC, our OOC can be 2-2 and we’re where we “ought” to be. If we schedule easier OOC, I still believe we need to win 5 ACC games and therefore 8 overall. I don’t think I moved the goal posts (thanks for the benefit of the doubt)... my point is that sustained 7-5 doesn’t feel very doable yet, but its where we should be. We have a lot of improvement needed to get there.

All of that said, next year will be the third year in a row (I think) that we sacrifice a conference home game for a neutral site. You’d think just once we could call that a road game, but apparently not. I am all in favor of doing away with that scheduling nuance. Maybe we can split the baby and get our P5 OOC game at a neutral site instead?

 

[UgaBlows]

next year we have FSU, Clemson, Notre Dame and UGA on the schedule. My guess will all will be in Top 15.

My God that is brutal

 

[Root4GT]

My God that is brutal

Darn near guarantees we top out at 8-4 if we beat everyone else on our schedule which is near impossible. Tough Slate.

 

[Vespidae]

You said ACC was a weak conference and went on to say BC and UVa were among the weakest in the nation. Do you think MS State, Missouri, and Vandy are not among the weakest in the nation? As I said, I put them on par with each other. Illinois, NU, Rutgers, UM, Indiana, and Purdue are in the same boat. I'm assuming you're only talking P5 teams.

MS State is about on par with Tech over a 20 span. The last 10 years or so has been a wpt of 0.59, so respectable. Missouri is not a team I follow much, but they were explosive a few years ago. They can (at times) but up quite a fight.

My point is, we have very strong opponents (UGA, Clemson, FSU) and some very weak ones within the conference. You are going to have to play someone respectable enough to make a difference ... you can't just play Rice or Alcorn State every time.

 

[billga99]

Why does Jacksonville play more games in London than Dallas? Because there is little fan interest in them. There is little fan interest in GT so we give up the home game. This is a no brained for the ACC.

except unlike the NFL we had to agree to this. Not sure why we are doing that. I am also not sure as much about Mercedes Benz. If 70K ti kets are sold and we make a lot of money fine. But last year they had the upper deck close 40K attendance. Notre Dame next year might fill up the stadium but the other Benz games not so much.

 

[yeti92]

Why does Jacksonville play more games in London than Dallas? Because there is little fan interest in them. There is little fan interest in GT so we give up the home game. This is a no brained for the ACC.

By that logic, Notre Dame must have no fan interest since they've played there more than anyone.

 

[Root4GT]

By that logic, Notre Dame must have no fan interest since they've played there more than anyone.

FYI this years game vs Navy is ND’s first home game in Ireland. They also have 6 other home games this year. Facts matter. Opinions not so much

 

[yeti92]

FYI this years game vs Navy is ND’s first home game in Ireland. They also have 6 other home games this year. Facts matter. Opinions not so much

The only opinion spouted was yours that teams end up there because a lack of fan interest.

 

[Root4GT]

The only opinion spouted was yours that teams end up there because a lack of fan interest.

LOL. ND 5 games in Ireland, one as a home team. Check. GT gives up home games to play in MBS and Ireland. Check. Look up who has been the home teams for NFL games in Europe. The no one cares teams, yup. Check. But spout your facts, oh right you have none. LOL

 

[yeti92]

LOL. ND 5 games in Ireland, one as a home team. Check. GT gives up home games to play in MBS and Ireland. Check. Look up who has been the home teams for NFL games in Europe. The no one cares teams, yup. Check. But spout your facts, oh right you have none. LOL

NFL =/= college football, I know that's tough to understand.

 

[Root4GT]

NFL =/= college football, I know that's tough to understand.

LOL. Why does GT play home games not in BDS. Why did GT play so many Thursday night home games. Why does GT play so many 1200 games. Once you figure that out you will have a clue as into reality of football scheduling. But be butt hurt GT gives up so many BDS home games. LOL

 

[yeti92]

LOL. Why does GT play home games not in BDS.

Because it's exciting for fans and players and recruits and the school gets more money for those games. You know other schools do this too right? Big ones, like Alabama and Georgia, FSU and Clemson.

Why did GT play so many Thursday night home games.

Because the ACC contract dictates all ACC teams play week night games, and the ACC likes to screw Georgia Tech on scheduling. You know we aren't required to play in the kickoff game if we didn't want to right?

Why does GT play so many 1200 games. Once you figure that out you will have a clue as into reality of football scheduling. But be butt hurt GT gives up so many BDS home games. LOL

Tech played a grand total of 3 noon games last season, all away games, at FSU, VT, and UGA, 3 of the biggest fanbases we play on a regular basis. We played far more noon games under CPJ when we had much higher attendance, better performance, and a bigger following.

I'll pray for your recovery.

 

[Root4GT]

Because it's exciting for fans and players and recruits and the school gets more money for those games. You know other schools do this too right? Big ones, like Alabama and Georgia, FSU and Clemson.


Because the ACC contract dictates all ACC teams play week night games, and the ACC likes to screw Georgia Tech on scheduling. You know we aren't required to play in the kickoff game if we didn't want to right?


Tech played a grand total of 3 noon games last season, all away games, at FSU, VT, and UGA, 3 of the biggest fanbases we play on a regular basis. We played far more noon games under CPJ when we had much higher attendance, better performance, and a bigger following.

I'll pray for your recovery.

You are lost in the pods. Bama, UGA, Clemson and FSU don’t give up home games to play in NFL Stadiums, GT does.

Note none of the Big stadium schools played home Thursday night games. GT played near 20. If you can’t understand the reasons lord help you.

Last year is a small sample size. Heck even Dogs know that.

Stay butt hurt thinking GT gets screwed with scheduling. GT football earned getting screwed mostly due to lousy fan support.

Enough on this topic. Just win at least 6 games this year. Enjoy MBS as it should be very comfortable seating compared to BDS.

 

[yeti92]

You are lost in the pods. Bama, UGA, Clemson and FSU don’t give up home games to play in NFL Stadiums, GT does.

Virginia Tech 2009, UNC 2010, UGA 2011, NC State 2012, VT again 2013, WV 2014, Louisville 2015, UGA again in 2016, UNC again in 2016, 2017 FSU, 2018 Washington, UGA again in 2022, and Oregon in 2022 all played 6 home games after their neutral site kickoff games, same as Tech will play next year.

Note none of the Big stadium schools played home Thursday night games. GT played near 20. If you can’t understand the reasons lord help you.

Friday and Monday aren't any different. Clemson has played multiple home Thursday games against Tech. FSU played a Monday "home" exhibition game and a Friday home game in the same season - GASP!

It looks like Tech averages a little less than 1 Thursday night home game a season since 2008. The horror! Much better to play on ESPN 3 on a Saturday than on primetime on a Thursday.

Last year is a small sample size. Heck even Dogs know that.

lol ok chief.

Stay butt hurt thinking GT gets screwed with scheduling. GT football earned getting screwed mostly due to lousy fan support.

Tell me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC without telling me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC. Half the conference has equal or worse fan support than GT, yet we are the ones that got screwed far more than anyone else.

Enough on this topic. Just win at least 6 games this year. Enjoy MBS as it should be very comfortable seating compared to BDS.

Agreed, I'll enjoy it.

 

[slugboy]

We got shafted by the ACC when permanent rivals were set in Coastal and Atlantic. Clemson and GT were also a better matchup then than now.

We also got Clemson in our POD, but we were going to get someone tough. The PODs should get restructured if we add in Cal, Stanford, and SMU.

For balanced opponents, and three permanent opponents, I’d expect the conference to be put into four tiers, and one of each tier would go into a POD. If you’re a weaker team, you’d have three permanent rivals better than you.

We got Clemson, Louisville, and Wake—which looks like two B tier teams and the best A tier team. Either Louisville or Wake could be C tier last year—one was 4-4 and the other was 3-5.

Clemson got FSU, GT, and NCST—an A tier, a C tier, and currently a D tier. The worst conference record in that group is 4-4.

There’s some “permanent rival” alignment, and Clemson looks to be our permanent rival. Miami is FSU’s

Some teams came out better, but we weren’t getting UVA, BC, and VT as our POD.

ACC Announces Football Schedule Model for 2023-26

GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Tuesday a new football scheduling model that will go into effect beginning with the 2023 season. The new model is based on a 3-5-5 structure whereby each team will play three primary opponents annually and face the other 10...

theacc.com

 

[Root4GT]

Virginia Tech 2009, UNC 2010, UGA 2011, NC State 2012, VT again 2013, WV 2014, Louisville 2015, UGA again in 2016, UNC again in 2016, 2017 FSU, 2018 Washington, UGA again in 2022, and Oregon in 2022 all played 6 home games after their neutral site kickoff games, same as Tech will play next year.

Friday and Monday aren't any different. Clemson has played multiple home Thursday games against Tech. FSU played a Monday "home" exhibition game and a Friday home game in the same season - GASP!

It looks like Tech averages a little less than 1 Thursday night home game a season since 2008. The horror! Much better to play on ESPN 3 on a Saturday than on primetime on a Thursday.


lol ok chief.

Tell me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC without telling me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC. Half the conference has equal or worse fan support than GT, yet we are the ones that got screwed far more than anyone else.


Agreed, I'll enjoy it.

Clemson Thursday night games -

Virginia Tech 2009, UNC 2010, UGA 2011, NC State 2012, VT again 2013, WV 2014, Louisville 2015, UGA again in 2016, UNC again in 2016, 2017 FSU, 2018 Washington, UGA again in 2022, and Oregon in 2022 all played 6 home games after their neutral site kickoff games, same as Tech will play next year.

Friday and Monday aren't any different. Clemson has played multiple home Thursday games against Tech. FSU played a Monday "home" exhibition game and a Friday home game in the same season - GASP!

It looks like Tech averages a little less than 1 Thursday night home game a season since 2008. The horror! Much better to play on ESPN 3 on a Saturday than on primetime on a Thursday.


lol ok chief.

Tell me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC without telling me you don't understand the dynamics of the ACC. Half the conference has equal or worse fan support than GT, yet we are the ones that got screwed far more than anyone else.


Agreed, I'll enjoy it.

FYI - The bottom tier for home attendance for ACC teams over the past 5 years is no surprise Duke, Wake, Cuse and BC. GT is in the tier just above that with Pitt and UVA.

Do you really think the ACC deliberately tries to screw with GT? (sincere question). I think much of what can be perceived with screwing with GT is self imposed by GT.

The ACC and our TV partner ESPN, understand their brands. In football it's Clemson and FSU at the top and the ACC/ESPN will try and highlight them with the better TV slots. In BB it's UNC and Duke thus the prime TV times.

Only winning consistently over a several year period will influence any of this.

 

[yeti92]

FYI - The bottom tier for home attendance for ACC teams over the past 5 years is no surprise Duke, Wake, Cuse and BC. GT is in the tier just above that with Pitt and UVA.

Certainly our attendance has been it's lowest the last few years due to record setting poor coaching and results, but if you look at a 10 or 20 year measure, Tech attendance is much better. If Key can win at even a halfway decent rate it will go back up.

Do you really think the ACC deliberately tries to screw with GT? (sincere question). I think much of what can be perceived with screwing with GT is self imposed by GT.

I mean I don't think the ACC head office is sitting there going "how can we screw Georgia Tech today", that's not their endgame, but in situations where someone is going to get dealt a bad hand they have absolutely no problem giving that hand to Tech. During CPJ's tenure, someone looked at how many times each ACC team played another conference team who got a bye week before, and Tech and FSU overhwelmingly got the shaft on that, the rest of the teams weren't even close. I can't quite recall the specifics, but Tech was playing like 2-3 opponents with a bye week advantage every year, while UNC played maybe 1 every two years. They finally made a rule in 2017 or 2018 to limit it to max 1 a season. Consider we also got the crap end of the stick on our pod, getting stuck with Louisville and Wake which we almost never played prior.