Whadda Ya' Know....????

I was sincerely hoping to drink with this guy. A tip of the cap for your sartorial splendor, sir....and any man bringing Krispy Keme donuts to our tailgate is always welcome....

Well, we're still trying to piece together what's going on with the cancellation of our 2013-14 series with Alabama & why we bailed on the games. Yes, according to Bama AD Mal Moore, WE requested the postponement. So the question is why? Are we scared of the mighty Tide & the Nicktator? I highly doubt this was the reason but we all need to admit that no one is generally favored to win in Tuscaloosa and I doubt we'd be favored at home against Bama in 2014. A bit premature as a lot can happen in a couple years, but it's a safe bet. Under current conditions & for the near future Alabama would be the favorite to win a game against us. That's simply the truth. But Paul Johnson & Dan Radakovich wouldn't bail on a game because of a strong opponent. I find that very hard to believe. Plus it's no secret our Athletic Department needs money & a game versus Bama at Bobby Dodd is a guaranteed sellout. And we'd certainly get a nice payday & sell our 7500 allotted tickets for the game at Bryant-Denny. So why did we postpone the series? A few scenarios:

• We postponed the game because we're going to play Alabama in the 2011 or 2012 Chik-Fil-A Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome to open the college football season. It's no secret that those in charge over on North Avenue don't really like The Atlanta Sports Council inviting two national powerhouses into our backyard for the first game of the year. It certainly overshadows us & helps our opponents in recruiting. So to appease us will we be invited to take part in the game? It certainly wouldn't hurt as the pay-out is a lofty $2.25 million per team. The Chik-Fil-A folks have 2012 scheduled as this time between Tennessee & North Carolina State. They could move that game. But let's talk 2011 first. The date is open. Alabama is open that week. So that matches (only one drawbalk - Bama travels to Penn State the next weekend; would they want two big games on the road in a row?). But our schedule is full in 2011. So what about moving the Kansas game to 2012? Not a problem as both schools have open dates that year. So this scenario is plausible but I believe a bit unlikely for two reasons: 1) Bama just played in the game last year so it may be too soon for them to return, & 2) Tech & Penn State on the road in back-to-back weekends is tough for any team, particularly one with an SEC schedule.
• Now what about 2012? We have space for the game on our schedule as does Bama. In fact, according to the Miami Herald, the Sport's Council wants Bama versus Miami in the Dome in 2012. Strange that they're talking about the 2012 game which is already scheduled. Looks like Tennessee-NCSU might get bumped. So maybe it's Tech & not Miami slated for the 2012 game? How's that for a conspiracy theory?
• What if Radakovich, in search of more money for the athletic department, has arranged a two-for-one beginning in 2012. I'll admit home-away-home series are rare these days but not unheard of. There's little doubt we'd bump Bama if we can schedule two home games as we need the revenue. The caveat here is that if this scenario holds true we're going to get SIGNIFICANTLY less compelling games. The type of opponent we all find compelling is not the type of opponent that signs a two-for-one deal. Here we come Directional State University.......
• Why not. Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room (damn, I got that off. Sorry, really bad....). SEC expansion. Yup. It could happen. If the Big Televen gets froggy & jumps, particularly to 16 teams, the SEC will follow suit. We've already determined that college football is essentially an arms race; just look at assistant coach's salaries this off-season. So it's fate accompli: 1) no way Mike Slive let's the SEC, his brand, slip from their number one perch atop college football, & 2) if them damn Midwestern boys get them some new farm equipment & tractors you can be DAMN SURE that us folks down South will get us a couple new IROC's & El Caminos. That's just a fact. Ain't gonna let no Yankees show us up at our own game. We'll address this in a seperate post but if the SEC expands Tech will return to its roots. In fact, we're pretty sure Tech & the SEC have already been in contact to gauge preliminary interest between the two parties. So IF we're moving to the SEC in the not-so-distant future why not postpone/cancel the games now so both schools can go about finding quality out-of-conference opponents for 2013 & 2014? Makes sense to us......

We'll have more on expansion & where we see Tech fitting in the picture later but for now chew on those scenarios & give us your thoughts if so inclined......