In the last 4 years, Georgia Tech and Louisville have combined for 1 Big 6 Bowl win, 1 Heisman Trophy winner, six Bowls, and six 8+ win seasons. There has only been 1 ACC losing record between them during that time. That’s a pretty solid football resume between the two program. Friday night the loser Louisville \ Georgia Tech game will stake claim to being the ACC’s worst football team -at least through the mid-season.
Neither school at the near mid-point of the season has a power 5 football win, and both are winless in the conference. For 2 proud football programs with fairly recent football success, the decline was sharp and quick.
These are the two worst football teams in the ACC right now? Are we sure?
Georgia Tech sits 2-3 with blowout wins over Alcorn State and Bowling Green. Wins over those schools won’t move any needles. There was a 48-38 loss to South Florida, and a predictable lopsided loss to Clemson. What’s sets Georgia Tech apart from the rest of the ACC is an ugly 24-19 defeat at the hands of a really bad Pittsburgh team.The Panthers have two 30+ point losses, and lost to a dreadful UNC team, but they beat Georgia Tech.
Louisville this past weekend couldn’t beat, at home, the worst Florida State team in over 40 years. They got routed by an improved but middling Virginia team. There was no shame in being un-competitive with Alabama, but they struggled to beat a Western Kentucky team that is currently 1-4 and lost to FCS school Maine. I watched this game and Louisville was very fortunate to win. There was win against Indiana State, but Louisville struggled to pull away until well after halftime.
It’s been a comedy of errors for both teams the entire season. Georgia Tech against South Florida blew another double digit 2nd half league. It’s become the recent identity of Georgia Tech football – blown leads. There was an inexplicable fake punt call by Paul Johnson against Pittsburgh inside Georgia Tech’s own 40 yard line. It was stopped by the Panthers. They scored when they got the ball and went on to win.
Louisville for their part snatched a defeat from the hands victory when Bobby Petrino made maybe an even worse call. Up 24-21 with under 2 minutes left and driving into Florida State territory, Petrino called a pass play that FSU picked off. The Noles went on to win the game.
Both coaches are drawing the ire of their fanbases. It’s sad that just two years ago, this game would been between two teams that ended up with 9 win seasons. The winner of this game may not make a bowl, but the loser definitely won’t. Then the bottom will have truly fallen out, for one these programs.
If Louisville or Georgia Tech has any hope salvaging of this season it has to start Friday night.
