• No title for Bulldogs: Georgia opened the season No. 1 in the preseason football poll but suffered losses to Ala-
bama, Florida and Georgia Tech.
• Falcons fly high: Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, first-year coach Mike Smith and running back Michael Turner led the 11-5 Falcons, only 4-12 a year ago, to the playoffs.
• Triple option works for Tech: First-year coach Paul Johnson surprised those who doubted his triple-option offense by leading Georgia Tech to a 9-3 regular season.
• 90 losses for Braves: The Braves suffered their first season of 90-or-more losses since 1990.
• Tornado Dogs in torment: A tornado swept through downtown Atlanta during the Southeastern Conference basketball tournament at the Georgia Dome in March.
• Playoffs for Hawks: The Atlanta Hawks ended the NBA’s longest playoff drought in making their first playoff appearance since 1999.
• Diamond Dogs finish second: Georgia’s baseball team came close to a national championship, losing to Fresno State in the College World Series final.
• Tragedy for Georgia Tech: Pitcher Michael Hutts died from a heroin overdose in his apartment on April 11, according to the medical examiner’s report.
• Economic woes: The Tour de Georgia pro cycling event canceled its 2009 race due to financial struggles. A comeback is planned for 2010.
• Thrashers tumble: The Atlanta Thrashers finished the 2007-08 season as the second-worst team in the NHL’s Eastern Conference.