Does extra time matter when facing Tech’s offense?
Georgia will be the sixth opponent this season that has had extra time to prepare for Georgia Tech’s option offense. The Bulldogs last played on Nov. 13, when they were beaten by Auburn and its version of the option, 49-31.
The extra time is something that opposing coaches have played up when asked about facing Paul Johnson’s unique system. However, having extra time helps to prepare for any type of offense…or defense, as Johnson points out.
“I’m glad we had an extra week to begin to prepare for it,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Hopefully it will make us better than it would on a week’s notice.”
Johnson also says that having an extra week is fine, but you still have to go out and play. Once the ball is kicked off, the game boils down to diagnosing and figuring out ways to beat strategies and tendencies.
Some of the teams this season have had extra time because of a bye the previous week. Others have had two days because they played on Thursdays, giving them Friday and Saturday to break down film or go over schemes. When teams play on Saturdays, most coaching staffs break down film on Sunday, so that’s a wash when counting extra days. Duke is included because it faced the option offenses of Army and Navy earlier in the season.
So, how have the teams that have had an extra week to prepare done against the Yellow Jackets?
| Team | Result | Extra | Rushing | Passing | Total | Tech’s | Difference | Opponent’s | Difference |
| time | allowed | allowed | Yards | average | average | ||||
| S.C. State | W, 41-10 | Opener | 372 | 12 | 384 | 405.6 | -21.6 | 196.7 | 187.3 |
| UNC | W, 30-24 | Week | 372 | 76 | 448 | 405.6 | 42.4 | 344.3 | 103.7 |
| N.C. State | L, 45-28 | 2 days | 247 | 116 | 363 | 405.6 | -42.6 | 334.4 | 28.6 |
| MTSU | W, 42-14 | 4 days | 329 | 86 | 415 | 405.6 | 9.4 | 394.3 | 20.7 |
| Va. Tech | L, 28-21 | 5 days | 346 | 80 | 426 | 405.6 | 20.4 | 354.1 | 71.9 |
| Duke* | W, 30-20 | Played | 320 | 90 | 410 | 405.6 | 4.4 | 443.8 | -33.8 |
| Army and | 12.4 | 378.4 | |||||||
| Navy |
So the extra week doesn’t really seem to matter. Tech’s offense actually averages about 2 more yards per game and the opposing defenses are giving up 63 more yards per game.
Of course, points are what really matters:
| Team | Result | Extra | Tech’s average | Difference | Opp. average | Difference |
| time | points | points allowed | ||||
| S.C. State | W, 41-10 | Opener | 27 | 14 | 13 | 28 |
| UNC | W, 30-24 | Week | 27 | 3 | 23.3 | 6.7 |
| N.C. State | L, 45-28 | 2 days | 27 | 1 | 21.1 | 6.9 |
| MTSU | W, 42-14 | 4 days | 27 | 15 | 28.9 | 13.1 |
| Va. Tech | L, 28-21 | 5 days | 27 | -6 | 18.9 | 2.1 |
| Duke* | W, 30-20 | Played | 27 | 3 | 36.5 | -6.5 |
| Army and | 30 | 50.3 |
Again, the extra time or preparation doesn’t seem to matter. Tech averaged 5 more points than it did against teams that had a week to prepare, and defenses allowed 8.4 more points than they did against other teams.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
158 comments Add your comment
Ramblin Man
November 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
DScottGT91,
collegeadmissionsaartners.com will give you most of the special admit information you want.
US news will give you the top and lowest schools by SAT scores for football
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/paper-trail/2008/12/30/athletes-show-huge-gaps-in-sat-scores.html
Colin,
I was just showing you that I have numbers to back something up and you have yet to show any proof of the things you post about another persons character. To answer part of your question though the average for football was 315 points lower so no the normal student getting in is probably held to a higher standard, tests better, or just flat out smarter. If it makes you feel better UGA was not listed in the bottom ten.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
3:17 pm
It looks like the NCAA data on special admits might be a better source than the IndyStar.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4781264
An excerpt on Texas, who does not define special admissions, apparently:
“Texas was one of seven schools that reported no use of special admissions, instead describing “holistic” standards that consider each applicant individually rather than relying on minimum test scores and grade-point averages.
“But the school also acknowledged in its NCAA report that athletic recruits overall are less prepared. At Texas, the average SAT score for a freshman football player from 2003 to 2005 was 945 — or 320 points lower than the typical first-year student’s score on the entrance exam.”
bugsquacher
November 22nd, 2010
3:20 pm
Hello my little pigeons…….. its that time of the year……
Gives me goose bumps to think of the damage and destruction coming the nerds way……
Nothing gives me anymore pleasure than watching year after year the DAWGS hammer the Nerds……
Whats it going to be this year? a last second win or just an old fashion beat down….. Get ready bugs….. your time grows short…..
Let the big Dawg eat! It wont hurt much……lol…….. yes it will……. NERDS!
Doug Roberson
November 22nd, 2010
3:23 pm
Mike, I would point out that the offense wasn’t at fault in those losses. It scored at least 21 points in those three games, and in one game Nesbitt went out with an injury or they may have scored more.
Ramblin Man
November 22nd, 2010
3:24 pm
Besides the 51-7 debacle when was the last beatdown you speak of? I wonder because last year has been called a beatdown more than once and last a checked 6 points does not equal beatdown.
Ramblin Man
November 22nd, 2010
3:26 pm
Doug,
Good luck with this argument. Remember 6 points is a beatdown by some UGA fan standards and the fact that GTs offense can score is irrelevant.
Tech82
November 22nd, 2010
3:34 pm
Doug – It seems the only real, apples to apples, analysis of the “two weeks to prepare” issue is to look back two years ago when UGA had two weeks to prepare before Tech visted Sanford stadium. I’m trying to recall the result. Can anyone help me out?
Burdell
November 22nd, 2010
3:39 pm
“Georgia Tech had the nation’s best average SAT score for football players, 1028 of a possible 1600, and best average high school GPA, 3.39 of a possible 4.0. But because its student body is apparently very smart, Tech’s football players still scored 315 SAT points lower than their classmates.”
FWIW
November 22nd, 2010
3:40 pm
Rockdale Jacket = UGAG poser
Billyboy
November 22nd, 2010
3:44 pm
The only way the extra time would make a difference is if you gave GT extra time during the game. Their offense is simple to defend because they don’t block and no quickness. GT offense only looks good against the GT defense, but, everybody’s offense does
third quarter fan
November 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
The major “time” is the half time adjustment period. Both PJ and Big Al seem to be real men of genius and make the necessary adjustments during halftime and the third quarter usually reflect their prowess.
Also, you dogs noticed that we now have a fully blossomed Hill…that guy is a pass catching machine! Just watch him go!
ps…some of your stat guys seem to be way too serious…this is a fun blog…
Bring Back Chan
November 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
#1 in rushing offense!!! Woo hoo!
#119 in passing offense. #61 in scoring offense. And a defense that can’t even keep Duke from 100 yards rushing. They could barely gain a yard rushing against BC the week before, and there they were breaking off big chunks of yardage against our D. I shudder to think what UGA will do to us next week. We would have lost to Duke if not for a lucky pick-six and a missed chip shot field goal. Duke looked like the superior team most of the day.
We’re #24 in time of possession though! We rule! The #1 team in the country? They are #108 in time of possession. The #2 team? #84. Kind of an overrated stat maybe?
The most hilarious moment Saturday was when we ran that old PJ “draw them offsides” play on 4th down and both our A-backs moved at the same time, moving *us* back five yards. It’s year three folks. PJ is busy blaming Chan for not leaving him with good recruits, all the while accepting every bit of credit for the success accomplished by the best recruiting class in GT history. Meanwhile, in year three, his team still doesn’t exhibit any of the “nastiness” or discipline he claims is demanded of his players.
No playmakers, No excitement. Half-empty stadium. A tiresome, repetitive, antiquated offense. No toughness, no leadership, mistakes galore. Competing with Duke and Sun Belt schools for athletes.
This is Paul Johnson Football.
TechRedNeck
November 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
The Jackets can’t stop ANYBODY. The only way one can figure who’s the better team is to look at the players. UGA has the biggest, strongest, players. UGA plays in a tougher conference. They have the edge.
Tech82
November 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Billyboy @3:44 writes: “Their offense is simple to defend ”
Hey Billy, could you please explain to us why, if our offense is so simple to defend, we lead the nation in rushing and average 15 more yards per game than UGA?
NOBODYYOUKNOW
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
I’m watching the Alabama Auburn game. Who cares who wins the Tech, Ga. game? Oh I guess if Tech wins they will have some big parade down North Ave. and get the score tattooed on their butt cheeks. The Techies are the only ones who will make a big deal of it.
Simple Techster
November 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
This is for the dawg moron this morning that said the two quality opponents that beat us this year was NCSU and Virginia Tech. The key word was “handily”. In the same paragraph, he downplayed the win over UNC because of their starting defense being suspended.
Dude….seriously. UNC took LSU to the wire. They were less than ten yards away from a win, but couldnt complete a pass with two chances. So, don’t downplay UNC. LSU would destroy both UGA and GT if they played right now, or back in September. I don’t understand how VT handily beat us either, we played over half the game without our starting QB on the road, and still played them to the wire and had every opportunity to beat them. The INT in the end zone at the end of the game sealed it. We were down to NCSU 31-28 in the 4th qtr before we handed them the game and Russell Wilson turned it up. Tech’s problem has been intensity and focus, all year long, with or without Nesbitt. Lack of execution. Talent is not an issue. We have the talent. Defense is a little different, just like UGA, we implemented the 3-4 and need a few more players suited for it.
Now, I am as big a Jacket fan there is. I live, breathe, eat and sleep GT athletics. UGA, going by the odds, has an excellent chance of winning this game. But NO WAY in hades are they any more than a TD favorite. Last year, UGA completely dominated the o and d lines and ran the ball down our throat. However, and any dawg fan who says differently is lying, if D. Thomas didnt drop that pass at the end of the game, we would have been in your red zone with a minute left with every chance to win that game and every single one of you sighed HARD in relief when he dropped that pass. Yes, that is a shoulda coulda woulda, but this dominating crap is pure BS. I believe this game will be won by 6 or less points, by either side. Common sense says the dawgs want it more, not only are they playing for the opportunity to play in a bowl, which we have already achieved, they are playing for their coach who could very well be coaching his last game as a Bulldog. Personally, I think you guys are idiots if you let CMR go. I think he placed trust in the wrong people, like Bobo,lost some control over his team, and had a lot of players make some really dumb personal decisions. CMR is one of the most integrity driven coaches in the NCAA…and that is why Colorado wants him so bad. The man has a heart bigger than this state. I personally HATE the Bulldogs, clean, pure ol fashioned hate……but i would root for CMR in a heartbeat.
Now, for the game. UGA is going to punch us hard in the mouth. No doubt about it. The question is, can Tech punch back? If Tevin Washington makes smart decisions, if our O line plays disciplined ball, and our seniors step up, namely Roddy Jones, A. Allen and B. Jefferson, then Tech has EVERY chance to win this game. And i believe we will. Tech wins 31-28. See you boys in Athens. GO JACKETS!!!!!!!! THWG!
JB
November 22nd, 2010
4:22 pm
It’ll be closer than most think…..Georgia will be unmotivated ( yes, Tech and all) and Tech just has a pretty bad team minus Nesbitt…..I expect a 24-14 Dawg win due to line play…..Dawgs will rush at will due to Tech having to stay back and play pass defense.
Tech Forever
November 22nd, 2010
4:28 pm
Georgia fans who think Tech has a chance because you’re down on your team….you are hilarious. There is no way Tech is going to win this game and not much of a way it’ll even be close. Has Georgia beaten anyone? No. But I think playing Tech’s schedule Georgia would be 7-4 right now at worst and vice versa Tech would be 3-8 playing Georgia’s schedule.
DawgFacedBoy
November 22nd, 2010
4:30 pm
TECH AIN’T MAN ENOUGH TO WIN THIS GAME.
THERE, I SAID IT.
Mike Smith
November 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
Doug, I’ll give you the Va Tech game. Tech might have played their best game of the year. Then again, Tech also had the week off as well. N. C. St? Forget it. That game got out of hand quick. It was 31-14 before Tech’s offense scored in the 4th to make it 31-21. An INT for a TD made the game look close early in the 4th quarter 31-28, but then NC St. slammed the door shut outscoring Tech 14-0 the rest of the way. Was Tech completely shut down? No. Were they contained? Most definitely yes.
DIT
November 22nd, 2010
4:40 pm
What a difference a year makes. Last year each fan base was really doing some serious smack talk on the other. Each side felt pretty good about winning the game. This year, and rightfully so, neither side feels very confident about their chances or it’s just not a big deal.
Lets all of us hope that this time next year we both have teams with winning records so this game can matter again. I guess it always matters, but even more so than this year.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
4:41 pm
Simple Techster – Roddy Jones is not a senior, he’s a redshirt junior. If he graduates early, I suspect that he can get admitted to grad school and play since he’s 2-time All-ACC academic team.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
4:42 pm
Brad Childress just got fired.
Jekyl and heckel
November 22nd, 2010
4:48 pm
Eddie Ivory
November 22nd, 2010
1:00 pm
If Tech wins…it’s because Johnson is a genius..if Tech loses…it’s the players fault!
WRONG again, dog-breath. If Tech wins, it’s because BOBO is an idiot and Todd G. wasn’t a good pick for a college DC. If Tech loses, it’s because the great Mark Richt is a genius, and he ‘owns Tech’.
Stupid dogs!
Jekyl and heckel
November 22nd, 2010
4:54 pm
Tech Forever
November 22nd, 2010
4:28 pm
Georgia fans who think Tech has a chance because you’re down on your team….you are hilarious. There is no way Tech is going to win this game and not much of a way it’ll even be close. Has Georgia beaten anyone? No. But I think playing Tech’s schedule Georgia would be 7-4 right now at worst and vice versa Tech would be 3-8 playing Georgia’s schedule.
You’re the last idiot I have time to correct today. Tech loses to Kansas (terrible, yes) and Kansas beats Colorado who beat UGA. The SEC ain’t so tuff this year, and you’re giving GAGA’s schedule WAY too much respect! Learn something about football so that in the future you can comment without making a fool out of yourself.
Shane
November 22nd, 2010
4:56 pm
5-6 in the SEC is a far cry from 6-5 in the A she she.
Wont even be close.
Shane
November 22nd, 2010
4:57 pm
The SEC ain’t so tuff this year
The SEC is extremely tough EVERY year.
time4TechOldGold
November 22nd, 2010
4:59 pm
I don’t appreciate bangin away at my keyboard and a new window pop up and this page go blank, with my comment erased. I am growing very weary of this King rule censorship, with the new prince showing off to his fiancee by ripping off Freedom of the Press and Freedom of Speech on AJC Sports.
time4TechOldGold
November 22nd, 2010
5:01 pm
What Tech should do is not eat Thanksgiving day meal, and wait until after the Georgia game to stuff themselves.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2010
5:04 pm
@Shane – “The SEC is extremely tough EVERY year.” Soft underbelly this year. Please explain Colorado and Jacksonville St. wins.
Mike Smith
November 22nd, 2010
5:12 pm
@Tech Forever – I would mostly agree with you except I think Dawg fans have the sense that Richt’s teams have lost the killer instinct. Even without AJ Green and others, they had a shot to win all 4 of those early season games, but found a way to lose them instead. Past Richt teams would have won at least 2 of those.
That leaves doubt in the fan’s minds.
beej
November 22nd, 2010
5:14 pm
Nice article. This is what sports journalism is SUPPOSED to look like. Tell your friends at the AJC.
Suggestion:
Your sample size is pretty small. Do a followup article. Run the same set of numbers for the past 3 years, and compare win/loss records vs Bowl Subdivision teams. (i.e. throw out the home openers vs pansies) I think you’ll find that the numbers change quite a bit.
Personally, as a fan who’s payed quite a bit of attention to Tech the past three years, and has spent quite a bit of time studying game film in that effort, I think that the extra week to prepare definitely does help, but not in the way most people think. What I’ve noticed, is that teams with the extra week to prepare are much more likely to be able to avoid Tech’s blocks. I think the extra week isn’t so much a scheme thing as it is a technique thing.
Another interesting thing you should write about, is the records of teams the week AFTER they play Tech. A VT fan on a discussion board did some analysis of that, and the results were quite surprising. Teams are significantly worse the week after they play Tech than average. Not sure why.
time4TechOldGold
November 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
I do not look forward to seeing all players in black stockings. For Georgia that is ok, but not also for Tech. Since when is black one of Tech’s colors? Black GT’s? I can’t stand them. Tech never had them when I was there in the early 70’s. I remember the 1968 Mexico City Summer Olympics and black John Carlos winning the gold medal in the 220 and 100, and another of his black teammates getting the silver, and when the National Anthem was played, these blacks held their fists up and heads down in a black power salute. Then a few years later when I was at Tech, a white guy who was in one of my history classes and on the track and football teams broke the world record in the 220. I watched him in the 220 on a race on tv, which he won, and he had TECH right across the chest of his t-shirt. He was also in the Army then, but he wore TECH, and I really was proud of that. He never played in football, but did make the team as a receiver. Perhaps these blacks on Tech’s team are trying to bring back black power to the Tech track program by wanting to wear black stockings and make everbody forget about Ben Vaughn’s being white and breaking the world record established by black John Carlos. Us white alums aint’ gonna let em. The head of the alum assn already said “black is out” in a late 80’s copy of the Tech Topics alum newsletter. Wer’e waiting on CPJ to read a copy of that issue.
Mark . . . . my Word
November 22nd, 2010
5:18 pm
`
Georgia Tech is undefeated in Athens Under Coach Paul Johnson.
Mike Smith
November 22nd, 2010
5:24 pm
@Jekyl and heckel – if you know as much about football as you say, you would realize that you cant compare scores the way you have. UGA played Colorado after having played 3 ranked teams in a row and basically as a team desperate for a win. It was their first game with a full team, they had control of the game, and then let it slip away quite literally at the end. Also Colorado had a week off to prepare for the game.
Tech was dominated for 3 quarters by a Kansas team that had lost to North Dakota St. in week one. It was the second game of the season after SC St. Tech had their full team on the field and should have been well rested and prepared. They were not.
Johnny O
November 22nd, 2010
5:27 pm
Refreshing comments, many cutting their own team. I do too.
Tech Forever
November 22nd, 2010
5:29 pm
Jekyl and heckel
I’ve forgotten more about football than you’ll ever know. You thought Tech was going to win last year….called for it….screamed it from the highest of heights. I picked UGA and was scorned…..but got the last laugh.
This game is over right now not so much because of what Georgia is but because of what Tech isn’t. Tech’s apss defense is atrocious and our rush defense might actually be worse. Our Special Teams are a study in complete incompetence.
And who’s the idiot? You throw out the 7 Degrees Of Separation “logic” as to why Tech’s loss to Kansas is superior to Georgia’s loss to Colorado??? Are you kidding me? What’s next? Are you going to try and convince everyone here that somehow Baylor really won the 2004 National Championship? Wait……yep…..I did……just threw up in my mouth a little bit. Tech struggles away from Atlanta….period. So there’s your MSU, UF, Aub., UK, and USC losses for Tech. Arkansas? We just made Duke’s QB look like Peyton Manning what do you think Arkansas’ would do against us? That’s 6. Tennessee in Atlanta? Granted this was a tough one to analyze but they basically won in Death Valley and played Carolina tough. Tech eeaked past Duke at home, looked less than spectacular against UVA, and got WORKED by VT and Miami. That’s 7 losses. So, assuming you’re correct and give UGA’s schedule “way” too much credit, I’ll grant you a Tech win over Colorado. There 4-7 instead of 3-8. Feel better?
Georgia at home covers this spread.
Just like the barbershop……”NEXT!!!!!”
ga tech 92
November 22nd, 2010
5:39 pm
UGA’s 3-4-5 star recruits + GT’s 2-3-4 star recruits + UGA getting better as the year goes on + GT looking weak and mistake prone ALL year + UGA at home = UGA should totally beat down GT around 51 to 10ish. I love the Jackets, but I also have common sense. Go Jackets
Tech Forever
November 22nd, 2010
5:43 pm
ga tech 92
Well put, but it won’t be THAT bad. Something to the tune of 42 – 24. I will say this….the only way UGA doesn’t put up 28+ in the first half is because of their own errors. Hell, Green might have 28 in the first half all by himself.
Bob
November 22nd, 2010
5:55 pm
PJ has destroyed the program.His recruiting is beyond horrendous.He has to be fired.His offense is a joke and who will want to go to Tch to run it?Southern conference players!!!!!
DoakBoyGT
November 22nd, 2010
5:56 pm
I think this game could come down to who wins the turnover battle
ga tech 92
November 22nd, 2010
6:01 pm
Bob – I don’t agree. I think we need someone who runs a non-traditional style offense, which attracts less than the best quality football player. This is because we do NOT get good enough players to compete with football factories playing straight up traditional football. We need smoke and mirrors to make up for ’star’ recruiting. Now, I’m not sure if CPJ is the end all answer forever; however, he did more his first two years than anyone in quite a while (even better than the guy who’s players CPJ inherited). What I disagree with is ‘firing’. Hewitt needs to be fired, because his contract will never end otherwise. CPJ needs to be given enough time for his contract to play out. Either CPJ will show us more good seasons (like the first two), or he won’t. Either way, we need to quit paying coaches to NOT coach…except Hewitt…and then NEVER sign another stupid never ending contract like that.
ga tech 92
November 22nd, 2010
6:07 pm
Someone tell me the last year that any major recruiting service ranked our incoming football freshmen higher than UGA’s? …time passes…. Now that we’re back to reality and not forgetting that no coach has gotten better talent than the football factory in Athens…What sort of offense can be expected to beat superior competition anyway? Bigger, stronger, faster is always a problem for us. We have to have smoke and mirrors…either that or we need to quit expecting to beat football factories. History has clearly shown us, we don’t often beat football factories…so let’s keep it in perspective.
J Clay
November 22nd, 2010
6:12 pm
What about Tech’s performance in bowl games? Granted that is not 1 extra week but several….still looks like Tech is definitely at a disadvantage when a team has extra time to prepare
Tech Man
November 22nd, 2010
6:13 pm
The problem is we can’t execute.
ga tech 92
November 22nd, 2010
6:16 pm
J Clay – I agree. The eye-ball-test shows me that our offense is easier for teams to deal with, the more practice (time) they have against it.
Rockdale Jacket
November 22nd, 2010
6:20 pm
Tech Forever:
I think the score will be worse. Funny comment about A.J.
Green. He is probably good enough to throw a pass and then go catch it himself
Doug Roberson
November 22nd, 2010
6:30 pm
beej, i didn’t think the past three years would be a good sample size because the teams change so dramatically from year to year.
ga tech 92
November 22nd, 2010
6:31 pm
Aye, Green is ubber good. Their O-line is the most experienced O-line in the country, based on starts, I think we all know their running backs are highly touted, the QB is no longer a freshman (basically)…we may not get them to punt one time all game.
destin dawg
November 22nd, 2010
6:31 pm
glad to see GT got Bowl eligible… fitting they go to Shreveport… Dawgs are headed north…. Techies headed south.. it should prove a blow out.. Richt needs to COACH !!! we have the talent… let BoBo have the weekend off ..our offense is SO predictable… have we EVER done an onside kick , reverse, fake punt ???????? we watch ‘em BEAT us with Trickeretion….