Georgia Tech heads into N.C. State week
Greetings-
Hope you were able to watch the game Saturday. If not, you can catch the replay here on ESPN 3.
Anyway, I imagine you’ve re-hashed the game a good bit, so we’ll try to look forward here.
1. With North Carolina out of the way, it’s not difficult to imagine that the Yellow Jackets could be 7-0 in a month’s time. (Unless your imagination is not very good.) Obviously, if coaches and players start thinking along those lines, that’s probably not wise. But, as fans, I’d say you’re welcome to do so. Unless something drastic happens, Tech should be favored in each of the next three games against N.C. State, Maryland and Virginia.
If Tech can continue its improvement, execution and focus, I’d rate its chances of winning each fairly high. Certainly, weird things happen and counting on a group of 20-year-olds to stay consistent at most anything can be a foolish proposition. But, somebody’s got to win those games.
If you’re wondering, and I know you aren’t, my laborious research tells me that if Tech reaches 7-0, it can reasonably expect to be ranked somewhere between 10th and 20th in the country. I checked all the top-25 polls going into Week 8 through 2002 for the lowest-ranked undefeated BCS-conference team. The high was No. 8 and the low was No. 19. Most were No. 14-16. I suppose I could also look at the teams ahead of Tech and figure out how many head-to-head matchups there are that would drop the loser beneath the Jackets or see what teams have a tough schedule in the next four weeks, but there are limits to my laborious research.
While we’re on the topic of projections, you could make the case that in this 7-0 scenario, Tech might be a little high, as they would be 7-0 with (possibly) only one win over a “quality opponent.”
2. A troublesome number for the N.C. State. The offense is averaging 2.8 yards per carry. The N.C. State school paper pointed out that, if you take away wins over Liberty and South Alabama, the average is 1.5 yards per carry. Aiyee.
Wake Forest and Cincinnati’s passing numbers against N.C. State: 48-for-70, 600 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions.
One other factoid: The Wolfpack’s linebackers coach is … Jon Tenuta.
3. Hopefully you read the story I wrote for Monday’s paper about statistical differences between the 2010 team and the 2011 version after four games. As you might imagine, the most obvious difference is the passing game. Other facets of the offense, as well as the defense, are improved (penalties are down 38 percent, for example), but the efficiency of the passing game is what has improved the most.
I think one way to capture is that, last year, Tech had completed 33 percent of its passes through four games, on its way to finishing at 38 percent, lowest in FBS. This year, Tevin Washington’s completion rate is 64 percent. With one more completion, he’d be slightly ahead of the single-season school record for completion percentage (Joe Hamilton, 1999, 66.6 percent).
It’s easy to make this a Joshua Nesbitt vs. Washington matter and, obviously, some or maybe even a lot of the difference lies there. Protection, route running, catching efficiency (if such a thing exists) and the situations (throwing off of play action vs. throwing because the team is behind) all play a role.
I’d be curious for your thoughts.
4. Game time for the Maryland game at Bobby Dodd Stadium Oct. 8 should be announced Monday. I’ll have it up on a blog as soon as I find out.
5. Some links from Saturday’s game.
Charlotte Observer report from the UNC side, as well as Wilmington Star News.
Jon Cooper’s story about Stephen Hill’s efforts for Sting Daily.
Matt Winkeljohn’s game story and various pontifications for Sting Daily.
David Friedlander’s report for the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Stan Awtrey’s story in the Macon Telegraph.
6. I’ll have post-practice notes up 9-ish. My guesses for Tech players of the game: Jeremiah Attaochu, Darren Waller (special teams) and either Stephen Hill or Jay Finch.
Thanks for reading. Please follow on Facebook and Twitter.
By Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech beat
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276 comments Add your comment
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:08 pm
Very sad NERDS!
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:09 pm
Georgia beats Tech big…49-24! Like always! NERDS!
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
man I didn’t realize that Georgia holds the all time record against us 61-39…that sucks….
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:14 pm
in the words of the great Paul Johnson to his lineman coming off the field…”You stupid jerk” what a neato guy that PJ is.
reality
September 26th, 2011
4:14 pm
Missy State hangs at least 35 on that crappy defense…35-24 MSU.
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:15 pm
Remember that time we cheated and got our ACC title taken away?
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:15 pm
I wish my Dawgs would wear those cute red power ranger uniforms this weekend. Simply delicious!!!
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:17 pm
You are so right oh brother. they were awfully cute.
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:17 pm
You stupid jerk
oh brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:18 pm
I think GA Tech could win the class 5A highschool championship this year!
reality
September 26th, 2011
4:20 pm
Georgia hangs 47 points on GA Tech and our crappy defense….47-9 UGA
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:21 pm
Remember when we used to have the male “flag boy ” he was so good….made me so mad when the UGA fans would yell Flllllaagggg boooyyyy over and over at halftime….
oh Brother!
September 26th, 2011
4:22 pm
I would really like to see those little highschool boys!!!
eggguy
September 26th, 2011
4:25 pm
It’s great being a Tech fan isn’t it? Poor Dawgs….I almost feel sorry for them….almost.
Tech gets high marks everywhere except kicking game. Pretty bad. I go to high school games and see 16 year old kids kick the ball off into the end zone. We are kicking it to maybe the 10-15 yard line. Surely there’s someone on this team that was a kicker in high school that can do better. I do love this season! GO JACKETS!
compelling match-ups
September 26th, 2011
4:31 pm
This is why GT is on at noon. Maryland getting spanked by Temple killed anychance of a 3:30 game. They looks unstoppable against Miami, oh well. I do believe, however, that Maryland’s QB will give GT’s defense headaches. Short, quick passing game will kill GT, but we probably will out score them……Maryland has a good set of running backs as well. Clemson, Miami, Maryland and UGA are the toughest games remaining. I believe that Clemson smokes VT this weekend……NCST? They whipped our Arse last year. That was last year……..CPJ and crew will be READY and NCST’s D-line is gonna get MASHED…..
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:31 pm
my worst UGA moment ever was when Reggie Ball through the ball away on 4th down…..made me so mad! You have to be a complete moron to do that…guess it was just Georgia’s day…..again
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:33 pm
I wish our conference was as good as the SEC…..kind of sucks playing Duke and Maryland at noon all the time…the SEC gets all the primtime spots
timthebrave
September 26th, 2011
4:34 pm
Don’t think NC State has much of a chance. Unless Tech has 5 turnovers they should win the game easily. I predict 45-17
timthebrave
September 26th, 2011
4:37 pm
I will be surprised if Tech has any losses going into the Miami game and they still could end up with 4 losses. It gets tough going at the end with 4 out of the last 5 being tough games
yellowcat
September 26th, 2011
4:37 pm
wow buzzbeater, as far as trolls go you are just dumb and reality you haven’t had that spread since 2002
SHHHH
September 26th, 2011
4:38 pm
Shut up about 7-0. They need to win and focus on every game. I can remember good tech teams getting the hell beat out of them by lesser teams after talking smack about winning out. SO SHHHHHHHH lets just watch and hopefully win.
threetrone
September 26th, 2011
4:39 pm
Why is being first to add a thread to an article a big deal? Just say what you want to say about the article’s subject, or about Tech in general, and quit pointing out your ego being first.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 26th, 2011
4:40 pm
I wonder how many different jerks are posting here as mutts. I would be willing to bet there is only one person posting under about 10 different names. But whether it’s just one or a couple, it is so typical of the redneck illiterates….they can’t find anything good to write about concerning their team on their blogs, so they come on the Tech blogs showing what azzes they really are. Pitiful, just pitiful.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 26th, 2011
4:41 pm
All those posts from so-called Georgia fans, who apparently can’t find anything good to write about their own team on their blogs. I’d be willing to bet all those different posts were made by only one person. Pitiful, just pitiful
BuzzBeater
September 26th, 2011
4:50 pm
remember when “Rudy” and Notre Dame beat us? Sucks that we will forever be remembered as the team that got beat by “Rudy”
gtfanfrom1951
September 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
Clemson will not beat VT in Blacksville. 8-0 if we take them one game at a time!
Idiot kerry
September 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
Kerry doesn’t know that clemson had the third worst rushing defense in the country entering the game with fsu. Amazing part is they played two patsies to start the season. That’s 118/120!
Clemson will put up points on us but we will on them. Probably a 42-38 type game.
Shane
September 26th, 2011
4:55 pm
We discuss uga because minions like you come on here and make yourself look like a fool.
threetrone
September 26th, 2011
4:56 pm
Al Groh has caught up with Jon Tenuta. Last year Groh was still getting used to being at Tech, but he seems to have acclimated himself to Atl now. Also the players are used to his 3-4, except for tight end coverage. Maybe they need to work on that in the indoor.
gtfanfrom1951
September 26th, 2011
4:56 pm
reality your meds are ready. time to go back to your room
19
September 26th, 2011
4:58 pm
Other school trolls, there’s an article about old “watering holes” in Athens on your blog. Go over there and have a blast! Of course you would actually have to visit Athens to relate. I think the writer is trying to cheer you guys up. Good luck against Missy St. You guys need all the luck you can get!
Idiot Ga fan
September 26th, 2011
4:59 pm
You played at noon last week and will again this week morons.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 26th, 2011
4:59 pm
Sorry for the more-or-less duplicate posts above. The first one didn’t go through when I initially sent it.
compelling match-ups
September 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
This is why bigger conferences are not always better. If the SEC ends up at 14 with Mizzo, that will be just another ‘Kentucky’ for the league….
The ACC needs to use expansion to re-align the divisions. GT needs to be playing FSU every year, period!! Hope the ACC goes to 16, gets Rutgers and Uconn and four pod scenario plays out with GT, FSU, Miami and Clemson in the ‘South’ pod.
NC Schools, UNC, NCST, Duke, Wake in the Tobacco pod,
VT, UVA, Maryland and Pitt in the Mid-Atlantic pod.
Syracuse, Uconn (Penn State if your dream’n), Rutgers (or Notre Dame if your dream’n) and BC in the New York pod.
Can you imagine the HUGE DOUGH the ACC could garner with Notre Dame and Penn State!!!!! In both FOOTBALL and BASKETBALL!!!!!
NYC is the mother load of people who still are not into college football. Why? Because none of the teams in the north east play each other anymore, COMPELLING match-ups!! This is why the SEC is so successful!!!
THIS is why the SEC should get its ‘ego’s’ out of the way and invite FSU, Clemson and GT!!! How interesting would the last weekend of the regular season be if these were all conference games!!!! And for those who say the new 20 Million dollar exit fee each ACC school would have to pay? That is chump change when looking long term. FSU, Clemson, and GT in the SEC would kill the ACC but since both the SEC and the ACC are paid by ESPN, won’t happen…..but FSU, Clemson and GT are a hell of alot more COMPELLING than WV, Mizzo, USF, Houston or Louisville…..or anybody else.
I can’t believe the Big 12 is going to survive, they have a band-aid on a bullet hole……
Ken Sugiura
September 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
super – i took down the 11:03 post. thanks for bringing it to my attention.
i learned a little from our blog guy. i’ll see if i can tweak the filter a little, though i’m not hopeful. me and technology are not a very good combination.
as for kickoff times, i think a lot of it has to do with the matchup. georgia tech should be ranked, but who would want to watch tech-maryland besides fans of the teams?
i’m going to guess the espn folks know plenty well which acc teams have drawing power (fsu, vt, if i had to guess) and which ones don’t have as much.
hill should be fine. he came back into the game after the tweak.
Idiot Ga fan
September 26th, 2011
5:02 pm
Vandy> ugag
Remember when paul johnson beat miss st and dan nullen 42-14. Uga will be lucky to score 14 against them. Miss st will probably beat them looking ahead to tenn which will be a uga loss
T3
September 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
@ gtfanfrom1951:
Clemson WILL…beat VaTech in Blacks-BURG. Guaranteed !!
compelling match-ups
September 26th, 2011
5:07 pm
The reason the GT game and the Maryland game were being held as a possible 3:30 game? Atlanta and Washington DC. IF Marlyand didn’t get BLOWN OUT by TEMPLE…….
compelling match-ups
September 26th, 2011
5:08 pm
wow, a five page GT blog. People are starting to ‘pay attention’, even more Ugag trolls…..
Idiot Ga fan
September 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
Last year the tech nc state game was on at 330. It was the 4th game of the season and we were 1-2 entering the game. NC state is 2-2 now and was 3-0 last year with 3 wins over small name schools. It is ridiculous for a top 20 ranked team to not have one game at 330 yet. Im sure fsu vs wake forest will get the 330 start.
compelling match-ups
September 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
Buck Belue named Tevin Washington his NATIONAL player of the week on 680 the fan!!! The end is near!!!!
Ramblin Recluse Road
September 26th, 2011
5:13 pm
Tech should go undefeated this year. All their players are getting looks/pt. All the rbs are having passes thrown to them, not just runs. The D is doing well. The special teams blocked the punt, and they are catching punts now. Georgia had those ugliest in the nation unis for the first game. Those unis were the ugliest unis I have ever seen of any team, and I’m going on 60 years old. The best teams have complex offense plays and lineups of players, as the Auburn-Oregon national championship game displayed. It is like a game of chess for the head coaches, except leave the King pawn out for Tech, perhaps the QB, he’s for the redcoats of Georgia to enjoy manipulating so much.
BillS
September 26th, 2011
5:21 pm
If Tech loses to VT and Clem, they’ll be without a single “quality” victory (given the ACC’s second-rate football) coming into the UGA game. And if the Jackets were to win every game on their schedule, they’d be just like Boise State: undefeated and nowhere near the BCS championship game. The schedule is dreadful with only a couple of heavyweights.
19
September 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
oh brother, BuzzBeater and reality (probably the same person) are duking it out for the super troll championship! Let’s ignore continuing updates! Dude (or dudette), there’s a great article about bars on your blog. Enjoy!
Ken, do you get enough sleep? You are doing a great job but who is going to cover Tech if you get sick? Seriously!
Go Georgia Institute of Technology! Go Yellow Jackets!
Thanks again Ken!
19
September 26th, 2011
5:25 pm
Ken just sent a complimentary comment. Not sure how that gets dumped?! Keep up the good work!
gtyj
September 26th, 2011
5:32 pm
As I have stated on several posts before, the key to our success this year is our defense and special teams. Starting with kicking team, if Tech can’t find a kicker that than put the ball in the end zone instead of the 10 or 15 yard line, you are putting the defense in hole to start with. The defense is going to have to start every game at 100%. Letting NC drive the field on opening ko doesn’t cut it. Also, believe the D gave up 3 more long drives. No pressure on QB and playing that cushion coverage, a good passing team will eat our lunch. I don’t believe any team we play will stop this offense with the passing and running mix presently being used. The only thing that will stop it is ourselves. Sloppy blocking and turning ball over. Hope this doesn’t happen. Play each game 1 at a time and don’t look forward to the next opponent.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 26th, 2011
5:32 pm
Ken, thanks for addressing the issue and deleting that post, although, to be fair, there really wasn’t anything offensive in it. But, as I said earlier, if comments are going to be posted in my name, I would like to be the one actually doing the posting.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 26th, 2011
5:35 pm
gtyj, we had 7 sacks on the UNC QB. I would say that overall we did put sufficient pressure on him. The problem I saw was those quick screens, and there’s just no way for pressure to cover those. Somebody needs to be out there covering those backs as they cut across the field setting up the screen.
StPeteWreck
September 26th, 2011
5:36 pm
Ken, I’ve ready many compliments to you for your content of Ga Tech football. Thanks for all your hard work. I’d also like to add a compliment on your style of writing. It’s very refreshing, often quirky (take that as a compliment, too), and almost always ‘fun’ to read.
Thanks for everything, and keeping me coming back to the ajc.com on a daily basis!
Idiot Ga fan
September 26th, 2011
5:36 pm
Last year the tech nc state game was 330 and we were 2-1 entering it.