Looking ahead to Georgia Tech-Clemson
Greetings-
Sorry for the delay. Anyway, I was trading texts after the game with my buddy Stewart, a Tech alumnus who flew down for the Miami game, and the last text he left me with was, “Got to wonder where we go from here.”
Kind of the question of the week, unless he was asking for suggestions about where he and his crew should party Saturday night. It doesn’t look great for reasons easily enumerated, starting with the cold front that’s swept over the Tech offense and the special teams that continues to underachieve. I wrote a story for Monday’s paper pointing out that Clemson scored more last Saturday than the Jackets have in their past three games.
I think the Jackets have a chance Saturday. Not a great one, but as much of a chance as Virginia had against Tech a few weeks back or Texas Tech was given against Oklahoma.
It’s something of a commentary on the season that I dust off this quote from Paul Johnson from two weeks ago that its intent is to offer hope for the Jackets against Clemson rather than provide caution against inflated expectations, which is how it would have been read when he said it two Mondays ago. It was in response to a question about Florida State’s struggles.
“That’s the nature of the game. The game is so fragile. It’s not as cut and dried (as you’d think). There might be three or four teams in the country that are just so talented (they can’t lose), but most of the teams aren’t that way now. On a given day, most anybody can beat anybody. You get three or four turnovers or something happens or somebody has an off day or somebody has a hot day. That’s why you play the games.”
On the to-do list for Tech this week:
1. Clean up execution issues on offense. Tech’s best shot is to hold onto the ball for 35 minutes plus and use those minutes productively. That won’t happen, obviously, if the recent problems clearing holes and not getting playmakers in space with the ball persist.
The fact that Clemson’s defense doesn’t inspire terror (378 yards per game) suggests that this could happen, but it didn’t help in Miami, which, coincidentally, averages 378.6 yards per game.
Clemson’s defensive line, including defensive end Andre Branch (ACC-best eight sacks this season) and tackle Brandon Thompson (41 tackles, likely first-round pick), is not to be trifled with.
2. Infuse some confidence into Tevin Washington. He’s in a funk.
3. Get some special teams answers. Clemson is pretty much the last team that needs a short field to score points. Two very important people this week are kickoff specialist David Scully and punter Sean Poole. Also on the list are the 11 gentlemen on the kickoff return team. Tech’s 19.56 yards per return average is 103rd in the country.
4. Decide how much to put Tech’s cornerbacks on an island. Cover-2 pass coverage will limit Clemson’s big-play potential, but will make it harder to pressure quarterback Tajh Boyd. Playing man against wide receivers Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins frees up more possibilities to blitz Boyd, but, obviously, leaves the Jackets more vulnerable to big plays out of single coverage.
5. Hope that Clemson’s players busy themselves reading and hearing about how great they are. It seemed to work for Virginia.
Links
Anderson Independent Mail stories on Waktins, the Tigers’ breadth of playmakers and Dabo Swinney’s insistence on focus.
Swinney isn’t spending much time thinking about the BCS rankings, says the Charleston Post and Courier.
Game stories from the Palm Beach Post, the Miami Herald and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Quote from Hurricanes running back Mike James in the Sun-Sentinel story: “I mean, who holds Georgia Tech to seven points?”
Thanks for reading. I’ll have notes up after practice around 9:30.
Please follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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240 comments Add your comment
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
5:17 pm
@Big time-whatever- talk about drinking kool-aid, Give me one out of your bag. This game is gonna get out of control alright. But it won’t be tech’s doings. The only thing that is out of control for tech are Paul Johnson’s eating habits. The only number you got is the one @ Emory, He is likely to have a stroke by the first quarter. Give it a rest. You are not in the top 25 for a reason. What number do you have now?
Steve
October 24th, 2011
5:19 pm
I certainly hope that BigTimeTechFan is trolling. If not, there is some serious delusion on this board.
GT will move the ball against Clemson and score some points. Clemson has had trouble defending the option this year. But, unless Clemson turns the ball over, the game is going to be a shootout, and Clemson is much more ready for that type of game.
Clemson by 7, possibly 10+.
Inquiring Mind
October 24th, 2011
5:24 pm
GT’s excuse for poor football performance is they can’t get good recruits because they have such high academic standards. Well, wake up because that is not the reason. GT can’t get good recruits because they have a high school offense, played in a high school stadium and they have high school facilities in a very dangerous living area. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they are on PROBATION for 4 years. Recruits do not want to play for a school that is on PROBATION for not following the rules, i.e., cheating.
Jacket Man
October 24th, 2011
5:24 pm
Anyone who thinks the Jackets don’t have a prayer against Clemson needs to find another team to support and put your money on. Sure, they had a couple of games they seemed to have not played their best, but Clemson is at home instead of on the road, on National TV, is homecoming, and Clemson is a big-time rival, in case you’ve forgotten.
The games between GA Tech and Clemson, historically, have been nail biters regardless of records or national standings, and regardless of where games have been played.
Clemson may win the game Saturday, but I can assure you the the effort the Yellow Jackets will put forth will be more indicictive of the game played against North Carolina than it was against Virginia.
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
5:24 pm
One thing is for sure. I may not have the best seats in the house saturday night. But by halftime i will be able sit anywhere i want too.
19
October 24th, 2011
5:28 pm
Go Jackets!!!
Don’t let the naysayers get you down!
Thanks Ken
19
October 24th, 2011
5:32 pm
Headley do you have an “Inquiring Mind”?
Go Jackets!!!
joke
October 24th, 2011
5:34 pm
I plow thirty a year, how soon do you have to leave to get to Atlanter?
Tech75
October 24th, 2011
5:41 pm
I’m surprised as well that the line on the game is ONLY 4. I expected 10+.
That having been said, Tech will be ready to play this game from an emotional and effort perspective.
CPJ has seemed to say for the past couple of weeks that the offense is like a series of dominoes – you have to make the dive work, which opens up the pitch. If the defense chooses to run blitz the linebackers, then the seam and post passes to the A-backs are the answer.
Once the pitch is working, the outside defenders or safeties may adjust to stop the pitch, and that’s when the pass opens up.
But it all starts with the dive play, and if the defensive front 4 can stop that, then “Houston, we have a problem”.
OK, so why can’t 5 guys beat 4?
Are the line splits too wide, allowing A/B gap penetration from d-linemen?
Are our guys getting overpowered?
Are we not getting good enough leverage?
Are the d-linemen moving just before the snap?
Are the d-linemen just quicker than our guys?
Are they just guessing right, or are we telegraphing the play?
Is the defense disguising the keys TW is using to make his reads?
Are our 280 lb. red shirt sophs and juniors just too small, not quick enough, or have not spent enough time in the weight room yet?
Does the other team have some sort of microwave weapon pointed at TW’s head to confuse him?
Believe me, CPJ’s looking at all of these as possible issues (except maybe the last one).
But EVERYONE knows the root problem is with the O-Line.
19
October 24th, 2011
5:43 pm
too atlanter? From heer? Well et dipends?
Ramblin Man
October 24th, 2011
5:45 pm
Inquiring mind you are wrong on all points. GT actually has a great athletic facility or so many pro athletes would not use them to train. The probation just started so we will see how that effects this recruiting class, though several factors could play into that, and the fact that Ohio State and Miami will be on probation has not affected them much so far. GT rarely lands great recruiting classes and believe it or not acedemics due play a role. Why do you think so many ADs and coaches in the SEC went nuts when Slive was talking about taking the required GPA to 2.0 and limiting special admits?
Ramblin Man
October 24th, 2011
5:48 pm
Goerge Stien,
I think the 4.5 is due to the home team always getting 3.5 and the history of the series. I live in SC and all the radio guys that cover Clemson are all saying that Dabo is not counting on GT looking like they have the last two weeks and preparing more for the team that played Kansas.
bobbyGTdodd
October 24th, 2011
5:56 pm
Time to play Vad Lee??? He’s either better than what we have now or needs to play to get there for next year. I would play him in the second half of Clemson unless we are playing well with a chance to win.
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
6:00 pm
@joke we will make it just fine. Just hope your fans can find their way, being that you never sellout that jr.college stadium of yours
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
6:02 pm
So win do you’ll play Duke? Maybe ESPN could gameday that one.
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
6:05 pm
Should be a great matchup——NOT
headley lamar
October 24th, 2011
6:07 pm
GT rarely lands great recruiting classes and believe it or not acedemics due play a role.
Academics most definitely DO NOT play a role.
Why do you think 98 percent of the Football team major in …. ahem “Management”
Add to that Tech’s graduation rates for Basketball and Football are awful and the whole ” We are an academics school that plays big time sports ” argument is pretty much shot to pieces.
You wanna see a school that does that. Talk to Duke or Stanford.
Not Tech. Not by a long shot.
That whole Academics thing is just a crutch the Tech fan can lean on.
Wanna know how I know. You don’t hear much about it when they are winning.
When the losing starts its ” Well if it wasn’t for our academic standards.” etc etc
Gimme a break.
IPTAY
October 24th, 2011
6:11 pm
@headley lamar, I’ve never thought about it but you are right.
realist
October 24th, 2011
6:14 pm
This young team crap is getting old. Don’t buy it. Scheme is getting figured out and we don’t have the players or maybe coaches to switch it up.
GO JACKETS
October 24th, 2011
6:29 pm
give David Sims a chance at QB see what happens
gtne80
October 24th, 2011
6:30 pm
The “academics” and “limited curriculum” excuse went out the window a decade ago. There are now a number of non-Engineering/non-technical majors with shared classes with nearby schools.
It is a fact that Tech, in numbers of student body, is a small school compared with most of the top-tier FBS schools. But does that really mean anything in recruiting?
What does a HS prospect that thinks he’s got a shot at the pros want?
Exposure. The opportunity to play on TV. Tech had a 3:30 game on Saturday and will be playing in prime time on Saturday, and in front of a national audience against VT. Doubtless that the UGA game will at least get regional coverage on a network.
Coaches with pro contacts. Groh has the rep. CPJ not so much.
I get why a 5-star pro-style QB wouldn’t come there under Johnson, but we weren’t in the running for many of them under Gailey either. Gailey was able to get Calvin Johnson, but he was a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and we squandered his talent. He’s currently CARRYING the Lions and a FORCE in the NFL and we couldn’t get the ball to him in the ACC???
I don’t get why defensive prospects wouldn’t want to play for Groh. Some kids are attracted to the big campuses, but the city of Atlanta itself should be an attraction for a certain demographic of kids.
Those looking for the youth to mature next year, best of luck with that. The schedule next year will be murder. Road games at Clemson, VT and UGA? Not attractive with the best of talent. Do we have the patience to wait two years for the talent to mature and the schedule to come back around?
My prediction from here? Losses to Clemson and UGA (barring unforseen circumstances such as key injuries or suspensions in the meantime). I still think we can beat Duke. With a week and a half to prepare and a Thursday night game at home, I give us a decent shot at upsetting VT. Yes, it would be an upset, but I don’t believe that VT is unbeatable.
Perspective? In August, if you’d have told me that we’d go 7-5, I’d have probably taken it. If you told me 8-4, I’d have jumped on it. 6-6 would be a disappointment, but I’m not that pessimistic (yet).
19
October 24th, 2011
6:40 pm
Tech does not have mini football mills like the SEC and other conferences. The recruit has to meet Tech’s academic standards to be offered. Tech does not have many JUCO transfers…hmmm, I wonder why? We have had a few over the years but not many. I certainly wish Tech had access to a place like Hargrave to bring a recruit’s SAT up to requirements. The haters should look it up.
Tech has lost a couple of games. They’ll live to fight another day. Tech knows this is the toughest stretch of the season. I will shout for them to win! Heck, I’ve been shouting at them for bad play 4 weeks in row, but they are still my team. Would a dawg fan act differently?
I wish the dawgs good luck against UF. GATA
Go Jackets!!!
Jacob Bailey
October 24th, 2011
6:41 pm
I completed my undergrad at Clemson in 04. I love my Tigers, and I am excited about the state of our football program right now!
I know this will anger Tech fans, but it is reality. GT is rapidly moving towards the bottom of our conference as far as respect is concerned. I may eat crow, but the game should be a blowout this weekend!
fan of shorter passes (as short as necessary!)
October 24th, 2011
6:47 pm
Jacob, you should be proud of your team. I would not be surprised if they do NOT play in the Orange bowl…even though they may be the ACC champs.
Kb
October 24th, 2011
6:59 pm
Tech will need a lot of help from Clemson to win this game. Tech doesn’t have the talent to compete with Clemson. But Clemson has been known to play down to its competition.
19
October 24th, 2011
7:01 pm
Jacob, I’d rather see a competitive game, but that’s just me. I doubt Tech is concerned with haters. Clemson is kicking butt, congratulations! Let’s hope for a good clean game.
Go Jackets!!!
Go Jackets!!!
GT Albany
October 24th, 2011
7:03 pm
My biggest concern is what gaudy colors Clemson will wear- total orange or orange and purple.
gtne80
October 24th, 2011
7:05 pm
@Jacob – No hate or anger here. But the truth is, outside of one year (2009) when has Tech been considered among the elite of the ACC? In their turns, Miami, FSU, and VT have pretty much dominated the conference for years (and they’ve also took their turns with down periods). Occasionally another team will jump up with a good year or two. Since 1990 (the conference added FSU the next year), FSU has been the conference representative for the “big” bowls 12 times. Virginia Tech has won 6, including 3 of 6 conference championship games. [Clemson had a great run in the 80's]
All signs point to a Clemson win by a large margin this weekend. Clemson is peaking and GT has gone into an offensive funk. But the game will be played…..
The facts are the facts….no need getting upset about them.
George Stein
October 24th, 2011
7:11 pm
What’s funny is that our “easy” major qualifies as hard at other schools.
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:23 pm
macriod supersize has burned his diploma are you on the freeway waiting for a mack truck with a BULLDAWG on it to hit you.macriod you are the biggest hypocrite I have ever seen!TUCK FECH!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:27 pm
superDung, why is macrotech a hypocrite? Please explain
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:28 pm
Regarding academics —
REQUIRED courses for ALL freshmen at Tech — CALCULUS
Required courses for all freshmen at UGA — ‘Uhhh, do I have to go to class? Nobody ever told me that”
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:29 pm
macriod come on out with your beehind you deserve all that comes your way MEGA NERD.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:31 pm
I’m sure macrotech would agree that it’s so good to be hated by an ignorant mutt
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:35 pm
Well to start with he is so embarrased about the beat down from VA.and MIAMI that he may have committed sewerside.As far as it goes for you and macriod for that matter hiding would be a good place for both of you.
Kb
October 24th, 2011
7:36 pm
@dawghater, All 4 of the teams you mentioned have more talent than Tech, admittedly beating Tech isn’t a big deal, but Florida is a very talented football team I would say only one tech player would be on floridas 2 deep roster (Uzzi). Tech may cover the 4 point line, Clemsons struggled on the road @joeygt you need receivers Hill plays big against little competition little against better teams and defenses would adjust if there was any success, Good db would be jumping that route with Tevins lackluster arm.
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:38 pm
You can attack my intellegence all you want fact is I do very well for my self and what you think because it strokes you own ego is totally irrelavent to me.
USC_Dirtybird
October 24th, 2011
7:38 pm
Its Prison Time Again Ya’ll…jr. college stadium???…GT starting playing in (and won a few national championships) that stadium while you clowns were still molesting each other and dreaming about what big cities actually look like…
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:39 pm
superDung, macro has been online several times since the UVA game and often on Saturday during and after the Miami game. That’s entirely unlike you who disappeared completely after the Boise State and USC games. Tech fans don’t hide; we accept our losses as well and we enjoy our wins. Again, entirely unlike mutts who try to ignore their losses and act like jackasses after they win
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:41 pm
superDung, based on the things you say in your posts and the total disregard for proper spelling, I would say that your intelligence probably hasn’t gotten you as far as a higher level of intelligence would
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:43 pm
I know you like my spelling.I hope it makes you feel smart.
joke
October 24th, 2011
7:44 pm
There is no law prohibiting superDog from dating women, it just works out that way.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:45 pm
LOL @ joke
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:45 pm
super I don’t blog on UGA sites I like to jump on any nerd I can because of your pompous attitude.
19
October 24th, 2011
7:46 pm
superDawg, is this “macriod” posting on the other site? Hmmm…you’ve been posting here! Get over it! Good luck to your team!
Super is back…
Go Jackets!!!
superDawg
October 24th, 2011
7:47 pm
I will be at the tek game nov.26 and I would like to see you after the game so you can see me laugh hysterically.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:49 pm
19, the “macriod” superDung is talking about is “macrotech”. I don’t know why sD hates him, but the fact that he would slam him when he’s not even currently posting on the blog seems to indicate a deep insecurity on sD’s part.
19
October 24th, 2011
7:50 pm
7:38 pm Post: please explain…
sports
October 24th, 2011
7:51 pm
Clempson 41,blowflys 17 you can book it.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 24th, 2011
7:52 pm
19, which 7:38 post? the one by sD, or the other one. I am guessing the other one, because it didn’t make a whole lot of sense. I think it was anti-UGA though.