Thumbs-up for Georgia Tech special teams
Greetings-
Funny the difference a week makes and some kudos to BigTimeTechFan, who last Monday predicted “Yellow Jackets in a blowout.” He was a little more on the ball than Dawgfan, who prophesied that “CLAMPSUN WILL DESTROY THAT STUPID YOUTH FOOTBALL OFFENSE.”
A couple thoughts and I’ve got to get moving.
1. After taking a lot of heat, special teams gets a pretty big assist for its role in Saturday’s win. Clemson’s starting field position on its seven kickoff returns – the 28, 26, 50, 28, 30 and 11. Considering Sammy Watkins had been averaging 28.9 yards per return (24.6 if you factor out his 89-yard return) and Tech’s kickoffs were landing around the 10, that’s pretty good work. Jemea Thomas had one good stop and I think wasn’t credited for another. Watkins also ran into one of his own players and was downed on another. When that happened, it made me kind of think it was going to be Tech’s night.
Sean Poole and the punt team netted 44.0 yards on three punts. Tech had to, at least, play Clemson’s special teams to a draw, and the Jackets did at least that. (Clemson’s initial kickoff went out of bounds and Chandler Catanzaro missed a field goal from 40 yards in the second quarter.)
If Poole can develop consistency, he can be a valuable weapon.
2. I’m not a fan of repeating cliches – I am, however, a fan of Sushi Yoko, a Japanese restaurant in Doraville – but I’m going to go with “You’re never as good as you think after a win and you’re never as bad as you think after a loss,” if that’s the proper phrasing. Please don’t read this as “Georgia Tech got lucky,” because the Yellow Jackets were clearly the better team Saturday.
I think running back Andre Ellington being out was a pretty big break for Tech. I’m not saying it made the difference, but he would have given Clemson more of a chance. I’m sure if you go to a Clemson message board, you can find more “if only’s,” but that was a pretty big one.
It’s the same line of thinking, mind you, that the Tech-Miami game could have turned out differently had Roddy Jones not gotten the facemask call and Zach Laskey had avoided the punt inside the 10-yard line. Tech played pretty poorly, but the Jackets weren’t as bad as they showed that day. The result made it easy to think that Tech couldn’t beat Clemson (unless you’re BigTimeTechFan). Likewise, beating Clemson doesn’t mean the Jackets will beat Virginia Tech. Or Duke, for that matter (which could have easily beaten the Hokies Saturday).
I can think of plenty of reasons why both may happen, but I also had a lot of reasons why they would beat Virginia and Miami. I’m not saying it won’t happen – I’d say chances are more favorable it will – but banking on it is probably not wise.
Saturday was just a reminder of how much this game rests on the emotion and intensity of post-adolescents. A week after beating Oklahoma, Texas Tech lost at home to Iowa State 41-7. The Cyclones had lost their first four Big 12 games by an average of 24.3 points. I’m going to guess that the Texas Tech players’ (and maybe coaches’) heads were in the clouds all week. Same with Michigan State, which got drummed by Nebraska a week after upsetting Wisconsin in about the most euphoric manner imaginable.
“It’s hard to explain why we weren’t on top of our game, knowing we’re going to get their best shot,” Tommy Tuberville told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. “But we weren’t. We just had no emotion — coaching or playing.
“It was kind of like, ‘Hey, it’s going to happen. We beat somebody last week. It’s going to happen.’ But no matter who you’re playing, they also have a football team. They also play hard, and they’ve got good players, and they’ve got good coaches.”
Paul Johnson, last week: “I expect to win every game, I want to win every game. But the reality is the other teams have 85 other scholarship players and they pay their coaches and they try to win, too. That’s why you play the games.”
Links
Game story, notes and Monday follow story from the Charleston Post and Courier.
Stories putting Clemson loss in perspective Anderson Independent Mail. The first has a funny detail. Writer Greg Wallace tweeted awhile ago that an Orange Bowl berth would be a great accomplishment for Clemson, and some fans responded that that statement was insulting. A whole bunch of more posts from the game.
No practice today, so this should be it for Monday. Thanks for reading. Happy Halloween!
Please follow on Facebook and Twitter.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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419 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:27 pm
Delbert, my house is 30+ years old and has cedar siding. The carpenter bees still love it, no matter how old it is. In fact, they’ve been worse the past 5 years than they were when the house was much younger.
1 4 GT
October 31st, 2011
11:28 pm
Channel 11 showing Kallon on sports segment….says still Tech commit
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:28 pm
Delbert, I went to Nepal 2 years ago, and there is a “tribe” (for lack of better words) of people in Nepal who have a natural immunity to malaria. Nobody has figured out yet just why they do.
1 4 GT
October 31st, 2011
11:30 pm
Super nothing from a nursery or maybe pest control co. to treat your house with?…sure you’ve tried everything.
VT F___KS SHEEP
October 31st, 2011
11:31 pm
enough said
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:31 pm
An Augusta TV station just said that one of UGA’s defensive player was given the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week. I’m sorry, but Clemson is a helluva lot better team than Florida, and JT is far more deserving than that dufus. Hell, the mutt only got co-defensive player in the SEC, and he gets national honors??? That ticks me off
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:32 pm
1 4, my exterminator and a contractor said there is nothing that can be done to stop them
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:35 pm
somebody asked where the term redneck comes from. I think it comes from farmers getting sun-burned necks from working out in the fields with their heads bowed over and no protection.
GT-UT
October 31st, 2011
11:42 pm
1 4 GT,
It was a Cadillac V Series event. 556hp. Instructor based; cones; skid pad; intially divided track and then ran the whole thing multiple times. When through a set of tires…THEIR tires at that. One $ for each HP for the entry fee so a very good deal. Wide open…no limit…just keep the traction control on. Lots of GM folks there and Johnny O’Connell…lots of fun and very well done
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2011
11:42 pm
Super – I think that the sickle-cell trait evolved as a defense against malaria. It unfortunately can shorten the life span of those who have it, though.
Delbert D.
October 31st, 2011
11:44 pm
That must have been the LB transfer from USC. Something in the AJC today about him returning for another year rather than going pro.
GT-UT
October 31st, 2011
11:44 pm
Supersize…how do you get Co-Defensive player in the SEC and get National honors?? Love the reference to dufus…perfect!
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:46 pm
UT. that was my question too. And thanks for validating my choice of words. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:48 pm
Delbert, my guide in Nepal didn’t say anything about sickle cell, but I doubt he knew what that was anyway. However, the fact that some people do have a natural immunity to malaria should bear some study, which I assume is being done.
GT-UT
October 31st, 2011
11:51 pm
You guys hear the WVa files suit against Big East to join Big 12 (former Big 12 is what I heard).
I think the ACC has done it right. Tougher acedemics…eastern…north to south…just pays to be smart. Lets add MIT…oh wait….never mind…
1 4 GT
October 31st, 2011
11:52 pm
GT-UT that sounds like a real blast…I assume it was your car…thought about buying a Corvette ZR1 638 HP….the price includes 2 days at Bob Bondurant driving school to teach one how to drive that much hp on the streets…also the same article said ford did the same with a mustang Shelby GT
GT66
October 31st, 2011
11:56 pm
Did ya’ll just see Rivers fumble that snap and blow a chance for the winning field goal -
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2011
11:57 pm
howdy, GT66. Not watching the game
GT66
October 31st, 2011
11:59 pm
I just turned it on – it was tied 20-20 and SD had ball inside KC 20, and was running down the clock to kick FG with about 40 sec to reg time
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
12:00 am
GT-UT – That is the Caddy that uses the current Corvette ZR-1 engine, the LS-9. Earlier ones were based on the Z06 engine; my son had a 2003 Z06 Hardtop (earlier he had a 1993 40th Anniversary Edition coupe, and prior to that, he bought my triple-black 1990 coupe.) He let me drive the 1993 and 2003 six-speeds one time each. Now I drive the 1995 Ranger five-speed that we got for him his junior year in college. It’s still chugging along with 147,000 miles on it. He has our baby granddaughter, so no more ‘Vettes in the near future for him. They have a diesel sedan and a hatchback crossover.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:01 am
66, responding to your email now. Be a few minutes yet
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
12:04 am
Where did the time go. No wonder my dog wanted to go for a walk. Time for me to check out for tonight.
GT66
November 1st, 2011
12:08 am
Noticed a lot of comments about how well the D played, but did not see any comment on Nealy starting in place of Drummond who was cleared to play – I think that his play was a big factor (in addition of T.J. growing up) in their being able to stop running game – he has better range from side-to-side as well as dropping back to cover over-the middle throws – hope that will continue
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:17 am
Have a good one, Delbert
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
12:19 am
Nealy started against Maryland, and then against Virginia and Miami while Drummond was banged up. I mentioned to Super at the Maryland game that they were trying to pick on Nealy with the passing game immediately. That didn’t work, because the QB couldn’t hit a receiver. They replaced him with another QB later, who scored a long TD on a throw-back pass.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:19 am
You guys obviously see more stuff like that in a game than I do. Hell, I’m lucky even to put a number with a name, much less recognize the different techniques they use, unless it’s just glaringly obvious
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:21 am
Delbert, I remember you saying that. I don’t think you heard me say something to UOAD about us not having fumbled. He nearly strangled me for even saying that. And then we fumbled on that criminal off-sides non-call two plays later. I will NEVER say anything like that again. LOL
Delbert D.
November 1st, 2011
12:21 am
Did I intend that post about Nealy for another blog? I must be asleep already.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:22 am
Delbert, no, you posted it on the right blog. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:25 am
66, I finally responded to your email. But read it later; there’s nothing pertinent to this discussion in there
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:38 am
Did everybody check out for the night?
GT66
November 1st, 2011
12:40 am
Super – just saw it – BTW, the non-call off-sides was bad, but just as bad was the Delay of Game penalty that occured prior to 2nd-down from the 1 the first time we were there – that probably kept us from scoring and the fumble never would have happeed – we seem to have more DOG penalities than we should have – IMO
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:43 am
66, we had control over the DOG though. The off-sides was a BAD non-call over which we had no control. I also didn’t understand why the fumble that was confirmed on the review didn’t result in the TD. Somebody said that the whistle had blown, but if the non-call on the fumble was overruled, then why wasn’t the whistle overruled too, so that the TD would count?
GT66
November 1st, 2011
12:43 am
Looks like we may be the last – guess it’s time to “turn out the lights – the party is over” per Dandy Don – will touch base with you tomorrow – Take Care
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:44 am
OK,66, I might as well turn in too. Have a good night
5150 UOAD
November 1st, 2011
12:46 am
Sorry I had to leave! Are any of you guys here? A MARINE Pilot called. We grew up at Chastain Park Playing Sports and a friend posted an old Team pic. We all responded. Buddy is in town and we are doing LUNCH on Tuesday.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:48 am
Hanging it up now, UOAD. Have a good night and a good time with your old friends
5150 UOAD
November 1st, 2011
12:49 am
BYE .
GT66
November 1st, 2011
12:49 am
The ruling was that the whistle had blown and because of that a fumble cannot be advanced, but change of possession occurs at the point it is recovered – the thinking is that since the whistle was blown, it could prevent the fumbling team from tackling the player who recovered the fumble from advancing it since the whistle supposedly stops all action -
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:50 am
66, I still don’t like it, but I guess I am biased. LOL
5150 UOAD
November 1st, 2011
12:53 am
The WHISTLE was BLOWN faster than a 14th Street hooker on a John with $20. Never Blow that fast. Let the play happen.
GT66
November 1st, 2011
12:54 am
So am I – Good night -
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
12:56 am
UOAD, you break me up. lol
Night, all
Lee Reeves
November 1st, 2011
1:43 am
I notice no Dawg fans have anything to say, haha idiots can’t keep their mouths shut, we’ll see you retards on november 26, then we won’t hear from you again until next season.
Nerd Herd
November 1st, 2011
9:02 am
Wow…..looks like they did not serve banana’s at the home today and the Geritol Guys (Supersize, 5150, One Four, Delbert, etc.) are constipated and upset. Such vitrol…..for this you will not be allowed to board the van and ride to the store with the other seniors.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2011
9:09 am
I’m not getting my hopes up: odds are we get embarrassed by Georgia, and the cops find out that Coach Johnson is the guy punching people in the face on campus.
carolinajacket
November 1st, 2011
9:14 am
According to the History Channel, it started with the coal miners’ wars with the owners. The rebellious miners wore red badanas to identify themselves. Thus, the term “redneck” was established. My son, the anthropologist, thinks there is more to it than only this, because it is so wadespread.
TD
November 1st, 2011
9:22 am
Well Lee if it were that simple we would not have to hear from you annually would we. Getting your backside handed to you 9 out of 10 years certainly doesn’t keep you slide rulers from spouting off now does it? Win something for once and then you will have earned the right to open your yapper!!
macrotech
November 1st, 2011
9:30 am
haha…Nerd Herd’s hijacking Super’s tag! The “Geritol guys” lasted longer than you did last night…they shut the blogs down. If you’re going to run with the big dogs you’re going to have to stop pissing like a puppy!
macrotech
November 1st, 2011
9:31 am
TD…we JUST beat the #5 team in the country…how is that? When was the last time your mutts beat a ranked team? As for opening ‘yappers’….this a blog about Tech….can we help you?