Georgia Tech-Utah matchups to watch
Greetings-
Two more days until the Sun Bowl. Had a few thoughts to reel off as I get ready for the press conference featuring the coordinators from both teams. Quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon will fill in for Paul Johnson as the Georgia Tech offensive coordinator, if you’re wondering.
1. One of the biggest matchups will be Tech center Jay Finch, with help from guards Omoregie Uzzi and Will Jackson/Shaquille Mason, against Utah nose tackle Star Lotulelei, a first-team All-Pac-12 pick. If Finch consistently can’t get him on the ground or create some push, it will bog down the dive play and make the Jackets less diverse in their options.
You may remember that Utah has a lot of past experience against an option-spread offense, having played Air Force in the Mountain West Conference annually until joining the Pac-12 this season. Lotulelei (lo-too-leh-lay) said Utah will defend Tech the same way it did Air Force.
“I think it’s helped, because we have pretty much the same guys we have from last year, so I think we’re pretty used to this kind of offense,” Lotulelei said, “but I think they have some better athletes than Air Force did in their backfield, so it’ll be a lot more challenging to compete with those athletes.”
Said Finch, “I’m looking forward for myself to see where I stand, see how I compare.”
Fact: Lotulelei’s given name is Starlite.
2. I think probably the more important matchup will be Tech’s run defense against Utah running back John White and the Utes offensive line. Tech is allowing 162.9 rushing yards per game, which is tied for 70th in the country. White is No. 10 in the country at 117.0 rushing yards per game. End Izaan Cross described him as “slippery.”
The onus will fall again on ends Jason Peters and Cross and nose tackle Logan Walls to hold the point and maintain gap integrity.
“Our defense in particular, we’ve had games that we’ve done very well, we’ve had games that we played poorly,” Cross said. “We just want to finish the season out on a high note.”
A matchup to watch is Peters vs. Utah offensive tackle Tony Bergstrom, who is pegged as a mid-round draft pick.
“Really big, really good and really fast,” Peters said. “Great player, great athlete, uses his hands well, moves his feet well. I’ve got to make sure I bring my ‘A’ game.”
Of note: Bergstrom, who served a two-year mission with the Mormon church out of high school, is 25 years old and is married with a child.
Utah offensive line coach Tim Davis: “We’re not going to get anything like home runs off ‘em. We’ve got to bang away and do our stuff and we’re got to hold up against them at the start because they do have a lot of speed. They do come at you.”
Fact: Cross said he got a mini-refrigerator for his dorm room for Christmas.
3. Tech can finish No. 1 in the country in third-down conversion percentage with a strong performance against Utah. The Jackets lead at 54.88 percent, but Wisconsin (54.1) is a close second. If Tech repeated its worst third-down performance (4 of 12 against N.C. State), it would drop to 53.4 percent. Kind of hard to believe, but Tech’s best third-down day was against Maryland, 13 of 20.
After a cursory look at the media guide, I couldn’t find the school record for single-season third-down percentage, but I’ve got to believe it would set the record, at least going as far back as records have been kept.
Links
El Paso Times feature on Julian Burnett and Tech notebook.
Salt Lake Tribune notes and feature on Lotulelei.
Deseret News home page for Utes, including a note that starting defensive tackle Dave Kruger is out with a leg infection.
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171 comments Add your comment
gt4ever
December 30th, 2011
8:45 am
At least ND lost… Good job FSU. At least somebody in the ACC is pulling their weight….
I get it...........
December 30th, 2011
9:10 am
Just finished reading Ken’s story on the 2007 class (Tech’s version of a “Dream Team”) Gailey put together. IMHO Tech screwed up firing him. Gailey was finally getting some talent on the flats and poof he was canned. CPJ won with that talent and it’s been downhill since. Tell me again why Gailey was fired – couldn’t beat UGA was it – so CPJ has beaten UGA once (with Gailey’s players) and the prospects of beating them again are dismal at best.
I would slit my throat if I were a techie. The D1 talent at GT is going backwards. Every school in the ACC is signing D1 talent and CPJ is signing service academy talent. Tech will be a mid tier ACC team for as long as CPJ is the coach…………….. yikes.
Do you techies actually think you are on par with VT, Miami, FSU, Clemson, N.C. State or UNC?
gt4ever
December 30th, 2011
9:31 am
anybody that has played the game sees the same thing, I get it… Very dismal outlook at best…
I get it...........
December 30th, 2011
9:49 am
I know that’s hard to believe coming from a UGA fan but I feel bad for the average GT fan……… I really do.
Gailey proved that GT could recruit and sign quality players. Players that could withstand the academic rigors and perform at a high level on the field.
Michigan Ramble
December 30th, 2011
10:00 am
I can only hope that the Ga Tech football team in El Paso has a sense of committment and pride far beyond that of the 2010 Orange Bowl team when seniors drafted by the NFL were more worried about getting hurt than they were about the business at hand … winning the football game. Go Jackets!
The best match ups
December 30th, 2011
10:04 am
The best match ups? Oh, that is in ANY BOWL besides the Sun Bowl.
The best match up in El Paso will be with matching Kevlar socks, and your Kevlar shoes and vests and Kevlar color co ordinated shirts, due to Obama’s and Eric Holder’s gun running down in ole Mexico. DUCK !!! ZING !!! DUCK !!!
CPJ WILL BE on the ESPN August 2012 Coaching HOT SEAT with another loss.
The old guard Tech Fund boy s are grumbling on the links around Atlanta and out at Lake Oconee. No ACC titles, no bowl wins and nothing beyond empty rushing stats. They know that a team that rushed for 475 yds to another’s 225 yds BUT LOSES, means that the rushing team just had empty yards.
DUCK !!! Do not go out at night in El Paso.
gt4ever
December 30th, 2011
10:05 am
I’ll second that Michigan Ramble…. It really is a matter of pride. For some reason GT football players have no pride or heart….. Of course I would attribute some of that to coaching, and the ability of the coach to reach his players… On a personal level… Maybe I am dreaming…
Steve
December 30th, 2011
10:22 am
Tech is in a bowl game???
RambleOn84
December 30th, 2011
10:29 am
You would think dog fans would talk up Tech, since beating us is the only thing they can hang their hat on.
Doesn't get it
December 30th, 2011
10:32 am
Hey doesn’t get it. I know my team is heading the right direction and I am looking forward to this young talent growing up and becoming sophomores and juniors and your end…Your egos write a check too big to cash. I would end it all if I were you. Expecting national championships every year when in reality you are , at best, the fitgh best team in the Sec- That must suck for your h. walker jersey wearing butt to know that LSU, Alabama, Arkansas, and SC are all better than your mutts. I admit tech doesn’t compete right now with ugag but that’s fine. You’re advantages are many starting with who you will let in but in an apples to apples comparison with your sec brothers….5th at best. That must suck. Soon UF will be back to recruiting lights out and owning you guys AGAIN and makes you the 6th best. Ouch!!! I also bet you Texas ATm would beat you guys as well. Shoot Vandy almost blocked a punt to beat you guys! I’m good with being a tech fan. My expectations are realistic….yours…..i’m sure the national championship preseason talk will begin soon….only , like EVERY single year since 80, come CRASHING back to reality.
Now that must really suck.
Michigan Ramble
December 30th, 2011
11:10 am
Speaking of Dawg fans, I’ve been teaching these MSU Spartans the good word … to go along with “Go Green, Go White”!
gt4ever
December 30th, 2011
11:16 am
It will be a challenge for the dawgs to beat MSU…. Again, they haven’t beat anyone good this year… But then again, they are supposed to go 12-0 next year, based on this years results… How funny or sad these mutt fans are ….
5150 UOAD
December 30th, 2011
11:58 am
gt4ever you are not following to close. ACC is 2-1 so far. Only UNC has lost.
FSU and NCSU won.
gt4ever
December 30th, 2011
12:01 pm
5150
Yes indeed. Here is hoping we can keep winning…
I get it...........
December 30th, 2011
12:18 pm
The truth hurts so some of you start attacking UGA for being whatever – how about you wake up. You can crow the next time GT beats UGA.
All I was trying to do is have a conversation with some Techies about where the program lies and where it is headed. I would do the same with UGA but some of you knuckleheads would rather throw drivel out than discuss football.
I’ll tune in to the Sun Bowl hoping that GT can finally win a bowl game but fear they will once again be a huge disappointment.
Michigan Ramble
December 30th, 2011
12:58 pm
Interesting take on the MSU/Dawg game. Living here in Michigan, we follow the Spartans and say bad things about Wolverines. MSU can take that game if, no, IF the right team shows up. Dantonio needs to make sure the boys are 100% focused or the Dawgs will turn them into puppy chow, I’m afraid.
St Simon
December 31st, 2011
11:12 am
THWGT, go Utah, it should be an easy win for you against that high school offense.
Brick Head O Reilly
December 31st, 2011
1:30 pm
Tech…………..go out and show the nation what THUNDER ROAD means with that powerful offense! Go TECH Go
St Simon
December 31st, 2011
6:05 pm
Congrats Utes, gtu was just trying to protect their bowl streak, Now let’s go fry some fish.
panzytechieschedual
December 31st, 2011
9:37 pm
Your panzy schedual nailed you again Utah kicked your bee’s butt. but what can you expect when you play 6 teams at the first of the season that could not beat a good high school team so u sink to thier level and lose most of the remaining games but these dumb azz tech fan are not smart enough to figure that out. I have saw lots of blogs but the techie fan are pure stupid. just double ass dumb.
panzytechieschedual
December 31st, 2011
10:54 pm
Members of the double ass dumb club. all stars will be assigned the title of huge dumbass. 1. Brick head 2. gt4ever (huge dumbass) 3. Doesn’t get it (huge dumbass)