3 thoughts about Georgia Tech-Virginia Tech
Less than a week to go to the start of the season. I, for one, am glad, because I’m not sure I am creative enough to come up with ways to re-phrase the same questions I’ve been asking about the depth chart. Anyway, three thoughts.
1. I believe one of the more intriguing matchups will be Georgia Tech’s wide receivers vs. Virginia Tech’s cornerbacks. Perhaps Georgia Tech’s most glaring weakness, or at least area of inexperience, is wide receiver. None of Tech’s receivers has played significant snaps there or has a catch, as I’ve written before. It doesn’t mean they can’t play, of course, just that they haven’t shown it on the field.
Virginia Tech has experience in cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum. However, Fuller could move to the whip linebacker spot, as he has done in the past for Georgia Tech. I’m told the Hokies won’t use Fuller at whip as much as they have in the past, although Fuller said at ACC Media Days that he expected to be there for Georgia Tech. Further, Exum moved to cornerback from safety in the spring. According to the depth chart, true freshman Donaldven Manning would be next up at the field corner position.
It would appear that Virginia Tech would have the edge on paper, especially if Fuller ends up at corner, but it’s hard to say how much. Starting a true freshman in the opener isn’t typically a move any coach wants to make. How much Jeremy Moore, Jeff Greene and their cohorts can work free to open up the passing game will be a factor, as will how well they can block to clear paths in the running game.
2. I’ve noticed a lot of handwringing about the B-back spot, with David Sims still apparently returning to full health and questions about how ready Zach Laskey, Broderick Snoddy or Charles Perkins will be to handle the load if Sims can’t. It’s a reasonable concern, although coaches have applauded Laskey and Snoddy in particular over the preseason. It sounds like Laskey has done the right things, play fast through the mesh and running hard.
It might be worth pointing out that Virginia Tech has some of the same issues. Michael Holmes, the likely starter at running back, is a redshirt freshman. His backup, J.C. Coleman, is a true freshman and the No. 3, Martin Scales, is a converted fullback who has mostly played special teams. Further, they’ll be playing behind an offensive line that’s considerably less experienced than Georgia Tech’s.
3. I had a note last night about Paul Johnson conceding the unlikelihood of playing in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff game in the future because Tech will have 10 games locked in, only half of which will be home games. To get to seven home games, which is fairly standard, Tech would obviously need the two remaining non-conference games to be played at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Johnson dismissed playing in the game as “not a big deal to us” because of Tech’s location in Atlanta. However, the game brings national exposure, which has obvious value for recruiting. Tech had actually agreed to play USC in last year’s kickoff game before USC’s new athletic director (Pat Haden) put the plan on ice. The national platform is one benefit of Georgia Tech playing in Blacksburg on Monday. For teams coming to play in Atlanta, there’s the added advantage of playing in the heart of the state’s fertile recruiting grounds. Georgia Tech, in fact, will play against a Hokie (split end Christian Reeves from McDonough) who was influenced by Virginia Tech’s appearance in the 2009 kickoff game.
That said, adding another top-flight opponent and giving up a home game is a pretty big ask for Tech. I imagine the ACC moving to a nine-game schedule will make it tougher for the Chick-fil-A Bowl folks to bring ACC teams to the kickoff game, particularly Clemson and Florida State, who are in the same boat as Tech with annual games against South Carolina and Florida.
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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
200 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
3:25 pm
@ 909…..regardless of that, Lex is a decent guy. Cut him some slack
Ken Sugiura
August 28th, 2012
3:27 pm
chas_jacket – i think jamal golden would start at safety and maybe Domonique Noble would be the No. 3 corner.
collegeballfan
August 28th, 2012
3:29 pm
I do not believe Georgia Tech recruits the same level player as Virginia Tech. That should give VT the edge.
But the game must be played. And in these early games execution can determine the winner.
“Go Jackets!” not “Go Tech” for this game.
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS
August 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
8/28/2012 Success Tip 6: Remember the Basics Offense: 1. Possession is everything. Hold on to the ball. Don’t give it up until you reach the endzone and hand it to the official. 2. A great run and catch begins and ends with the ball secured away. 3. It’s only 10 yards. When in doubt get 10. 4. Believe in each other and never give less than your all for each other every play. 5. Commit as a unit to do what others don’t want to do so, you can achieve everything they only hoped to achieve. 6. A coach calls the play you have to execute it. 7. This is the most exciting offense in D 1 football. You know it we know it. But until you show it it remains a secret. The work of champions aren’t secrets. 8. Learn from your mistakes from play to play not game to game. Wins and Loses are recorded when the clock strikes 00:00. You have to grow up quickly in this game. 9. Take a breath and never forget it when game time arrives, after all of your preparation and pre-game hype. It’s Football. Block better, catch better, hold the ball better, tackle better and want it more and your win column will reflect your efforts better. 10. Just put the ball in the endzone, by any means necessary. Defense tomorrow.
chas_jacket
August 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
Thanks – have heard great things about Golden, but it would be a tough place for his first start.
George Stein
August 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
I agree that the scheduling is understandable. It’s also one of those things that no one is ever happy with. The solution is for pollsters to reward effort in scheduling. It’s impossible to predict what a team will look like five or ten years in advance, so focusing on the current state of the team is unfair.
Ultimately, as long as teams feel rewarded for scheduling weak OOC competition, they will keep doing so.
I hope you enjoy your last weekend with Mrs. AJCGATech, Ken. November is a long way away!
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
3:36 pm
FORMATION 4 SUCCESS….You are giving the guys good, sound advice. They, hopefully, take it to heart. If they read the blogs.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
3:40 pm
Hey guys. Cut Ken a little slack. CPJ ain’t gonna tell anymore than he wants Beamer to know. If stuff got in the paper, it would find it’s way back to Beamer.
The New ACC
August 28th, 2012
3:43 pm
As a GA Tech fan, I woundn’t really care if we did not schedule UGA every year. That game has become meaningless whether we win or lose.
As far as area “bragging rights” I would like to see a rotation of UGA, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Auburn.
Oh That Guy
August 28th, 2012
3:51 pm
Have seen a lot of people saying that Logan Thomas was their entire team vs us last year. If you guys look at the stats you would realize that David Wilson carried the ball 23 times for 175 yards. That is a big hole to fill. I don’t care how big or good LT is, he can’t do that by himself.
DawginLex
August 28th, 2012
3:56 pm
I’ll pass GTbob.
Why don’t you and I make a pact to post football related comments only on the blogs like I do here?
That would require a huge behavior change for you but as a former TECH TROLL, I have confidence that you can change your ways
chas_jacket
August 28th, 2012
4:05 pm
1 4 GT – point taken, but it was PJ who gave the relatively negative comment on Holten – so I’m sure Beamer is aware of the situation
www
August 28th, 2012
4:08 pm
ken, yep, i read the article, i just don’t see how the point about georgia tech ever appearing in the chic-fil-a challenge is relevant to anyone but wne at this point in the year. thanks for the response, however.
Run that Rock
August 28th, 2012
4:14 pm
If we can run it—-which we know we can———we can throw it——to the receiver——-then catch it—-simple—–out score the team we play. One game at at time——-Gooooo Jackets!!
Brave Hokie
August 28th, 2012
4:19 pm
@dry dirt road
Are you 105 or 110 years old???
GTpack
August 28th, 2012
4:35 pm
The big key to stopping VT offense will be if our NT can penetrate and get to LT. This is Barnes chance to show whether he will ever be NFL caliber or not. So far it has looked like he doesn’t have the drive. I hope he is one of the biggest surprises of the game, but he will have to show us. Give LT time and he is going to hit receivers, need to keep pressure on him all day every play.
The key for our offense is to hang on to the ball. I like the O we run and the players, they can score if they don’t shoot themselves in the foot.
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
4:36 pm
Why don’t you and I make a pact to post football related comments only on the blogs like I do here?
I haven’t been trolling today. I know its only one day but its a start.
Michael Veli
August 28th, 2012
4:40 pm
Welcome Lex, be blessed!
Golden White
August 28th, 2012
4:47 pm
Perhaps Georgia Tech’s most glaring weakness, or at least area of inexperience, is wide receiver. None of Tech’s receivers has played significant snaps there or has a catch,
You say this like it’s a bad thing. I will take this over Stephen Hill starting for GT on Labor Day or any other day.
big gt fan
August 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
I would rather see a coach put pressure on the qb sometime rather than one who never does. I agree bring back Teneuta
why not
August 28th, 2012
5:18 pm
got to disagree with Supersize, Tenuta was very effective at GT..wish he were back…wish he and CPJ would have stayed together..
why not
August 28th, 2012
5:21 pm
to The New ACC, I like your idea. Would love to play Auburn, Bama, SC and rotate
Jorge O'leary
August 28th, 2012
5:23 pm
Paul Johnson can be my offensive coordinater if I can recruit a steroid ridden Nebraska type O’line. Forward passes are risky…
headley lamar
August 28th, 2012
5:27 pm
I see supersize is still spouting his nonsense.
He has Tech going 11-1 this year.
With the one loss to Clemson.
Anybody else that delusional a Tech fan
Or is it just him ?
Jacket Detective
August 28th, 2012
5:28 pm
@Golden White.
I would much prefer Stephen Hill.
However I can see why he turned pro early with the fans we have ready to get on any WR about drops.
Not to mention the better pay.
headley lamar
August 28th, 2012
5:29 pm
Supersize’s prediction for the season.
@ Headless…..that was actually a fairly intelligent post for you. I don’t agree with your results, but that’s beside the point; it’s still a decent assessment. This, however, is my rundown on the season —
Va Tech (toss-up, but very likely GT win)
Blue Hose (Win)
UVA (Win)
Miami (DEFINITE WIN)
MTSU (Win)
Clemson (probable loss, but Tech does have their number)
BC (Win)
BYU (Win)
Maryland (Win)
UNC (Probably win by Tech, but I will never forget 1990)
Duke (Win)
UGA (WIN, but close)
Bowl (Depends on the opponent—hopefully a win)
Jacket Detective
August 28th, 2012
5:31 pm
@headley lamar.
I have us both going undefeated (except for the archrival game of course) and meeting again for the national championship.
The one who wins the first one loses the 2nd one.
I call that theory of mine, double kooliad.
Jacket Detective
August 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
Both fan bases will know a lot more after our game with VT and Uga’s with Missouri.
Missouri could be a pretty tough place to play.
headley lamar
August 28th, 2012
5:36 pm
Missouri could be a pretty tough place to play.
Yes their stadium seats about 40,000
UGA doesn’t see anything like that in SEC play.
Gonna be tough.
BLT
August 28th, 2012
5:42 pm
Really nothing football related from you Headley. Just your usual hate and attacks on Supersize. How will the Troy Trojans do this year? I think UGA and Troy may be co-MNCs!
GIVE ME A BREAK
August 28th, 2012
5:46 pm
I’m looking for the improvement on special teams and strength and conditioning to pick the whole team up. I don’t agree that the defense was that bad. Offensive stalls have to be eliminated. Very excited about getting this started. ” LET’S CRANK IT UP JACKETS “
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
5:47 pm
Yes their stadium seats about 40,000
Wow, at least do some research before you post. Their stadium seats 71k and their record attendance is 75k. There will surely be over 70k at the UGA game.
BLT
August 28th, 2012
5:47 pm
I guess you plan to post that on every blog Headley and then proceed to trash Tech. Great plan! I’m glad you have at least one plan.
Why don’t you post on the dog blogs? Or do you use a “dawg” handle there? I think the term is “tool”.
Maybe you should switch to “dawgtool”? What say you?
GTBob
August 28th, 2012
5:49 pm
to The New ACC, I like your idea. Would love to play Auburn, Bama, SC and rotate
I would like this also honestly. With UGA on the schedule and a 9 game ACC schedule we are pretty much going to be playing the same teams every year with very few differences. That will probably get old.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
6:04 pm
I would be much opposed to dropping Georgie & only playing them about every 4-5 years. NONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rotate each SEC team in every year would be great!! ND or USCw or whoever rotated in too!!
230gr Full Metal Jacket
August 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
Drop UGA?? Absolutely NO way!!!! But I would like to see us scheduling Bama, Auburn, Tennessee, and South Carolina as our other OOC game on a 2-year rotation. Or if we need a pansy game in the schedule put in Kentucky, Vandy, Ole Miss, or Mississippi State.
And why would anyone give DawginLex a hard time? He’s one of the good guys, despite his tendency to wear red and black. I welcome INTELLIGENT folks who can talk football without getting in a mud-slinging contest every time (unlike Dawgfan, Okiedawg, and the majority of other dwags). DawginLex is one of those. You may disagree with him, but he does use some logic at least, rather than the usual “We’re 10-1!! We run this cesspool” garbage. Most of his posts are well thought out and rational, even if you disagree with his conclussions. Those kinds of dawgs will always be welcome here!!! Trolls, regardless of who they claim affiliation with, are not welcome ANYWHERE!
beezit
August 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
Wow..!!…three of ‘em..!!..
1. spending a lot of time on GT receiver matchups in a pass last offense..??….surely there is something better you can spend your time on…
2. well…
3. what does this have to do with the game..??…nothing, I think…
keep up the good work
August 28th, 2012
6:45 pm
T.J. Barnes is fired up to crush the pocket.
WnE
August 28th, 2012
6:52 pm
re:
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
3:23 pm
I think when all is said and done, Grantham will be to UGA like Tenuta is to Tech. Some fans will go to their graves thinking he was the greatest D-coach ever, while the more objective will see the flaws and be glad he is gone.
____________
I sure wish GT could have a “flawed” top-10 defense that had to play in the toughest conference in the country.
It is sometimes amazing to see the criticisms that come from GT fans given the state of our FB program.
atlxmen
August 28th, 2012
7:07 pm
tech will get more than 200 yards but if their ypc is over 3 and 1/2 i would be shocked.
tech will have trouble again stopping the big qb for va tech and va techs defense will have no problem with the high school offense…tech loses by 10 or more
gt4ever
August 28th, 2012
7:11 pm
Johnson dismissed playing in the game as “not a big deal to us” because of Tech’s location in Atlanta. However, the game brings national exposure, which has obvious value for recruiting. Tech had actually agreed to play USC in last year’s kickoff game before USC’s new athletic director (Pat Haden) put the plan on ice.
That is probably the most IGNORANT statement I have heard lately from this coach… Johnson dismissed it because he can’t play another MTSU or Presbyterian… Good Grief Coach, do you even think before you talk….
superDawg
August 28th, 2012
7:14 pm
ss thinks that the UGA defense is weak.He must not keep up with GEORGIA FOOTBALL.Last year UGA was the #5 defense in the country.This year they are projected to rank higher.Good luck supersize you will need it fool.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:19 pm
You have to admit Georgie had a good defense in 2011. Until you look at their schedule. They played 2 ranked teams their first 2 games. Which they lost. Boise State & USCe. Then they played 10 fairly easy games against, I’m fairly certain of this, unranked at best bad to mediocre teams. And yes, sad to say, I include GT in that. How could I not, given their record after all was said & done?? Georgie won those 10 straight games and the defense was ranked in the top 5 in the land. Then they played 2 ranked teams. One of which was #1 LSU in the SECCG. Then Georgie played Mich State in their bowl game. They also finished the season ranked in the top 25. Georgie lost both of those games. Georgie finished the season 10 & 4—-not too bad. Let me summarize. Georgie played 4 top 25 teams & lost. Georgie played 10 bad to mediocre teams and won. They built a good looking defensive ranking against bad to mediocre teams which absolutely everybody gushed about. I don’t deny they had some good players on defense. But they could not beat the good teams with their high ranking “vaunted” defense. If I was going to brag about that, I would have to do so tongue in cheek. Just saying!!
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
7:28 pm
I love it how all you ignorant mutt trolls think UGA actually played anybody last year in getting that #5 defense. Compared to USC, Bama, and LSU, UGA’s defense was mediocre at best.
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:30 pm
Tell ‘em SS!!!
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:30 pm
I figure you have been busy with reunion affairs.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
7:31 pm
@ 1 4 GT……I repeat what I said earlier too. Grantham is a loose cannon who will bring embarrassment to the dwags before all is said and done. He’s already got two strikes against him in the “choke” against Florida 2 years ago, and the school-yard rumble with Vandy last year.
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
7:32 pm
@ 1 4 GT……it’s all over now and was terrific. I WAS tied up with that all last week though
1 4 GT
August 28th, 2012
7:33 pm
SS….you were missed!! LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
August 28th, 2012
7:36 pm
Hell, even a decidedly inferior Tech team last year still piled on 467 yards on UGA’s vaunted defense. We just couldn’t go all the way down the field when it counted. And obviously the Tech defense couldn’t stop the dwag offense in the second half.