Will Tech be ready for Virginia power game?
Georgia Tech outside linebacker Brandon Watts didn’t need any review of game video to recall last year’s loss to Virginia.
“They just beat us up front,” Watts said following Tech’s win over Presbyterian Saturday. “They beat us on the edges, on the perimeter, just ran the ball right down our throat.”
In case you don’t remember as well as Watts does, a refresher. Tech went to Charlottesville with a 6-0 record and No. 12 ranking. In defensive coordinator Al Groh’s first professional return to his alma mater since his firing after the 2009 season, the Cavaliers trampled the Yellow Jackets with 272 rushing yards in a 24-21 upset.
Virginia controlled the ball for 10:59 of the fourth quarter, including the final 5:58. In that final period, the Cavaliers running game was so commanding that their fans expressed their dismay (to put it gently) every time quarterback Michael Rocco dropped back to pass.
“Those tall guys, once they get a hold of you, it was pretty hard for you to get off,” defensive end Izaan Cross said that day.
That brings us to this week and an opportunity for Tech to reveal how far it has come. The Jackets looked considerably better against Virginia Tech, holding the Hokies to 17 points and 302 yards in regulation. For whatever it’s worth, they dominated Presbyterian. A cynic could discount the performance against the Hokies with the argument that they’re not a very good offensive team this season. Tech’s defensive effort against the Blue Hose was considerable, but it was a poor-to-average FCS team. One could also point out that Virginia may not actually be that good, requiring the aid of a remarkably errant placekicker to beat Penn State at home on Saturday.
All that to say, Saturday’s date with Virginia should reveal far more about the state of the Tech defense than we’ve learned to date. The Virginia offensive line has three returning starters from the unit that controlled the Tech defense with stretch plays and tosses last year. Running back Perry Jones is back, too. Tech should expect to face plenty of power football from coach Mike London’s bunch.
Said Watts, “I think we’re better prepared this year. We’ve got a whole lot better players. We’ll be better.”
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216 comments Add your comment
gt4ever
September 10th, 2012
4:40 pm
@George
Take the points and Virginia…. Bet the House….. 10.5 points… Wow.
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:45 pm
No 1000 yard b back last year. Why? TW.
b back position output last year was worst ever in the CPJ era. Why? TW.
lousy b back output at VT. Why? TW.
Easy to game plan against us. Key on the A and B backs, make Tevin beat you.
ignition
September 10th, 2012
4:47 pm
Why is Obama being mentioned on a GT message board??
Vad should get snaps sparingly in the game, only giving him more time if GT gets a significant lead..
As far as the D is concerned I can only hope what we saw against VT is not an anomaly.. Barnes & Cross have the size to stuff the run, and combine that in conjunction with an athletic and sizable linebacking core should be able to stop the run effectively..
I hope..
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
4:49 pm
“No 1000 yard b back last year. Why? TW”
Had nothing to do with Sims getting hurt, did it? He averaged 5.2 yards per carry, so it wasn’t that he was getting stuffed of Tevin impacted him was it? The B-Back position combined accounted for 1,163 yards in 2011 so why don’t you get your facts straight before you say another incorrect thing about Tevin.
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:50 pm
ignition: why has TW earned the starting job? Is it the 5-9 record against BCS conf. teams not named Duke? Or is it the 2-6 record in his last 8 BCS conf. games that impresses you the most?
And do you actually think that Vad would do WORSE than this?
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:50 pm
FL: what fact did I not have straight?
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:51 pm
Hint: read my post carefully before responding.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
4:54 pm
GTJoe…why does your fact have relevam=nce to your point?
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:57 pm
Nice dodge. you lose.
tooltime432
September 10th, 2012
4:57 pm
Yeah bet it was TW’s fault Scott Blair missed the extra point against UGA too. I bet it was his fault we muffed thoses punts against Miami and Air Force too. I bet global warming was also Tevins fault sheesh. The kid has made plays and some gutsy ones at that. We can win with him right now. He is more than capable.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
4:57 pm
Spoken like a troll…
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
4:58 pm
Why is the fact relevant? Hint: reread the last sentence of that post.
Reading is fundamental.
tooltime432
September 10th, 2012
4:59 pm
Yes Vad could do worse.
tooltime432
September 10th, 2012
5:01 pm
Not sayin he would but he could. I seriously doubt Paul Johnson would not play the best QB. He’s starting to be on the hot seat. He sees all of the practices, not us. Why would he not play the best QB?
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
5:02 pm
tooltime: yeah, the UGA game wasnt his fault. He was 3-10 with 2 INTs. LOL.
Miami game, 6-12, but only 1 INT. Not bad!
Air Force: 5-13, 1 INT. LOL.
Yeah, let’s stick with him.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
5:03 pm
Still not relevant. B-Backs still average about 5.2 YPC…not related to Tevin at all…but hey you keep thinking that!
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
5:04 pm
tooltime: I’ll tell you why CPJ stays with Tevin: loyalty. And guess what, coaches DO make mistakes. And maybe CPJ is being stubborn too (news flash). And maybe CPJ is scared to go outside his “known Quantity”, TW.
GT Joe
September 10th, 2012
5:05 pm
FL: your ignorance is showing. bye.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
5:06 pm
“tooltime: yeah, the UGA game wasnt his fault. He was 3-10 with 2 INTs. LOL.”
MORON…he was taking about the 2010 game. Tha one he went 8-15, 101 yds, 1 INT…23 rush for 73 yards 2 TDs. And to further disprove your point…Anthony Allen (B-Back) 29 rushes 166 yards 1 TD.
Just go home and inform yourself before you troll…
tooltime432
September 10th, 2012
5:10 pm
Vad Lee is completing 33 percent of his passes this season as oppesed to Tevins 65 and you really want to play him? You can look at stats however you want to. I was also referencing the 2012 UGA game where he threw for over 100 and rushed for 2 TDs but whatever.
tooltime432
September 10th, 2012
5:11 pm
Thanks FL Jacket. And maybe his performance last year had something to do with UGAs relly beast D. Maybe…
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
5:12 pm
tooltime…man Vad Lee throws such a beautiful deep ball though!
MaconGTFan
September 10th, 2012
5:17 pm
@GT Joe Even though I agree with you on Vad starting over Tevin, low productivity at b-back is not Tevins fault. Its because of the drop off of talent there. Look at Dwyer and Allen when they were at that position. 1300 yards for three straight tears and then it’s Sims. Sims is the reason not Tevin. We have got to get someone in there that can pick up the slack Dwyer and Allen left there, cause Sims sure as hell can’t cut it.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
5:20 pm
Funny how GTJoe disappears the moment he realizes he isn’t even talking about the right YEAR in bashing Tevin…like the troll he is.
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
5:20 pm
gtjoe is likely gt1990
Ken Sugiura
September 10th, 2012
5:34 pm
thanks, Haynes. I’d never heard of that rule before. you are a remarkably commenter.
Paul in NH
September 10th, 2012
5:46 pm
wreckmaniac
September 10th, 2012
3:25 pm
If this team loses to Miami for the 4th time in a row, the entire team should resign. Miami is the worst team in the nation.
—-
Over-exaggerate much??? They aren’t even the worst team in the ACC
Supersize that order, mutt
September 10th, 2012
5:49 pm
WOW, Ken getting sarcastic. I love it. LOL
Get Real
September 10th, 2012
5:51 pm
@gtfan1951, GT cannot even sniff 10 wins this year and you know it. Please lighten up on the meds or put the crack pipe down. GT will have a difficult time just trying to beat VA. High school team…get it?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 10th, 2012
5:53 pm
Troll hard, Get Real. I’m sure you make your parent proud
GT1990
September 10th, 2012
5:56 pm
I can not believe that some of you are standing up for TW with his play on the field! Nothing personal aganist the guy but his play on the field sucks. GT JOE is correct. He doesn’t have the tools to be a great QB!
Supersize that order, mutt
September 10th, 2012
6:00 pm
@ GT1990……I don’t think many Tech fans would disagree with you on that, but the fact is that Vad doesn’t YET have the “tools” to be the STARTER
GT1990
September 10th, 2012
6:01 pm
Im still trying to figure out why CPJ didn’t play VL last year and have TW graduate in the spring. That’s where CPJ made a major mistake(other than hiring al groh). By the way Days at QB is a laughing joke and CPJ needs to move him to a permanent spot. I would say move him to D because he clearly has a problem holding on to the football. He is in the way at QB!
GT1990
September 10th, 2012
6:04 pm
VL brings more to the table than TW. If CPJ doesn’t be careful TW play might get him fired. CPJ needs to beat UGA this year or play them close atleast.It’s time for a change at the QB spot. TW has had his time to prove what he brings to the table. Time and time again aganist the REAL teams he lets us down.
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
6:04 pm
gt1990=gtjoe
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 10th, 2012
6:05 pm
I have been calling TW Tevin Ball since last year and in truth TW is not really as bad as I claim he just plays way to safe. Reggie ball was more talented than TW but was not a team player in my eyes. TW deserves to start until he is outplayed by another QB, but I am looking forward to Vad running the show!!!
yeller bug
September 10th, 2012
6:15 pm
I say platoon the QB spot—-TW the starter, Days is the QB for short yardage if he doesn’t fumble again, and VL periodically to introduce more passing, pistol formations. Keep’em fresh and motivated, ready to play and keep Ds guessing who to prepare against. CPJ isn’t going to give up the TO and TW runs it the most consistent. We do not have any great talent, but we do have some good players so let’s maximize their skills on the ball field.
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
How many times have we seen a coach try a platoon system for QB’s & seen it be truly successful?? Or NOT????
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 10th, 2012
6:20 pm
Im sorry but I would have to say Vad Lee is great talent. I know it was high school talent he played against but did you see some of the footage from his senior year in highschool. He can run and throw !!!
Get Real
September 10th, 2012
6:22 pm
@Supersize, I suppose that you meant ‘parents’ unless you only have one. I cannot wait to view the yearly beat-down that UGA will administer to your lowly high school team. Joke by the Coke. North Avenue Trade School….Ha!!!! UGA wins 49 – 13. Fear Jarvis!! Got it?
TWfan
September 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
I think GTJoe is a scorned ex of TW!!
LOL How else can you explain the obsession!
We get it, VL shows promise. But as someone else said … just a couple bad Saturdays from the RB comparisons! How about we let the team play ball! I’m sure they all want to win more than anyone. GO JACKETS!!
Personally I say Let TW pitch to SD (at A-Back) and then Days pass it long!!!! That’ll certainly confuse the defense! If we start mixing it up they wont know what to think when TW and SD are in at the same time.
Dont know if it would work but sure as heck would be exciting to see!
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
6:26 pm
Look guys….I look forward to a more talented QB too….be it Val Lee, Synjyn Days, Justin Thomas, Dennis Andrews or the kid from NJ committed for 2013….but CPJ will make that decision when he & his staff think the time is absolutely (as much as it can be) right. Not us “Monday morning wannabe coaches”.
Get Real
September 10th, 2012
6:26 pm
Vad Lee is a wuss and has only played in the lowly ACC. Make that boy play in the SEC and he will get his behind kicked. Just saying.
TWfan
September 10th, 2012
6:28 pm
@ Yeller Bug I agree with that! Lets use our entire arsenal!! We’ll need it all against the Clemsons and UGAs…
Nothing like rotation to keep them fresh and hungry! Plus it’d be a nightmare for opposing defenses!
Bobo
September 10th, 2012
6:29 pm
First of all, Virginia just looks really bad to me on offense. I mean really, really bad. Penn State is on par with Georgia Southern now, in terms of talent, and they struggled to put them away. In a sentence, “I hope so.” I’m not terribly impressed with Tech so far, but we should be able to be good enough to beat Virginia.
With that said….there are a lot of questions for Tech.
First….is the 3-4 REALLY what you want to run with no dominating D-linemen or linebackers? Why would you do that? You’re going to always cede 4 yards on most runs. Drummond may be a bad dude, but who knows what the next idiotic thing he will do is….he will probably get arrested for building a bomb next.
Second….Who wouldn’t rather win 6 games and see Synjyn Days or Vad Lee develop into a QB that could win 10 or 11 in a year or two, rather than continue trotting Washington out there, with his subpar arm and poor decision-making? He’s peaked as a D-1 athlete. He’s not getting any better. Move him to A-back and pull the plug on the QB position for him.
Third…who is going to run the ball on this team? They aren’t using Orwin Smith enough, Sims is hurt, and come on….Laskey is okay but he isn’t Jonathan Dwyer. We REALLY need a go to back and we don’t see to have him. Godhigh is tiny and nothing special. Bostic, to me, looks like he needs more touches, because he MAY be that guy in a year. Perkins seems to not care that much.
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
6:29 pm
TW pitches to SD laterals to DS passes to TW for a 75 yard TD!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
GT Lee
September 10th, 2012
6:30 pm
@Get Real…….don’t you have some butts to sniff and some nads to lick(not your own, of course, we know you’ve been neutered)?
JACK
September 10th, 2012
6:31 pm
If we have to lose..please don’t let it be to VA and Miami at home. No excuse…
Bobo
September 10th, 2012
6:32 pm
Get Real….If you are a UGA fan (which I presume you are), let’s get real about something else. No one else in the SEC is in the same stratosphere with Bama. UGA couldn’t possibly beat them and no one else can either. UGA may be ranked 7th, but they have NO chance of winning a national championship, the same as the last 31 years. No one can question the SEC’s dominance, but the UGA’s and Tennessees and South Carolinas talking trash are a bit like Steve Kerr and Stacey King bragging about being on the Bulls with Jordan, Pippen, and Kukoc. It wasn’t YOU that go the SEC the noteriety. It was almost 100% Bama, LSU, and Florida, with a little sprinkle of Auburn.
JACK
September 10th, 2012
6:33 pm
Ken, wihen will Sims be able to play? What is status of Orwin Smith? If ever we need these two back is this Saturday more than ever.