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
Ol'JacketFan
September 10th, 2012
9:53 pm
Gr8 he LBs are looking more and more as as good a group as Tech has had. They have good size, plus speed and all of them seem to enjoy bringing the hits. If Tech can all the secondary folks back this D have a lot of potential to be a good one.
dry dirt road
September 10th, 2012
9:55 pm
Re: GT Fan’s comment about VT- I looked at the game on cable tv early this Monday morning. It was the last 44 seconds. VT had the possession, and Tech rushed only 4 guys. This is not a blitz. Tech rushed 4 guys each year I was at Tech in the early 70’s. They were all dls, so no blitz, just a dl rush. Then VT ran 2 or 3 plays for not much gain, thanks to Tech’s D LBs and secondary, and then VT ran a long pass that Tech blitzed with 5 guys. That particular blitz was weak, and illustrated a tired Tech D. VT got in Field goal range and kicked one. So what Tech needs to try is a six man blitz in the clutch, when it counts, to overcome fatigue of the five man blitz in OT, not to mention the four man Overtime “blitz,” which really wasn’t a mobile DB blitz such as a safety blitz. Tech’s blitzes rattled VT if Tech wasn’t tired, such as at the first of the game. Tech’s efficiency curve in OT on D was too low to win the game with the ineffective blitz performance.
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 10th, 2012
10:01 pm
fuzzy – my memory isn’t so great but even though we had some serious lapses in last year’s game, I recall it being a very competitive game and fun to watch for most of it but the finish was rather weak…unless you’re a Cavs fan of course. We had our chances but weren’t up to the challenge. I obviously need to see a W this week to erase that memory.
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
10:04 pm
Anthony Allen getting carries tonight
FL Jacket
September 10th, 2012
10:06 pm
Getting handoffs from Tyrod Taylor no less…ironic
Ol'JacketFan
September 10th, 2012
10:07 pm
@FLJ how ironic is that! LOL!
Gr8 2B aFuzzyB
September 10th, 2012
10:07 pm
I’m with you OJF. Lots of potential on D, especially if we can get healthy. If the D can be consistent, that takes the pressure off the offense. Scoring every time you touch it is great but nothing’s wrong with playing field position especially if your D is stout.
Ol'JacketFan
September 10th, 2012
10:09 pm
But the one I love is Stafford to Johnson!
Ol'JacketFan
September 10th, 2012
10:11 pm
Gr8 I’ve been hoping and praying to have a D that is top 20-25. With just a smidgen more D this could be a program that other teams just don’t want to play. Preparing for the spread option is tough enough add to that a D that can keep the score in a reasonable range you have the recipe for some fun Tech football.
yeller bug
September 10th, 2012
10:35 pm
Don’t forget Special Teams—we did block a FG. Nothing special so far on punt or KO returns—been a little nervous with our new punt formation–VT got close twice on blocking one—I like the 3 blocker formation that most teams use—our new formation seems a bit risky. Maybe have Snoddy return KOs. We haven’t returned a KO for a TD since 1998—be nice to break that drought.
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
10:37 pm
OJF….anybody not in agreement with your last statement just doesn’t know much football.
www
September 10th, 2012
10:46 pm
gtjoe, take your bs troll act somewhere else, brah.
or find something useful to do with your life, maybe? you know, take accountability for being an internet loser…
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
10:47 pm
gtjoe=gt1990
Ol'JacketFan
September 10th, 2012
11:05 pm
1 4 I’m just a fan but I have paid attention to the game over the years
1 4 GT
September 10th, 2012
11:25 pm
OJF….try about 60 years of paying “attention” for me. I absolutely love football & GT.
P B Orr
September 11th, 2012
5:21 am
Who cares? That’s not Tech – in those stupid uniforms? I went to Tech and I’m punting on them. Go Dawgs. At least they look like a football team.
tooltime432
September 11th, 2012
8:48 am
I agree Bostic has looked dangerous when he has had the ball. I also agree with the people that said the B back is the problem. Its hard two run the triple option when the b back dive isn’t an option. When I got home from the game, I watched it on ESPN 3 again on Sunday and it really surprised me how small Zenon looked standing next to Vad Lee and everybody else. It was kind of funny. Hes one shifty dude though.
ACC Football Daily Links — Wake Forest Hit on UNC’s Bryn Renner Brings Safety Into Forefront Again | Atlantic Coast Convos
September 11th, 2012
9:01 am
[...] Will Tech Be Ready For Virginia Power Game? (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) [...]
Shut the front door
September 11th, 2012
9:36 am
I’m worried about this defense……why else would they give Sweeting a new number, (from 6 to 40)? Walls ATE his lunch the last two drives the Hokies had.If we can stop the run, like we COULD NOT last year, we gots us a chance.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 11th, 2012
9:37 am
@ P B Orr…….anybody who claims to have gone to Tech and yet says “Go Dawgs” is not anybody we want for a fan. Enjoy being stupid?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 11th, 2012
9:40 am
@ Shut the front door……you are obviously not much of a Tech fan either. They are rotating the number 40 amongst the entire team throughout the year in honor of Julian Burnett. That was announced 3 weeks ago and pretty well covered on these blogs. Each week, somebody different will be wearing the number 40
JacketsWIN
September 11th, 2012
9:44 am
We will Win. (WWW)
Paddy
September 11th, 2012
9:48 am
tooltimeand everybody else……without the threat of the B back churning up yards, Tech must rely more on the passing game If you can’t keep the defence honest, your offense is always stuck in 2nd gear. The otherwise slight movements of lb’s and db’s that make CPJ offense so great is now not so great Fear the B back and you have a chance to be in every game right up to the end w/ a good chance to win.
Old Gold
September 11th, 2012
9:56 am
Laskey rushes for over 100 yards by halftime and GT fans complain and cry about him not being the answer at BB. Although it was against Presby….. last year GT didn’t get 100 yards out of a BB until Preston Lyons did it in the bowl game. The sky is always falling on GT fans.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
10:29 am
I’m back. I’m not a troll. Time to open your eyes 1 4, FL Jacket, www, TWFan.
This is a game of results, not emotion. TW has a 2-6 record in his last 8 BCS conf. opponents. 5-9 against BCS teams not named Duke.
B Back position failure is NOT lack of talent. It’s lack of a decent QB to take pressure off the B back. Perkins was 5A all-star team RB, FYI. We have talent there, just can’t run it because the defense isn’t scared of Tevin running or throwing. IN fact, they PREFER Tevin running/throwing. Things would be different with Vad.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
10:34 am
Old Gold: Laskey is good, he should be starter imho.
Flounder
September 11th, 2012
10:47 am
Today I remember all those who tragically lost their lives on 9/11 with a heavy heart.
On Saturday, I will remember Scott Sisson with a joyful heart.
Flounder
September 11th, 2012
10:50 am
… and William Bell too!
Grinch
September 11th, 2012
11:25 am
We can all gripe and complain, but CPJ will start who he pleases and when. He’s the HC. CPJ doesn’t read the media articles and couldn’t be more stubborn. Let’s all get pissed off with one another b/c we don’t get what we want or have a differing opinion. That’s the spirit!!!
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
11:36 am
Yes Grinch, CPJ is stubborn, but he has shown flexibility:
1. Hiring Groh and basically handing over half the team to him with very little micromanaging. Not easy for a guy like CPJ.
2. Hiring a special teams coach after defending his decision Not to for years.
3. Introducing the pistol this year.
So I’m hoping he does one more thing to show his flexibility:
4. Start Vad Lee, even though he doesn’t run the option at 100% perfection. His athleticism can make up for mistakes, something that TW can’t do.
anti4baldheadedyankees
September 11th, 2012
12:07 pm
Hey Max, how is it that Isaiah Johnson missea tackle, didn’t wrap up and it’s Al Groh’s fault? I’m sure these guy’s know how too tackle. It’s not Johnson’s fault we lost either;never does one man, one player, one coach, one play, one official make a difference. Our wide recievers did not block, they will get better. Our B-Backs did not block, they will get better. It is execution, not the triple option fault. Make a play or 2 here and there, we win nobodody wants too fire Al Groh or Paul Johnson or hire James Franklin who just lost to Nortwestern. Some of our blogchair coaches would even talk of National Championships. Blogs are dangerous!
Vulture
September 11th, 2012
12:10 pm
“Will Tech be ready for Virginia power game?”
Excluding depth, I am quietly confident that the defense is becoming a point of pride. Tevin does fluctuate a lot for a senior. Looking forward to having a star option qb.
Jmonty
September 11th, 2012
12:34 pm
I guess I fail to understand why so much focus is put on TW. You guys do realize that if the “D” could have stopped VT from scoring with 44 seconds left, none of this would be an issue? I still lay blame on “no show” Groh and the lack of coaching. It will be interesting to see how the “D” does against a somewhat decent football team.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
12:59 pm
Jmonty: playing the “if” game is impossible. I could easily say, “IF vad was playing, we would have been up more than 3 points with 44 seconds to go.” But here is what we do know: TW made the worst possible mistake at the worst possible time. A mistake that cost us the game. Even Jeremiah’s punch didn’t cost us the game. I can’t remember a worse mistake than that. So the focus should be on TW.
And don’t just look at 1 game; look at his performance as starter. 5-9 vs. BCS conf. teams not named Duke.
Shouldn’t the focus be on TW?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 11th, 2012
1:02 pm
@ GT Joe………quite the contrary……as bad as TW’s mistake was, even had he not made it, we still might (and probably would have) lost. By far the biggest mistake of the game was not stopping VT a single down during that 44 seconds.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
1:09 pm
Supersize: biggest mistake was not stopping VT with 44 seconds left? Uh no. Despite that mistake, we still had a chance to win in OT.
After TW’s mistake, we had no chance to win. It might as well have been game over right then.
When a mistake COSTS you the game, it’s the worst possible mistake. There is nothing worse. Another example: Tevin’s interception to end the VT game in 2010. Threw a wobbly duck into double coverage. Game over.
Frustrated Jacket
September 11th, 2012
1:18 pm
I’m finding the Reggie, Tevin comparisons quite interesting because in essence the two are nothing alike. Reggie was a far more gifted athlete with a sporadic work ethic and an equally hit or miss personality. Tevin is a humble kid, willing to put in the effort on and off the field but lacks the intangible luster that is so apparent in a playmaker. So why compare the two at all? I think there is a common denominator here. One thing is true of both players that conjures fear in fans and that is trust. Anytime either of them took/take the field you have an overwhelming sense of not knowing what to expect. That doesn’t breed a lot of confidence when your talking about your QB. With Reggie it was often the feeling of please don’t lose the game. With Tevin it’s a sense of does he have enough to win the game. The answer to both instances was often a negative and consistently enough that ultimately the fanbase has lost confidence. Thus the weighing of apples and oranges here. Do I think that Vad Lee is a 100% up to speed so that he can wield this team as his own? No. Do I think that he is close enough to begin to trust him? Yes. In fact, in a somewhat weird analogy, he is kind of a marriage of both RB and TW. Superior athletic ability with (from what I’ve heard) a strong work ethic. I’m not positive that this will play out as any of us hope, one way or the other but at some point this season I do believe CPJ has to give VL the reigns win or lose. Admiration and personal attributes will serve TW far beyond his days on the flats but at some point limited athletic ability will have to give way to someone who simply possesses the God given intangibles that he does not. So, it’s not kicking TW to the curb but simply giving him thanks for giving it his all while aspiring to loftier goals for the good of the team. I think TW would agree with that as much as anyone. He’s a good kid and apparent team player.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
1:46 pm
I’ll agree with you, Frustrated Jacket. Two totally different personalities, but they are alike in this way: they both can find a way to lose.
Vad either can find a way to lose, or find a way to win (like Josh, Joe Ham, etc.). So to me, there’s no downside going with Vad.
Poll: would you rather have an 8 win season with Vad or a 9 win season with TW?
Supersize that order, mutt
September 11th, 2012
1:57 pm
@ GT Joe…..I would take a 9-win season with anybody at QB, even you. LOL
Frustrated Jacket
September 11th, 2012
1:57 pm
That’s pretty easy for me. If I was guaranteed 8 wins with Lee it’s an easy choice because the upside is so much greater. Whereas Tevin is playing at 80-90% of his max potential you get the feeling that we’re just beginning to scrape the surface of what Lee can do.
GT Joe
September 11th, 2012
2:10 pm
I’m taking 8 games with Vad to set up next year and 2014 and 2015 and 2016.
juvenal
September 11th, 2012
2:13 pm
only way Vad gets the job is if he gets it the same way Tev did, & i don’t wish that on anyone-somebody else gets the job next year, anyway…(who asked why Tev didn’t get more PT in garbage time in case something happened to Josh?)
GTFAN
September 11th, 2012
2:16 pm
Paul J is the most overrated coach in the game. He never takes accountability for his 2-8 record vs VT and UGA and his ) 0-5 record in bowls (all the games that count!!). Sick of the high school offense run by 2 and 3 star recruits.
Bring in George Godsey as head coach and Fridge as Offensive Coordinator.
Frustrated Jacket
September 11th, 2012
2:29 pm
Godsey as HC… Wow! Now there’s an idea I haven’t thought of. If nothing else it’d be interesting.
GTfan2012
September 11th, 2012
2:37 pm
Great quote on Stephen Hill:
“This guy is ahead of where most rookie receivers are,” Rex Ryan said.
Hmmm… so even though he played in an offense where he only caught 25 balls (although to be fair there we are lot of deep passes in there) he was still able to showcase his talent, get drafted high, and get where he needed to be to be an NFL starter in his first game as a rookie. I’d say GT did pretty well for him.
1 4 GT
September 11th, 2012
2:41 pm
Goose is way to inexperienced yet. Give a few more years under Belichick.
1 4 GT
September 11th, 2012
2:53 pm
not to….too
spider
September 11th, 2012
2:56 pm
LOCK OF THE WEEK, UVA and 10 points, bet the house, the wife, the kids and anything else you have.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 11th, 2012
2:57 pm
Fridge will probably never coach again, although I would LOVE it if he were still at Tech as QB coach
GTfan2012
September 11th, 2012
3:04 pm
Wisenhunt could be out of a job soon (although he did win in week 1). I’m not opposed to seeing him at GT, if we needed a coach. But I still think CPJ can lead us to several more ACC championships in the next 10 years. My ideal scenario has Wisenhunt replacing Al Groh, and then replacing CPJ in a few years