Live blog: Georgia Tech-Middle Tennessee State
Is there a hangover?
Georgia Tech has more margin for error against Middle Tennessee State than it would against an ACC opponent, but not so much that it can sleepwalk through Bobby Dodd Stadium and count on winning. A week after a crushing loss to Miami, the Yellow Jackets can show they’ve put it behind them and are ready to play their final eight regular-season games with a dominating effort against MTSU. A-back Orwin Smith said the team has finished its moping and is moving forward.
How does the defense handle the Blue Raiders?
After Miami played the Tech defense like a fiddle, the Jackets will play an offense of a different stripe. The Blue Raiders operate a spread offense that stretches defenses sideline to sideline. They also work without a huddle, which Miami used to give the Jackets problems last week. With MTSU quarterback Logan Kilgore often throwing short routes, it may be difficult for Tech to pressure him, so effective coverage and good tackling will be essential.
Will the backups get playing time?
Given that Tech was a 27.5-point favorite on Thursday and has beaten MTSU by a combined 56 points in the past two seasons, there is some expectation that the Jackets will win, and possibly handily. Should that prove to be the case, coach Paul Johnson will have the opportunity to stretch the legs of some second- and third-teamers for possibly the last time this season. Defensive linemen Anthony Williams and Adam Gotsis, inside linebacker Anthony Harrell, quarterback Vad Lee and guard Trey Braun could make cases for more playing time.
A win for Georgia Tech would …
Improve its record against teams with “Blue” in their nickname (Duke Blue Devils, Presbyterian Blue Hose and MTSU Blue Raiders) to 55-30-1.
A win for Middle Tennessee State would …
Be the third win this season for a Sun Belt Conference team against a BCS conference team (Louisiana-Monroe over Arkansas, Western Kentucky over Kentucky).
Matchup to watch
MTSU wide receiver Anthony Amos vs. Tech cornerback Rod Sweeting
Amos, a former walk-on, has caught 21 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns in three games this season. He was added to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver. Sweeting had a tough game against the Hurricanes and will have another challenge when lined up across from Amos.
The history book
Series record: Georgia Tech leads 2-0
Last meeting: Last September in Murfreesboro, Tenn., the Jackets scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 73-yard touchdown pass to Tony Zenon and led 28-0 in the second quarter on their way to a 49-21 win. Quarterback Tevin Washington completed five of eight passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns.
Tweet of the week
If Tech loses I’m transferring
@yaboynewt
Newt Clark, Tech student
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774 comments Add your comment
MORGANTECH
September 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
that might be the ball game
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
Speaking of crimes. Your receiver just got robbed. The ball just stolen from him.
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
Receiver had to wait on that one. I’m telling you–again–you have GOT to have a passing game to succeed consistently with this offense.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
The wramblin wreck……so very appropriate
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
Announcer says, “Washington just a little late throwing.” Ya think? Always has been.
Why Am I still Watching This
September 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
I’m just curious to know how bad Washington has to play before Johnson will put Vlad in? It’s like he is too stubborn to admit that changing the QB might inject some life in the offense and do something positive.
Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:51 pm
Paul Johnson has got to go….. Simple
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
I wonder if it is to late for us to join the Sun Belt Conferrence
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA
Now that’s the UGA reply I am used to.
By the way which School has the most National Championships?
Which team has the most recent one?
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
Maybe someday Tech will be as good as FSU or VaTech.
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
hmmm, i guess if you can’t fumble it away, might as well throw it to’em…reggie ball attack!!!
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
You know GA bloggers, I have really pulled for UGA with Richt. But you idiots make it really hard. Go to your crack gate errr tail gate party and hope you beat a pathetic TN team. THWG
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
I think GSU may be able to beat Tech.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
This offense does not work…will not work in d1…..period. Is mtsu d1
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
kerryb Or UGA will actually win a SEC Championship game!
Why Am I still Watching This
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
The AD had to facepalm on that one. MTSU saw that Tech’s defense wasn’t even on the field and ran up and in for a TD. Tech’s D was still running onto the field when the play was already snapped.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:52 pm
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:50 pm
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA
Now that’s the UGA reply I am used to.
By the way which School has the most National Championships?
Which team has the most recent one?
__________________________________________________________________
Which team sucks the most right now.
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:54 pm
kerryb Which says a lot about your degree
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:54 pm
Defense confused, late substituting, out of position. Nice job, coach.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
2:54 pm
Split champions are not champions
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:54 pm
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:53 pm
kerryb Or UGA will actually win a SEC Championship game!
________________________________________________________
We’ve won 2. Do you have old timers disease?
Paul Johnson
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Don’t blame me, blame the offense
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
2:36 pm
In order to get some good athletes, we DO have to think outside the box at Tech. I suggest a June Jones, Mike Leach type who slings it all over the field and that will hire a GOOD, YOUNG, up and coming def co-ord.
___________________
Too logical. Thus, it won’t happen.
GT 65
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Got to tip my hat to MT Coaches and Team they kicked our a@@.
Coach Johnson is on his way out. Maybe Drads with him.
fun to watch tech fans
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
LOL OMG GO RAIDERS
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Yet ANOTHER underthrown ball. Darn WR was wide open, running away from the DB, and TW serverly underthrows the pass resulting in an INT. Stronger arm and it’s 35 all.
Instead it’s either going to be 38-28 or 42-28.
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Anyone wanna buy some tickets for the rest of the home games?
Good seats!
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
32 years and counting kerryb.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
Well this game is over and my job is done! GT sucks and we all knew it. Time to watch some real football! Dawgs over Tennessee. Goodbye Gnats! See ya in November!
One olde jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:55 pm
when does the UGAG – UT start? be glad to get trash out off here
better order my pizza quick though, need them to get it here
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
kerryb Again check your history on GT
I know it’s a task.
Why Am I still Watching This
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
Which team sucks the most right now.
____________________________________________________
Doesn’t matter if GT suck when you’re comparing yourself to Alabama and saying your on their level. I think if you two actually played it would be a multiple TD victory for Alabama.
doiknowu
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
Wow…I’m still giddy.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
Which team hasn’t won a bowl game this decade?
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
When was the last time Tech won a unanimous National Championship?
shamire devine
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
I wonder if its to late to switch my commitment to uga
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
I sure hope CPJ puts Tevin Ball back in there !!!
BUD CARSON
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
Looks like PJ has lost the team. What a nightmare. Don’t worry about the Hewit thing happening, football drives all the sports and an empty stadium will cause DR to move fairly quick. Someone needs to talk to Todd Spencer about real deal going on at Tech? Tech has had internal problems now for 2 years.
JC
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
I think MT has more fans at the game than us
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
SMH . . . .
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
Groh in booth has thousand yard stare. He is out of it.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
How many more months before coollege baseball starts ???
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:37 pm
MERCY RULE from UGA Anyone can recruit a bunch of convicts and dope smokers. We recruits law-abiding students.
Maybe UGA should try it sometime.
______________________
You want a football team–or law-abiding students? Can’t have both.
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:57 pm
That would be 4 for GT!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_Tech_Yellow_Jackets_football#National_championships
GT 65
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
@ 2:53 well said.
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
Please GT . . . don’t give MTSU the satisfaction of pulling this one out on ACC home turf!!!
Glory Between the Hedges
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
Tech fans , don’t be mad at UGA fans. Your the one getting it in the rear by the mighty middle tennessee state raiders…LMAO!!!!!
Ol'JacketFan
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
I want to see 50 by the Blue Raiders!!!!!!!!!!! If GROH could grow a pair he’d resign effective yesterday, what a pathetic display!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dawg4life
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
MTSU??? Really??? C’mon Man! You guys are better than that!
Ryan
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
Really? More margin for error? LOL
How’s that win total for u super moron?
Again wne is the only one on here who’s made any sense over the past 2 years. Losers.