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
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
I guess I’ll turn it over to CBS now and watch a real football team represent the State of Georgia. This is too embarrassing to watch anymore.
P B Orr
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
We need to clean this fetid dungheap of a football program. And these stupid uniforms are a perfect mirror of this idiotic approach to football. I’m rooting for Georgia. I swear to God. Basically p___ on this joke of a program.
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:56 pm
When was the last time Tech won a unanimous National Championship?
Love the use of unanimous. When was the last UGA of any type. 1980
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
D RAD, CPJ, AL Groh. All three need to goooooooooo !!!
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
As a Dawg fan, I hate seeing GT getting beat by friggin MIDDLE Tennessee State. Sorry, but Al Groh needs needs to go hangout out with Willie Martinez… wherever the heck that is!
But CPJ has got to enlarge his territories! You CANNOT win with ONLY a suped up offense!
I feel for the Jacket fans. I know this hurts. We don’t necessarily have our game in the bag today either, but GT has some real issues they need to address.
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
I just tuned in halfway through the third quater and couldn’t believe my eyes . . . . what happened???
Bra
September 29th, 2012
2:59 pm
Yeah it’s all the defense’s falut. Two tevin turnovers. Pathetic offensive output. Both sides are terrible. 28 against middle tenn????
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Tech needs to be in a conference with Vandy, Duke, and some other Academic Institutions, not teams like UGA Ag Hill boys. I’d put Tech, Nwestern, Duke, Vandy, the service schools, and go at it.
T-time
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
So how many one and outs do we have now?
GT is a 4th rate high school team
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Nuff Said.
The Real Yellowjacket
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
kerryb
See you bye
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
2:40 pm
I smell another overtime loss coming. Ugghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
_______________________
That’s pretty optimistic. I don’t think Tech will get this one to OT.
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
thanks for the clarification dawglova. I’ve only encountered two types of people in the last 22 years that refuse to recognize the 90 NC. Dawg fans and colorado fans. That’s the same colorado that beat you guys a few years ago for their first win over an SEC team in like 18 years. But like the CBS announcer said when it was reported that UC fans were celebrating, “but it’s an 0-3 SEC team”.
Wardo
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
It is time to end this experiment with this high school defense. I want changes and I want them NOW! This is more than embarasing. I need a new coach with a new approach!
Glory Between the Hedges
September 29th, 2012
3:00 pm
Wow real yellow jacket…lol…You also have 4 people in attendance witnessing your embarressment.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:01 pm
Tevin Washington is back in ??? I’m through watching this teem until VAD LEE is Quarter Back !!!
Rock_Eagle
September 29th, 2012
3:01 pm
This team simply didn’t come to play. Disturbing signal that they have given up after the Miami loss. There’s major problems on The Flats. Pathetic.
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
Since the meltdown against Miami started with a 17 point lead, in not even a game and a half, Grohs defense has been outscored 65-28. This is the worst it’s been in a while boys.
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
I love my Jackets, but you guys rootin for Bama REALLLY Suck. Its bad enough that we let a FBS school come in and take a dump on our carpet, but we can at least what Ga is doing to represent the state. I might be in the minority, but I hope Ga goes 11-1 every year. That game 2 days after Turkey day is the one I want!.
bryan
September 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
Gailey NEVER had a loss this bad.
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
Greenes ball should have been caught, right through his hands.
Does anyone care about getting out of bounds?
Ramblnwrek
September 29th, 2012
3:02 pm
Well it was fun while it lasted. While I personalty like CPJ, I fear the experiment may be over. Wait until the end of the season and see what happens but this is not good for him. Who should we hire next and do you thnk they will come? Please be realistic.
.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
yea take your time tevin ball you only need 14 points
jdub
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
MTSU just looks like they have better athletes at every position
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
4th and 4…..damn we good!….lol
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
dwaglova – kerrybiznotch; if the ncaa says it’s a cnat’l chamopionship it is – doesn’t matter what either of you say. you need to go back upstairs and get your mom to get some more milk and oreos.
i’m thinkin that cpj is wantin’ some milk and oreos ’bout now too. at least SC will kick the dwagz azz’sand that’ll make my day. if they don’t it’ll be worth watchin’ bama beat the dwagz by 4 TDs…
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
You’re right DawgNole. That post was before the last MTSU score. It’s over. Embarrasing, that’s all I can say.
Good luck to both of your teams. I wish GT could play football. Maybe again one of these years.
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
How friggin hard is it for CPJ to go hire a HALFWAY decent Defensive Coordinator???
Is AL Groh the best you could do???
(no offense to Al Groh. I know he is a nice man and has HAD a good coaching career)
Part of being a Headcoach is hiring good coaches to surround yourself with. Sorry, it comes with the territory.
Clyde
September 29th, 2012
3:03 pm
Would someone fire CAG before the game is over please? Not sure I’ll be able to stomach going to the BYU game.
GT WOLWSGB
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
Very smart coaching to give the players a Saturday off this week.
If do right, no can defense
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
When was the last time we attempted 20 passes?
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
@jdub…..they probably do, based on the recruting blogs.
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
I am ashamed for the ACC . . . . . . how can this be . . . I really think that Coach Paul Johnson has lost this team . . . . this could get ugly fast for the rest of the football season for GA Tech . . . . .
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
WOW . . . How did Tevin not see that rush?
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
3:04 pm
Great “Lookout!” Block there.
bryan
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
lol that’s what happens when you don’t recruit o lineman who can block
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
SACK……a kid from hiram did it….why isnt he on the Flats?
Charleston Jacket
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
Perhaps we can get a new D coach. For goodness sake – why is TW still in the game. Spurrier would have made the change in the 3rd Q. CPJ is not even in the same league so why should I expect better.
Overall pathetic on both sides of the ball.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
I thought Reggie Ball graduated ???
45ACP
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
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.
WAKE UP!!!!! hahahahha
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
CPJ needs to fire Groh immediately to save himself. The offense (sputtering as it does) can score…the defense is porous.
Unless CPJ can come up with a solution for the D, all the offensive genius in the world won’t be enough.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
Groh and his stupidity is the issue. If the players don’t believe in you, the whole team suffers. I hope the CPJ puts his big boy pants on and fires him. He should be gone after this nightmare of a game.
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
This one is over. C my dawgs on winners blog
damon
September 29th, 2012
3:05 pm
Keep Tevin in dumb a s s coach. WTF. This coach is a moron.
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
INCOMPLETE…….
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
the trumphan return of reggie ball!!!!!!!!!!!!
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
another Greene miss!!
Kidding me.
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
Spread us out….that’s what they did. Not strong enough up the middle. Haven’t been for years. Wondering if we have a weight room.
Clemson will destroy us next week.
Honey Badger
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
Can I come play? Just take all the guys off defense and let me play, I can do better!
Ramblnwrek
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
so much for having a veteran O-line.