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
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
4th-18….LOL
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
Oh and a receiver that can catch would be nice. But why would any decent receiver want to play in a run oriented offense?
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
correction 4th and 23
damon
September 29th, 2012
3:06 pm
Coach fish fry is amazing!!!
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:07 pm
SACKED!
GT 65
September 29th, 2012
3:07 pm
64 & 50 never made a block period..sucks
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
3:07 pm
I’ve said it many times the past two years, Tevin Washington is a helluva competitor, but you’ve got to be kidding me that Lee should not be in this game at this point? Paul is the most stubborn arrogant coach since the one UGA had that swindled everybody’s money!!!
If do right, no can defense
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
Tyler Kidney = FAIL at pass protection
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
Jim Morrison said it best….”This is the end, my only friend the end…”
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
“This one is over. C my dawgs on winners blog”
We still have to play the game on the field there, Hard Charger.
GT is a 4th rate high school team
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
MTSU is whooping the fire outta that high powered offense. Lol
If do right, no can defense
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
That’s 5 times Kidney’s been beat in pass protection.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:08 pm
Reggie, Reggie, Reggie. I bet we gonna pack the stands the rest of the year after this game !!! FIRE D-RAD TODAY !!! Then CPJ and his staff Monday.
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
wow…looks like the Offense has quit too…i know I’m offended. as i said, we lose by 3 tds
45ACP
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
Nothing to see here. Turn off the lights, let’s go home…
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
I hope CAG Groh noted that you are allowed to have defenders run fast and tackle the quarterback before he can throw.
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
Oh well boys, let’s bring in the new “Thriller Dome” in November. Maybe Gregory will salvage the year for something. Probably not, but maybe.
jdub
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
Wow, What is Clemson gonna do?
Tech Student
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
I don’t understand why all this trash from UGA is on here talking about how much better they are at football. Congratulations, its true, nobody denies it. We know we aren’t going to beat you in football. We have a fake coach, a fake offense, and an imaginary D. Unfortunately, because our joke degree for athletes is business administration (your claim to fame) we will never recruit top players and we will never have a great football team.
headley lamar
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
If Tech loses I’m transferring
@yaboynewt
Newt Clark, Tech student
Wonder where he is headed?
Charleston Jacket
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
looks like the team quit. Rest of the year will be really painful. Said it last week will say it again. Buckle up boys this is going to be a rough ride.
Embarrassed
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
If I may quote the great Rob Snider, “OH NO! WE SUCK AGAIN!”
GT Trumpet
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
Is it basketball season yet?
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
3:09 pm
Look on the bright side ….at least it was a good….er uh…decent…..ummmm…..well it least it was a team of people who beat y’all down.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
Sad a D3 school’s DC knows how to blitz.. But “no show” looks likes a effing lost little puppy. He should just jump out of the press box… It would make my day better.
Wardo
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
we suck! Enough said
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
WOW . . . Just WOW . . . I cannot believe my eyes . . . . GT Tech going down in flames today! SMDH!!
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
when you need at least a modicum of a passing game, but players cant catch and a QB cant throw, it doesnt matter who you play, you will lose
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
No pride on team.
Why Am I still Watching This
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
Be thankful Tech doesn’t have to play FSU this season.
Time
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
Got to laugh at this one. Hopefully this will keep the GTBob’s of the world off the UGA blogs for a while.
Don’t worry CPJ, I’m sure Wal-Mart will give you a job as a buggy getter.
T-time
September 29th, 2012
3:10 pm
And to think I was disgusted last week.
Coach Paul Johnson
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
“I donk know what to say”
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
MT just came to play, palyed togh football, and we didint, Coaches failed again!
Dawg1
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
I know it’s ‘Good Ole Fashion Hate’ – but there is no point in getting on a blog as a game is going on and constantly trashing Tech.
Will apologize for ‘Mercy’ – no excuse for that…
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
Why would tech have pride
Atlanta truth
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
Mockery on the Flats. What a joke. Tigers will devour them next week in Death Valley.
Johnson has moved to hot seat. Option is so 1988. Wake up and move on.
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
2:58 pm
Please GT . . . don’t give MTSU the satisfaction of pulling this one out on ACC home turf!!!
_____________________
Pulling one out? Not relevant in this game. MTSU is kickin’ butt–and doesn’t have to worry at all about pulling it out.
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
MTSU is better than we are.
GT 65
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
Good Lucky UGA today but remember to all the smart mouth ones on blog..What goes around comes around.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:11 pm
In Closing my 13 year old daughte informed me GT is now her 3rd favorite team. GT used to be her favorite, but now its Auburn then Bama then GT. We just lost a young Tech fan !!!!!!! How many more we gonna loose after this year ???
ole yeller
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Shame on the coaching staff, shame on this team. Tech fans deserve better than this. Drad, start doing your job. Looks like everyone in the program needs replaced.
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
“Paul is the most stubborn arrogant coach since the one UGA had that swindled everybody’s money!!!”
Must agree with you Bobby. Paul’s stubbornness is starting to show in many areas: Recruiting, incorporating DEFENSE into your game plan’s scheme, going for it on 4th down ALL the time, etc.
headley lamar
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Unfortunately, because our joke degree for athletes is business administration (your claim to fame) we will never recruit top players and we will never have a great football team.
90 percent of the Tech football players are majoring in Management.
I guess that is just a coincidence right ?
Aaron Murray Qualified to play at Tech. So did Keith Marshall and most other UGA players.
If Tech keeps thinking it cant win because of Academics
It wont.
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Our defensive line is pathetic!!
bobbyh
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Too bad. Such bad play. Time for a complete coaching staff overhaul. Johnson has proven that he can’t win at Tech. And Groh? He should have been replaced last year. Goodbye CPJ, you’ve had your chance.
Glory Between the Hedges
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Wow getting ran over now..
Ouch! Lol
Since 1980......
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
STAY AWAY from the Flats and CPJ will get canned this year. We did it to Peewitt two yrs ago and it worked. ‘The Flats need an enema!”
Class65
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
Bobby Dodd is rolling around in his grave, crying while watching this game. Poorest excuse of a team and coaches in the history of Tech. Need to start over with new AD, Coaches, and all. Embarassing.