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
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
3:12 pm
At least it wasnt an OT loss, just got our butts thoroughly kicked!!
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
Dawg1…..you are right. But it is fun. Uga may lose by 20 today. But at least we ain’t tech!
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
Here is a novel idea… GT is supposed to be a smart school, right?? Fire the coaching staff!!!! That would be smart. At least fire “no show”… That would be a good start. I hope he ends up homeless and has to wash windshields for a living. What a fu*king loser… Sadly, the UVA fans warned us.
Sonny B. Lane
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
Let’s discuss something with some substance. We are not animals here to be throwing insults at each other. Here’s the question:
Who’s better Middle TN or TN?
UGA grad Class of 1800
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
What a damn shame for GT. Giving up 50 points to MTSU??? What’s up GT?
45ACP
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
Pullin out??? Looks like they shoved it in and broke it off! lol…
Dum-Bass
September 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
Been watching MTSU for 2-3 yrs. expecting them to break out big time. They are good, and by the way, have lots of Georgia players on the team. They are disciplined, well-coached, and their uni colors are fantastic and sharp-looking. My favorite out of state team-MTSU! They are indeed good!
BringBackPepper
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
Can’t believe that I’ve wasted my afternoon “watching” this on ESPN Gamecast. I used to be the last guy to leave, but not today. Buh bye CPJ and take Groh with you. I’m off to find a brown paper bag … the Jack-Aints are back. Pathetic.
georgia tech breakin neckz
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
FIRE AL GROH PLEASE REALLY MID-TENN our season is over thanks
AZ GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
Embarrassing. We can’t block and we can’t tackle. Only place to look is the coaching staff. Al Groh needs to retire. The Johnson experiment is over. And look to next year…how many 4-stars are enrolling next year?
billyho55
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
UNFORTUNATELY THIS GAME IS WHAT TECH NEEDS! WE NEED TO REEXAMINE EVERY FACET OF THIS TEAM AND MAKE THE APPROPRIATE CHANGES! MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT THE ARROGANCE THAT IS “SMALL” JOHNSON WILL NOT MAKE THE NEEDED ADJUSTMENTS AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK PATHETIC THE REST OF THE YEAR!
NOW IT’S TIME TO ROOT FOR TYLER BRAY HAVING A CAREER GAME TODAY, EH?
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
This almost makes you miss Bill Lewis!!
Bobo is Not the Problem
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
Bwahahahahah!!!! 49-28!!! WOW!!!
GT is a 4th rate high school team
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
49-28…GTFOH…LOL!
BehindEnemyLines
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
Recruit I-AA players & DII caliber players, give ‘em high school JV caliber coaching, this is what happens.
vpi83
September 29th, 2012
3:14 pm
@DawgNole . . . I know . . I was trying to be nice . . . . I am still in shock . . . .
One olde jacket
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
I will drive down and help Al pack…anyone want to help?
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
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.
___________________
Co-sign.
Tech was a 28-point favorite. UGA is a 13-point favorite and already looking ahead to SC. One game at a time, Dawgs.
MORGANTECH
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Even the players dont have confidence in these coachs.
The New Coach Hewitt
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Five first downs in a row – check. Offensive moving the ball with ease on the ground – check. Let’s pass the ball on first down. Coach Paul Johnson logic.
Mike Williams
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Time for Paul Johnson to reisgn immediately.
GT 65
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
The Team has QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!!
MTSU and Mr. Cunningham great Game plan great win sorry we couldn’t do better.
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
if it weren’t so pitiful, it’d be funny. Coach, it’s 3:15…do you know where your team is? None of us do….
headley lamar
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Is there a hangover?
A: Yes
The New Coach Hewitt
September 29th, 2012
3:15 pm
Worst tackling in NCAA history – check. Can’t stop anyone – check. Get manhandled at the line – check. Worst secondary ever – check. Let’s keep the Defensive Coordinator on. Coach Paul Johnson logic.
Time
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
BOOM..down goese Vlad..lol
The New Coach Hewitt
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
Dumbest player on the team – check. Worst passing QB on the team – check. Slowest QB on the team – check. Lets start him. Coach Paul Johnson logic.
Gorilla Biscuit
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
Is it any wonder? You guys have been competing for athletes against MTSU for four years now. They’ve out-recruited you.
Tevin Washington
Coach Fishfry has lost the team.
Jeff
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
Ga Tech players showed no concern for this game. Paul Johnson and Al both need to go. Ga Tech has no care it they win or loose. Ga Tech is just awful, with these kind of players we will never win. Next week…Clemson 63 Ga Tech 0.
Women's Tennis
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
We’re good in women’s tennis right? Maybe we can start following that. Any blogs for GT women’s tennis?
Why Am I still Watching This
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
Lee not looking much better at the moment.
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
SAD! Now Wes Durham is starting to talk up Middle Tenn as though we need to keep an eye on them the rest of the season! Really Wes?!? What a joke!
brian
September 29th, 2012
3:16 pm
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha GO DAWGS!!!!!!
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
But seriously…..good try guys. I’m sure y’all will get em next time…….or maybe the time after that
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
Now he puts Vad Lee out there?
If I was Lee, I would have told him to “go F himself. Hell no, I’m not going out there”.
hit a single
September 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
The defense is gutless!
One olde jacket
September 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
Since there are a lot of UGA fans here I will do the math ….25 point favorites. ponis of ..getting beat by 21 = 46 points of absolute total embarrasment
Time
September 29th, 2012
3:17 pm
49-28
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
I’ll front the money for a hit man… Forget helping Groh pack…
USMC Dawg
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
Waiting to hear CPJ’s head asplode during the post game!
Really coach? Who are you mad at?!?
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
Last play of the game and Lee runs out of bounds? Have to wonder about that one.
T-time
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
Tevin hurts our office. Coaching kills our offense. And lack of offense adds to the misery of our defense. We have enough talent to play better than this. No excuse for this debacle. Something has to give.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
Da mercy killing is over !!!
Big Crimson 75
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
WnE — I’d like to apologize again for questioning your expertise concerning Johnson.
You clearly have a better grip on this Program than most.
Paul Johnson is over-matched.
Sad thing is, Johnson has Al Groh to feed to the masses. He’ll fire Groh, make the majority of GT supporters happy, and keep his job.
Paul Johnson has absolutely no chance to recruit in the South against the likes of Saban, Meyer, Richt, Sweeney, Fisher, Muschamp, Miles…….
Tech’s a great Institution. They deserve better than Paul Johnson.
RICHARD
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
please PAUL JOHNSON QUIT……WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH THIS IS THE WORST GA TECH FOOTBALL TEAM I HAVE SEEN AT GA TECH IN 15 YEARS……..3 THINGS NO COACHING…………..NO TALENT………………………..AND NO HEART…………….IM SICK OF IT I WILL NOT ATTEND ANOTHER TECH GAME UNTIL PAUL JOHNSON IS FIRED. I GIVE WAY TO MUCH MONEY TO GA TECH FOR THIS…PLEASE FIRE PAUL JOHNSON THIS FOOTBALL TEAM TEAM HAS NO HEART…………….AND JOHNSON IS NO COACH
jack thompson
September 29th, 2012
3:18 pm
WHY DOES TECK HAVE DOUBLE DECKER STANDS??
Sean
September 29th, 2012
3:19 pm
How much did gt pay midd tenn to come in here and whip their butts?
Time for a new coach and new system and possibly a new ad for hiring this clueless arrogant bum.
Ken in Alpharetta
September 29th, 2012
3:19 pm
Now that was funny!
Snellville Jacket
September 29th, 2012
3:19 pm
Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic.
georgia tech breakin neckz
September 29th, 2012
3:19 pm
im so sick this is the worst start ive seen in a while from my team still a fan but get rid of al groh not and has not work I said it from the day they hired him defense has not gotten any better we got talent on defense but its the coaching on D thats not good let him go