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
12:49 pm
This is like a car wreck.I dont wont to see it ,but i cant look away .
GTJohn
September 29th, 2012
12:49 pm
Well, looks like this game could get rid of CAG!!!
georgia tech breakin neckz
September 29th, 2012
12:50 pm
disgusting
eeyore
September 29th, 2012
12:50 pm
you think the miami game is going to be for GT what the ULM game was for arkansas?
that arky team looks like its folded up for the season.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
12:51 pm
GT sucks! hahahahaha those guys are not built to come from behind! Better not fall 21-7!
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
12:51 pm
Unfortunately, Groh won’t go unless CPJ goes too. Johnson will never admit mistake.
Lee Goza
September 29th, 2012
12:51 pm
Dang!
If do right, no can defense
September 29th, 2012
12:52 pm
Well, I guess STs are joining the party…
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
12:53 pm
we are so lucky that MT gives it right back, otherwise tough to hang in the way our D is playing!!
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
12:53 pm
Okay … there goes Snoddy’s chance! Can’t fumble, son. Maybe we see why he doesn’t play much b-back … he can’t “block”. In other words, he’s a fumbler!
ole yeller
September 29th, 2012
12:53 pm
This team is not ready to play. Its not all defense our offense is sucking as well.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
12:54 pm
So??, Where are all those Groh fans at now??? Where are all those “the D is better” people at??
GTJohn
September 29th, 2012
12:54 pm
CPJ may want to keep his job so maybe CAG will go. Only bad thing is now the D has to start over.
ole yeller
September 29th, 2012
12:55 pm
Start over? They never started.
GTJohn
September 29th, 2012
12:57 pm
You are right. Maybe the D can learn some basic skills with a new coach.
billyho55
September 29th, 2012
12:57 pm
NOT WORRIED ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THIS ONE! NOW, THE SEASON IS A WHOLE NOTHER BEAST IN ITSELF!
Woofy One
September 29th, 2012
12:58 pm
Has Tech even practiced this season. Strap it on and play guys !
MORGANTECH
September 29th, 2012
12:59 pm
Win or lose this game ,this program is going no where,something has to give .
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
12:59 pm
Groh may be able to talk the talk… and some people believe that talk. But, he cannot walk the walk.. He doesn’t know what he is doing. I mean seriously??? He can’t pull a blitz out of his azz?? Useless. Totally useless.
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:00 pm
PJ’s got TWO 6′5″ 6′6″ WRs …. It’s called a “jump-ball” pass, coach! If either of these guys can’t JUMP & CATCH then you’ve got “bigger fish to fry”
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:01 pm
TW WILL NOT pitch on 4 & 2 or less. WTF, Tev!? pitch the dang ball. Talk about predictable!
GTJohn
September 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
I would worry about this one. MTSU has some quality players – formerly D1 major Ranked schools
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
Shocker … TW called his own # … totally shocked, I am!
This guy WILL NOT pitch the ball when the O gets near the goal line. Too dang predictable for the good teams.
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
“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 win handily.” — K Sugiura
___________________
Oh well. Better get going.
fun to watch tech fans
September 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
HAHAHA what a bunch of clowns
Can you believe it?
September 29th, 2012
1:03 pm
Hey cheer up techies – there is still a lot of football left so you can score at least 35 – problem is MTSU might score 45…………………..
CAG needs some players or he needs to change his scheme………………………..
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
1:06 pm
No… They just need to change and get rid of CAG…
Lee Goza
September 29th, 2012
1:06 pm
How can he be so wide open?
TXJacket
September 29th, 2012
1:08 pm
GT defensive backs are playing to passive. There not aggressive after the catch, playing to tackle after the run not on the catch.
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:08 pm
Gamecast said the last pass was broken up by Jemea. Is that true, or did the WR just drop it??
Lee Goza
September 29th, 2012
1:08 pm
Brilliant
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
1:09 pm
Can.Not.Make.A.Stop.
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:09 pm
3rd down D does it again!!
Lee Goza
September 29th, 2012
1:09 pm
We are being totally outcoached
billyho55
September 29th, 2012
1:09 pm
MAYBE WE SHOULD HAVE RECRUITED PARKER OUT OF L’VILLE INSTEAD OF PERKINS!
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
1:09 pm
Nor.A.Tackle.
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
1:10 pm
PJ put Groh inthe booth for this game; Its NOT helping!!
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
1:10 pm
TV shows Groh in the booth. He looks absolutely stupified.
Can you believe it?
September 29th, 2012
1:10 pm
I may slit my wrist………………..this is ugly football.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
1:11 pm
It’s called a 2 gap blitz… No pressure at all against them..
GTJohn
September 29th, 2012
1:11 pm
No D at all
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
1:11 pm
MTSU’s O-line is OWNING Tech’s D-line. Wow those guys suck. UGA is going to make mence meat of you guys.
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
1:12 pm
brig on the girls
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
1:12 pm
let me get this correct … MTSU started this drive on it’s own 8′ish yd line??
AG’s gotta go!
81'IEFan
September 29th, 2012
1:12 pm
Our corners play way too far off the line; fear factor!
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
1:13 pm
Wow… Maybe this will be a wake up call for CPJ and he will finally man up and fire “no show”’s stupid azz…
billyho55
September 29th, 2012
1:13 pm
THERE HE IS AGAIN, GOOD OL’ SANCHEZ-LOPEZ-DOMINGUEZ-RODRIGUEZ!
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
1:14 pm
It looks like last year after Miami loss. Team seems to have given up.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
1:14 pm
Bet you wish you had Todd Grantham!
Tech’s D can’t stop a nosebleed and that offense is so boring and old. Paul “Moobs” Johnson has ruined Tech’s program. He’s worse than Gailey. We own both. Time to get ready for another beatdown in November in Athens! 
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
1:14 pm
Maybe I should get my resume together… I sense the GT will need a new DC very soon.. I sure can’t do any worse.. Just sayin’