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
2:12 pm
Comcast just went boink……what radio home are these guys on now?
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
2:12 pm
@mercy…well, there’s (obviously)NO accounting for taste.
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
2:12 pm
I doubt it Mercy. She probably wants a boyfriend that has a chance at getting a job, not moving back in with Mommy and Daddy after that six year “Sociology” degree.
hot seats r us
September 29th, 2012
2:12 pm
We have 2 for one specials on hotseats!!!!!
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
September 29th, 2012
2:12 pm
So, does Groh get fired midseason?
Or is CPJ too stubborn to admit that he was wrong when he hired him?
Or do they both go?
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
2:13 pm
I’m afraid this team has quit. Even if by some miracle we pull this out, it’s still shows how under manned, under coached, and under achieving this team is.
Briand25
September 29th, 2012
2:13 pm
We will still win this game today, but this is still disheartening
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:13 pm
And she kissed me on my neck, and she kissed me on my chest, then she “Take it to the Head”
lxUn1c0
September 29th, 2012
2:13 pm
Go Jackets, what the heck are you talking about? Our offense is fine, and recruiting is better now than it was under Gailey. The only thing you said that’s true is that CPJ doesn’t really like the media. The problem is the defense, and that’s obvious to anybody with functioning eyes.
Ken Sugiura
September 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
go jackets 790 and 106.7
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
Just saw the replay on gamecast of the 23 yd TD run by MTSU …. You really gotta be kidding me with that tackling!!!
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
September 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
And FWIW, even if we come back to win this game, I think I’ve seen enough of this “defense” already.
RWill
September 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
@ Go Jackets: Good grief, do you even watch the games? Paul Johnson’s system obviously works. And to anyone saying he’s a great OC but not a HC, do you even know his history?
What is obvious is that Al Groh’s coaching isn’t working. The 3-4 could work and does work. Just look down the road. Or at the Patriots. Al Groh on the other hand…
Why are our DL two yards off the line of scrimmage before the snap? Why is there so much space between them with no one around to fill it when they run it up the middle? It’s brutal watching this defense. At this point just fire Al Groh after this game, see what might change from that, play Vad Lee more and prepare for next year.
billyho55
September 29th, 2012
2:14 pm
GT1990,
THE TRUTH SHALL SET US FREE!
headley lamar
September 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
Go Jackets, what the heck are you talking about? Our offense is fine, and recruiting is better now than it was under Gailey. The only thing you said that’s true is that CPJ doesn’t really like the media. The problem is the defense, and that’s obvious to anybody with functioning eyes.
Of course none of this is on CPJ.
He is just the Head Coach.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
That was a real late substitution. Should have been a penalty
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
Ken … I’m in UTAH … and the past 2 weeks when I go to 790 and click “listen live” I get YAHOO SPORTS Radio????
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
are we running with leg weights on.
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:15 pm
2 and 1/3 qtrs and 149 yards of offense against MT?
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
This is incredibly embarrassing and frustrating!!! There is no life on this team, no energy, no resolve!!
This year is not on the offense!! You should be able to win games win you consistently score over 30 points per game!!!
No tackling, no pressure, no life!
I’m a graduate and love my school and will always be a Jacket, but why do they make it so hard!!!
WB
September 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
This team has quit and is just mailing it in. Season over. Time for a complete coaching change. Pathetic.
kingster
September 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
WOW, GT will be 2-4 aftern next weeks game, still poor, poor tackling and the off is predictable, Tevin is not the QB Tech needs now, the defense is worn down, by the middle of the 4th quarter MTSU will be playing 2nd stringers. What can I say, its a very sad day at Grant Field, DRad if you don’t do something soon, it may be a lot of heat on you.
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
we have the most shoestring tackles.
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
Please get Washington out! He is just stinking it up!
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:17 pm
Does GT have a 92 yd drive in them? That way they can get the ball inside MTSU’s 5 & TW can CALL HIS OWN # AGAIN!
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
Need 12 so throw for 5.
Wow.
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
3rd and 12 and we throw it up under the coverage????
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
I guess Tech should schedule Presbyterian every week
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
Even lowly MT knows how to blitz. CAG is such a dumb azz… Loser…moron… please jump out of the booth….
Bobby Dodd Jr.
September 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
Tech’s heart just isn’t in this game. I hate watching this train wreck. What happened to this team????
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
#90 for MTSU weighs 225lbs!
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
johnson has lost it. maybe not
GT1990
September 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
If you think CPJ should be fired press 1!
Honestly
September 29th, 2012
2:19 pm
The problem with playing a lower division team like MTSU is that they see this gimmick TO offense all the time. They obviously aren’t impressed.
GT1990
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
@jmonty CPJ is even more of a da for keeping groh.
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
4th & 4 … TW calls his OWN #.
What’s the pt of an 8 yd pass on 3rd & 12, PJ?
Now you’re at 4th & 4!!!!!!!!!
kingster
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
Wahington does not know how to pass, he has no idea what to do, instead of throwing the ball in a area, he takes the sack with GT cann’t take, remember MTSU has two weeks to prepare for TECH, thats the ticket, play your lane and make the QB commit early, thats how to play Paul Johnson team.
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
@Ixun1co…..our recruiting is better?…..okay I’ll bite. What site(s) are you basing this on? Or are u looking at the REMARKABLE play of Tevin and Co? Wait it must be Sweeting excellent play at the db that u like…..comon man.
D.J.
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
Step up! Show some heart!!!!!
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
2:20 pm
CAG happened and his loser ways.. He was a loser at UVA and he is still a loser.
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:21 pm
washington has no clue
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:21 pm
Wide open and can’t hit a guy 5 yards away
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:21 pm
Stopped
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
Something is wrong with Tevin. He’s not even trying????
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
Like I said
EMBARRASING!!!
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
Just for the sake of argument, when Tech does come back and win, will anyone rally be celebrating?
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
Maybe they should lose that chicken wire on those helmets.
hedgetrimmers
September 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
QB draw on 3rd and long. Very imaginative.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
Just got back from out of town. Been listening to the game on the radio. Why has CPJ not put his 3rd string deffense in there. No we cant do that they might score 28 points on us !!!
kingster
September 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
I believe the team has quit and they know their coach is to hard headed to try something new, he just doesn’t care. Send Al Groh his check and tell him not to worry about coming to work anymore, he’s not helping.