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
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
I’d like to change that to “if” they come back and win.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:23 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
Why is orwin smith still in there?
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
what a dumb play
lxUn1c0
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
Headley, where in my post did you see me absolve CPJ of responsibility for the defense? I didn’t, I just said the defense is the problem, which is obvious. You need to work on your reading comprehension.
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
Energy and discipline of the team is a reflection of preparation….. i.e. coaching.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA
Alabama Jacket
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
They are not doing anything but blaming each other and complaining
Highly Respected Southern Troll
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
This is looking more-and-more like the Kansas debacle from 2010.
beanster
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
My, oh my.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…and that wasn’t even Murray. Murray can’t wait to get you guys in Athens.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
Why has vad not played more ? and how many people are still taking up for CPJ ???
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
It is also coaching to know where you are on the field wrt first down line.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
This defense has NO CHANCE of stopping UGA’s offense.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
Wow… That is why CPJ kept the offense on the field. The “D” sucks.. I hope “no show” just disappears and never comes back.
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
How embarassing!!!
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
4th & 12 … let’s get 11 yd guys!
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
75 yard play. Defense has just quit…….. again.
kerryb
September 29th, 2012
2:26 pm
Murray and company is going to put 60 points on this defense this year. Can’t wait.
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:26 pm
why be stuned your not that good.
GT in SC
September 29th, 2012
2:26 pm
WTF…. This needs to be the end of CPJ and his staff.
headley lamar
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Headley, where in my post did you see me absolve CPJ of responsibility for the defense? I didn’t, I just said the defense is the problem, which is obvious. You need to work on your reading comprehension.
You were apologizing for CPJ.
Any fool could figure that out.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Bear Bryant would have his 5th string in there right now if the first and second string did not play !!!
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
“Sideline is dead”
lindseysnot
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
i revise my prediction – mtsu wins by 3 tds…seriously though, how can cpj look the fans in the eye and offer ANYTHING good from this game? the whole coaching staff needs to be on a bus headed for canada.
Go Jackets
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
Here’s a history lesson for CPJ apologists….late 80’s early 90’s Big Ten all ran some form of this foolishness. Then along came Schnellenberger @ Miami and Bowden at FSU with TEAM SPEED. As Miami has shown for tha last 4 years, if ur fast u will BEAT this Offense EVERY time. Its simple, know your assignments and run to a spot. BTW, I invite someone to look up CPJ’s record when a team has 7 plus days to prepare for this O. Hint……see his bowl record.
GT Fan
September 29th, 2012
2:27 pm
75 yd TD pass, 60 yd TD run, 23 yd TD run ……. GT’s got a big play DEFENSE! Too bad they are the WRONG ‘big plays’
GT1990
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
Where is super size?? Hey dummy everything i predicted about CPJ is coming to life.
jacketfan
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
damn i’m about to jump off the cliff..
maybe MT coach would like to come to GT..because our coaches are being out coached and on their way out..
Big Ol Stinger
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
CPJ said he was as discouraged as he’s ever been after the Miami game.
He’s about to set a new personal best with an ass kickin by MTSU.
Fan-Man
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
They really act like they don’t care.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
UGA is looking forward to playing Tech.
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
There are several MAC teams that could probably stay with a few ACC teams.
Chaps
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
Washington back in. CPJ still stubborn.
Ramblnwrek
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
I fear the triple option experiment may be over. So sad.
BS Patrol
September 29th, 2012
2:28 pm
From DRad on down. Fire ‘em all.
jmonty0071
September 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
This season is a loss.. That is all.. Groh sucks rotten donkey azz…. He should be fired. Maybe he can coach come middle school team??
MS. Bully
September 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
Middle TN 35 GT 21!! What a team. The ACC sucks!!
Stumpknocker
September 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
4th and 12 and Washington throws a 10 yard pass.
DawgNole
September 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
JC
September 29th, 2012
2:11 pm
THIS IS EMBARASSING! Glad only 30,000 wasted their money to attend!
___________________
Not bad after last week’s collapse.
OldSchoolTechFanatic
September 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
TONY ZENON !!1 Ill say it again a great all purpose player
Burdell
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
My Dad and I both are Tech alum. I’ve been watching the bees for over 40 years and this ranks up there with some of the all time worst Tech performances ever!!!
dawglova
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
This is freaking great. Yeah! Moobys Johnson is awesome! How many of you secretly want Chan and Reggie back. Even if tech comes back this makes my day.Middle freaking Tenn. State
WTF????
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
Has Julian Burnett shown up on the sideline to ask that they take off his jersey?
Randy Carson, IMGT '83
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
This season is over. When do we see Vad Lee?
Bobby Dodd
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
Al Groh is in the pressbox this week instead of on the field. His next move might be onto North Ave selling pom poms before the game. His title is now officially the Efensive Coordinator cause there ain’t no D!!!!!
Kidding me.
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
They haven’t stopped aback sweep all game, why go away from it. Beats getting tevin sacked on first down. Again.
Frog hair
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
poor baby fell down.
MERCY RULE from UGA
September 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
There will be no room for the Gnats over on the UGA blog to troll after this one.
GT Alum
September 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
Headley -
Well, if a fool could figure it out, then you’re the most qualified person on the board.