Game-plan advantages for Tech vs. B.C.
From a game-planning perspective, Boston College is in something of a pickle.
On Oct. 6, the Eagles played Army, whose offense is similar to Georgia Tech’s. Such a game often clues in Tech coaches as to how their opponent will try to defend the Yellow Jackets’ option-based spread. Eagles coach Frank Spaziani noted that it does help his team by increasing familiarity with the atypical offense.
“There’s a couple layers, the yin and yang to that,” Spaziani said.
Further, with Charles Kelly taking over as Tech interim defensive coordinator in place of the fired Al Groh, the Boston College offense isn’t entirely confident of what it will see from the Tech defense.
“It’s a little bit of professional guesswork,” Spaziani said. “I wouldn’t imagine them changing too much. There’s going to be some subtle differences we’re going to have to be prepared to adjust to.”
Speaking on the ACC coaches teleconference, Spaziani drew a lofty comparison with Tech coach Paul Johnson and his offense when asked to compare it to Army’s.
“You have to remember, Paul is the (James) Naismith of that offense, if you will,” he said. “He invented it. He knows it better than most people know their defense.”
Army beat Boston College 34-31 to break an eight-game losing streak and rushed for 516 yards. Johnson dismissed the importance of knowing how an opponent will play the offense.
“We usually have an idea of what they’re going to do anyway,” he said. “I don’t know that it matters.”
2. Tech’s backup defensive linemen should see more playing time, Johnson said, naming Shawn Green, Euclid Cummings, Adam Gotsis and Anthony Williams. He also added inside linebacker Anthony Harrell. One difference between Johnson and Groh was the latter’s preference to stick with starters. Johnson said that the substitutions wouldn’t be made rote, but by game situations.
“If you’re playing 30 snaps in a half, maybe not so much,” he said. “If you’re playing 50 snaps, you’ve got to rotate ’em and try to steal a few snaps here and there.”
Said Kelly, “Anthony Harrell, he can really fly around and (is) very physical.”
Outside linebackers Chris Crenshaw, Malcolm Munroe, Nick Menocal and Tyler Marcodes all could see time in place of starters Jeremiah Attaochu and Brandon Watts. Typically, Attaochu and Watts rarely left the field when Groh was the coordinator.
Said outside linebackers coach Joe Speed, “We’ll get a fresher product going into the fourth quarter.”
3. As inter-divisional opponents, Tech is playing Boston College for the first time since 2008. Once the ACC expands to 14 teams next season with the addition of Pittsburgh and Syracuse, the new scheduling format will make the matchups between Coastal and Atlantic teams even less frequent, the primary crossover partners aside. The plan in place would match Tech and Atlantic opponents such as Florida State twice every 12 years.
Johnson’s preference would be to do away with the primary partners, including the Tech-Clemson series. His condition would be to find a way for rivalries such as North Carolina-N.C. State and Miami-FSU, which both are played annually as crossover games, to continue.
“Truthfully, Georgia Tech-Clemson, that’s a good game, that’s a close game,” he said. “It’s not the same rivalry as Georgia Tech-Georgia or North Carolina-North Carolina State or Florida State-Miami probably, although it’s turned into one because we play each other every year, but historically, it probably wasn’t the same.”
4. Center Jay Finch wore a gold jersey in Wednesday’s practice, meaning he was held out of heavy-contact drills. Johnson said a determination on his playing status will be made Thursday or Friday. If he can’t play, Catlin Alford and Nick McRae will go in his place, Johnson said. Finch came out of the Oct. 6 Clemson game with a calf injury.
Johnson also said that B-back Broderick Snoddy was held out, but expected him to be able to play.
In case you missed it…
Tech offensive line trying to meet Sewak’s standard
Bohannon sees ‘arrows up’ for Lee
Notes: Tech seeking second-half rally
Johnson on defense: ‘We don’t need 80 calls’
Tech notes: Washington firm at quarterback
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura
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93 comments Add your comment
Supersize that order, mutt
October 18th, 2012
1:24 pm
To say that CPJ doesn’t have a clue is the height of stupidity. If the team doesn’t win, it’s certainly not because he doesn’t have a clue or doesn’t care.
SansWorld
October 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
Silly Mutts, If Tech finish 4-8, I suspect that CPJ won’t have many supporters. That said when he finishs 8-4 lots of “fans” still hate him.
So…. If they finish out and win 4 or 5, improve defence, beat UGA or a bowl game. Will you give CPJ any credit?
TechApp fan
October 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
Joe won’t change his mind or the subject. Hopefully, Tech will score many TD’s early and we finally can watch Lee in more than one series. I’m curious about what he can do this year and the impact on the next season.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Ken, thanks for reminding me of some old handles I used in the past. Would also be great to show how many posts I made with those names, and when the last posts were. Were they even in October?
You’ll note that 99.9% of my posts are under “GT Joe”. But thanks for the fact checking Candy Crowley.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
@ GT Joe…….a little defensive there, aren’t you?
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Curiously, Ken, you seem to ignore my hypothesis about the QB affecting the b-back production. Could it be that I’m right and you won’t admit it? You do agree it is at least a POSSIBILITY, don’t you?
I guess you blame Maurice Jones-Drew’s struggles this year on his talent level, and not Blaine Gabbert being a non-factor QB?
“Despite upgrades in the wide receiver corps, the Jags are again one of the league’s most laughable passing offenses. For that reason, the workhorse (MJD) has found little breathing room this season.”
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fantasy-roto-arcade/lames-grizzly-outlook-mjd-versus-visiting-bears-211315463–fantasy.html
1 4 GT
October 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
TechApp Fan….you are of course, too right about Joe. He should be glad I am not Ken. Then he could truly keep his opinions to “himself”.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
1 4: keep your opinions to yourself. The blogs are NOT for opinions (sarcasm).
Born2Buzz
October 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
I want to see Vad too, because of the promise of what he can do. But TW is not the problem. The problem was relieved of his duties a week or so ago.
I am looking forward to seeing a D that plays aggressive and hard on Saturday. If we lose to BC then we should just disband the program. BC is just awful.
juvenal
October 18th, 2012
2:16 pm
joe, if go to games, your opinion matters-come by & talk to us about it……..
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
2:18 pm
juvenal: if you watch the games on TV, with replays of every play from every angle, your opinion matters.
Buddy Landel
October 18th, 2012
2:35 pm
…but I do have to ask, why was one of your fake screen names TW fan?
Buddy Landel
October 18th, 2012
2:37 pm
Poor example with Maurice Jones-Drew and Blaine Gabbert. Gabbert was the worst QB in the NFL last year and MJD won the rushing title. MJD’s struggles may be attributed to missing training camp in a contract dispute.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
2:39 pm
sarcasm, buddy, sarcasm.
Never seen you on the blogs, do you usually go by another handle?
But, mainly, Buddy...
October 18th, 2012
2:41 pm
…MJD’s problems stem from his new head coach who is full of Malarkey…and was with Falcons, too…
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
2:47 pm
But, mainly: New handle? haven’t seen you around…
TechApp fan
October 18th, 2012
2:54 pm
@ born2buzz. I agree that TW is not “the” problem…but neither was the D. The O more than one time placed the D in an awkard position. Football is a game and that high scoring average is just an average …sometimes you need more than average-sometimes less..
Looking forward to Tech stinging BC.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
2:57 pm
TechApp: you’re on a slippery slope, placing ANY blame on the O. Take it from me, don’t go that route.
juvenal
October 18th, 2012
3:02 pm
not to those of us who go..we are right across from at&t……..in real life, sounds dumb to be so redundant……
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
3:05 pm
thanks for the invite, juvenal. Have a hard time paying for this product, however.
TechApp fan
October 18th, 2012
3:10 pm
Very seldom did I encounter “the” problem when troubleshooting problems in a manufacturing plant.
Usually there is more than just one “red x”…if you dig deep enough.
I suspect it’s about 50% one, 50% another and 50% still another…LOL
Tech Troll 13
October 18th, 2012
3:11 pm
I’d much rather go to the games. I can see the entire field and get a better grasp of what is happening. I can see the replay on the big board in the south end zone.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
3:30 pm
Buddy Landel = MaconGTFan
juvenal
October 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
only a few bucks at game time, $6 on stub-hub……..food on me…….we can talk about how i can’t talk QBs any more because A-you hog all the talk, B-already said all i can say & C-like groh, tev will be gone next year….
MaconGTFan
October 18th, 2012
4:14 pm
Actually Joe, unlike you I don’t have to change handles to get my point across. I see someone’s got a little sand in his bagina.
1 4 GT and Supersize sleep butt to face
October 18th, 2012
4:19 pm
GT will win the ACC next year
1 4 GT
October 18th, 2012
4:52 pm
I don’t know that I really care to participate in a blog where phonies can show up one day and start out posting, at least IMHO, being personally offensive in their blog behavior to myself & others as well. And no I am not being thin skinned. Then when the moderator calls that person out on their blog behavior, all they get is toothless warnings. So maybe they do change their blog handle, but manages to do so in a still offensive manner. BFD!! If the moderator does not have the authority to ban someone, then who does. And BTW, the individual I am talking about “cussed out”, without actually “cussing”, the moderator, & said moderator seemingly ignored it. Words have meaning! Either your word means something or it does not mean anything. You take a stand or you stand for nothing. Which is it? I know what I would do. IN A HEARTBEAT TOO!!!!
GT TN
October 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
@TechApp..the defense has put the offense in a lot worst positions that the offense put defense..D is getting no turn overs and making offense go length of the field..scoring avg also include special teams and defensive tds..neither of them produce anything for Tech..special teams put offense in a bad spot as well..easy for GT Joe to say he cant support this product..that shows he isn’t a real fan..easy for you him to sit home and complain instead of going to support the team he supposely roots for..find it hard to believe he ever cheered for Tech..
Funny you use Jags as your example.. they have problems scoring points a team..GT doesn’t have problems scoring points..they are scoring 37 of them as a game..every example you use is from the pros and make no sense..this one might be worst than your reference to AI..
Erk Russell
October 18th, 2012
6:08 pm
No worries my friends. This is pj’s strategy to win the National Title in 2013.
One hell of a lucky year.
Let’s see some of my defense. You do have my playbook don’t you pj?
p. s. from beyond: let Vad Practice in real games. Sound logical?
p. s. s. you should Earn the $10,000,000 over four years: you know it is the honorable thing to do.
G
October 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
If tech doesn’t beat bc at home by more than 20 after army beating them and fsu crushing them, then coach porky needs to go.
no fan
October 18th, 2012
6:51 pm
gt tn
you’re offense is scoring because it’s getting so many possessions because the defense is allowing quick scores. but the offense sputters or tevin turns the ball over way too much. both sides of the ball are terible this year. the running game is a joke.
... Take The Wheel
October 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Cant wait to see some good ole GT football. 1 day 20 hours, 3 minutes and counting! Brought to you by the Rambling Wreck counter!
Dawg-Hatin' Jacket
October 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
@no fan: if the offense sputters or turns the ball over then how how can they be “scoring because it’s getting so many possessions because the defense is allowing quick scores”? Seems kind of dumb logic to me. Can’t have it both ways.
TechApp fan
October 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
@GT TN…agree the D is (hope it “was”) less superior than the O but not the complete problem.
Based on averages, TW is…average. Average is + and -. Same as the points scored is average. Don’t your remember? You mix the low and the high and that produces an average.So if in one game the points are really high…no problem. But in games that the points are low, the O should take their share of grief for not winnng the game. For the D, in games with low points allowed, the O can play worry free…based on average. But if the D stumbles and allows more than the average points, the O might have to score “more than average”.
The reply of course will be the D always allows more than necessary Hopefully no longer.
Smyrna Gold
October 18th, 2012
8:16 pm
Super Size – You have way too much time on your hands. Maybe you should get a job at Costco, Wallmart or CVS. This coach and team and other peoples opinion shouldn’t cause you to get so excited. Truth is, this team is going no where. A record of 7 – 5 at best. The firing of Groh will not make up for a lack of talent and the current head coach who happens to be 4 – 9 over the last 13 games. It’s not going to get any better with CPJ.
Buddy Landel
October 18th, 2012
8:33 pm
GT Joe- Although I lived and taught in Macon from 1995-2004 MaconGTFan and i are not the same. If Ken so chooses he can attest to this. Also, your assertion that I haven’t been around these boards is false. Granted, I don’t post here nearly as much as some, but post here I do.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
9:50 pm
Sorry Buddy. I should have known better, your posts are not nearly as mindless at MaconFanGT.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
9:57 pm
37 points per game? Let’s be serious:
1. Take out the FCS team (Presby) and our average is 33.6. Which gets us ranked #35 in the country. Trying to be a top 20 team? Fat chance.
2. Take out a horrific UVA team (and we know they are horrific because we destroyed them and we are 2-4), and our average is 28/game, which gets us ranked 56th. Not good.
3. Our 2nd half scoring is #66 in the country.
4. And all of these paltry offensive rankings are against the #83 schedule in the country. NUMBER 83.
GT Joe
October 18th, 2012
9:58 pm
http://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/ranking/strength-of-schedule-by-team
Houston, we have a problem (on offense too).
Old Dog
October 19th, 2012
7:34 am
To Hell with Tek, today, tomorrow, and every other day!
GT Lee
October 19th, 2012
10:15 am
I guess it’s true: you can’t teach an Old Dog new tricks. Can’t teach ‘em new vocabulary either.
...Take The Wheel
October 19th, 2012
12:02 pm
Joe you are absolutely mind numbing…. Always looking for someone new suck into the QB debate. What a scratched record you are. Never anything new, never anything constructive to say…
You’re not going to hypnotize anyone into agreeing with you if thats why you keep going on and on and on and on…
...Take The Wheel
October 19th, 2012
12:11 pm
@Old Dog: If thats the case there is no need to stop by and visit us !!!!