Loaded FSU defense awaits Tech
Against one of the strongest defenses in the country, Georgia Tech produced 426 yards of offense but scored just 10 points against Georgia last Saturday.
One of the most talent-loaded defenses in the country slowed down Tech’s point-scoring barrage last Saturday, when Georgia kept the Yellow Jackets out of the end zone for 3 ½ quarters in its 42-10 win in Athens.
Saturday in the ACC Championship game, Florida State figures to pose as great an obstacle as the Bulldogs did, perhaps even more. Tech has another opportunity to test itself against an elite defense.
“There’s no doubt they’re excited,” quarterbacks and B-backs coach Brian Bohannon said. “I think you’ll really get a great effort out of these guys Saturday night.”
For Tech to have a chance, it’ll take at least that. Against Georgia, Tech moved the ball but produced just a touchdown and field goal on six trips inside the Georgia 30-yard line. The Bulldogs forced two key turnovers and limited Tech’s big-play capacity, holding the Jackets to three plays of 20 yards or more.
“We had to grind and grind and grind,” coach Paul Johnson said. “When that happened, we couldn’t finish.”
The Seminoles are ranked No. 2 in total defense (249.4 yards per game), No. 4 in rushing defense (85.1 yards per game) and No. 2 in defensive third-down efficiency (27.3 percent).
“They’re probably better up front (than Georgia),” Johnson said.
The star of the unit is defensive end Bjoern Werner, the German-born pass-rushing terror who could go in the top five of the NFL draft. Werner leads the ACC in sacks with 13 and is second with 18.0 tackles for loss.
A left end, he will likely see plenty of matchups with Tech right offensive tackle Morgan Bailey.
“He’s real big and he’s fast and he makes a lot of plays,” quarterback Tevin Washington said.
Tech received a break in that it won’t have to face defensive end Cornellius “Tank” Carradine, another possible first-round pick. Carradine, who has 11 sacks and 80 tackles, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last Saturday’s loss to Florida.
Still, the Seminoles have speed, strength and depth all across the field. Besides Werner and Carradine, cornerback Xavier Rhodes and safety Lamarcus Joyner were also named first-team All-ACC. Defensive tackle Everett Dawkins and linebacker Christian Jones were both named second-team.
Tackles Dawkins and Anthony McCloud are “really physical, really good at getting hands on people, basically blowing guys up,” guard Omoregie Uzzi said. “It’ll be a challenge come Saturday.”
In the face of the FSU all-star defense, Uzzi is the only Tech player to receive All-ACC recognition, named first-team All-ACC for the second year in a row.
Tech isn’t stocked with advantages, but one is that Florida State has not played the Jackets and their spread-option offense since 2009. That was prior to defensive coordinator Mark Stoops’ arrival in Tallahassee. Over the offseason, coach Jimbo Fisher’s staff spent a couple days planning for the possibility of facing Tech in the ACC title game and assembled a plan for the Jackets’ unorthodox offense. That said, Stoops has not coached against an option team in several years. That is an advantage for Tech but perhaps also for Florida State, as Tech won’t be entirely sure how the Seminoles will defend the offense.
Another edge Tech may gain is that Stoops was hired Tuesday as Kentucky’s new coach. To some degree, even though he will stay with the team at least through the title game, his attention will be divided as coaches will try to instruct players in a style of defense that is often foreign over the course of three practices leading up to Saturday.
“I don’t think you can change a whole lot,” Bohannon said. “I’m sure they’ll try to just get them lined up correctly and let them play, because they’re good athletes.”
In case you missed it…
‘Lack of competing’ against UGA
Tech applies for bowl-eligibility waiver
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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91 comments Add your comment
Honey Badger Has the Munchies
November 28th, 2012
10:53 am
The New ACC…you are correct about defense. You can score all the points you want but if your defense cannot stop anyone then you wind up like West Virginia. Defense does win games.
11 of 12 supersized
November 28th, 2012
10:58 am
I actually think you will have no problem moving the ball on them and I think you will score. Just have to finish drives. Florida’s offense isn’t good and they had no problems with the FSU D. Of course they will be able to score on you as well but this is an upset waiting to happen and I can see it coming from a mile away. I am predicting a tech win with a lot of points on the board.
Wish I felt the same about my dawgs. Just think we are not quite mistake free on offense and will put our D in some bad spots which will kill us. Still could win but prob wont unfortunately.
I like the jackets though in an upset over a down and demoralized Seminole team that couldn’t stop an average at best gator offense. Turnovers killed the noles and I don’t think they have recovered.
Dadgum.....
November 28th, 2012
10:59 am
GT TN…..I didn’t say they should turn down a bowl at all. Nothing of the sort. I just don’t think they will be granted the waiver nor should they. If by some slim chance the NCAA sets precedent then they will be contractually bound by their ACC contract to go to a bowl since no other teams could fill their spot even if the decided not to go to a bowl. The Sun Bowl is not taking Tech against USC. The Music Bowl looks to flip games. We shall see.
Dan the Man
November 28th, 2012
11:01 am
D-Line must put pressure on QB and corners must man up on WR’s! Defense has to play hard on every FSU possession. This game is winnable and Jackets should go to Orange Bowl.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:02 am
@ Ohio Jacket……you are right, of course. I let my personal emotions get the best of me. North Avenue Coroner is very much in need of prayer.
@ old dog and ole yeller……thanks for your posts as well.
Michael Veli was a good man and a good friend.
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
11:05 am
Supersize….so glad you were there to respond to North Avenue Coroner, but he is worse that trash. He is such a low life he would need a step ladder to see over a snake’s back. Every dwag poster should call him out on that!
The next Michael Veli
November 28th, 2012
11:06 am
I know this is a football blog and I have never done this before but In honor of my best friend IT MUST be done. ”Coroner” I forgive you but I want you to know who Kevin really was, he used the name Michael Veli after the philosopher Machiavelli. I was 12 and basically homeless as my mother was in jail and I never knew my father when he took me home from school with him and gave me clothes and food, to make a long story short his family adopted my sister and myself, later put us through private school, and payed fully for both of our colleges. I work in his family’s business and my sister became an attorney all becuase of a kid and a family who had hearts of gold and made room for others. Kevin was absolutely brillant and kind, he taught me about The Lord, life, and a love for Georgia Tech! He went on his own and started his own business career at the age of 22, everything he touched turned to gold and he changed peoples lifes, truly ahead of his time and wise beyond his years. He recently sold his businesses and gave hundreds of thousands of dollars to St. Jude and Smile train as he really had a heart for children and was concentrating on the ministry, he left and went to the family cabin in the mountains to study and reconcile his “theory of pre destination versus free will and the presence of so much pain in the world” in his own words. He was not perfect as he had his struggles but he was always quick to repent and love others. He was a wonderful father, his daughter loved her dad dearly and is devastated. He spoke highly of Supersize as his friend and planned on hanging out and travelling with him, his family and friends are absolutely heartbroken. Kevin told no one that i know of but me about his givings to charity as he said “It has to be done, I can’t allow kids to suffer while i live in abundance” were his words or close to it on many occassions. He is layed to rest at the family estate, but in NO WAY forgotten. That’s who Michael Veli was, sorry for the rambling and grammar mistakes. May God bless you all
marseilles mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:09 am
Since we can all agree the words Ga Tech and defense cannot be used in the same sentence this year, why is no one other than – it seems- myself wondering why?
As a dedicated Dog Fan with 3 football letters, and the total and complete knowledge that UGA is not now or never will be the ‘end all’ to college football, have neither penal nor economic envy as regards Ga. Tech, I’e
GTfan
November 28th, 2012
11:09 am
I’ll be at the ACC Championship game since I live in the area, and they are trying to sell tickets for $4 now due to lack of attendance. I personally feel like Tech has a chance to win if it is a shootout, similar to when we beat them a couple years ago in Tallahassee, but our Defense will embarrass us again for sure. This is sort of a double edged sword…nice that we got in, but a shame that we will be the laughing stock of the ACC if we get pounded.
11 of 12 supersized
November 28th, 2012
11:12 am
I missed something big here. What happened with Michael and why did “coroner” post that? It obviously was terrible and I get that but what happened and is any of this connected to Donnan or was that just random?
Jacket Dad
November 28th, 2012
11:21 am
The next Michael Veli: Thanks so much for your post above and the words about your best friend. It’s a shame some idiot got on this post and showed their total lack of class. I’m sorry for your loss and will pray for the family in theirs.
Jacket Nation Deflation
November 28th, 2012
11:22 am
Defenseless Tech will give up 42 + and lose this game. Paul Johnson is a hard head. He is going to run it his way even if it means losing. Florida States Defense is better than Tech offense. Florida States offense it light years ahead of Tech’s sorry excuse of a defense, that didn’t look too bad against Boston College and Maryland. However Maryland’s Freshman Linebacker came in and threw for 150 yards and two TD’s against our clueless defense. We have not beaten ANYONE this year that is worth a flip. End the season and hire Giff Smith. Then do some serious recruiting. We are so far down the list as far as recruiting goes it is hard to imagine this team being competitive for years to come.
GT Lee
November 28th, 2012
11:24 am
11 of 12;
We had a blogger who used the blog handle:”Michael Veli aka Jim Donnan’s Financial Advisor”.
He passed away recently. I think the Jim Donnan part was just a little jab at UGA.
marseilles mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:24 am
….sorry about that…I’ve really got to wonder wht GT cannot win with the current coaching staff and plan that they have in effect?
Heck, I would find a CTG and say “Have at it!” You be the hero! Recruit ONLY 4 and 5 stars for the defense for crying out loud and let them know that the WHOLE ENCHILADA DEPENDS ON THEM!
Which indeed it does.
Convince recruits – defensive recruits- that if they can get the stopsTech can and should be able to compete with any and everybody!
Get good kickers and special teams and once again convince recruits that you can go to the NFL on defense in 3 years from GT just as easily as you can from UGA.
Think Tech offense and Uga defense, now why wouldn’t that work?….and do not throw in the academic- or non academic requirements currently in effect into the mix.
Has it REALLY something to do with the ego of CPJ?
I wonder…but I do hope GT comes back, and really cannot understand the problem.
In the interim, GO DOGS!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:26 am
@ The next Michael Veli…..The content of what you just posted sounds very much like what his brother sent to Ken and was forwarded to me. PLEASE PLEASE email me and let me know what happened. I am devastated at the news of his death. He was a good friend, and I miss him very much. If you are not the same person who emailed Ken, then PLEASE email me at supersizeorder@yahoo.com. This is very important to me.
11 of 12
November 28th, 2012
11:36 am
Man that is sad and I am sorry supersize and anyone else on here he was friends with. I never saw him post but just started blogging on here last month so I didn’t know what you guys were talking about. Really sorry.
My handle is only in response to supersize in good fun obviously but I am changing it today out of respect for your loss and sadness. Sorry man. All I know to say.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:39 am
@ 11 of 12……Michael Veli died recently in a “tragic accident.” I just heard about it yesterday because his brother emailed Ken asking him to contact me. I had not heard from Michael since November 7 when we were talking on the phone, so I don’t know any details at all about his death. Although we only met 3 times at Tech games, he had become a very good friend, and I am at a loss as to what happened. The comments by “coroner” were meaningless and totally out of line.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 28th, 2012
11:41 am
@ 11 of 12…..Don’t worry about your handle. I knew it was in jest, and I’m ok with it. I figured out a few weeks ago that you were an ok guy.
GIVE ME A BREAK
November 28th, 2012
11:54 am
The next Michael Veli, thanks for sharing that with us. I also support Smile Train. Maybe some of the ones commenting would like to give a gift to Smile Train in Kevin’s honor. God bless his family and friends.
11 of 12
November 28th, 2012
11:56 am
Well no alliance can interfere with the real sorrow I feel having learned all this. Tech or UGA doesn’t matter when it comes to friends and I have a lot on both sides and they are very important to me so that is why I am genuinely so sorry for you guys today. Life is full of tough times but it doesn’t make it any easier to know that.
Hopefully the jackets play a great game and win this weekend to maybe help distract you guys and I am really thinking you can win.
Spanky
November 28th, 2012
12:02 pm
Nope! Even though Florida beat the ‘Noles, the jackets will lose big on Saturday night! Tech is a far cry from the gators! Did you guys not see the UGA game?! Your quality depth is just not there! ….just sayin!
JoeFan
November 28th, 2012
12:06 pm
The NCAA will grant Tech the bowl waiver. No reason for punishing Tech for having to replace Miami in the ACCCG and should they lose becoming ineligible for a bowl for which the otherwise would be eigiblel. However the time spent playing in the ACCCG and in a bowl could be better spent shoring up recruiting and rebuilding the defensive staff. On a more hopeful and positive note, rumors continue to swirl that Tech could very well be headed for the B10. Nice way to end their ACC membership by winning on Saturday and going to the Orange Bowl.
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
12:15 pm
Tech to the Big 1G? (curious-why the 1G?) They best take their warm jammies if they have to go places like Lincoln, Neb. or Madison, Wis! COLD!! SNOW!! ICE!! BRRRRRR!!
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
12:17 pm
Late in the season anyway. Ever seen freezing fog?
BLACK BEE
November 28th, 2012
12:18 pm
GT will beat FSU write it down. I’m not crazy, CPJ is a better Coach then Jimbo! What? Yes Jimbo has all that 5-4 startalent every year and you never will see him in the NCAA TOP 5. Couple that with FSU has not played against the TO and the Dawgs brutalizing the Jackets. They will get off the ground and upset them. The only way FSU wns is all that talent they break a few but be on the look out for an upset!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 28th, 2012
12:20 pm
@ 11 of 12…….I agree completely. Like I said, you’re a good guy, even if you are a dawg…LOL Anyway, I’ve got to run. Appointment at 1PM, and it takes 20 minutes to get there. Have a good day
Spanky
November 28th, 2012
12:32 pm
Black Bee, write it down??…what?!..then throw it away, cause it won’t happen?? Maaan, you guys might want to brace yourself! Seriously!! Ya lost to MTU…by 21!! Yes…this is still that same team!
old dog
November 28th, 2012
12:50 pm
@Supersize,
I reckon it is wrong to threaten to whoop-up on somebody, as Ken pulled my statement concerning NACoroner on another blog. We can all go back and forth good-naturedly but his terrible comments were uncalled for. I do forgive him, but still would thump his nose……….glad to know there are good folks in the world.
We have our hands full Saturday…..our o-line has not performed well against the good teams…..see South Carolina, and the Florida game was just a tough win. Saban will definitely do his game plan pressuring us up front.
Hopefully, ya’ll pull one out Saturday. I do, quite frankly, fear that your D might not be up-to-snuff, so you gotta put points on the board.
Sorry for your loss…wave at ole “Willie-Rob” when you ride by, as I attended 1st grade there!
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
1:02 pm
I don’t understand why Ken hasn’t deleted North Avenue Coroner’s post or why he hasn’t banned him & announced his actions to us????
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
1:07 pm
The offensive post by the trying to peer over a worm.s back north avenue coroner was made @ 12:29 AM/
old dog
November 28th, 2012
1:16 pm
@14GT,
He (NACoroner) is the lowest of pathetic scum…..and a chicken to boot! No place for his kind, on blogs or in society in general.
1 4 GT
November 28th, 2012
1:19 pm
AMEN old dog!
GT TN
November 28th, 2012
1:26 pm
@Spanky..I’m so tired of hearing about the loss to MTSU..we lost..you know it and I know it..using your logic then your Dawgs can’t beat Alabama or ND..you lost to USC by 28 and would have been 35 if USC had kept the starters in..you have a horrible you lost but still think you can beat those 2 teams..so why shouldnt Tech fans think they can win..the only way you even have a change to play for a NC is that a 5-5 Baylor team beat KState..get over the MTSU game..
11 of 12
November 28th, 2012
1:28 pm
How did the guy even know that michael had passed to post such a terrible comment? Just horrible that anyone could write something like that and I hope he isn’t a dawg fan but rather just a loser and punk.
GT Lee
November 28th, 2012
1:36 pm
11 of 12,
we mentioned it yesterday on another blog, as we had just found out. He may have read it there. And thanks for showing some class!
GTBEE
November 28th, 2012
1:50 pm
Buzzed
November 28th, 2012
8:52 am
gtbee: reread your own post, and ask yourself how somebody could be so stupid.
Which post?
The realistic one or the uga one?
The realistic one says we will do the same thing that CPJ has had Tech do for 5 straight years and we will lose the ACC Championship.
To assume that we can “outscore” a much better defense than we faced against uga…..now that is what I would call stupid!
Big games against big defensive lines always spells defeat for this type of offense. That is basically why the option died back in the early 80’s
GT TN
November 28th, 2012
2:01 pm
@GTBEE are you saying we have lost for 5 straight years under CPJ
Spanky
November 28th, 2012
2:18 pm
GT TN – Okay, how bout the other 5 losses?! BYU?..VTech in their worst year?…same with UM?…come on, man!!
GT TN
November 28th, 2012
2:28 pm
@ Spanky..what about UGA having the chance to play for a NC and got beat by 28..would have been a shutout if USC hadnt taken out the starters..5-5 Baylor beating KSate..anything can happen..we beat FSU the last 2 times we played them and were underdogs both games..everyone said we were going to lose to UNC this year and they kept bringing up the same games you have..everyon said the UNC defense would stop us..anything can happen..I didn’t think there was anyway that WF would beat us in ACCCG and they did..anything can happen
Jacket Man
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
I wonder if they can get Bobby Bowden in the booth for a couple of plays during the game; I’m sure I’ll miss his “Dadgum’s” when or offense is on the field, and if he was there, I bet we’d hear a few!
Arob
November 29th, 2012
9:49 am
Offense is also unfortunately becoming a problem. Against good teams, no big plays. Only one or maybe two playmakers on offense so we get some yards, but few scores. Recruiting drops, so does everything else including offense.