LIVE BLOG: Tech vs. USC
Some thoughts and notes. Game starts 2 p.m. ET on CBS.
1. I think Tech will enjoy considerable support from the Sun Bowl crowd, which is largely made up of locals. After the 16,000 tickets allocated to the participating schools, the other 34,000 are sold to the El Paso community. As you may have read, USC stirred up controversy by showing up late for a Sun Bowl dinner and with two tweets sent by players criticizing the city of El Paso, which I’m going to guess has not sat well with residents. Further, Tech’s coaches and players have done nothing but rave about how welcome they feel and are enjoying the experience (which I think is genuine).
2. Weather: It’s sunny and very windy. The forecast calls for winds 20-30 mph, and it certainly feels like it. The wind right now (12:30 ET) is blowing briskly to the south, I think. Left to right on the television, at any rate.
Watching warmups, David Scully and Chris Tanner had trouble hitting from 45 going into the wind. Scully, at least, has range probably 10 yards longer than that. He crushed one from 55 with the wind.
3. If Tech gives up 35 points, the team will have the highest points-per-game allowed average going back at least to 1948. The 1999 team, which went 8-4 in Joe Hamilton’s final season, gave up an average of 30.3 points. Tech’s average through the ACC Championship game is 29.9.
4. There are two current Jackets who share Tech bowl records – Tevin Washington (completion percentage, 11-15 against Utah, tied with Shawn Jones in the 1991 Citrus Bowl) and Quayshawn Nealy (longest interception return, 74 yards, against Utah, tied with W.P. McHugh in the 1947 Oil Bowl)
5. Tech will wear blue jerseys, gold helmets, white pants.
6. The line is down to seven or 7.5 points in favor of USC. It had opened around 10. I’d guess Matt Barkley’s being ruled out played a big part in the drop.
7. Interesting – at 7-5, USC is still No. 20 in Sagarin ratings, presumably because their strength of schedule is ranked 13th. Tech is 63rd. Strength of schedule is 55th.
8. Tech marching band is here. Hopefully the altitude won’t affect the brass section.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the game.
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892 comments Add your comment
ibidGT
December 31st, 2012
5:17 pm
Amazing run Laskey! Keep giving it to the B Backs and they’ll keep getting us the first downs and running the clock!!!
Stinger1
December 31st, 2012
5:18 pm
I have faith in my YELLOW JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
goFalcons
December 31st, 2012
5:18 pm
1990——if u are to proud to enjoy this great win, then u should become a bama fan……..other then that anybody would be proud of this win!
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
5:18 pm
ITS GODHIGH!! not GOOOOD high
Ted
December 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
I don’t like the way the tv crew only shows penalties on occasion. Because I don’t think much of this big 10 crew, and I think replays would expose the bad calls even more. .
GTJohn
December 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
We should go after Whisenhunt after this game!
goFalcons
December 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
The clock keeps running and USC and Kiffin can take that pretty boy BS CALI BS back to Cali,,,,,,,,,,, I love it
GT fan
December 31st, 2012
5:19 pm
should fire Ken for staying on Tweet
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
5:20 pm
That was a bad 3rd and 4th play calls.
Iluvnutella
December 31st, 2012
5:21 pm
Fish-fry leaving Tevin in on 4th down…..comon guys/gals…..
Just an Old Dawg Fan
December 31st, 2012
5:21 pm
I love it when a team from Atlanta Ga. shows one of the top west coast teams how it’s done. I don’t care if it is Ga. Tech. GO JACKETS
ibidGT
December 31st, 2012
5:22 pm
Stay with the B Back dive up the middle…even 2 yards on both plays would’ve resulted in a 1st down…
GT fan
December 31st, 2012
5:22 pm
should have got something out of that drive…….
GTAE70
December 31st, 2012
5:23 pm
Is the Whis even available?
Jacket Detective
December 31st, 2012
5:23 pm
@1990_Champs_GT.
U going to pay the millions we will owe Johnson if fired?
I’m not.
We could have put this game away there.
Paulie Nads
December 31st, 2012
5:24 pm
WTF!!!! Nice call CPJ!
GTAE70
December 31st, 2012
5:24 pm
I am sure Whis would be a better recruiter.
Jacket Detective
December 31st, 2012
5:24 pm
Let’s see if we can get another stupid penalty.
goFalcons
December 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
the announcers are stupid, that is pride and showing USC we will bully you!!!!! the announcers hate the south
smittyderf
December 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
Enter your comments here Coach is always quick to criticize his own players. Wonder will he criticize himself for such a terrible 4th down call? Just don’t think they ever enjoy playing for him much.
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
Calls still going against Tech.
Reebok
December 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
Tech may need to score one more time.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
5:25 pm
Everybody was PUSHING that was DUMB………..it gives USC the first 1st down of the half and momentum
goFalcons
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
WTF? they can not pass! load the middle and blitz and make them pass. COME ON MAN
Jacket Detective
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
Attaochu not there to do something stupid so Menocal does.
GT fan
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
See what stupid foul causes..here comes USC
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
Don’t need to let them get back in this. Far from over.
Reebok
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
This has choke job written all over it. Someone has to make a play on D.
Rick in Warner Robins
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
Tech is playing a great game, but what ’s up with all the trash talking by the Tech defensive secondary? They need to just shut up and play their positions and quit embarrasing the school and our state.
CT_Jacket
December 31st, 2012
5:26 pm
Tech trying to let USC back into the game.
Iluvnutella
December 31st, 2012
5:27 pm
Now we see the TRUE Fish-fry coached team come out……u guys really think it would last a whole game? Turkey-neck plays to lose……..he sucks, his bowl record sucks, his recruiting sucks.
Ted
December 31st, 2012
5:27 pm
The announcers will be absolutely giddy if USC scores.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
5:27 pm
Nice block on the pass
1990_Champs_GT
December 31st, 2012
5:27 pm
Sorry guys, you just can’t look at the Trojans’ B team the Jackets are playing and feel like this is an accomplishment.
This is a once-proud program that has watered down its fan base into accepting third place in our division and just being bowl eligible.
Four things to be proud of: 1917, 1928, 1952, and of course 1990.
Paulie Nads
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
Tech blows this game like always!!!
CT_Jacket
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
Nice Interception!!!
Jacket Detective
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
Thank God.
GT fan
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!!!
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
Way to get your hand up, No. 8. And there’s the pick–if they don’t overrule. And CPJ still looks pissed–amazing.
ibidGT
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
NEALY GETS THE INTERCEPTION AGAIN!
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
My Ball Biotch……………………………P.O A. hater……………Pizz On A Hater……………..LMMFAO…………..
Paulie Nads
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
TD coming up!!!
Iluvnutella
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
OMG OMG OMG, there is a WORSE QB than Tevin in the Sun Bowl……good thing he is on the other team.
son's who?
December 31st, 2012
5:28 pm
This is absolutely the worst QB play I have ever seen.
Jacket Detective
December 31st, 2012
5:29 pm
Naysayers crawl back in your caves.
Stinger1
December 31st, 2012
5:29 pm
GO DEFENSE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ted
December 31st, 2012
5:29 pm
He just bailed out 46 from being a goat.
Exterminator
December 31st, 2012
5:29 pm
Norte Dame will get slaughtered by Bama. They barely beat this sorry USC bunch.
Paulie Nads
December 31st, 2012
5:29 pm
Sorry f_ING Offense Paul!!!
ibidGT
December 31st, 2012
5:30 pm
Please…Tevin has been the best QB at the sun bowl by far.