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
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:00 pm
This is where we make the argument to the next dual-threat QB recruit…you can come to GT, use all of your talents and win bowl games.
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:01 pm
first down!!!
lets go tech
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:02 pm
first and goal >>>>>>>
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:03 pm
Lick’n what I’m seeing so far.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
Nice call!
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
yes!!!
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
Nice……………..SIMS…….TD……………go Kiss a USC Song Girl.
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
“ima ramblin wreck……”
GTJohn
December 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
Nice DRIVE! Keep Vad in the rest of game!
OkieDawg
December 31st, 2012
3:05 pm
Vern said “Touchdown Georgia”…too funny.
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:05 pm
TD…Vad to Sims!!!! If CPJ turns the reins back over to Tevin, he’s the most bull-headed fool in America. Where you at, GT Joe?
45ACP
December 31st, 2012
3:05 pm
What’s the word on Orwin Smith?
GT fan
December 31st, 2012
3:06 pm
Great play call on TD pass…go jackets….
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:06 pm
NICE play VL…….he had the DE come to him so he threw instead of the run nice. That PLAY CALL was a TD either way VL running if the DE drops into coverage or passes if the DE comes up for the run. NICE PLAY CALL.
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
3:06 pm
Alright, Tech, you can win this thing. Now go on and take it!
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:06 pm
vad came to play!
Dog kicker
December 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
VAD LEE!!!
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
Orwin’s GT career over
GTJohn
December 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
Orwin is out, supposedly the rest of the game.
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:07 pm
good kick
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:08 pm
Okie = this announcing team are the most obnoxious SEC homers on TV (UGA in particular). Great to listen to if you’re a Dawg fan…otherwise, not so much.
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
3:08 pm
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:03 pm
Lick’n what I’m seeing so far.
________________
“Lick’n” it, eh? Tastes pretty good so far, right?!
GT Joe
December 31st, 2012
3:08 pm
Vad just made two passes that tevin could never (and has never) made. rolling left, throwing on the run, and ON THE MONEY.
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
D is looking good
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Vern had the biggest crush ever on Greene and Pollack. Wouls anyone really be shocked if he wore women’s undergarments?
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
45 SMITH took a BIG hit on a run and he is in the locker room with a hurt shoulder.
Dog kicker
December 31st, 2012
3:09 pm
Looks like the jackets came to play today !
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:10 pm
agreed GT Joe.
Tampa Wreck
December 31st, 2012
3:10 pm
Wat too much time there. Put some pressure on the kid!
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
NoledWag……I.m talk’n bout the USC Song Girls…..LOL
Tampa Wreck
December 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
Wow this will hurt big time.
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
GT Joe – Amen brother!
Passing may become a little easier for USC. Chris Milton is out and was playing a helluva game. Now Sneezy? Jeez!
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
DAMN not good for CHUE…..that didn’t look bad.
SouthGA Dawg
December 31st, 2012
3:12 pm
GATA Tech, Dawg nation is behind you. Kick their arse Tech
Dog kicker
December 31st, 2012
3:12 pm
O crap J.A looks like he is hurt bad.
George Stein
December 31st, 2012
3:12 pm
El Paso must seriously hate us. Enough injuries!
GT Joe
December 31st, 2012
3:13 pm
Here’s the problem with CPJ: he gives tevin 2 drives, then 2 for vad. If they perform equally, Tevin plays the rest of the game (like the UGA game, FSU, etc.). He ignores the fact that Vad is a superior playmaker.
Tie goes to Vad, not Tevin!
If Tevin plays another snap, it better be because Vad has 3 turnovers.
Erk Russell's Dog
December 31st, 2012
3:13 pm
I am sure Vern and Gary D. are just as thrilled to be calling this game as USC is about playing in it.
45ACP
December 31st, 2012
3:14 pm
Thanks, I was listening on the radio when he was injured, before I got home. Hate to see a career end that way.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
MY BALL BiOTCH
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
yes!!
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
Tech’s got it goin’ on today. Don’t let up now.
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
Johnny-on-the-spot, JHD with the fumble recovery….yes!
GT Joe
December 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
did the ball carrier ever really have it?
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
For all the talk about people not wanting to play in or call this game, why are Dwag fans here talking about it???
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
Stay aggressive…we want TD’s today, no FG’s.
5150 UOAD
December 31st, 2012
3:17 pm
GT Joe……………….here is a deal……………………..Shut the Fup until the game is over then Complain after TECH loses and if TECH WIN them STFU until NEXT football season……How is that for a DEAL?
GT4Life (the original)
December 31st, 2012
3:17 pm
Big10 officials will protect their PAC12 buddies.
WHISKEY CLEAR
December 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
crap
DawgNole
December 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
Refs screwin’ the Jackets again. Disgusting.