Georgia Tech wins, but this was nothing to celebrate
Josh Nesbitt had an early 4-yard touchdown run to get Georgia Tech going. Nesbitt ran for two scores and threw for two more, but it turned out to not be such an easy night.
NASHVILLE — When a team has won five straight, launched itself into the BCS bowl picture and generally has left the impression it will skate through the “Nerders Row” portion of its schedule — Virginia, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke — it doesn’t expect to have games like this.
Georgia Tech defeated Vanderbilt on Saturday night 56-31. Looks one-sided. It wasn’t. Nor should it have been this sloppy or this difficult.
Expectations on North Avenue suddenly are meteoric. Maybe the altitude got to be too much.
It’s all still sitting there for the Yellow Jackets, everything they could possibly have wanted when this season began. A double-digit win total. An ACC championship. A BCS bowl game. A top-10 ranking. A second season under Paul Johnson to reaffirm that the first season under Paul Johnson wasn’t nearly a fluke.
But this game was a not-so-subtle reminder that there’s still the possibility of the bottom falling out. Vanderbilt entered this game with a 2-6 record. Its only victories had come over Western Carolina and Rice — and they don’t really count.
But where was this game at halftime? Tied at 28-28. When the Commodores drove to a field goal on their first possession of the second half, they led 31-28.
How bad should the Jackets feel about that? Bad enough to inch toward the balcony and maybe seek therapy.
In Vandy’s six previous losses, the Commodores totaled 9, 3, 7, 13 (that against Army, and only because of a field goal in overtime), 10 and 10. One of those 10’s came against the Bulldogs. So you need not wonder why Tech defensive coordinator Dave Wommack is as unpopular on The Flats as Willie Martinez is in Athens.
If the Jackets don’t want to concern themselves with impressing poll voters, that’s one thing. But they can’t give up an 80-yard kickoff return or a 62-yard touchdown run, as they did Saturday night, and expect to skate again. They can’t assume any of their remaining opponents will implode the way Vandy did.
Because there’s only one Vandy.
Jonathan Dwyer gave Tech a 35-31 lead late in the third quarter with a 3-yard touchdown run. Then Vanderbilt turned back into Vanderbilt.
On the ensuing possession, running back Jamie Graham fumbled on the Commodores’ 19-yard line. (It was one of three Vandy fumbles.) Two plays later, Dwyer was in the end zone again from 3 yards out and suddenly it was 42-31 after two touchdowns in a span of 40 seconds.
Early in the fourth quarter, quarterback Josh Nesbitt connected with Embry Peeples for an 87-yard score, and the game looked like a rout. But for most of the night, it wasn’t.
It would be overstating things to suggest this was an “escape.” It was more like a reminder.
After a string of impressive conference victories over Florida State, Virginia Tech and Virginia — two of those coming on the road — expectations surrounding this program skyrocketed. The Jackets had the look of a team that was together and focused, that was following their coach, that seemingly would not be derailed in this home stretch.
Even coach Paul Johnson, while stating he believed Vanderbilt was better than its record indicated, did not anticipate any sort of a letdown. When asked earlier in the week about playing a non-conference game against a lesser opponent, he said: “I think our football team, to be a special one, has to go out and want to win every game. … I’m not worried about [a letdown]. I hope our guys are mature enough to realize that Vanderbilt is a good football team. We’re playing against the SEC. We’re not supposed to be able to compete. It’s a chance for our guys to match up with [an SEC team] again.”
Except that when you think, hear and see Vanderbilt, you don’t think, hear or see SEC. You see a small stadium that’s one-third empty on a campus where football doesn’t matter
It matters again at Tech. When you stumble, everybody notices.
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469 comments Add your comment
Rodney Dangerfield
November 1st, 2009
12:37 am
One more thing… I gotta give props to the announcers during the Tech-Vandy game on ESPN 360. At least they “felt” like Tech was the best one loss team. I would say they are one of the top two with Oregon, but lets see how this season pans out.
PS. It is so awesome at work, the dawg fans don’t even talk about their team anymore. It is like if you don’t talk about it, it will go away! When Tech beats UGA this year all hell is gonna break lose in Athens, doom and gloom and honestly Tech should beat them next year baring injuries or early departures to NFL.
GTRich
November 1st, 2009
12:37 am
Jeff is right, our defense is bad, our kicking team is awful, our kicker is even worse than awful, thank God for our offense which manages to score more points than what our defense gives up. Regardless we should find a replacement for DW. Nesbit played a great game and deserves a Heisman mention.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:37 am
This dawg only bites when he is provoked. I am a fan of Georgia Tech. I have always been one since I was a kid. As a kid I also was a fan of UGA. Both were Georgia schools. I attended and graduated UGA. That does not, nor has not, eliminated my being a fan of Georgia Tech. Why is that so hard to understand?
Tech beat the number five defense in the SEC. That defense had given up an average 2.14857 offensive touchdowns per game. Tech got 8. If that is not dominance then send me a chick in black leather and latex so I can understand what is domination. I have been really naughty.
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
12:38 am
Congrats on the win Jackets.
Hey
November 1st, 2009
12:38 am
The 2nd half counts just as much as the first half.
Look at the Defense in the 2nd half vs. the 1st half.
Dr. Samuel Loomis
November 1st, 2009
12:44 am
I prayed that Jeff Schultz would burn in Hell, but in my heart, I knew that Hell would not have him.
GT FAN UP NORTH
November 1st, 2009
12:45 am
As bad as the defense plays at times- I don’t care if they give up 50 a game as long as we have 51 on our side-If Josh can continue to progress and pass like he did tonight- I don’t see the Jackets losing another game this season. The Jackets have made people stay for mistakes which we saw tonight. It will be interesting to see what time next weeks time will be- Go Jackets- good win- I was hoping the WF would beat Miami today as that would have given us a game cushion but win out and don’t worry about I guess-THWG!!!
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
12:45 am
What we have here is a failure to communicate.
There are Dawg fans that really do pull for the Jackets.
Believe it or not.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:46 am
I believe. I believe.
So did you get tired of suicide watch over on our side?
TechMD
November 1st, 2009
12:48 am
lol Cuz. And I agree with a lot of the other posts. Iowa is soooo overrated and lots of teams have a bad half here and there with nothing but kudos after they pull it out. Double standard all the way but I also agree with Johnson’s view that you can, and should, always improve.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 1st, 2009
12:48 am
Good observations Jeff. Our defense looked bad in the first half, and our kicking team looked bad ALL NIGHT! The “high school” offense contnues to roll, but Georgia Tech will not gain national respect until we show that we can consistently stop “lesser” teams … even if they are from a “superior” conference. Personally, after watching Wake Forest and seeing the stats from the Duke game today, I’m more than a little concerned. Certainly the Jackets are CAPABLE of beating these two teams, but mistakes such as we saw tonight show that we are also capable of LOSING to them. The QB’s from both Wake and Duke are excellent passers, and our defense has not shown themselves consistently adept at stopping the pass. (Kind of reminds me of the Falcons!)
In any event, it was a good win tonight … just as the other eight have been. I’m hoping we’ll pick up three more before the regular season ends … and two more after that! Go Jackets!
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:52 am
MD, I think Tech is one of the best teams in the country. I just want them to have a better defense when they face Bama, Florida or the dang Horny Frogs.
You dang skippy I will pull for GT over Bama or Flo-rid-a in a BCS title game. I got state pride.
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
12:52 am
Oh, it’s so depressing. I’m afraid there will be blood everywhere.
GT Alum
November 1st, 2009
12:53 am
It may have been ugly at times defensively, but its a W so lets take it and move on… Jackets O is unstoppable- no one can argue that Vandy’s D was pretty good coming into the game. The D was embarrassed in the first half and Womack’s head is going to be on a silver platter at the end of the year. But at least they woke up in the 2nd.
Go Jackets!! I’d rather be talking about an ugly win than whining about a lopsided loss like our friends from Athens.
Paul Johnson is your Daddy
November 1st, 2009
12:57 am
PJ aka EF Hutton continues his dominance over Bobby Johnson and the SEC. Wommack needs to step up, though, or he’ll be looking for another job next year.
SEC fans would consider this a good SEC road win(since they’re all so tough), but now that we won it will be “so what, you only beat Vandy.” Gotta love the double standard…
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
12:58 am
Both W’s, Willie and Wommack, will be doing ReMax commercials at the end of the year. No extended contracts on their lawn services.
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
12:58 am
Don’t say MD. It reminds me of MD 20-20.
I had therapy for that.
Tampa Wreck
November 1st, 2009
12:59 am
Sorry, but Wommack has to go. Even with our “simplified” defense, we continue to be out of position. Our contain guys don’t contain, and the tackling by the secondary is flat out atrocious. It’s a good thing we can score 50, because were gonna need it against wake, the dukies, and the dawgs. Hell, it may take 70 to beat Duke the way our defense plays.
I guess the good news is this continues to give CPJ something to yell about. Maybe we can reinvent the defense again for Wake.
Paul Johnson is your Daddy
November 1st, 2009
1:01 am
Wommack’s D is pathetic. Just wanted to comment in order to pile on. He’s got to go.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
1:02 am
Thanks F.B. Yellow Jacket. The offense was great tonight but, agree, a stronger statement could’ve been made tonight. I’m sure CPJ knows that, and he wasn’t happy with the D or the ST breakdowns. .. But rest of season is still there for taking for Tech.
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
1:02 am
They can ride around in the balloon and reminisce.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
1:03 am
Loomis — Is there a Marriott there? I usually stay in Marriotts.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
1:04 am
GTRich — Agree on Nesbitt. He was great tonight. I don’t know if he deserves to win the Heisman or not but he certainly deserves to be in the conversation. He’s at the center of one of the most productive offenses in the nation. That should count for something.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
1:04 am
PJID, read my earlier posts. Vandy had a surprisingly strong D in the SEC before this game. Use the 2.14857 offensive touchdowns allowed by Vandy in conversations with Dawg fans or SEC fans in general. Tech scored 8. UGA scored 4. I don’t make up the stats, I just post em. It is what it is. And of course, it all depends on what the meaning of is, is.
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
1:07 am
Not Disappointed — Actually, I’m sitting down at the Airport Marriott (free wifi) having a a chicken quesadilla at this very minute!
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
1:08 am
Jeff, I cut my hair real close, put on some black rimmed glasses, trimmed my goatee and sat in my yard with a computer. I was trying to be you for Halloween. Kids ran away screaming. Mothers called me names I cannot repeat. Do you get that often?
DCJacket
November 1st, 2009
1:09 am
Enter your comments here
Jeff Schultz
November 1st, 2009
1:09 am
Cuz — no issues with Tech’s offense. It’s great.
DCJacket
November 1st, 2009
1:12 am
Ignore the bees behind the curtain Jeff. I loved the High octane > scotch comment BTW. I think you hit the nail on the head in that this game served a reminder that there is room for improvement. I’ll take the W and move-on regardless. CPJ for COA!! THWG!
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
1:16 am
It looks like the second time around scheming for the TO is not working.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
1:16 am
I agree. CPJ for Coach of Alabama. We play them less than Tech.
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
1:17 am
Jeff, Cuz and Jacket nation have a great night.
stew
November 1st, 2009
1:18 am
Unis was a star for Ringling Brothers. He did the 1 finger hand stand on a ball!
G Man
November 1st, 2009
1:19 am
the Obvious : our offense (GT’s)is great, maybe the best in the nation when you consider the stats. Our defense and special teams, however, are another story. Clearly, we don’t have enough talent and depth at this point in time, and I’m sure more players are on their way. The subtle : Tech plays in control, unlike the thugs with the black “G” on their black helmet. In the 80’s and 90’s the U could get away with that type of play, because they were so much better athletically than their competition. While UGA (and the recruiting services) say UGA has better talent than GT, it’s not showing on the field. Why is that? Let’s just assume the UGA kids are in fact very talented; why do they get embarrassed by UT (who is not as talented) and UF (who admittedly is much more talented , although Georgia’s classes have also consistently ranked in the top 5 with UF’s every year). UGA will have more talent that any team they play the rest of the year, including Tech, yes Tech (though that gap is closing). So in theory they should win the next 4, rather easily in fact. And maybe they will. Any one want to bet on that? And what gives with all of the thuggish play on UGA’s part? That stuff will get you beat. FSU was taking all kinds of cheap shot at the Tech players at the end of that game in Tallahassee, and the Tech players just tossed the ball back to the ref and went back to the huddle. That’s the kind of focus the Dogs need. Too bad you don’t usually find that this time of year, at least whey you are so sorely lacking.
Cuz
November 1st, 2009
1:20 am
I would say goodnight but I am too tired. So g-nite.
Where is that Scotch that Jeff hid?
hey jeff but for the sec refs
November 1st, 2009
1:24 am
fla lsu and bama could each have a loss.
the no 4 sec usce, won a close game against an acc also ran in ncstate. a game where usce did not score a td on o. a game that saw an sec official blow a flagrant mugging foul late in the game and take the momemtum away from a driving ncstate team.
my point is…. as others have stated….. the sec is all hype. yet you douse water on the jackets 25 point win? bama an fla an lsu are winning close games at home against bottom tier opponents an you dis a gt win going away?
is it any wonder that the 3 conferences that get the most tv coverage also rank 1, 2 and 3 in attendance.
when you listen to espn abc etc it is plain that they are pulling for one of two scenerious in the nc title game.
opt 1….. a replay of the sec title game.
opt 2….. the sec champ against the cinderella hawkeyes. a team with no o and a good d. a team that has played nobody. a team that has come into the spotlight because of the come behind wins. say wha?
mabye gt would get more respect if they kept coming from behind? what say you?
45ACP
November 1st, 2009
1:25 am
I will leave everyone with this thought. Would CPJ want to retire at Tech?
Just asking.
hey jeff but for the sec refs
November 1st, 2009
1:27 am
btw the sec is no 1 in attendance
the big 10 is no 2 in attendance
and the big 12 is no 3 in attendance.
seems to me that those 3 conferences also get the most ink or air time also. i do not think that is a coincidence.
Reality
November 1st, 2009
1:33 am
I would much rather that Tech get a wake up call now than to lose to Wake or Duke. However, I also wish that the voters would finally give Tech some respect. ESPN called Tech the best one loss team in the nation and yet we are not in the top 10????
Rick H
November 1st, 2009
1:47 am
Does anybody remember margin of victory after the season is wrapped up? Does anybody think Florida will give back their national championship trophy if they win it because they only beat Arkansas by 3 and were in a game with Miss State for more than a little while? The week to week melodrama doesn’t really matter in the loong run but I guess people have to have something to talk about.
Besides, I thought the BCS eliminated margin of victory from consideration to keep teams from running up scores, so a win is a win and a loss is a loss.
blackprix
November 1st, 2009
1:49 am
Come on GT fans … you know darn well if GT wants to play with the elite in the nation … WE NEED A GOOD DEFENSE!! A defense that comes to play the whole game, that outplays lesser foes, that stands toe-to-toe with their equals.
I’m not a Wommack fan, and I believe he is the issue with how we play. You’re the teacher and you teach a subject. If you are not good at what you teach, it shows up in your students tests. Being a DC is no different.
You can’t be a Top 10 team and just show up. Glad we won, but I agree with the article – got to do better and coaching needs to make that happen.
GT121
November 1st, 2009
1:54 am
Shultz is a LEGEND in his own mind ,but hey he is funny even if my 8 year old son knows more about football than him..he does reply to the bloggers and thats alot more than that liberal nitwit C Tucker ever does…but hey..TECH WINS AGAIN….and tonite thats ALLLLLL that matters..GOOO JACKETS!!!
macrotech
November 1st, 2009
2:10 am
Glad to have the win…another sec team bites Tech’s dust!!! However, this Jeckle and Hyde defense of ours is going to be the death of me!!! It’s a good thing that our offense is scoring so much….WE’RE 8-1!!! GO TECH!!!
Stone Cold Schultz
November 1st, 2009
2:19 am
Well, just when you think Schultz has jumped on the GT Bandwagon, he falls off again whining about a 56-pt, 600 yd OFFENSIVE BONANZA!! A WIN is a WIN, and when a game is so taken over and controlled as GT did in the 2nd half of this one, IT’S A BEAUTIFUL THING!
Dry your tears Schultzie…It’s gonna be OK. We’re talking talent on The Flats and CPJ knows how to develop and use them. Talent goes to Athens and DIES A SLOW & PAINFUL DEATH…
Anyone trying to decide whether to commit to UGAG or GT has a pretty EASY DECISION to make now: Join a program that hit the bottom with Coach Chandler Gailey and is headed up in a parabolic RISE with CPJ…Or join a program in Athens that has quite obviously PEAKED and has FALLEN OFF A CLIFF with Blind Willie and The Emperor With No Clothes – The Once Mighty Coach Richt. The rapid pace at which these two programs have diverged is almost beyond belief!
So cheer up Schultz…GT Football’s got your back. The Lost & Clueless in Athens who can’t even decide what freakin color their uniforms are going to be on any given Saturday have somehow lurched uncontrollably into the most appropriate one —– BLACK! CMR says it’s OK for everyone in a UGAG uniform or in the stands or coaching with their eyes closed on the sideline to WEAR BLACK…Because there’s gonna be some changes soon for the Butt-Sniffers and some coaching careers will be BURIED, along with any hopes for Bowl Eligibility this year…
Imagine that…GT in a BCS Bowl and UGAG not even able to qualify for an Invite! There’s PLENTY TO CELEBRATE Mr. Schultz. Have some faith in CPJ…He’ll know if and when any changes need to be made too, but he won’t hesitate at the expense of the entire football program.
It’s going to be a BEAUTIFUL JANUARY this year, with tens of thousands of UGAG fans forced to stay at home and watch THE BEST FOOTBALL PROGRAM IN THE STATE perform for a national audience. RECRUITS: Listen up…COMMIT TO GT NOW while you still can…Pretty soon they’re going to be TURNING AWAY talented recruits, and you don’t want to find yourself in that position where you might have to settle for playing at a .500 school down the road a ways from ATL…
Bark Madley down on the Dawgs today and Schultz taking it out on GT…Are they starting to leave Pink Slips in the lockers down at the AJC Sports Room on the weekends now or something?!?! Somebody needs a Happy Pill…
Georgia Tech wins, but this was nothing to celebrate | Jeff Schultz | Georgia realestate live today
November 1st, 2009
2:19 am
[...] Josh Nesbitt touchdowns but the Jackets struggled more than expected. See the example post: Georgia Tech wins, but this was null to fete | Jeff Schultz Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: became-the, blue-on-saturday, jackets, josh, [...]
GT Joe
November 1st, 2009
2:43 am
Wow, nothing to celebrate? That is a dumb statement and one of the many reason why I don’t and will not ever again subscribe to the Atlanta Journal Communist. Dwyer had a career day and the offense and the offense racked up just below 600 yards of total offense. Not to mention the defense only gave up three points in the second half. I think scoring 56 points against a team that only gave up an average of 17 for the rest of the season is definitely a reason to celebrate.
LSU 98
November 1st, 2009
3:31 am
two weeks ago after uga beat “vandy” all of you gt fans were saying it was just “vandy”. So now you want a little respect for beating what is probably the number 10 or 11 team in the SEC. what would you say if it were uga beating say nc state, duke or virginia which are the 10-12 teams in the acc. of course right now it looks like 6-12 may all have the same records. is it weak or is it equal strength?? i for one say weak. maybe lsu and gt get a rematch?
Georgia Tech wins, but this was nothing to celebrate | Jeff Schultz | Georgia Today
November 1st, 2009
4:04 am
[...] See more here: Georgia Tech wins, but this was nothing to celebrate | Jeff Schultz [...]
the real OLD GOLD
November 1st, 2009
4:22 am
I was there in Nashville people.. and I agree with Jeff. The first half of this one we gave up 28 points to the team that could barely put up double digits on Army. They only managed 10 on Willie Martinez….
I was sick at my stomach. We shouldn’t have to put up nearly 60 to beat Vandy. I’m way more worried about the next 3 games now. We have to get better.
That being said.. the Offense was awesome, other than the supposed fumble. We also had a couple of questionable turnover calls that (vandy fumbles), one in particular that should have gone our way, so this was a great win all in all. Besides my 2am tire blowout at the Georgia line out of Chattanooga what a great trip. The trees were awesome up i-24.
Drew
November 1st, 2009
4:26 am
If the football gods had any common sense, they’d match up Tech with the University of Houston in a BCS bowl game.
You’d have the best running team in the country (Tech) vs. a team that can’t stop the run to save its life (UH), and the best passing team in the country, with the best QB in the country (UH) vs. a team that can’t stop the pass to save its life (Tech).
If I had to predict, I’d say 77-70 Tech.