We’re live from Vandy (which I think is in the SEC)
Tyler Morgan (63) and cornerback Mario Butler (2) lead Tech off the buses at Vanderbilt.
NASHVILLE — Welcome to Vanderbilt, where the major college football team from Georgia that isn’t so preoccupied with the color of their helmets and uniforms will play a game tonight.
Georgia Tech has won five straight since its only loss of the season in Miami and has a good chance to win out in the final four regular season games (although I say that without yet knowing what scary color pants and helmets – ooooh – Georgia will wear Nov. 28). The rest of the schedule: Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, Duke, Georgia. If the Jackets win out, they’ll be 11-1 overall (8-1 in conference) going into the ACC championship game.
This is what Vandy's Stadium looks like before the game, and it's not that much different during it.
And seriously, how can Tech lose tonight? Granted, weird things happen sometimes at Vanderbilt. Opponents seemingly get lulled to sleep. It has happened to Georgia. But this is a bad Vandy team. The Commodores are 2-6 and the wins have come over Western Carolina and Rice. In the last four games (all losses), they have scored only 7, 13, 10 and 10 points. Their offense is last in the SEC in average time of possession (26.41). They’re going against a Georgia Tech team that’s first in the ACC in TOP (35.31).
Ever hear of that game called, “Keep-away?”
Really, the only way I see Tech losing this game is if their heads are somewhere else. But focus hasn’t been an issue since the Miami game. When coach Paul Johnson was asked about the potential of a letdown earlier this week, he said: “I’m not worried about that. 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.”
Funny Johnson should harp on the SEC thing. Anybody who has been here knows it’s the most un-SEC-like atmosphere you’re going to find. The football team almost seems like an afterthought on campus — not quite Duke-like but pretty close.
One more thing, and I’ll expand on this when I rewrite this blog before halftime. This is a close Georgia Tech team. The players like each other, they’re confident and they’re following their coach, which is why I have a hard time seeing them cracking.
The team bussed up to Nashville Friday. Part of it is economics: The one-way trip with four buses saved the athletic department about $25,000, compared to if the team had chartered a flight. But because it’s a relatively short drive from Atlanta, the drive to the airport, and time involved in loading an unloading the plane, travel time is not that big of a difference. Tech did the same thing in the Florida State game: bussed there and flew back.
The Jackets stopped in Chattanooga on the way to Nashville and ate a barbecue place called, “Sugar’s.” Is that bonding, or what?
According to associate athletic director Wayne Hogan, “There were goats grazing outside the restaurant. Some of the payers had their pictures taken with goats.”
It’s the only goats we should expect on this trip.
That’s it for now. I’ll check back in here shortly. But let me ask you: Do you have any concern about a letdown tonight?
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
786 comments Add your comment
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
11:41 pm
Techfan, do not be surprised if the dips that vote on the polls love USC more than Tech. I think it is a “hate Southern football teams” myself.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2009
11:42 pm
I agree, cuz. I don’t think USC will fall out of the top 10, even though they deserve to.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
11:42 pm
If you keep it up, you will take the ACCC. The problem is with the polls.
TechFan
October 31st, 2009
11:42 pm
UGAFan,
You are right. Both sets of fans are guilty of trashing the other’s blog. I just remember when it was a more civil rivalry and wish it was still that way.
son_sir
October 31st, 2009
11:43 pm
I wouldn’t expect a lot of praise for a poor defensive performance and more suspect special teams play. Offensively, GT is a Top 5 team. They are blowing away the notion that you have to pass as much as you run to be successful. I just hope it is a looong while before other coaches start to rethink their pass happy mindset. CPJ’s innovations could reshape college football. I just hope it is a looong time before some catch on. For now, I’m loving those doubters. Keep putting it down. Please !
I love these experts calling this a “Wishbone”. Sure, some of the plays are similar. And many are not. Those ‘A’ backs are most more dangerous offensive weapons lined up in a the short slot. And who needs a TE ? The TE was once staple in the Wishbone. And how about those huge OL splits….. Yeah, you experts keep on with the Wishbone talk. Please, please, please…
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
ACCC is enough for this year. No matter what happens from now till the end of the season, we will never move up far enough to even be considered for the NC game. So I’ll be happy with what we get, and to hell with the polls. Maybe next year, we will get some respect from the pollsters.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
I think Tech could beat any team in the country “now” not named Bama or Florida. I said now. We shall see how it shakes out in a few weeks.
TechFan
October 31st, 2009
11:44 pm
Cuz you are probably right but they don’t deserve to be in the top 10. I watched that game tonight and Oregon totally dominated the game.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2009
11:46 pm
One major diff between CPJ’s offense and the wishbone is that when the players line up on the field, you can immediately recognize the wishbone formation. Tech doesn’t ever line up in that formation, so how can it possibly be called a wishbone offense. Back in the early 70s there were teams that ran the wishbone and teams that ran the TO, and nobody ever confused them.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
11:47 pm
Tech can and could beat USC. But the poll voters will put the dang Trojans ahead of the Jackets and the Trojans will not lose another game.
Cuz
October 31st, 2009
11:50 pm
I know the wishbone. I have pulled many a wishbone out of a turkey. I saw Bo Jackson play in a wishbone. CPJ does not run a wishbone. Heck we could probably defend against a wishbone. laughing, out loud no less.
RWill
October 31st, 2009
11:50 pm
Hilarious, how proud were you when UGA beat that big powerhouse Hawaii a couple years ago in a BCS bowl? Did they belong with the big boys then?
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2009
11:51 pm
LOL cuz
TechFan
October 31st, 2009
11:51 pm
Good game tonight Jackets! Let’s take care of Wake next week!
Not Disappointed
October 31st, 2009
11:52 pm
It would be nice to be 11-1. Playing for a NC would be something, but I doubt it this year. I’m glad the Jackets were able to make the right adjustments at half time.
Good time on the Flats!
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
11:52 pm
Seriously, what other coach in recent times has taken a program over like PJ (inheriting players that clearly did not fit his offensive scheme) and has come close to approaching his success in less than two years. Even if people criticize the ACC conference, it’s still a BCS league and does have formidable coaching and high quality athletes. Does anyone else think this is something that is just completely unheard of…? Someone needs to do an analysis of first year coaches taking over similar level programs in the past twenty years and do some comparison. I just don’t think you’ll find anything close.
Supersize that order, mutt
October 31st, 2009
11:54 pm
Grant Field should be rocking, Saturday. I just hope those remaining tickets sell. It’s stupid that people in this state don’t come see this team. Speaking of which, did you guys see the half-empty Doak Campbell Stadium today? WOW, who’d-a-ever-thunk FSU fans would desert their team.
Sane Tech Fan
October 31st, 2009
11:55 pm
Does anyone else think that PJ has done one of the most remarkable and unheard of coaching jobs of any second year head coach at a FBS school in recent memory (going back 20 yrs. or more). Think about it. Look at his record. And, as for the critics of ACC football… it’s still a conference that has formidable coaching and athletes. It’s really quite amazing.
Not Disappointed
October 31st, 2009
11:58 pm
Nite Techfan! Nite all! “Have a great Sunday.” Hope the wife in going out with the In-laws tomorrow so I can blog with my Falcons!
son_sir
October 31st, 2009
11:59 pm
Supersize: I played in a Wishbone offense in high school in one of the most successful high school programs ever in this state. I’d say second only to Valdosta. We ran it to the textbook.
I played at Georgia Southern when CPJ tweaked an offense already installed by Coach Ben Griffith. CPJ moved the ‘A’ backs in tighter and the “Hambone” was born. Knowing the Wishbone, I can tell you….this is no Wishbone. Granted, Tracy Ham could run it and sling it as well. I spent many a practice day chasing this monster of an offense around the practice field.
I have old friends who told me when CPJ was hired at GT, “dude, this worked on yall’s 1-AA level, but this is major college”. Oddly, these buds are silent now. I’m not boasting, but the silent satisfaction is very nice and predicted.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
12:03 am
son_sir, there were even Tech supporters who doubted that CPJ’s offense would ever work. I was NOT one of them, and I am LOVING it now, which I can only hope they are too.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
12:06 am
The ONLY similarity between the wishbone Tech ran in the early 70s and the offense we run now, is the defense. Pepper Rodgers’ wishbone offense was a machine, but he would never hire a decent DC to build a defense, and Tech actually had some very good D-players then. I don’t look for CPJ to put up with the D we have this year, so, with no malice meant, I don’t think Wammock will be there next year as DC.
Gerald Ball
November 1st, 2009
12:12 am
Sane Tech Fan:
I disagree that CPJ inherited players that did not fit his scheme. Josh Nesbitt is almost the ideal QB for CPJ’s system in terms of skill and ability. His only problem is that he didn’t play in the offense in high school or with his first year under Gailey, so he is just now learning the option. And what is Jonathan Dwyer but a bigger and faster version of Adrian Peterson at Georgia Southern? The only reason why he isn’t putting up huge numbers like everyone thought this year is because defenses are keying on him, which opens things up for everyone else. And Roddy Jones is a perfect A-back.
Nesbitt, Dwyer and Jones are why CPJ is having a much easier time than is Rich Rodriguez at Michigan. Where Rodriguez is basically relying on true freshmen in his second season, Tech is playing juniors. If Tech finishes 12-1, watch out. That will be good for picking up a couple really good players to round out this recruiting class and for getting some excellent early commits in next year’s class.
Wreckmaniac
November 1st, 2009
12:19 am
Whats the big deal about being in the BCS top 10 with TCU , Cinn and Boise in it ? But I do think TCU is a very tough bunch.
son_sir
November 1st, 2009
12:24 am
Supersize: I agree, the D will definitely have to improve for GT to reach and stay near the top. However, these scores look a lot like some of our scores at GSU back when we were being fitted for rings.
Erk Russell is the greatest man I have ever known personally, but his insistence on staying in the Split-60 defense was part of the blame for us getting ripped a lot on ‘D’ in Statesboro. Good thing we had an offense on jet fuel guided by CPJ. (Example: See 1985 NC game between GS-Furman). We changed to a 4-3 in ‘87 and started stopping folks.
Changing the subject a bit, Nesbitt is just now beginning to feel really comfortable with this offense. I’ve been itching to see him freeze a defender with a pitch pump fake and turn it up field for a big gain. Dang if he didn’t do it last week at UVA. I hollered louder at that than with any TD. It told me he is starting to get it.
Despite some big numbers last year, GT was running this thing at the elementary stage. They looked more polished now, but there is some work to do. It’s great to see GT working the ‘A’ backs into the passing game (seen very rarely last year). Pardon the repeated comparisons, but Nesbitt doesn’t run things as slick as a Ham or a Raymond Gross. They were slick as eel sh&t. Nesbitt makes up for it though, with his physical strength and sheer desire to win.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
12:32 am
son_sir, I never saw Ham play, but living in Augusta, I sure heard a lot about him. How Nesbitt compares to him, I have no idea, but you are right about his sheer desire to win. The “snatch” against FSU proves that he will not allow himself to be responsible for a loss, and I think that attitude is contagious. I just hope eventually that desire and will to win carries over to the defense.
Gerald Ball
November 1st, 2009
12:39 am
Stop worrying about the defense. First, Georgia Tech is always going to struggle in preparation during practice because their offense is so radically different from the offenses that they play. Jim Donnan pointed that out, and CPJ flew off the handle at him because he knew it was true. But you know that GT doesn’t have scout team players capable of simulating a pro-style offense, and even if they did those players don’t spend enough time in a pro-style scheme to be able to simulate it effectively. But GT is going to more than make that up because their opponents can’t simulate what Georgia Tech does on offense in practice either. Most of them don’t even know enough about Georgia Tech’s offense to simulate it. They probably just stick a WR or DB under center to be Nesbitt and run a few veer or wishbone plays.
Second, please people remember that Georgia Tech lost 3 guys from their best defensive line in years to the NFL. When does Tech EVER lose 3 DLs to the NFL in the same year? (As a matter of fact, when was the last time UGA had 3 DLs drafted in the same year?) DL went from being Tech’s strength, carrying them to some victories last year, to being a weakness. Next year DL won’t be anywhere near the liability that it is this year.
The defense will get better, but since very few people will be able to stop CPJ’s offense (what, like Virginia, Maryland, BC, Clemson and UNC are going to recruit to stop it when they have to stop the passing offenses that they see much more often?) it won’t matter. GT will just be happy to win games 28-24.
son_sir
November 1st, 2009
12:47 am
Not far from Augusta myself. Just north of you up here in God’s country on the lake…… Ham was a master at running this beast. His two MVP’s in the CFL prove his skills. The guy was a magician on a busted play. Nesbitt’s a different type of player, but Nesbitt’s model is probably more suited for the major college level. Nesbitt was a shotgun QB in HS. It goes without saying he has adapted well, but I offer that he is still learning and will only get better and better. The whetstone that keeps this offense sharp is repetition. I cringed when I heard they were considering opening the season with UGA in the Dome. This style of offense is much better at the end of the season.
son_sir
November 1st, 2009
1:01 am
Gerald: Your first paragraph is so right. Simulation is an enemy and a friend at the same time. One week is not enough time to school your defenders to play this the right way. In a playoff system, this is a benefit. Not so much in a bowl system. A lot was made by detractors about LSU shutting this offense down in the Chickie Bowl, but GT was so self destructive in other phases of the game that it put the offense in a very difficult position. Nonetheless, an extended period to prepare is a big help to the opposition.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
1:07 am
son_sir, HI, NEIGHBOR. lol I agree about opening with UGAG at the dome. GLAD that was vetoed. And you’re right, from what I have seen, the O keeps getting better and better each week. And you are also right about the bowl game last year. It wasn’t what LSU did so much as it was what Tech didn’t do.
son_sir
November 1st, 2009
1:37 am
Supersize: I noticed all the UGA merchandise at Academy Sports in Evans was on clearance yesterday. Looks like someone overestimated demand. Still, little GT stuff on many store shelves. So friggin’ what ? I’ll take wins any day. I hear you can now get black ‘G’ helmets at bargain basement prices and they just hit the market. Go figure.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
1:50 am
son_sir, you got that right, man. I went to a Halloween festival at my church tonight. Two of us had Tech stuff on….plenty with UGAG crap. All I could do was smile. And to make it even better, they were playing the UGAG-UF game on a projection TV there. Made it even sweeter. hehe
AUGUSTAJACKET
November 1st, 2009
2:02 am
Why don’t Mark stop trying to use black magic to win games and call C.P.J. for help
Supersize that order, mutt
November 1st, 2009
2:06 am
LOL, AUGUSTA, and Augusta here too, as is son_sir
George P
November 1st, 2009
4:03 pm
I was there, too. I hope the press box was heated, because it was darned cold in the stands. I started on one side but moved over near Pacman and the monsters at the half. There were plenty of empty seats at the beginning of the game.
Don’t forget that Tech wears white shirts at home, so Georgia gets to decide what color jerseys to wear, too. Will it be all black? Maybe red pants? I can’t wait to find out.
Yellow Fuzz
November 1st, 2009
5:07 pm
This just in. New AP Poll
1 Florida (38) 8-0 1448
2 Texas (13) 8-0 1408
3 Alabama (8) 8-0 1390
4 Cincinnati 8-0 1212
5 Boise State 8-0 1211
6 TCU 8-0 1147
7 Oregon 7-1 1130
8 Iowa 9-0 1127
9 LSU 7-1 1036
10 Georgia Tech 8-1 949