It’s hard to see Georgia’s defense stopping Tech

What's the chance of Willie Martinez coming up with a game plan to upset Georgia Tech?

Any chance Willie Martinez comes up with a game plan to upset Tech?

In 2006, when a 7-4 and unranked Georgia team defeated a 9-2 and 16th ranked Georgia Tech team, it wasn’t difficult to figure out why. The Dogs’ defense rattled Reggie Ball, the oft-rattled quarterback, who went 6-for-22 with two interceptions and a fumble.

“That was our goal from Day 1,” defensive tackle Ray Gant said afterward. “As soon as we started game-planning Tech, shake Reggie.”

The biggest reason not to expect an upset next Saturday when Georgia goes to North Ave? The Dogs’ defense seldom rattles anybody any more.

If this is another indictment of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, so be it. We watched Kentucky score four second-half touchdowns Saturday night, and even though two of those scores were set up by turnovers, the game illustrated Georgia’s lack of ability to make a play when it matters.

Question: Do you see Martinez putting together a game plan and inspiring a defense to the point that the Dogs can either: 1) rattle Jackets quarterback Josh Nesbitt into making mistakes, or, 2) slow an offense that is among the nation’s per-game leaders in yardage (449.6) and points (36)? I don’t.

Here’s a stat for you: If you throw out the Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech games, Georgia has allowed an average of 31.4 points in its other nine games. Martinez might want to keep that off his resume.

Can Georgia put up points against Tech? Yes.  But as much as the Jackets’ defense has struggled this season, it also has shown an ability to make adjustments and make plays when it has had to. (Another stat: The Jackets have allowed only one second-half touchdown  in the last four games). The Dogs probably had a better defense a year ago, when Tech torched them for 409 rushing yards and five offensive TDs.

I suppose there’s something to be said for this being a rivalry game and Georgia players wanting to finish the season (pre-bowl) on a high note. But it’s hard to imagine any breakthrough coming now.

678 comments Add your comment

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:24 am

LSU 98: Don’t know either of you, but that’s not cool.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:25 am

Once again: who cares about the past?

StingDoc

November 23rd, 2009
12:29 am

To Wally Butts who trashes the ACC & Tech:

ACC = 5 teams in BCS top 25.
SEC = 4 teams in top 25.

MVP

November 23rd, 2009
12:30 am

CHOKE !! THE OFFICAL DRINK OF THE GEORGIA BULLDAWGS!!

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:32 am

Thanks for the brilliant insight, HWalker.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:33 am

But StingDoc, don’t you get it? The ACC is far inferior to the SEC. Tech doesn’t have to line up against big-time teams like Kentucky.

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:34 am

Good luck covering Thomas with a lineman.

BO BO'S Boss

November 23rd, 2009
12:35 am

POWER I soon to dominate SEC East.

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:37 am

CMR and the DAWGS wait till the last game of the season to throw all the punches. Expect and EMBARASSMENT in Atlanta for the Nerds on Saturday night! That’s right, you heard it Dorks, EMBARASSMENT! GA – 45 Tech – 10

Wait, let me translate that for you in your Dork language:
110101001010100001001010100101000011110001010

Get it now?

Had to post it again, still the best post thus far. I thought you Nerds were supposed to be smart? None of your responses have been even remotely funny. Put down your comic books and think of something clever, will ya? Dawgs are gonna eat you for lunch NERDS! And I doubt any of you will say sh*t to my face. Ill be in SEC 130 Row 7 Seats 17 – 18…

BO BO'S Boss

November 23rd, 2009
12:37 am

Marty like hot peppers more than football…can we not just fire him like a fry cook a burger king? the man is worthless

MBobo

November 23rd, 2009
12:38 am

Mark Richt is my God and he should be yours too!!!!

MBobo

November 23rd, 2009
12:39 am

By Bobo we stand…by Martinez we fall!!!!

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:39 am

Dawg24: Just because you keep saying it doesn’t make it true. Try clicking your heels together.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:39 am

DawgFan, based on last year’s game (in Athens), and based on the performance of both teams this season, how exactly do you postulate that UGA will win by 5 TDs?

BO BO'S Boss

November 23rd, 2009
12:39 am

WING T……….WING T!! POWER I!!! speed does not work Florida proved that.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:40 am

No, DawgFan, I wouldn’t say anything to your face. Oxygen is too precious to waste.

BIRDDAWGONE

November 23rd, 2009
12:42 am

Tron5000:

UGA lined up against Kentucky last week, what meaning of “in the past” are you using? Read you entries from today, how many times did you mention the past—I have one for you. It is PAST your bedtime.

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:42 am

Jesus, Tron and Limelight, do you guys have lives? You’ve been monitoring this message board now for well over 6 hrs or so. I promise you both that Tech is going down faster than the both of you in the bathroom at Blake’s! Count on it!

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:43 am

Dawg24: So big he needs 2 seats. Do you also use seat belt extensions on the airplane?

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:45 am

Limelight, getting a little better, i chuckled..but still pretty weak.

pruss

November 23rd, 2009
12:46 am

Ok why has no one said anything about the fact that they played that stupid Miley Cyrus Party in the USA song as the warm up song to before the start of the 3rd qtr. What the hell was that?! Is that the kind of crap they have been using to fire our team up in the locker room this year? No wonder we are 6-5.

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:47 am

pruss…now that made me laugh!

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:48 am

Dawg24: Why did you buy seats so close to the field? You won’t be able to see much from Row 7. Oh, now I get it.

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:48 am

Tron: “sticks and stones may break my bones…” What a Homo!

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
12:49 am

Limelight, you just regressed, im disappointed…

BCS Bound

November 23rd, 2009
12:50 am

It’s hard to be humble as a Tech fan—the jackets should be undefeated, but they got hosed by the refs in the Miami game. Right now, Tech could beat Florida or Alabama in the SEC, but will have to take it out instead on the whimpering bulldogs. Look for Paul Johnson to really run it up to get a few more votes in case Texas goes down. Tech 48 Ga 16

Maybe next year dawgs. I heard that freshman QB may be better than Joe Cox!!!!!

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:51 am

Dawg24: I admit your posts are funnier than mine.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:51 am

“Homo.” Classy. I’m done with you.

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:54 am

RichBlackMan: Not for long, Socialism coming right at you.

BIRDDAWGONE

November 23rd, 2009
12:56 am

All the things you just wrote you already wrote in the PAST. Everyone can read that you are sitting there alone, crying– go to bed, it is past your bedtime. I think the DAWGS will win this weekend, regardless of last weekend or however far in the past we are allowed to mention according to you. You are living in the PAST– Tech won their games in the PAST.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:57 am

Pretty sure the word “Tech” is in the title of this column. Opponent’s message board indeed.

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
12:57 am

And it beats getting a job.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
12:59 am

It’s past my bedtime. Hilarious. And you already said it. Who writes your material, the Joe Biden PR staff?

Why do you think UGA will win this weekend? What could possibly give you that idea?

Obama

November 23rd, 2009
1:01 am

I’m from Kenya, what do I know about rich white people?

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
1:03 am

Obama is a rich white person. Just as much as he’s a rich black person. Not that I’m pleased to claim him or anything.

Obama

November 23rd, 2009
1:04 am

I stopped admitting my mother was white years ago. Didn’t you read my book?

DawgFan24

November 23rd, 2009
1:05 am

Tron: UGA will win B/C WE HAVE OWNED YOU GUYS over the past 8 yrs. What makes you think you will win? You victory last year was a Fluke. All of GA knows it. That High School Offense of yours was practically SHUT DOWN by the likes of Wake Forest and Miami this year. Im pretty sure UGA could beat both teams. So I’ll take my chances with the level of talent we have versys the joke of a team you guys field week after week in the LAME ACC. History has proven that GOOD teams have tadems of both RUN and PASS offenses. Dont you worry, my men in Red WILL PROVE IT TO YOU come Saturday.

Limelight

November 23rd, 2009
1:07 am

Dawg24: Yep, your posts are still funnier than mine. Gettin late…..

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
1:12 am

DawgFan, Wake practically shut down our “high school offense,” huh? To the tune of 412 rushing yards and 30 points? If UGA shuts us down in similar fashion, they lose by a TD, minimum.

If the ACC is so lame, would UK be leading it? Since the SEC is so superior and since UGA just lost to them, I have to infer my your message that Kentucky would be going to Tampa over Tech or Clemson. Is that correct?

Glad you want to talk about things that happened over the last 8 years. Too bad Paul Johnson wasn’t here then. Keep crowing about the good old days. Won’t do you any good come Saturday.

BIRDDAWGONE

November 23rd, 2009
1:13 am

Tron5000

I don’t live in the past. I always believe in the DAWGS and their future. Every weekend I support the DAWGS and will continue even when they have a bad season. I haven’t seen beat UGA many times during my lifetime and I am 43 years old, that is why I think we have a chance. Oh, I know you could Google this and understand where I am coming from. Go ahead, write another mean spirtited comment about UGA fans, like you have all night, it just shows who you are.

Tumbleweed

November 23rd, 2009
1:13 am

For you Tech fans that think UGA has one NC, think again. UGA won the NC in 1942 and 1980 unanimously and won two that were not unanimous in smaller polls. At one time their were more polls than today and a great deal of discrepancy and disagreement in who was number one. Thats why we need some sort of playoff system.

As for the quality of the teams Tech has played vs. who UGA has played, I would have to say KY and Vandy are as good as WF and Duke and UVA lost to William and Mary. How is that for a heavy weight. By the way Tech beat our two weak sisters and both teams were respectable against Tech. In addition USC beat NCS and Alabama beat Va. Tech so our records against each other in conference play is even so far this year. As I already explained look at the winning percentage of the teams the two teams played it is a better indicator of strength of schedule. The teams UGA played have won 60% of their games and the teams GT has played have won 49% of their games.

Teach can and will be beaten, not only by UGA but also by Clemson.

Tron5000

November 23rd, 2009
1:19 am

If you’re 43, you’re old enough to know better. Doesn’t matter what UGA has done in your 43 years. Matters what they will do in 5 days, 18 hours and 41 minutes. And that’s lose.

Johnny Weissmuller

November 23rd, 2009
1:22 am

Tumbleweed

You keep dreaming

We put up 409 yards on the ground on you last year “be-twinx” the hedges and since then we have gotten much better and you have fallen from top10 to not even mentioned at all

Welcome to a .500 regular season

JSS

November 23rd, 2009
1:23 am

BugKiller… (AKA BugLiar)
How was that PB&J that your Nanna made for you? Did she cut the edges off like you like before you laid down in the floor and had a hissy fit?

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSsssssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I won’t tell anybody about that bed wetting thing problem that you have….

Grown folks don’t have infer profanity to make a point!

Pi$$onaDawg

November 23rd, 2009
1:28 am

Les Miles and LSU had just as bad a day as Cox and the Dawgs.

Tumbleweed

November 23rd, 2009
2:21 am

Johnny Weissmuller,

Wake up you are having a Wet Dream!!

PHIL

November 23rd, 2009
3:01 am

Did someone say Tech could beat AL or FL??? Geez, they are relevant now for a whole year and you’d think they had a football team for ever. And just to buck the usual and throw some FACTS in Techs official SOS is in the 40’s depending on which way you go. UGA’s is 3. If ANYBODY thinks Tech could be 10-1 against the UGA schedule…….you’re just plain out in left field.

Sally Jane

November 23rd, 2009
3:05 am

Guess you all are missing Matthew, Noshown and Mohammed about know. They had great games and are fabulous pros.

Korefa

November 23rd, 2009
4:12 am

My Christmas wish list:

2010 Def Coordinator: Kirby Smart
2010 Off Coordinator: Chris Hatcher

Korefa

November 23rd, 2009
4:18 am

GSU will regret firing Hatcher. He was playing Soph and Fres players. He said numerous times to be patient. He had to have time to get the guys in place to play his kind of football. I was really excited about GSU next year and especially the year after. Now it looks like they will be in for another 3-4 year free fall.

This would be a reach but Georgia would do well to go and get him to at least coach the QB’s next year in Athens. However, I fully expect him to land as a Head Coach somewhere.