It’s hard to see Georgia’s defense stopping 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.
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678 comments Add your comment
play the game and get it over
November 22nd, 2009
7:13 pm
Tech went to the slipper bowl in 2002? did flag boy play on that Tech team? lmao
mgdawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
If I was betting I wouldn’t take UGA, and in the past I would always take UGA no matter who they played, however I’m going to go to the game hoping for a win and thinking that UGA can do it. The D-line I believe is better this year then last year, not good or great but improved. But everywhere else has seen a severe downgrade. I do believe the key to stopping the tech offense is the D-line, if you can get a push and get nesbitt running slanting backwards then you have a chance. Last year UGA didn’t do this and that is why when it seemed like uga made a good play they still gained 3-4 yards.
UGA will have to play perfect to have a chance and they haven’t done that all year, but miracles do happen….
Paul in RDU
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
To the Dawg fans who say that UGA shouldn’t go to a bowl at 6-6 – forget anout it – they are going.
The SEC has contracts with 9 bowls (if you include the Sugar) plus they will have UF or ALA in the BCSCG – that makes 10. ALL of the bowl elegible SEC teams are going to bowls. It’s all about making money for the conference and their partners.
JB
November 22nd, 2009
7:14 pm
Denver Dog – your post made absolutely NO SENSE. But, that confirms my post and others about you. It must be very difficult going through life with a UGA degree. As Ron White says: “You can’t fix stupid.” Go Jackets!
Super Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:15 pm
Z
You are on the crack coolaid my friend
your program will need to even the series before we are ever below yours
that won’t happen until your great grand children are born if that ever does
Super Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:17 pm
Tech
Go take your degree crap and shuv it
There are way more famous UGA graduates than your back woods janitorial engineering school has
UGA is SO last YEAR
November 22nd, 2009
7:18 pm
We didn’t even play this weekend and we nearly took over the #6 spot in the BCS. Beat Georgia and we will be even higher.
Mike
November 22nd, 2009
7:18 pm
Hello??? GT is ranked 7th. Uga? 50th? Come on. GT is going to beat this team easily. It shouldn’t even be a topic. Clemson and gt are just as good as fla and bama. That will show when both teams crush the sec this weekend and Fsu hangs around with fla with a freshman back up qb. If ponder played, I would say it’s a coin flip.
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:18 pm
Dawgs are and will be the dominating team in Georgia forever. Some of the fans not wanting bowl is clue less. We need bowl playing experience and to get to 8 wins.
Richt is a fine man and a Christian to make him bests coach fit for UGA. The problems is Adams and Evans for not standing up Adams. We got to help CMR get team filled his players by making Hargrave recruiting easy.
Even with stinky seniors we still best compared to nerdie bugs. Look for UGA to be wiping field with bugs and laughing to make fun of chumpy ACC teams. SEC talent makes ACC look like they should be playing in high schools playoffs and not Div 1 teams.
TampaDawg86
November 22nd, 2009
7:18 pm
has anybody thought Richt might be just ready to get out of here to get back to FSU when Bowden retires?
Denver Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:19 pm
Z, grow up, I didn’t say anything deragatory about your offense, or your team. I just think we will beat you this weekend. I guess with a moniker like Z you put yourself into the class of m, yellow fizz, ramble on, Saint Simons, and some of those other classless Tech folk. Sport model, I don enjoy our team, and I lvoe our school. I never thought that we would be ranked higher academically than Ga Tech, but now we are. Our players graduate at a higher rate than your thugs, and your campus has become an oasis for drug dealers, prostitution, and other illicit activites. I was a cheering for Tech long before you were even a glimmer in your parents eye. So sit back and learn something, enjoy your season, and don’t go on blogs about UGA spraying your BS about UGA or anyone else. If I were you, I’d worry more about stopping the UGA passing attack, than spewing your nonsense at me.
Pi$$onaJacket
November 22nd, 2009
7:19 pm
As the old saying goes, you can throw the record books out the windows…tech has everything to lose and it would be sweet for the DAWGS ro prevail! I would love to knock them out of the rankings. TO HELL WITH TECH!
Georgia is in Good Shape - Fan's relax
November 22nd, 2009
7:21 pm
Should Georgia fire March Richt?
No!
Have you visited http://www.firemarkricht.net ? Any notion of firing Georgia Bulldogs Coach Mark Rich is foolish.
Yes, Willie Martinez, defensive coordinator, should be replaced. Yes, Richt needs to return to play calling duties for Mike Bobo.
And Richt needs to recruit more physical, hard hitting types of players instead of finesse ones.
But even Vince Dooley had his share of down, mediocre, and disappointing seasons. Go research Georgia’s win-loss record in 1979. We know what those Bulldogs did in 1980.
Now I do not expect 2010 to be like 1980. But the point is that every coach in college football should be allowed to have an occasional mediocre season, in the context of having mostly successful seasons – especially when most of those seasons land the team in a coveted BCS Bowl.
Remember that Georgia lost three critical offensive skills players (quarterback, running back, and wide receiver) to the NFL. Often the best coaching—especially during practices—come during a mediocre, struggling season that are followed by a solid, if not great season.
Time will tell us about 2010. As a Georgia Bulldogs fan, this 2009 season has hurt, but I also know I have been spoiled by success over the past few decades.
Yes, the Kentucky Wildcats winning in Athens was difficult to swallow. They’re a team that hasn’t won in 42 years (since 1967 I believe). However, Richt has had enough success at Georgia in which he has earned the opportunity to adjust, make changes, and improve.
Richt inherited and did not recruit David Greene, David Pollack, Boss Bailey, etc. While he did draft Matthew Stafford, Knowshon Moreno, etc, it bears repeating: Richt should recruit more physical, hard hitting types of players, and less finesse ones.
If Georgia foolishly fires Richt (which would surprise me), than more than likely his replacement won’t do a better job.
But that is really not the reason why Georgia should keep Richt.
Georgia should keep Mark Richt because it is the right thing to do in the NCAA world of “win now” and instant gratification. A look at his career coaching statistics should bring any logical fan to this reasonable conclusion.
Mark Richt didn’t suddenly become a bad coach after winning two SEC championships (2002, 2005) and playing for another (2003). When football teams have a disappointing season like this, the head coach has to be willing to analyze everything and everybody in the offseason.
In my humble opinion, team discipline is a significant issue at UGA due to numerous careless penalties, turnovers, lack of practicing fundamentals (like tackling), and frequent sloppy play.
The coach needs to elevate his game. Georgia’s offseason conditioning program should be evaluated, in terms of keeping players in their best shape in order to avoid injuries and to play in peak condition.
Also, assess the quality of the players and recruits from high schools. Evaluate each assistant coach. Are the players being set up for success? Are the players being coached to their highest potential?
If Georgia has one or even a couple more disappointing seasons in 2010 and 2011, then this issue will need to be revisited, and perhaps a coaching change will then be what’s best for the football team.
But not now. Not today. And even not at the end of the 2009 season after a meaningless exhibition called a bowl game.
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:22 pm
Super Dog – you guys always talk about the PAST when it’s convenient, as in, when your team sucks now. Please tell me what any of the records in the past – even last year – have to do with this year’s game? How will the PAST elevate your team this year? How will the PAST help you to win on Saturday? You might want to stop living in the PAST and consider the future. You can’t change the PAST, you can only change the future. And remember, the future starts this Saturday. Tell me one good reason your team’s most recent performance (last night) gives you the indication that my team should be concerned on Saturday? The only one I can think of is overlooking Saturday and focusing on Clemson. I just don’t think that will happen for Tech with our biggest rivalry. But, to be fair, let’s hear the FACTS that lead you to believe that your team is superior to my team this year.
Call it Like It Is
November 22nd, 2009
7:22 pm
Keep dreaming GA fans, but Tech will roll big in this one as they have heard enough of you trash talking them every year!
Once again, GA will watch the SEC from home!
Enough Said!
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:23 pm
Super Dog – Go ahead and name all those famous people. It’s ok, you can take your time. Let’s hear about all those famous people.
Golden Tornado
November 22nd, 2009
7:24 pm
HairyDawg, you are insane. Anybody can see that Tech is primed to come into this week’s game ready. Georgia will just come in sad, distracted, and as undisciplined as ever. If I were a Dawg fan, I would not want to come to this game. Who would want to go to a heartbreak?
Bowl Bound
November 22nd, 2009
7:24 pm
Cheer up dawgs—UGA is going bowling again baby!!!! Music City Bowl, Peach Bowl, Car Care Bowl—it’s all good. Party time, no rules, just right!!!
Gator D
November 22nd, 2009
7:26 pm
Take some notes from your friends the Florida Gators for the Dawg defense. Send cards and gift baskets down to Gainesville in admiration.
9.8 points allowed per game – #1 in College Football
229.8 yards allowed per game – #2 in College Football
86.1 pass efficiency defense per game – #2 in College Football
193.3 passing defense per game – #1 in College Football
90.5 rushing yards allowed per game – #7 in College Football
Denver Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:26 pm
JB, if all you do is look at lines and numbers you have no capacity to learn or understand. Sorry to see that you have to resort to totally irresponsible personal attacks on a football blog, but like they say, Georgia Tech is # 4 academically in the state of GA now, behind Emory, Ga State, UGA. Basically dummie you are reaching up to touch the bottom, and like Bill Engvall says, “heres your sign”. By the way, Lewis Grizzard, a noted UGA graduate, coined “you can’t fix stupid”. It appears, that if you went to Tech, that they didn’t check your reading comprehension skills. Learm some history young man, learn to read, and you can get a job at any waffle house.
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:26 pm
Denver Dog – Another illiterate post. Can you say ANYTHING that is correct or makes sense? Please tell me how your UGA is ranked higher academically than Tech in ANYTHING. Please we all want to know. Please ‘edumacate’ us (just trying to use words that you know).
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:26 pm
Shut down the dive and bring corner blitzes. Ga Tech CAN’T throw the ball, what will they do if we put 8 in the box to take the dive away and bring corner blitzes to take away the pitch guy? They have the worst pass completion rate in the NCAA. Let’s WATCH THEM CRUMBLE as they TRY to throw the ball.
High School Offense 1 trick ponies.
badlands dawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:27 pm
Hi Mr Joe Cox I have never played football,but I do watch alotttttttttttt of football.You Mr Cox’s do not have a football arm,or a head for the game.I’m so glad you are not going to be at GA next year!!!!!There is a GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Billy
November 22nd, 2009
7:27 pm
UGA fans are so cute. They think that previous records, what bowl games GT was at, how big the stadium is, etc., actually matter. That’s okay, boys. Just keep being a UGA fan because everyone else was when you were growing up. Everyone already knows that’s why you’re fans, anyway! Just like ‘bama fans, Tenn fans, Texas fans…
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:28 pm
Mark Richt can’t coach? Ok, I guess those 2 QB’s he coached to Hesiman winners at FSU and the 2 Natl’ Championships Richt led them to was luck? Whatever. FSU hasn’t done much since Richt left. Hello!
BIRDDAWGONE
November 22nd, 2009
7:28 pm
When was the last time Tech played in the ACC championship?
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:29 pm
Denver Dog: “Learm” some history young man, learn to read, and you can get a job at any waffle house. hahahahahahah, now that’s funny DD. I thought you were serious until then. I got it now, you’re just trying to pull our legs. Ok, that’s fine. I’m ok now. Good humor… really!
17 of 20
November 22nd, 2009
7:30 pm
Georgia knows how to lose and does it well. I pick Tech to win by 30 points. Go Gators
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:30 pm
Joe Cox had a better year than Stafford had his 1st year–better completion %, same int’s, tons more td’s. It’s his 1st year as a starter, get a clue people.
Joe Cox threw for more yards and td’s than Timmy Tebow this year.
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:30 pm
BIRDDAWGONE – 2006
Tech Alumni
November 22nd, 2009
7:31 pm
Georgia does not have any hope of beating Tech Saturday night. Nor does Clemson at Tampa on December 5th!! Paul Johnson will be a Tech for a long time and will be a consistent winner. Bobby Dodd was at Tech from 1945 or so until the 1966 season. Johnson is destined to be there for the long haul, too.
Johnson was a winner at Navy with its superior academic reputation. He’s done the same thing at the most academically rigorous school in the SE United States. Having earned 3 degrees from Tech I can honestly say that most of the students I attended Tech with were just as smart as I was and usually smarter than I. Tech was far harder than the US medical college I attended or the residency program I trained in at the University of Illinois. And it was also tougher than the medical school where I studied in Europe for 2 years.
Go Jackets!!!!!
Billy
November 22nd, 2009
7:32 pm
“famous UGA graduates”
I think that even Google would have an aneurysm looking for that!
Denver Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:32 pm
Golden Tornado, if UGA people don’t come, your stadium will be half empty. Hope it is a good game, it usually is and Tech is alot better team than UGA. UGA may have been tested a bit more than Tech, but make no mistake about it, Tech is the better team.
Freddy
November 22nd, 2009
7:33 pm
UGA should not go bowling if they lose. Who wants a POS team in a crappy bowl.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:33 pm
Mark Richt knows how to win. Only 3 guys have more wins than him as active coaches–Pete Carroll, Stoops, and Meyers–they all went on to win a Natl’ Championship. Get a clue. Richt’s ranked #4 out of 120 coaches in winning percentage.
ToddShane
November 22nd, 2009
7:33 pm
How many ranked teams has Georgia played?
Ok St, LSU, Florida
How many has Tech played?
Clemson, Miami, UNC, Virginia Tech, and will play Clemson again….
Who the he11 really believes Georgia has played a tougher schedule? What a joke.
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:33 pm
The only people that say Georgia Tech is #4 academically in the state of Georgia are the people that are illiterate or do not have any access to information. Which are you Denver Dog? Stupid is as stupid does – was that Grizzard too? LMAO
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:35 pm
Here’s a fact for you: everyone at TECH could get into UGA academically. But, you can’t say the reverse is true. (Denver Dog if you need me to explain this I will diagram the logic tree for you)
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:35 pm
The last time Richt lost 4 games in a season (ok, the ONLY time) he came back and finished #2 the next year.
Denver Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:36 pm
Z, way to go, it didn’t take you that long to learn. I’m still hoping that there would be someway for Tech to play the SEC champion in the BCS MNC game. I still think we will win this weekend though, and I hope that Tech has a great ACC championship game and whateve bowl game that they end up playing. I don’t think UGA should go to a bowl game unless they beat Tech.
UGA is SO last YEAR
November 22nd, 2009
7:37 pm
Tood, the poor delusional UGA fans. 5 ACC teams ranked in Top 25. more than ANY other conference!!!
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:39 pm
Denver Dog – our stadium will appear to be half empty when your pathetic fans disappear in the 4th quarter after a beat down from the Jackets. Don’t believe it? Check out the replays of your fans marching out in mass with over two minutes to play, timeouts and an opportunity to win the game. But, don’t be too hard on those fans – it just proves that UGA does have some smart fans that could see their team going down and just didn’t have the stomach to see it in person. You can watch the replays on CSS or you can just watch this Saturday.
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:39 pm
Georgia is in Good Shape – Fan’s relax -
“Should Georgia fire March Richt?
No!
Have you visited http://www.firemarkricht.net?
Any notion of firing Georgia Bulldogs Coach Mark Rich is foolish.
…
But that is really not the reason why Georgia should keep Richt.Georgia should keep Mark Richt because it is the right thing to do.”
Exactly!!!!
Mark Richt is Christain and we start winning of table running this week. With blowout of nerds all the talking about UGA coaches can stops so we have chances to get rid of seniors and develop new players including Hargraves.
BIRDDAWGONE
November 22nd, 2009
7:40 pm
Thanks Z Did they win that one or did they lose their next two games?
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:40 pm
Why Ga Tech Loses!
Take away the run, and they’re a 1 trick pony as Miami proved this year in their CRUSHING WIN against they yellow fuzzies. Tech didn’t know what to do when they had to throw since their LAST in the NCAA in pass completion %.
Where did Tech learn to pass–they’re almost as ineffective n their passing game as Timmy Tebow, and THAT’S bad!
Denver Dog
November 22nd, 2009
7:43 pm
I am a UGA grad Z boy, with and MBA, from Kellog, and PHD from Colorado. I was accepted to Ga Tech, UGA, and several other schools in 1970. I chose UGA becuase I didn’t want to be an engineer, and was not interested in those fields. I was at Grant Field when Mike McNames scored the winning TD against Alabama and the Bear. My father was an SEC referee,(back then Tech was in the SEC), and I got to see alot of games becuase of that. So, we are excited out here that UGA is coming here next Oct 2 to play the Buff’s. I get material off of thes blog for students to apply logical thesis in relational behavior theories. Are there any more questions?
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
7:47 pm
To find out why there’s not a ZILLION SHOT IN 1 that Richt goes anywhere but Georgia, visit markricht.com to look at his achievements so far.
As much as you’d love to bash him, and try to get him fired so he’ll come to YOUR school (Hi FSU fans), or get out of your SEC conference, or off your schedule, forget it. We’ve signed him to a long term agreement, and unlike Weis and Meyers, he’s not going anywhere else next year.
Z
November 22nd, 2009
7:47 pm
Denver Dog – you finally stopped the vitriol in your last post, so I will do the same. Good luck to you and your team. You should go to a bowl just for the experience, but not as a reward. We have had the same consolation in years past. No, we are not a dynasty and I’m not saying we will win 8 in a row over the Dawgs in the future (although someone else did, not me). Some of your fans think that UGA will ALWAYS be better than GT. We have our fans like that also. The truth is no one is guaranteed future success. CMR has done a great job with the UGA program, except for the past two years. Has UGA declined this far on its own, or is it a combination of UGA having a down year and the other teams in the SEC (and Tech recently) been getting better? I think it’s both. I also feel that UGA has been rather stagnant in scheming and coaching while other teams have gotten new coaches with new schemes, new talent, and better coaching. Will UGA answer the bell? I think so. I think the rivalry will be a great one for years to come. I will admit that it hasn’t been much of a rivalry over the past 8 years though. Let’s hope that both teams are healthy and ready to play their best game on Saturday. And, here’s to the best team. I’m Z and I’m over and out. Go Jackets!
badlands dawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:47 pm
hey godawgs I feel your pain for Joe BUT, Stafford is out of here, Tebow is playing for number 1,and poor old Joe Cox well he is just on a list. ps.and not the good one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rabun Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
7:47 pm
While it does seem ridiculous for 6-6 teams to go to a bowl, the SEC does have slots to fill in those bowls that have the match-ups with the respective conferences. The ACC likewise has that commitment. One bright spot, it gives each team more days to practice, and that time can be valuable to the younger players. And, let’s not forget the money, that is really what it is all about for each of the conferences as thy share the pot of gold at the end! As far as the match-up in the state rivalry, yes, Tech should be heavily favored. However, there is a reason that they play the games. They are not won on paper or because of fan bantering back and forth.