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
Dave from GT
November 22nd, 2009
10:37 pm
Tron, HD cannot help himself. He is mentally challenged. Once you understand that, then his comments make perfect non-sense.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:37 pm
Over/under on UGA players arrested in Atlanta this weekend: 2. Over/under on UGA fans arrested in Atlanta this weekend: 37. Any takers?
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:39 pm
HD, you count Kentucky among the “real: teams in your conference? Yeah, some world-beaters they are, those Wildcats.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:39 pm
GTMan
feel the same way…i have been a GT guy for a lotta years. I feel we have the better team this year but COFH changes a lot..
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
10:39 pm
“Tech fumbles more than almost anybody in NCAA”
Tech 11 Fumbles lost Turnover margin: +0.55 #28 in NCAA
Georgia 16 Fumbles lost Turnover margin -1.64 #119 in NCAA
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:39 pm
Dave, I would argue that every UGA fan is mentally challenged.
Dave from GT
November 22nd, 2009
10:39 pm
Holy crap, deuces!!! I got comment 101 and 401. add them together and that is the minimum yards that GT is going to run up on UGA this Sat!
Oh, for Hairy, that would be 502!
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:40 pm
*”real”
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
10:40 pm
I think UGA gets 100+ yards in penalties Saturday night. Lots of frustration and players know there’s no retribution from the coaches.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:43 pm
Good Word, it’s like any team-based concept (i.e. a job). You have to know that there are consequences at work. Had to discipline a girl at work last week for showing up incredibly late. Her reply: “If I knew that was going to happen, I would have been here on time.” Exactly.
fpm
November 22nd, 2009
10:43 pm
hey godawgs
are you serious? are the 3 NFL guys upfront the same ones that played last night? great to hear.
3-4 will be the Diesel’s dream.
Blitz? with what? rennie? if he plays twice the game as last year it will still be a joke.
and Bay-Bay will show AJ how to play WR. your midgets in the secondary are going to be schooled.
i do feel sorry for Joe but i don’t think Derrick Morgan will
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:44 pm
Delbert D.
heck man…Cox dropped the senior ball 6 times before he got home last night
Dave from GT
November 22nd, 2009
10:45 pm
Tron, they are a product of child abuse. They grow up in places like Sylvania or Milledgeville, are fed sweet tea in a bottle till they are 5 (yrs), get their diapers changed every 6 months till they are 6! Run around barefoot till ?? Top that off by dressing them in red and black every fall saturday, and teaching them to say woof woof woof with contorted faces – get the pic? and now you have a DAWG!!!
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
10:45 pm
With the way all those classy mutt fans left in mass exodus with the game in doubt, I thought Wal Mart had announced they were giving away free cases of motor oil.
Google
November 22nd, 2009
10:45 pm
The dawg morons will be gone from the stadium by halftime.
hardmanb
November 22nd, 2009
10:46 pm
It’s interesting and amusing to see all the smack talk, but the game is played on the field.
So all you dawgs come on down to Grant Field this Saturday and play the current Georgia State Champions. It should be a good game.
fpm
November 22nd, 2009
10:46 pm
hey Tron5000
that isn’t cool – my wife is a UGA grad.
never mind, she is a Tech fan.
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
10:46 pm
You forgot the Tasmanian Devil UGA t-shirts from Smiley’s Flea Market
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
10:48 pm
Passer efficiency ratings:
2008 Heisman Winner Sam Bradford: 180.84
Kentucky QB Morgan Newton last night: 178.87
Dave from GT
November 22nd, 2009
10:48 pm
Damn, Smiley’s….. how could I (forget)?
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
10:50 pm
warm PBR in styrofoam coolers held together by packing tape
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
10:53 pm
Passer efficiency ratings:
Joe Cox (1st 10 games) : 138.36
Joe Cox (last night’s game) : 141.15
Cox was better last night than his average for 1st 10 games
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
10:55 pm
is that rating just for his team or completions to both teams
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
10:55 pm
fpm, I’m not denigrating the school. Just the fans. Most of whom wouldn’t know what a school looked like if they had to pick it out of a lineup. But I bet they know what a lineup is.
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
10:55 pm
All yous little buggsy nerds can forget winning ever again. The good teams has done figuring out that gimickey offensives. You think you done something by beating vandy, wakes, and dukes.
Haha! Now you goning to be exposured againts some real compertition that aint weakling private schools.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
10:56 pm
Enter your comments here
Limelight
November 22nd, 2009
10:57 pm
Harry, learn to spell, or stop typing. You don’t know who is going to win this game, idiot.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
10:58 pm
revwreck – That includes his two “completions” to the DT and LB
Brucemac
November 22nd, 2009
11:00 pm
Dawg fans, have you been watching this year? This is the worst coached team in the history of football. The jackets are for real and PJ doesn’t even have his full compliment of players, he has only been here 2 years. IIt isn’t just Willie, we gave KY the ball at the 50 on every kick off, had a punt blocked, 90 yards in penalties, 4 turnover on and on. Even when we win, we win is spite of ourselves. Kentucky is a well coached team and they completely outclassed the Dawgs.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
11:01 pm
I think some people who remember Tech only from last year are going to be very surprised.
Limelight
November 22nd, 2009
11:01 pm
What’s the over/under for UGA turnovers and personal foul penalties? I’d say 3.5 each.
robot
November 22nd, 2009
11:02 pm
Nesbitt’s Pass efficienty rating: 156.41
Not bad for a running team
TechPWNS
November 22nd, 2009
11:02 pm
HairyDawg, did you even pass the 5th grade?
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
11:04 pm
CPJ with 2 weeks to prepare for UGA. Should be fun to watch the offense this week. I hope Wommack has a few surprises as well.
Andrew Travers
November 22nd, 2009
11:05 pm
Like the majority of dawg fans, Hairy’s best six years of his life were spent in the 5th grade.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
11:06 pm
robot -
Before yesterday, Tebow was #8 in NCAA with 154.00
Nesbitt isn’t in the NCAA list because – min 15 att/game, Nesbit 11.3 att/game
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
11:07 pm
Tech last year – 3 A backs in the “toss play” rotation
Tech this year – 6 A backs in the “toss play” rotation
DawgFan24
November 22nd, 2009
11:08 pm
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?
The Good Word
November 22nd, 2009
11:10 pm
DawgFan24- I thought UGA waited until after the whistle to throw punches
DawgFan24
November 22nd, 2009
11:10 pm
No, thats Oregon
Paul's Johnson
November 22nd, 2009
11:11 pm
“The jackets are for real and PJ doesn’t even have his full compliment of players, he has only been here 2 years. IIt isn’t just Willie, we gave KY the ball at the 50 on every kick off, had a punt blocked, 90 yards in penalties, 4 turnover on and on. Even when we win, we win is spite of ourselves. Kentucky is a well coached team and they completely outclassed the Dawgs.”
Dude… have you heard of “Hooked on Phonics?” It might work for you.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
11:14 pm
DawgFan, hope those drugs you’re on don’t keep you up too late to make your community service appearance at the Athens recycling plant.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
11:16 pm
DawgFan24 – That’s 1,393,671. You meant to say something meaningful?
Limelight
November 22nd, 2009
11:16 pm
Dawg24, you act like a 45-10 Dawg win is a no-brainer…well, I guess is is, fool.
Limelight
November 22nd, 2009
11:17 pm
it
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
11:17 pm
Nice article on UGA’s suckiness:
http://www.northwestgeorgia.com/sports/local_story_326222915.html?keyword=topstory
Limelight
November 22nd, 2009
11:19 pm
Halftime score: UGA 17 Tech 14.
Final score: Tech 49 UGA 31
Crackle
November 22nd, 2009
11:20 pm
Joe Cox will have a reason to look purple after Derrick Morgan is done with him. Boom.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
11:21 pm
Andy Staples, si.com
“How safe if Georgia’s Richt?
The director of the TV crew at the Kentucky-Georgia game probably set a record for “concerned fan with his hand over his open mouth” shots, but the visual storytelling seemed entirely appropriate. Kentucky’s 34-27 win really makes me wonder.
For the past few weeks, I’ve said there is no way Georgia coach Mark Richt loses his job. He’s too good and his success from 2001-08 more than makes up for a lousy 2009. I guessed that if Richt sacrificed defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and possibly offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, he’d be fine. Now I’m not so sure.
Georgia will be an underdog at Georgia Tech next Saturday, and nothing the Bulldogs have done this year suggests they’re anywhere near disciplined enough to beat the Yellow Jackets. If Georgia doesn’t pull the upset, things could get dicey in Athens.
I still believe Richt will survive. Of course, I never believed Phillip Fulmer or Tommy Tuberville would get fired last year — until they did.”
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/11/21/snaps-week12/index.html?eref=sircrc
HairyDawg
November 22nd, 2009
11:22 pm
Andrew Travers – “Like the majority of dawg fans, Hairy’s best six years of his life were spent in the 5th grade.”
Whatever!
Anything is goning to be better than spending 30 or more years in a 5th grade basketball leuage cause you nerdies is afraid of real colleges football and speed in SEC.
Yall don’t deserving no respects for winning in a 5th grade football leuage. You play a schedule of teams losing to the I-AA-ers like Richmonds and Willams and Mary.