Bulldogs, Jackets seeking a boost from their defense
Todd Grantham's Georgia defense ranks among leaders nationally in several categories, but struggled last year against Tech. (Jason Getz/AJC)
Two years ago, the head coaches at Georgia and Georgia Tech, both with offensive backgrounds, fired their respective defensive coordinators.
So ended the frequent lampooning of Willie Martinez in Athens and the most often heard question at Tech, “What idiot is coaching Paul Johnson’s defense?” (His name was Dave Wommack.)
As Georgia and Georgia Tech prepare to face each other again Saturday, it’s easy to see that the biggest difference between the programs is defense.
The Bulldogs rank fourth nationally in total defense, 11th in scoring, ninth in takeaways and second in third-down percentage.
The Jackets, in those respective categories, rank 43rd, 56th, 52nd and 89th.
Now, it would be an oversimplification to say Todd Grantham is succeeding in his job and Al Groh isn’t. Grantham has better players. But after seeing some progress on defense, Tech has allowed 68 points and 827 yards in the past two weeks against Virginia Tech and Duke, which doesn’t equate to a gold star on Groh’s late-season resume.
Saturday’s game could go a long way toward affirming direction for both coordinators and, it follows, both programs.
It’s easy to diminish the Bulldogs’ defensive accomplishments because of a soft schedule. That won’t be an issue against Tech. The Dogs may have won two of three against the Jackets since Johnson’s arrival, but they really haven’t stopped his option offense.
Al Groh's Tech defense has looked solid at times, but allowed 68 points to Virginia Tech and Duke in the past two weeks. (AP photo)
Consider last season. Georgia won 42-34, but the Jackets rushed for 411 yards and had 512 total. They nearly doubled the Bulldogs in first downs (32-18) and offensive plays (92-48). They held the ball for over 38 minutes. The difference in the game: Tech’s three fumbles (all leading to touchdowns) and a missed extra-point attempt (allowing Georgia to hold a 35-34 lead until Washaun Ealey’s touchdown with 1:29 left.)
When Mark Richt left the field in Athens, you could hear him exhale in Bogart.
It follows that when Richt was asked if he expected Grantham’s defense to fare better the second time around against Tech’s option, he responded, “I don’t know. I just wouldn’t predict it. If you saw that offense week after week after week after week and not just once a year, I suppose we could get pretty good at it. But to think all of a sudden that we’re going to hook it up and be good at defending it, I wouldn’t bet on that.
“Their offense is just extremely difficult to stop. It makes every possession so much more precious than normal. … The quarterback is a runner, so everybody on our defense has a very strict responsibility. If you make a mistake against this team, that’s when the really big plays happen. Against other teams, you can make a mistake and have a free safety there to clean up the mess.”
The Dogs have held seven of their past nine opponents to 16 or fewer points. But Tech’s offense has averaged nearly 37 points and has been held under 21 just once (24-7 loss at Miami).
Groh has two problems: 1) His defense has been dented in two games since an upset of Clemson; 2) Even if Georgia plays without (or with a hobbled) Isaiah Crowell, quarterback Aaron Murray is playing his best football of the season and effectively spreading the ball around.
Groh signed a two-year contract. He hasn’t yet spoken publicly about whether he plans to come back next season.
Grantham signed a three-year contract. His agent already is pushing for an extension, earlier than athletic director Greg McGarity would like, and is making noises about other opportunities.
So in a sense, the futures of both are uncertain. Maybe one is looking for a sign and the other is looking for leverage. This game could provide either.
By Jeff Schultz
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560 comments Add your comment
south
November 25th, 2011
5:52 pm
Where is the truck…?? on N Avenue as well?
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
5:54 pm
I have seen a few girls naked. They were all working on their master’s degrees at UGA by dancing at the Cheetah. Well, that is what they said.
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
5:54 pm
Did any one watch that Texas Texas a&m game last night?
Now that was a good game!
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
5:54 pm
Tyler Wilson and Arkansas cannot pass the ball on LSU….and they are probably the best passing team in the SEC. They can’t run the ball either. Georgia will not be able to run on LSU at all….and if so…..how in the hell will they be able to pass the ball? Georgia should punt to Bama and let Bama and LSU play again for the SEC title…..so somone other than a team from the SEC can be in the NC game. A LSU vs. Bama rematch is not good for college football.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
Supersize, For me this year I’m good with seeing it from my chair. Back surgery back a few months ago has limited my walking and the thought of climbing steps just doesn’t do my mind real well LOL! I’ll be back in battery in the next couple of months and be ready for next season!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
south, the truck is a couple of hundred feed north of the stadium on Techwood.
Terry
November 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
Supersize that order, mutt, So you don’t keep up with a team, your team played, but you’re an expert on the teams UGA has played. LOL
south
November 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
Tampa…you’re right…UGA will have to have a running game and even that may not be enough, but our defense is improved enough to give us a shot to be competitive IMO.
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
South it is past the stadium on Techwood just past Bobby Dodd Way at the North End of the Stadium on the right side of the street.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
I made the comment before the LSU/ARK game that LSU tries to make you one dimensional and then they attack that!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
5:57 pm
OJF, I didn’t know about your back, but I can understand.
BTW, I think I must be confusing you with another blogger. Who is the Tech blogger who lives near Nashville?
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
5:57 pm
Anyone know which divisons Missouri and A&M are going to go into? I expect A&M west and Mo to the East. Anyone know for sure.
Gay Techster
November 25th, 2011
5:57 pm
Btw, that Engine 11 is easy to find. It used to be a gay bar, so any Tech grad would know exactly where it is. Great food though. Seriously.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
5:58 pm
Outta here for a while. Everybody behave
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
5:58 pm
Supersize, I am the Nashville blogger
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
5:59 pm
Terry, it’s hard not to keep up with the records of the teams UGA has played, when Tech fans on here have posted them so many times. LOL And no, I don’t really keep up with the OOC teams Tech has played
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
5:59 pm
OK, OJF, so this is the son who we would all love to see come to Tech?
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
6:00 pm
Before I leave, just wanted to let you guys know I’m gay. Ok, see you later.
Shlammo
November 25th, 2011
6:00 pm
Tech’s number 1 option will always be johnson. Enjoy your ugly women nerds. Go Dawgs!!!
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:01 pm
south….
to be honest….you really don’t know how good Georgia’s defense is. They have not played anhone in the last 9 games that had a decent offense. You will be playing one on Saturday…..but it is not a standard one, and you still might not know after that game either…but you will find out for sure in Atlanta. But one thing I know…..LSU’s defense is the best college defense (with Bama right next to them)….I have seen in a long time. You can’t run or pass on them. The only way to beat LSU is to sti still and let them beat themselves….and I don’t think that will happen. And the “funny” thing is…..I really think Bama may be better than LSU.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
6:02 pm
Gator, I think Bama might be better than LSU too, but it is what it is
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:02 pm
No one on here with any amount of intelligence cares if anyone is gay or not. My god, I wish you people would grow up.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
6:02 pm
I wish Shultz would follow through on his threat and get the damn hijackers out of here
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:04 pm
Did everyone see Patrino and the handshake with Miles. Patrino is a real, total jerk….is and has always been one…..left Lousiville dishonestly, left the Falcons dishonestly……and he is still a piece of……
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
6:04 pm
Patrino is such an azz. Don’t love Miles, but Patrino is has little value as a person IMO.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
6:05 pm
Gator, I just rewound it to see it. Boy, that was pathetic, wasn’t it?
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
6:06 pm
Is it just me or does les miles love the camera.
In the words of les miles that is a “damn fine team”
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:06 pm
Well….Tiger and Tide fans…..make your reservations for New Orleans. I just hope the next battle will be more exciting than the first…..unless you like watching turtles crawl across a road.
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:08 pm
Miles was probably going to say some really nice things to Patrino…….but I guess his feelings were hurt becasue Miles and his team is so much better than him and his team.
How do you spell jerk? Bobby Patrino.
Terry
November 25th, 2011
6:09 pm
Patrino was P.O. didn’t even want to look him in the face.
Coach Paul Johnson
November 25th, 2011
6:11 pm
Somebody get the oil hot. We’re fixing to fry a big fish.
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:11 pm
Tyrann Mathieu was a three star recruit that people had to convince LSU to sign….as only Tulane has interest in him. Tells you a little about all the recruiting sites and the validity of star assignments for high school players. Ronald Powell at Florida was the #1 player in the country and a 5-star and Mathieu a 3-star that no one wanted…….Powell is nearly worthless to the Gators…..and Mathieu is the Heisman winner on defense.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
6:11 pm
Dinner time here. You guys have a good night, and TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
6:12 pm
Did y’all see James Franklin basically just blow off e eery body after the Tennessee vandy game? I here a lot of vol fans were upset over that.
Terrence Moore
November 25th, 2011
6:12 pm
I’ve never seen so many homophobes in all my life. You people make me sick.
Ellis Yew
November 25th, 2011
6:13 pm
@Tamps Gator
Bama outplayed us, but we scored more points. I’m pulling for Auburn in an upset!
roughrider
November 25th, 2011
6:13 pm
Hopefully , losing Saturday’s game won’t ruin Tech’s psyche and cause them to lose another bowl game. How many in a row have they lost now?
BILLY JACK
November 25th, 2011
6:14 pm
Your beatdown day is almost here nerds I doubt we will see any of you on the blogs the rest of the year.
TampaGator
November 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Dawg48….
Did you see the replays in OT of the Vandy-Vols game. I think he had a right. Patrino did not. But Franklin does seem to be a hot head. At least Muschamp is learning that you have to control your emotions on the sidelines as a head coach.
NEWSFLASH !!!
November 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
IF GT runs up 4,500 yds on UGA BUT UGA somehow wins the game, then for sure UGA is in either the COTTON BOWL with $$ MILLIONS IN WINNINGS or the OUTBACK WITH $ MILLIONS IN WINNINGS AND …AND THE GA.DOME WITH $ MILLIONS AND $MILLIONS AND $MILLIONS in TV money for both schools. THEY GET THE SUGAR BOWL if GT churns up millions of yards on UGA BUT UGA SOMEHOW IN THE DOME defeats LSU. Then, once gain, UGA GETS $$$GAZILLIONS for being in the Sugar Bowl for the 4th time in 11 years.
GT and their 4,500 yds churned up on UGA but somehow they lose? Oh, that would be the John Belk Department Store Bowl, where the winnner gets FREE CHEESE GRITS at the I-85 Waffle House on Airport Rd.
Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Dogs.
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Tomorrow for the annual Tech beat down can’t get here soon enough.
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
6:18 pm
Georgia and LSU are the SEC division champs and will play in a week. heh hehe
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
6:20 pm
Tampagator
No I must have missed it what did he have a right to be mad about?
kybodawg
November 25th, 2011
6:24 pm
5150uoad just because they are majoring in it doesent mean they are going to graduate i believe tech is at the bottom of the acc with graduation rates.
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
6:24 pm
Supersize
Like I said earlier every fan base has one! He must be ours! Lol
Rambo Dog
November 25th, 2011
6:30 pm
Supersize, UGA 38 GT 17… it won’t be close and I’ll be here after the game. You won’t, because you are a BIG MOUTH blow hard, and now you can call Ken….
Suck it.
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
6:31 pm
It’s GREAT to be a Georgia Bulldog!!
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
6:31 pm
Are like this or are like that?
Rambo Dog
November 25th, 2011
6:32 pm
Supersize, PS….I am not Billy Jack, I’ll pound you into a greasy spot in the road. And enjoy it.
ARdawg
November 25th, 2011
6:32 pm
I’m thinking Tech can’t score 17 on the Georgia defense. ….maybe 2 field goals