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
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:03 pm
OJF, if it got him to Tech, it would be worth whatever he did to me in return. LOL
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:03 pm
I wonder if Richt let the team watch the LSU game today!
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:04 pm
Supersize, he got an offer from Louisville on Monday
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:04 pm
UOAD, GO PITT !!!!
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:06 pm
OJF that is a nice town, but we want to keep him closer.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:06 pm
OJF, congrats to him, but I guess that doesn’t bode well for him coming to Tech. I was going to tell you, though, that there is a kid from my church who goes to Tech and has a roommate who is a walk-on at Tech and LOVES it. My church friend had a picture of his roomie dressed out before the WC game. He said the roomie told him it was the proudest day of his life so far.
Delbert D.
November 25th, 2011
8:08 pm
Props for Trinton Sturdivant for majoring in Finance. As I recall, Fred Munzenmaier graduated in Finance last year.
dawgfan
November 25th, 2011
8:09 pm
I would say something smacky to Tech fans about tomorrow, but at this point I’m really starting to wonder if they even care any more. They’ve started all their usual BS about academics and entrance requirements BEFORE the game has even started this year. In the past they have at least waited until after the game to unleash all their crybaby excuses. Its as if they’ve just given up. More and more lately we’re hearing all this loser BS about how they’ll never beat Georgia consistantly because of the calculus and SAT scores. What kind of loser fan base says something like that about their team? Tech fans. That’s who. What happened to all that hype about how Paul Johnson was the “New Sheriff In Town” that was going to bring it to UGA? It just turned out to be more empty Techie tough talk. Now we’re back to all our crybaby excuses aren’t we Tech fans? You people are sad.
Anyway, good luck tomorrow Techies. I wish you all the luck in the world. I hope all the bounces go your way. I hope the refs give you every call. I hope every play call review goes your way. I hope all these things so that maybe, just maybe, you crybaby sore losers will finally acknowledge a UGA victory with class and maturity. I’m not holding my breath though.
Thanks.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
5150, Supersize, he met Coach Strong and Coach Hurtt last year and really enjoyed his time with them. I would kill for him to got to Tech but it is his decision.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:12 pm
OMG, David Scully, Tech’s kicker, dates a UGA cheerleader, and teammate Tyler Morgan dates Scully’s girlfriend’s roomie. So much for the bogus claim that UGA people don’t date Tech men.
Jeff Schultz
November 25th, 2011
8:13 pm
Supersize — Each blogger responsible for comments on his/her blog. Only Ken would have access to comments on his blog in terms of being able to delete, ban, etc.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:13 pm
OJF, just tell him you will kill him if he doesn’t. LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:14 pm
Jeff, that’s what I thought, but I thought I would mention it anyway, just in case. Thanks
HedgesHaven
November 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
5150,
You’ve had a 10th grade niece for a couple years now.
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
8:16 pm
Lol snoop needs to read the hole ajc before posting
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:17 pm
Why are all they saying all these Rivalry games are going away? Even if teams go to difference conference they still have OOC games. Tech and UGA, USC and Clemson, FSU and Florida. Why can’t Pitt and WVU, Texas and Texas A&M and others make contracts and continue to play?
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:17 pm
48, I hesitate to point this out, since you DO seem like a decent guy, but the “hole” ajc??? LOL
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
Texas – TAM got cancelled because of a lot of Texas-sized egos. Are Pitt and WVU cancelling their rivlary?
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
I can’t blame that one on spell check! Lol
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
HedgesHaven no just started 10th grade this school year.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
At least you’re honest
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
Money is more important than tradition
Troll Power Ratings
November 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
@5150: No one cares if Isaiah Crowell majors in astrophysics or African basket weaving. Same for any of Tech’s players. This is football. Try to stay on topic, you pathetic moron.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
Hey, UOAD, thanks for standing up for me after I left for dinner, by calling out the imposter. Appreciate it !!!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:22 pm
Troll, the players should care, because not all of them make it to the pros, and there’s a lot more security in life, not to mention money, if you have a decent degree, no matter what it is.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:22 pm
Supersize, I love him to much to kill him! LOL!!!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
OJF, you know I was kidding, but at least put the fear of God (and Dad) in him. LOL
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
Supersize………….Dawg48 is also know as a BAILER Bear. LOL. We were talking during the Baylor game and he misspelled it.
I told him a BAILER is what the UGA coaches have on speed dial to get players out of ACC Jail.
We laughed. Dawg48 is like DILex. he has fun on here.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
Rivalry games mean too damn much to go away, I bet A7M and texas find a way to keep it going!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:24 pm
UOAD, that was funny
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:24 pm
Supersize, I know
Snoop Dawg
November 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
Supersize, a good looking girl at GT is called a visitor. Until recently, GT had to actually recruit their cheerleaders from Atlanta girl colleges…
Most GT students would like to sit in the dorm and tickle their gonads with their slide rules rather than sit in Grant Field.
BTW, why would anyone in Atlanta want to name their stadium after someone whose best friend burned the city down?
UGA girls have never liked Georgia Techies, unless they had really wealthy parents.
GT has no character, no spirit like the UGA has.
And as for football, the last time GT had an exciting team was when Kim King and Lenny Snow were a pair…
The Dawgs will demolish the nerds tomorrow on their turf on national TV again just like evey year…
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
BAILER BEARS?????????????? Oh that is TOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! Dawg48, no offense intended, we alll have our moments!
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:26 pm
OJF, they didn’t HAVE to end it, but somebody at either or both schools somehow decided that was the best thing to do. I agree that in time they will probably renew it, but it won’t be for a few years. I have always been an A&M fan against Texas, but I had a hard time pulling for them last night since they are soon to be an SEC team. But I can’t stand Texas and especially Mac Brown, so I couldn’t really pull for them either. I have to say that I ended up pulling for the Aggies, and the end of the game sucked.
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:27 pm
Yes i am watching Pitt v WVU and they are saying the game Might go away because both teams are leaving the Big East. Damn they or only 70 miles apart. Just drop one of the sisters of the poor and blind and make it one of the 3-4 OOC games.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
Listening to R.C. Slocum and Mack Brown last night at half time I agree they will find a way to keep that game going.
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
Now the “bailer” thing I’m blaming on the spell check!
Is tech going after any 350lb d lineman in this years recruiting class?
If can give my opinion on y’alls team that’s what is hurting y’all on defense.
It killed us last year!
Delbert D.
November 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
About those rivalries, I believe the ACC is going to 9 conference games when the new teams join. I know the SEC is going to play 8 next season, but I think that is due to allow some previously scheduled games stay on the schedule next season. I assumed from reading between the lines that the SEC will eventually go to 9 as well.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
5150, absolutely. These games can’t go away, college football and fans would suffer to big a loss for them to go away,
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
A&M got screw on 1 of the 2 personal foul calls and maybe on both of them. The REFs were too much of the outcome of the A&M v Texas game for damn sure.
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:30 pm
Dawg48, last years O line average about 305, this years recruits are about the same. Decent size coming in the door for this offense.
HedgesHaven
November 25th, 2011
8:32 pm
5150 vs. GTBob, Whose your money on?
Dawg48
November 25th, 2011
8:32 pm
5150
If your talking about that “late hit” on a&m on that last drive on the incomplete pass that was bull!
Snoop Dawg
November 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
I guess every bumble bee has his day. Once every twenty or thirty years that is….
Ol'JacketFan
November 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
D line recruits average in the 280 range. Would love to see some 310-315 D line freshmen coming in but there aren’t a whole lot of them out there.
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
Snoop, Tech hasn’t recruited cheerleaders since the 50s. That was 60 years ago. Get with it.
Have you checked out the UGA cheerleaders this year. The guys are “prettier” than most of the girls. Read what I said earlier about a UGA cheerleader (actually quite pretty) dating Tech’s kicker, and her roommate dating another Tech player. UGA girls date MEN, not boys from the farm.
Slide Rules haven’t been used since the 70s. Boy, you really are an dumb old fart, aren’t you?
Grant Field was not named after U.S Grant. It was named after a local Atlanta benefactor way back whenever. Don’t you know anything at all???
I have been to Sanford&Son Stadium. There is no excitement there; everybody is too drunk even to have a clue what’s going on.
UGA hasn’t “demolished” Tech since Gailey’s first year. Every game since then has been relatively close, some VERY close.
HedgesHaven
November 25th, 2011
8:34 pm
UOAD…..Use Once And Destroy?
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:34 pm
There would be NO need for a Playoff……..IF……The conference played more games against itself and stopped the JOKE OOC games. only have 1 sisters of the poor and blind game and 2 good OCC games and 9 conference games.
5150 UOAD
November 25th, 2011
8:35 pm
HedgesHaven………………..Urinate On A Dawg
Supersize that order, mutt
November 25th, 2011
8:36 pm
48, I thought that “late hit” was bogus too until I saw the replay. I think the Aggie could have either pulled up or run past him instead of right into him.