Georgia Tech drilled, problems start with Al Groh’s defense
Common scene: UGA (Chris Conley) scoring, Tech (Rod Sweeting) watching. (Brant Sanderlin)
When a team looks flat, lost and beat up and loses 31-17 to its chief rival — and it really wasn’t even that close — generally no player or area is immune to criticism.
Physically, Georgia Tech got hammered Saturday by Georgia. There were mental lapses. Emotionally, the Jackets seemed to lack a pulse on their home field against the only opponent that usually defines their season — which probably is the greatest indictment of all, considering the 364 days of buildup on a campus where the rallying cry is, “To hell with Georgia.”
“You have to play with everything you have. We didn’t,” linebacker Steven Sylvester said.
How does that happen? Were they saving it for the Sun Bowl?
But Tech’s biggest problem Saturday against Georgia was no different than what its biggest problem has been for four years under coach Paul Johnson. Their defense stinks. They can’t stop anybody or intimidate anybody. Two many games come down to pinball games.
Bad defense got Dave Wommack fired after two seasons. Bad defense under Al Groh should leave his future uncertain at the end of a two-year contract. Groh hasn’t said definitively that he wants to come back, but the question Johnson needs to ask himself is: Do I want him back?
This is no minor issue. Johnson has won 34 games in four seasons. The Jackets’ 8-4 record this season going into their bowl finale certainly is not worse than most projected at the outset of this season, and it’s probably better. But when you have a defense that ranks 43rd in yardage, 56th in points allowed and 89th in third-down conversion, you’re not going anywhere.
Georgia is good, very good. The Dogs have better players and are as hot as any team in the country, save LSU (next week’s opponent in the SEC championship). But when the Bulldogs accumulated 254 yards on their first four possessions, this game was over. Georgia didn’t even punt until its sixth possession. By then, it was 24-10.
Johnson’s view of his defense’s inability to stop the Dogs: “It’s deflating. I think it deflates the whole team.”
The option offense isn’t built to play from behind. Neither is quarterback Tevin Washington. When the Jackets tried to open it up, Washington was intercepted twice on Tech’s first three possessions in the second half.
But remember where the problems started.
Georgia’s superiority on the field shouldn’t discount that Groh’s 3-4 defense got worse late in the season and has failed in the big picture. Tech is no better off on defense today than it was when they fired the last guy. Nationally, under Wommack the Jackets finished 28th (2008) and 54th (2009) in total defense. They were 64th in Groh’s first season and went into this week 43rd. Scoring defense in the past four seasons: 20th and 38th, respectively, under Wommack; 37th and 56th (entering the week) under Groh.
Progress?
Johnson is an offensive-oriented coach. When he goes consecutive series without a touchdown, he goes postal, but even he recognizes the importance of having some semblance of a defense, or he wouldn’t have made a change two years ago.
Groh wasn’t made available for comment Saturday. Just as well. He might need some time to figure out how to spin this one. There was an expected transition period with the switch to the 3-4 defense last year, but it’s not any better now. The Jackets still don’t have the players to play it, particularly up front.
Young teams should get better as the year goes on. But Tech has back-slid since a 31-17 upset of Clemson, with mediocre defensive performances against Virginia Tech, Duke and Georgia.
Sylvester on the difference since the Clemson game: “I think it’s just playing with emotion. If you turn on the film of the Clemson game you can see how emotional we were. I feel like we came out flat the last couple of games. We didn’t have as much energy as we should have, and our attention to detail wasn’t [good enough].”
Players should be able to get up for its rival, but that’s also on coaches for not having them prepared. Johnson and Groh share that responsibility.
But the head coach isn’t going anywhere. Groh, we’re not so sure. And when Tech fails, it’s usually not because of the offense.
By Jeff Schultz
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632 comments Add your comment
phil
November 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
Keep Al Groh!
Big Dawgfan
November 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
What a spanking we put on the nerds ! Just remember which team owns the state of Georgia, the Georgia Bulldogs. We could have hung 50 points on the insects but Richt didn’t want to.
sports
November 26th, 2011
5:48 pm
What is so nauseating is the arrogance of this tech bunch. They play in mickey mouse conference and run up the score on lesser opponents and thump their chests like they’re worthy of their ranking. The truth is they were exposed and put in their place…big time.
georgia87
November 26th, 2011
5:49 pm
I think you are giving Johnson a free pass. His strategy in the second half was poor. You’ve got to know what your QB is capable of. When the other team is driving it up and down the field, you have to shorten the game by running the ball. 17 points, 7 of it after Georgia effectively gave up on the game, is not going to win this rivalry game.
Dawg1
November 26th, 2011
5:50 pm
Hear that?
Me either…
See you in 365 Days…
Thanks for not keying my car this year…
JB
November 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
PHIL, we are not any good as to why any uga person on this thread bumping there gums…is a joke! We lost to 3 other teams in our own division which really puts us 4th best even though miami had more losses, they beat us worse than you guys did (24-7). I give credit where it is due and we got whipped today. we do return 9 on offense and 8 on defense next year.
We are the 3rd youngest team in division 1 football. I don’t think we will stink next year but clearly we need to find a better DC and a better QB. Tevin missed open receivers, missed his reads on the pitch and keeper…he is hot garbage. Sorry but it’s true. Phil, care to bet me on lsu not spanking your arse next week? I will take a fools money all day! You beat about the 5th best team in the ACC, congrats!
Trevinb
November 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
Without a running game, we still beat that fat ass PJ with a one dimensional attack
Suck it nerds
Dallas Jacket
November 26th, 2011
5:56 pm
AL GROH MUST GO!!!!!!!!!
baconbits
November 26th, 2011
5:57 pm
Part of it with Tech is personnel. The majority of it is coaching. This whole mindset of playing with emotion is a loser’s mentality. The cold, calculating mofo from the dark side will destroy the emotional nitwits every last time. Tech doesn’t need more emotion. They need better leadership.
Outer Banks Dawg
November 26th, 2011
5:57 pm
I find it amazing that all you Techsters can say today is ‘our defense stinks, our offense stinks, our coaches stink’. I guess that’s the only way you can justify getting whipped by a ‘mediocre’ Georgia squad who hasn’t played anyone and is ‘over-rated’? Don’t you think your offense just stunk today because the Dawg defense is 4 real? Have you thought your poor defensive performance had more to do with playing against a pretty dadgum good offense with one of the top QB’s in the SEC? Just saying… And as for Paul Johnson & the rest of you ACC homers, welcome back to SEC football, where we separate the men from the boys. Good Luck next year! Go Dawgs!
PerroGrande
November 26th, 2011
5:57 pm
Come on folks. Tech was ranked 2 in the nation in rushing, and they averaged almost 40 points a game. Their offense controls games via the option, and they win and have a good and ranked team. UGA is the highest ranked defense they have played and they didn’t control the ground and they looked bad, but Georgia made them look bad. If Murray hadn’t missed those wide open passes in the second half it would have been a blowout.
Big Dawgfan
November 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
Can Al Groh spell “defense” ? I was wondering because he sure can’t “coach” it !
Gafan
November 26th, 2011
5:58 pm
We still haven’t played anybody.
Hairy Dawg
November 26th, 2011
5:59 pm
I expected that the Dawgs would be a little flat today, but I never expected the Jackets to come out like that. Where was the fire and passion? That was a ho-hum kind of game. I know we are the team Tech fans want to beat the most, so why didn’t the players play like it? Don’t get me wrong, though: I’m happy it went that way. I didn’t want a nail-biter.
dawg fan sitting on rocky top
November 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
Can’t wait for next week, win or lose!!! Can’t win it, if u ain’t in it!
OU812 UOAD
November 26th, 2011
6:00 pm
where are the remaining snarky comments UOAD? Dawg got your tongue?
PerroGrande
November 26th, 2011
6:05 pm
BTW, perceptions and the SEC east…remember what Coach J said when he dissed Richt and the Dawgs and said they weren’t very good? He said we’ll see how the ACC stacks up against the SEC East, implying that the East was weak. Vandy is up 35-7 on Wake Forest. Go Chickens and Lizards tonight. Not only that, but that helps us in the BCS computer…
Outer Banks Dawg
November 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
@JB. UGA defense may get shredded next week, and the offense may get stuffed. But, that would have more to do with LSU talent than Georgia’s ineptitude. Tech should hold their heads up high. You guys had a good season with some great victories. You guys need to find a dual threat QB who can throw out of the option look and I think you will be almost impossible to stop. Good defenses will always shut down a one-dimensional attack, no matter how creative… Best of luck in the bowl game.
TheItalianDawg
November 26th, 2011
6:07 pm
why do you say that they lost because of their D? I respectfully disagree, I think their offense struggled big time. they scored only 10 points in 54 minutes!!! I think the Clemson game was a fluke.
ViningDawg
November 26th, 2011
6:08 pm
GT musta paid off Herbstreet ( alas, he choose poorly). I guess CMR is the boss of you… Hahahaha
Stingerless
November 26th, 2011
6:10 pm
We just ain’t a good team. We need better recruiting. We need better coaching. We need better game plan. We need a balanced offense. We need divine intervention…
BobbyDodd21/20
November 26th, 2011
6:11 pm
Pretty bad for Tech to play like that after 10 or so games, ..Tech knew it needed a passing game since Iowa 2 years ago…and whats up with those routine end zone passes that should have been covered…and the drag pattern for first TD too?…Congrats dogs,…I have hated you for 40 years…ah, not really, you’re good ole boys…just dont touch my slide rule, …thats the thing you chop the heads off flies with while eatin…your mommas cooking….wait til next year…
2uga 9fan0
November 26th, 2011
6:12 pm
any chance we can replace tech with ga. southern or ga. state? feel like they would put up a better fight
Georgiana Bulltiger
November 26th, 2011
6:13 pm
Oh, how the smack talk makes these wins sweeter. Thanks, y’all.
Looking forward to getting together and doing it again next year.
RICHT JUST SAVED HIS JOB,DAMNIT
November 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
GET READY FOR LS-WHO
PerroGrande
November 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
Attention Walmart associates: can anybody work my shift Saturday afternoon? Maybe the bosses will step up and man the store for us?
Slawdog
November 26th, 2011
6:16 pm
Alabama doesn’t look like # 2 best team against Auburn tonight…
PerroGrande
November 26th, 2011
6:18 pm
We called of the passes long before this point, too. Alabama is desperately trying to run it up, going for two ahead by three TDs
Old Coach
November 26th, 2011
6:18 pm
The best thing about this big win is that maybe just maybe 5150 will please SHUT UP. What a jerk!!
kb
November 26th, 2011
6:18 pm
Vandy , Auburn, Florida, Missy state, Tennessee (with bray) all superior talent to tech, kentucky has better defense, Pj doesn’t develop talent Vlad should get out while the gettings good. Same receivers same oline same scheme.Wheres GTBOB and his big mouth?
Dap01
November 26th, 2011
6:19 pm
It wasn’t even that close. Good article.
Georgia Bulldagger
November 26th, 2011
6:20 pm
Those Tech cheerleaders were hot !
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
6:21 pm
I love the Fuzzy fans who say, “we do return 9 on offense and 8 on defense next year.” That should have you worried. Tech is far from being a relevant program… the offense will continue to be revealed for its inherent flaws… great players will never want to play in that system and great opposing coaches will continue to exploit it. And you probably will never attract an up-and-coming DC while Moobs is there… no one wants to butt heads with “The Genius.” Your fan base is indicative of your relevance… yawn! Nice attendance figures…
I tried to tell you Techers last week
November 26th, 2011
6:23 pm
I said about this game ……………..UGA’ D is NO WHERE NEAR the D of UGA in 07, 08 or 09 or even 2010. NOW do you see it?
I also said that UGA’s Aaron Murray would torch GT’s corners and safeties and he did. Heck, he had about two other intermediate throws that were just a little too high and had they been thrown properly would ALSO have resulted in TDs!!!
GT ……………..enhoy the JOHN BELK BOWl. You all will get FREE CHEESE GRITS AT THE I-85 /Airport Rd Waffle House if ……………………… IF Y’ALL WIN IT> AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAH,AAAAHAHA
trupert
November 26th, 2011
6:25 pm
How About Them Dawgs!!! 10 in a row!!! Alright, Samual and Crowell, it’s time to get ready. It’s time to take it to LSU in the SECCG!!!
I can’t wait to watch this Ga team shot up that big mouth Gary Danielson. What will he have to say after he kisses LSU’s whatyamacallit and downgrades UGA all game, after Ga beats LSU?
phil
November 26th, 2011
6:27 pm
JB – i think LSU will win, you doof….
I’m what you call a more objective GA fan. As you appear to be with your sorry crew.
Neutral
November 26th, 2011
6:27 pm
Hey Techies, our overrated defense just did a better job against you than they did against Vandy. And UGa’s margin of victory was better today than against teams like Kentucky and Miss. State. I agree with you the SEC East sucks!!!
Douglas
November 26th, 2011
6:28 pm
Defense sets the tone for the game. Look at home much UGA has changed since Richt hired a new DC. He coaches with great passion — it spreads to the players and the offense feeds off of it. He is the best coach UGA has had on defense since Erk. Even Van Gorder’s defense did not play to this level. Just wait until next year as the players really get to know the system.
Joe
November 26th, 2011
6:29 pm
Don’t you get it? Gtu will never have a good defense with Johnson there because everything in the program is built around his offense. The defense practices against scout teamers who are too busy spending all summer practicing their mesh to actually learn how to run a passing offense.
MDawg
November 26th, 2011
6:30 pm
Tech’s passing game is more horrible than it’s defense. How long will you guys put up with PJ’s garbage? A little longer I hope.
GTBob
November 26th, 2011
6:30 pm
Hey Techies, our overrated defense just did a better job against you than they did against Vandy.
And a worse job then UVA, Miami, and VT did against us. Congrats!
Hater
November 26th, 2011
6:31 pm
5150… Shut up! You are a racist and disgrace to tech fans. Crawl back in your hole for another year.
uga75
November 26th, 2011
6:34 pm
Keep Paul Johnson . . . UGA’s best defense.
tonyb
November 26th, 2011
6:34 pm
New year, different excuse. Some things just never change. GO DAWGS
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:34 pm
Just got home folks. Terrific performance by Georgia, not so great by Tech.
NGR7921 — Thanks.
uga75
November 26th, 2011
6:35 pm
Just heard that CPJ was leaving after this year . . .any truth to that?
Dawg '85
November 26th, 2011
6:35 pm
“And a worse job then UVA, Miami, and VT did against us. Congrats!”
GTBob again shows why there are more horses arses than horses. Only an idiot uses comparative scores to make a point. The ACC only has one team that isn’t a joke… VT… and they’d likely lose to any of top 5 SEC teams.
sarfdawg
November 26th, 2011
6:35 pm
5150: you’re a pathetic excuse of a human. Go back into your mom’s basement and play some World of Warcraft against some Georgia grads. Maybe you’ve found a game where you can beat them.
31-17 (and should’ve been worse). Enjoy that for another 365 days, you d-bag.
THE BOWL GAME
November 26th, 2011
6:35 pm
Tech will play either Elon College or Millsaps College of Jackson, Mississippi or Rhodes College of Memphis. They announce the opponent on Sunday to play in the John Belk Bowl in front of at least 9,000 fans and FREE inner city kids from Charlotte and Greensboro.
The Alumni of GT are very, very upset with this season and the rumors are hot and heavy about CPJ being on THE HOT SEAT.
CPJ has not won a ACC title, nor a bowl and his losses to UGA have been in Grant Field, which is apparently UGA’s SECOND MOST FAVORITE STADIUM TO PLAY IN outside of Sanford Stadium.
The GT alumni are recognizing now that athletic teams with speed and decent D lines can handle the Wishbone and cause it to look scattered and confused, like GT was today.
Yes, Paul Johnson IS on the HOT SEAT.
Jeff Schultz
November 26th, 2011
6:35 pm
NGR7921 — Agreed on recruiting. Nose tackle is the key position. Tech can recruit speed at linebacker but struggles to get size up front.