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
LDawg
November 26th, 2011
9:19 pm
GEAUX DAWGS!!!
Gold & White
November 26th, 2011
9:20 pm
Why is Paul Johnson getting a free pass? He hired both of these crappy Defensive Coordinators, he is the reason for this uninspired team clear and simple.
GT Fan
November 26th, 2011
9:23 pm
DawginLex,
UGA is NOT, in NO WAY just as good as BAMA. Come on man, you usually post with intelligence.
Next Saturday, LSU’s going to give you a glimpse of how bad BAMA would beat UGA if the Dawgs faced them. But then again, I think UGA will get that chance in 2012?
bob from smyrna
November 26th, 2011
9:24 pm
Dawg fans….please stay on your discussion board. Wanted to make a snide remark about the dawgs but I’m above that. Sorry about loss of Larry Munson…one of a kind and awesome. Ref Tech: MAJOR PROBLEM IS DEFENSE CAN’T PRACTICE AGAINST A TRADITIONAL OFFENSE. They probably excel against the CPJ’s option, but no one else plays that way. Give Groh a break. Imagine the pressure on the defensive backs when they are exposed to a good (actually great) QB after practicing against T Washington.
KP
November 26th, 2011
9:25 pm
Maybe some really cool frat boys will build a rocket behind the varsity tonight. Hope they don’t blow themselves up again
Dawglasville
November 26th, 2011
9:27 pm
Thanks for some of the classy post from our North Ave. neighbors.
It didn’t take long for a few of you guys to live your football lives vicariously through LSU. Usually it’s Florida but since you can’t do that any more…
RNB
November 26th, 2011
9:29 pm
GT FAN
The reality is Georgia can play with anyone in the country. Will they win this weekend? Probably not, but they are not far off from challeging both Bama and LSU for the top spot. Georgia has very few seniors and could make a serious run at it next year. Grow up and worry about you team. How do you feel about the future of GT football?
5150 UOAD
November 26th, 2011
9:31 pm
GT Fan……………..It is looking like Bama will not be on the UGA schedule next year. Muzzou will replace Bama because they are just coming on rotation with UGA. The other West team UGA will play is Ole Miss. Ole Miss and UGA played this year and next year ends the series.
Schultz Committed to Trembling Hills
November 26th, 2011
9:32 pm
Poppy cock. Yes, the D couldn’t stop Georgia, but the O was dreadful for much of the first half when the game was competitive. Results of CPJ’s first three drives were punt punt FG. That’s not setting the world on fire.
What’s worse, CPJ wets the bed and starts throwing it in the 3rd quarter and makes things worse.
Ted the Tech
November 26th, 2011
9:33 pm
Could not have said it better.. just hope al chooses not to come back.. really tired of the same old stuff.
GT Fan
November 26th, 2011
9:34 pm
Something to consider Dawg fans …..
UVA, MIAMI, Clemson, VT, Duke ……. wanna know how well they performed the week AFTER playing GT?
UVA – L at home to NcSt
Miami – L at home to UVA
Clemson – W at home over Wake on a FG as time expired
VT – W at home by 3 over a TO-prone UNC squad
Duke – Blasted at home by UNC
Bad LA mojo coming to the Dome next Saturday, bad mojo. UGA’s in big trouble.
And my guess is they’ll get the Big 10 loser (Mich St or Wisconsin) in their bowl game. And the Dawgs will lose that one too. If you don’t believe me, just take a look at what I said previously about the W-L records of UGA’s opponents in the 10-game winning streak.
Tom, Resident Georgia Fan
November 26th, 2011
9:35 pm
anyone seen St. Simons?
Dawglasville
November 26th, 2011
9:36 pm
I’ve said this before and got blasted by some Tech guys. It is easy for Johnson to recruit offensive guys because he is not going after the same type of player. On the defensive side of the ball he is competing for the same guys as everyone else. Everyone is running a 3-4 or a 4-3. It is hard to find those guys who fit the their academic profile and confince them not to go to some of the state universities near by. I agree with JB’s post from earlier this evening. Tech should go after O’Leary and Frigeon (spelling).
Dawglasville
November 26th, 2011
9:39 pm
GT Fan – Your team had the opportunity today to show us just how mediocre we are. They didn’t do that. The cool thing to do would be to just say good game and we will see you next year.
ramblwrk68
November 26th, 2011
9:39 pm
Can we hope the seniors show some pride and vote NOT to subject Tech to another humiliating bowl loss this year? Please?????? Listen to them ADDR, if they speak up!
B'dawg
November 26th, 2011
9:44 pm
Leave it to techies to analyze a defeat and turn it into a victory. Seek a morale victory elsewhere. That dog wont hunt. GT Fan you got out coached and out played today. Plain and simple. So what youre really saying is when GT beat Clemson you got lucky?
GT Fan
November 26th, 2011
9:46 pm
RNB, UGA cannot play with anybody in the country. 14-42. That’s the SEC records of the teams UGA’s has beaten this year, that’s why they can’t play, this season, with anybody in the country. Winning creates optimism. GT started 6-0, finished 8-4. I’m not as optimistic as I was leading into the UVA game.
LSU, Bama, and Ark are just in a different league than UGA this year. Yeah, that could change next year. After all, they are 18-22 year olds.
How do I feel about GT football? PJ’s offense is such a thing that there will be occassional highs (’09) & lows (’10); however, 8-9 wins under PJ is what I’ll expect.
B'dawg
November 26th, 2011
9:47 pm
Be a man and admit it. See ya next year in Athens. GO DAWGS.
DILLIGAF
November 26th, 2011
9:49 pm
Jeff, nice job on this story.
All of the haters out there are hilarious. Strength of schedule or opponents records don’t mean squat. What matters is that the UGA has won 10 in a row with 7 SEC wins and are playing pretty good football. As a fan, it’s also rewarding to have wins over UF, UT and GT in one season.
Those of you say that this team is not a good team have neither watched them play or obviously don’t know anything about football. I realistically like the chances of this team against pretty much any team that I’ve seen play this year and I’ve watched alot of the top teams in the country.
I’m proud of these guys, especially the seniors, they deserve this year. I’m also proud of the coaching staff as they’ve found a way to put together a decent game plan, week after week despite the distractions. I hope that they can put together a doozy this week.
I do believe that this team can play with the Tigers next weekend. I watched them dismantle ARK yesterday and they are playing the best football right now in the country, no doubt they are the best and would beat any other team that I’ve seen play in the NC but if UGA can put together 60 mins. of complete football, clicking on all cylinders, I believe that they are capable of playing with LSU.On any given Saturday, anything is possible.
Hunker Down You Hairy Dawgs!
Go Dawgs!
UGA/85′
GATA!
B'dawg
November 26th, 2011
9:51 pm
10 OUT OF 11 is all Im gonna say. And thats gonna sting for the next 364 days. Bad. Real bad.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
9:52 pm
GT Fan… didn’t you predict Tech would bat UGA? Given you can’t really predict anything I guess we’ll just have to wait and see if UGA can hang with LSU…..
Nub
November 26th, 2011
9:52 pm
We RUN this state……. !!!!!!! LMAO…..eat it Corso and Herbstreet… Bbbbbbwhaaaaaaaaaaaa
GT Fan
November 26th, 2011
9:54 pm
Fellas …. I’m not saying GT is a great team. Good? I don’t know that either. Maybe more like better than average team.
The game was played, and the team THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO WIN, won. How’s that a special accomplishment? But congrats if it makes you felt I was slighty you.
What I’m saying is that is so easy to become optimistic (See us GT fans after GT’s 6-0 start) when your team is winning.
Then you face an opponent that brings you back to reality. For GT it was an okay UVA team.
For UGA it’s going to be …. the #1 team in the country.
Sammy
November 26th, 2011
9:56 pm
Pinball machines?
You might what to let people know what those things are .
Too funny
SUMTER SC is the arm pit of the world!
November 26th, 2011
9:56 pm
Where is GT Bob a nob? You got to be kidding me. Thats all you geeks could muster? You trade school geeks are irrelevant and will always be that way. UGA 31 Geeks irrelevant.
Tech Tony
November 26th, 2011
10:00 pm
I’ll answer the question about Tech’s future and how I feel about it:
Good. Very good. But then again, hope springs eternal. Our skill people, save for the QB, are better than anyone wants to give them credit for, but to improve, we simply have to get better along both fronts. Easier said than done, yes, but again, I can hope. Plus, if it were my decision, Washington would have taken his last snap. The kid, bless his heart, he tries hard and does the best he can with what talent he has, but it’s simply not enough.
I’m no fan of Groh or that 3-4; we don’t have the horses to run it properly. The thing that vexed me all afternoon is that we played as if we had never seen UGA. We respected their running game WAY too much. I mean this as no disrespect to the Bulldogs’ backs, but going in, Georgia’s beating us the run was either possible or maybe even probable but Murray killing us in the air was a certainty if we chose to sit back and let him pick us apart. Bobo recognized this and ate us up. Give him and his team all the credit and give us bad marks.
Oh well, it’s over and done with. Time to think about the Sun Bowl and hopefully make it a springboard to better days.
SUMTER SC is the arm pit of the world!
November 26th, 2011
10:01 pm
Hey GT fan, take a BC powder and a BIG GLASS OF SHUT THE HELL UP!
Jeff
November 26th, 2011
10:02 pm
I don’t like GA Tech fans, but now I see them as classless. To yell “To Hell With Georgia” during a tribute to Larry Munson who just passed away is as classless as it gets. All I have to say. Glad we won.
Nugent, Ted Nugent
November 26th, 2011
10:02 pm
Where are the GT fans with “this is our time”
BS stuff
SUMTER SC is the arm pit of the world!
November 26th, 2011
10:02 pm
Tech has no future you idiots! I told you geeks you are irrelevant and will always be that way.
DILLIGAF
November 26th, 2011
10:04 pm
GT Fan:
You know as well as I that there’s nothing wrong with being optimistic. Isn’t that how we look at each opponent?
Like I said, LSU could very well make this UGA team look silly and that would certainly be depressing, especially after 10 straight wins but it certainly would be gratifying, at least personally, to have won the SEC East and had the opportunity to make it to the SEC CG and lose against the probable BCS champion, especially in light of the last few seasons.
I’m sure that you can appreciate that if you’re a true fan of your team.
UGA/85′
Dawglasville
November 26th, 2011
10:07 pm
Tech Tony – very healthy outlook.
I’m sure we will pick this up again Monday. Peace.
dawg555
November 26th, 2011
10:10 pm
I’m a rabid Dawg fan, but you are right…. we haven’t played anybody. Winning 10 in a row is a great feat, and I am proud as heck, but I do question how good we are. I am very thankful we are in the position to find out. It’s an exciting time for UGA football and I plan to enjoy this!
Go Dawgs!!
UGA grit landscaper
November 26th, 2011
10:11 pm
It always cracks me to hear the uga fight song. All these Georgia grits worshiping 18 to 22 year olds, and dancing to the northern anthem. Hilarious!
SUMTER SC is the arm pit of the world!
November 26th, 2011
10:12 pm
I knew it wouldn’t take long for the gutless GT fans to jump on the LSU bandwagon. That is pitiful even for a Tech fan. I really don’t blame you geeks though, if I had a sorry excuse for a team like the trade school geeks have I’d jump on the LSU bandwagon too. UGA 31 Geeks irrelevant!
Wally Butts
November 26th, 2011
10:13 pm
Where is St. Simons? Paul Johnson = CMR’s b*&^ch.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
10:18 pm
I don’t think any reasonable Dawg fans think we are gonna beat LSU…..dream that we might… yes..
All Saints
November 26th, 2011
10:18 pm
This is a reminder that we’ll be having our regular tribute and moment of silence on Saturday for Saint Jan Kemp, the courageous martyr who exposed UGA and Vince Dooley’s “remedial studies” fraud, a shameful scam that Mark Richt carries on today, almost thirty years later.
Please approach this special moment with awe and reverence as we honor her sacred name.
Dr. Morpheus
November 26th, 2011
10:19 pm
I’m excessively proud of the Dawgs for coming back from 0-2 to win 10 straight and get a chance to prove they belong on the same field with the Best of the West. UGA has the defensive personnel to keep LSU’s rushing game in check. If we don’t turn it over or give up a return to the Honey Badger, UGA is in the game. I live in Baton Rouge and pull for the Bengal Tigers except when they play us. This week will seem like a lifetime.
IL Jacket
November 26th, 2011
10:19 pm
Dawglasville, I agree with your analysis about the lack of athletes on defense. I think another reason for the defensive weakness is CPJ puts the best athletes on offense. Look at our depth at RB. instead we probably should be converting some of these to DBs.
@Jeff, you are correct, no one should have been disrepectful during the tribute to Munson. I apologize for any such behavior.
Dr. Morpheus
November 26th, 2011
10:21 pm
PS The cynical repetition of the comment right above mine is an insult to Jan Kemp and simply shows the moral bankruptcy of the author.
Butt-Smear Building
November 26th, 2011
10:21 pm
Dawgs = low class, illiterate, goons who will be pushing shopping carts around ATL looking for a warm place to sleep.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
10:22 pm
Looks like it gonna be SEC 3 and ACC 1 today… Florida has thrown 4 interceptions… Vandy destroyed Wake Forrest. South carolina is going to win the ACC Costal Championship.. again.. without their best player.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
10:23 pm
Butt- Smear… oh that really hurts… but not as bad as you feel about losing to the Dawgs again
Tech Tony
November 26th, 2011
10:23 pm
I know this isn’t what my fellow Jacket fans want to hear but it ain’t like we went out there today and lost to a slouch—in today’s CFB world, any team that can win 9 straight going in (now 10, sadly) has a thing or two going for it.
Georgia didn’t play particularly well today (aside from Murray, that is) and we darn sure didn’t so we learned that them not at their best is better than us not at our best. Them at their best more than probably would’ve been better than our best. That’s just how it is, however much it pains me to say it. There’s a disparity of talent that we just aren’t able to overcome.
The are no excuses for why we lost but there are reasons. We need to identify them and work on correcting them.
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
10:25 pm
All Saints…is that all you got.. you need some new material
I do not have social skills but I know how to build bridges
November 26th, 2011
10:27 pm
Paul Johnson pooped his pants by going to the pass so quickly in the second half…TW is an 8th Grade QB.
Charles
November 26th, 2011
10:28 pm
I don’t know what to say about Tech- we were just plain out man-handled today. I think the triple option is getting old. time for some new things- maybe some folks are right- maybe CPJ needs to go, along with Groh. Hire someone like Ralph Friegden. I’d gladly have O’Leary back, at least during that time, we always had a chance against UGA! Good luck to the Dawgs next week- you’re gonna need it!
Super Committee
November 26th, 2011
10:29 pm
Tech Tony I agree. Talent is the big issue but if you get behind in the TO it’s hard to catch up. CPJ knew he was in trouble when Tech went 3 and out on their first possession…
uga75
November 26th, 2011
10:30 pm
Where are the Tech fans??????? Listened to your crap all week. Make your excuses and come on!