All-Football Friday! The questions facing Georgia Tech
A surprise a year ago, Georgia Tech will surprise us this time only if it stinks. Which it probably won’t. But that doesn’t mean it has no issues. Every team does, and thank goodness. If teams had no issues there’d be no place for folks like me. Forty-three days ahead of its opener against Jacksonville State, here’s what we should be asking about the Jackets:
• Is Paul Johnson’s offense, as Paul Johnson contends, going to make an exponential jump in Year 2? Are there really that many different ways to hand or pitch someone the ball? Or will the going get tougher for the option-based spread the second time through the ACC?
• Will the passing game become more than a diversionary tactic? Does Tech need to bring the disparity between rushing and passing yards — 73 percent of the offense against 27 percent last season — into closer harmony? (Say, 65 to 35?) Will the Jackets, who could well be playing for a championship, throw the ball effectively when the day comes when they’re behind with five minutes to play?
• Will Jonathan Dwyer improve on 1,395 yards rushing, or will the Jackets’ increasing familiarity with the nuances of Johnson’s offense call for the A-backs — Dwyer is a B-back — to get the ball more? Is there a capable backup should Dwyer tweak an ankle?
• Are the A-backs about to get even faster? Will Roddy Jones, last seeing fleeing down the Sanford Stadium sideline, recover from his offseason hand injury in time to wreak immediate havoc? And is Marcus Wright, even smaller and faster than Jones, about to have his breakout moment?
• Is there a stranger case in college football than Demaryius Thomas? Is there a receiver in college football who caught a higher ratio — 52.7 percent — of his team’s completions? Are there 10 more talented receivers in the land?
• Will the defense, gutted by high-profile losses to its front four, hold up its end? Or will Derrick Morgan, who’s among the best defensive ends in the land, catch the same disease that befell Coleman Rudolph in the early ’90s — a season’s worth of double- and triple-teaming?
Loading ...• If your defense can’t stop the other team, doesn’t that undercut the whole premise of Johnson’s offense? Can you run, run, run if you’re always playing from behind? Can you win games 41-38 with a team that passes as an afterthought? Will Josh Nesbitt, who’s talented enough to do almost anything, improve his completion percentage (an unbecoming 43.9 last season) so Thomas can work some downfield wonders?
• Will the special teams, which essentially dealt Tech out of the Chick-fil-A Bowl before it had begun, no longer be a liability? Don’t running the ball, defending and being sound in the kicking game historically go together? What if one aspect fails? Will it be 38-3 (the score of LSU’s blowout bowl victory) all over again?
• Will the new weight of expectations turn Johnson, who doesn’t suffer fools gladly, into a season-long sourpuss? If Tech loses a big game early and fans and writers start sniping at his offense, will he snipe back? Is his honeymoon, which continued unabated even after the bowl loss, apt to end anytime soon?
Bradley says: Tech will go 10-2 in the regular season, losing at Florida State and at Vanderbilt, and will beat FSU in the ACC title game.
(If you’re interested, here are the questions regarding Georgia. And check back at 3 p.m. for those concerning the Falcons. It’s All-Football Friday!)
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260 comments Add your comment
Drexel Gal
July 24th, 2009
10:41 am
This two-time Tech alum is facing the harsh reality. Paul Johnson’s first year follwoing the honeymoon will be a rough one. Tech will lose to Clemson, Miami, F$U, Virginia Tech, Virginia, and Georgia. That is a 6-6 record, just enough to land in Boise in December. (Remember, you heard it here first.) Fortunately, Johnson can handle the pressure and the 2009 rebuilding year will be but a stepping stone to productive seasons. As much as I hate to agree with Dave Braine, Tech will not see another ten-win REGULAR season in our lifetimes … unless the NCAA allows a TWENTY-game schedule.
bb
July 24th, 2009
10:42 am
Twice in the last 35 years? What???
I love the self-delusion of uga fans. In the last 30 years EVERY time GT has beaten uga they have strung at least 2 together. And it has happened thrice, not twice. Granted 8 wins in 30 years is nothing to brag about. Why do uga fans have to exaggerate even that?
GT4Ever
July 24th, 2009
10:42 am
The so called experts see a gimmick offense and say defenses will be able to stop the second time around is ludicrous. Reebok you’re right. No ones stopped the spread when it’s clicking. Every offense ever thought of has been stopped when it’s not clicking. Dumb Arse qoute by these so called experts. That means you also UGA fans.
Trade School Junkie
July 24th, 2009
10:44 am
Hey “loss” man:
How well did YOUR pre-season #1 predictions work out for ya?
Yeh. We know. Now, go on back to YOUR delusions.
Bama: Wear Black…after all, its a “funeral” ya know.(ROTFLMAO)
Florida: Time Out, why we ALL enjoy this complete B-E-A-T-D-O-W-N.
GT: How to use a “pop warner, high school offense” to kick UGA’s ass
If UGA fans think GT = “Joke by Coke.”
Then UGA = the “Joke by Sanford.”
Fashion Merhandising as a Major. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Cincinatti Bowtie
July 24th, 2009
10:46 am
Defense is way to thin to muster 10 wins, especially if they get down on the score.
CEO
July 24th, 2009
10:46 am
Hey Boss Man,
Quit slacking like you do at home in your Mother’s basement and finish cleaning the urinals. And by the way, you have not completed your Hooked on Phonics course and it has been over 3 years already…..
UGAY fans’ arrogance and whining always bites them in the end. For every Champ Bailey they produce, there are also 10 David Greenes, Boss Baileys and George Fosters who can not cut it in the NFL because they can not pick up the playbook….so with that track record, how can you even pick a team’s record much less your own???
T3
July 24th, 2009
10:47 am
drexel gal:
Put the rubbing alcohol down. Seek an internvention.
You cant ACTUALLY drink “rubbing alcohol.”
Ralph
July 24th, 2009
10:48 am
The Sporting News says Tech will run the table and go to the Orange Bowl. But I doubt there will be a pre-season parade in the rival town of Athens, or even in Atlanta. Looked silly at the time, and REALLY silly after their 3 regular season losses.
http://www.sportingnews.com/college-football/article/2009-07-20/six-teams-will-run-table-season
Dumb
July 24th, 2009
10:49 am
Hey Drexel it’s going to be hard for Tech to go to the Boise bowl considering that the ACC does not go to that bowl anymore. And this is not a rebuilding year, we have soph and juniors all over the two deep. This year and next year are the years to do some damage. The only rebuilding year will be 2011 at the earliest.
Too Easy
July 24th, 2009
10:51 am
Trade School Munkie:
Florida – Excellent talent, excellent coaching, excellent offense, excellent defense. No fluke.
gt: not so much.
go tech
July 24th, 2009
10:51 am
Bradley is right (did I actually type that?) that we killed ourselves at the Peach Bowl before it started with the kick out of bounds. I rarely read someone say how deflating that is to start by kicking out of bounds; I knew right then we were in BIG trouble.
go tech
July 24th, 2009
11:02 am
Regarding the projections, I think this is actually a difficult schedule, contrary to some prognosticators. 10-2 would be a GREAT year with this schedule. At UM, FSU, home vs. UGA, VT, Clemson; those are tough games, don’t kid yourself. I keep hearing people say we need tougher OOC matchups. Well we have 3SEC OOC games on top of tough ACC slate.
Look at UF; they don’t schedule ANY OOC games away from home, and usually they are pansies. If you aren’t a pansy and willing to play in the swamp, then don’t bother calling the Gators. That is 3 easy wins, and they have shown they know how to win a NC. Why can’t we learn from Gators success and schedule easier OOC teams and go for a NC? Odds are we won’t win a NC with a couple losses, and odds are with a tough OOC schedule, we will not get through without at least a couple losses.
GT fan ...
July 24th, 2009
11:04 am
To GT4Ever …. no GT will not have a let at FSU b/c of playing VT the week before. Why? B/C the Jackets play VT the week AFTER they play at FSU.
The October (and it looks to be a killer right now for GT) is:
10/3 — at Miss St
10/10 — at FSU
10/17 — home vs. VT
10/24 — at Virginia
10/31 — at Vandy
For 2009:
If “if & buts” were candy and nuts we’d all ……
It is hard to make predictions, but IF the Jackets get back (OL, Jones, Jackson) and stay healthy then I can easily see them going 10-2 or better. Yes, I said better. Simply b/c GT will progress more at running PJ’s offense than D’s will at stopping it. It’s a proven fact, as many have pointed out including PJ himself, that his offense in year two is a lot better than in year one. And now you are adding a talent like Anthony Allen into the mix.
Here’s another fact of year one vs year two comparison:
In 1995 PJ went to Navy as OC (from Hawaii). Navy had 5 wins in 1990, and 9 wins total from ‘91 through ‘94. Taking it a step further, the Midshipmen hadn’t won more than 4 games in any other season from 1983 to 1995. In 1995 they won 5, finishing 5-6. In year TWO in PJ’s offense Navy won 9, finished 9-3, and won a bowl game.
Dan
July 24th, 2009
11:24 am
(1) Johnson’s Georgia Southern and Navy offenses improved significantly from year 1 to year 2, so there’s precedent for it to happen with Tech, particularly with experienced 1st and 2nd-string quarterbacks returning. (2)The act of pitching or keeping the ball has not changed, but the familiarity of the linemen, slotbacks and receivers with their BLOCKING schemes has improved and will get better; it’s the way Johnson modifies blocking assignments in-game that turns 1-5 yard gains into 20+ yard gains. (3) So ACC defenses have “seen” Tech’s offense now; well, Johnson has “seen” them now, too. Do you really think he didn’t learn anything? (4) If Tech’s run game improves as anticipated, an improvement in the passing game from mediocre to “good” will be sufficient to give defensive coordinators even more fits. God help the ACC and Georgia if Tech’s passing game develops anywhere close to what Johnson’s offenses at Hawaii were in the late 80s and early 90s.
its good to see all these frawgs
July 24th, 2009
11:25 am
posting on a ‘column’ about gt.
the first post as usual was by a dog. weather it’s a blog or column or blurb about a new recruit ugagers have to post and insult us first. that happens with regularity. why is that?
talk about having an fixation sheeesh. 45-42 hurts bad dont it? maybe after we beat em two in a row they will just stfu and leave. i am tired of having burnt fries…. and i will never ever use a bathroom that a ugag grad cleans. NEVER.
funny how they post on our column and complain about us being on theirs. funny thing is though, by my count there are MORE frawgs posting here than jackets. by my count there are more frawgs than jackets posting on their blog/columns too. why is that?
talk about having an fixation sheeesh. 45-42 hurts bad dont it? maybe after we beat em two in a row they will leave. after paul johnson feeds them his johnson and beats them tiarb they will stfu. one can only hope that after fiar that they fire the reverend and hire jim donnan back.
than again…. we have seen the best that reverend richt has to offer. the last 10 years as far as recruiting etc is as good as it gets for the dawgs.
YET they still underachieved. even the ol ball sack at gamecock high is laughing his ass off at the ineptitude of the bullfrawg nation.
anyone want to go giggin?
their are more frawg posts
rainman
July 24th, 2009
11:28 am
Tech and Florida both run a spread option offense. Tech will probably never pass as much as the gators, but CPJ will absolutely increase and improve the air game. I think when UGA fans belittle the ‘high school offense’, they are actually scared that it will come to resemble the Florida spread.
Ken
July 24th, 2009
11:36 am
I agree with some others… bugs will go 7-5 or 8-4 with a large loss to UGA
THWGT
Boss Man
July 24th, 2009
11:38 am
KG,
you fixed that printer yet? Haven’t I told you about using “douche bag” in conversation. No matter what promotion I get kid, I will always be your Boss Man. Now get back to work pencil neck or you are fired!!
hem o'roid
July 24th, 2009
11:39 am
Mark it down. Jax. State will be one of the toughest games. Why? Tech trying to get up for this game knowing what follows. Tech beat them pretty bad last year but Jax. wound up going 8-3 including Tech game. The other 2 were close, being by 1 point and 3, I think. They have one of the best Qb’s around in Perriloux. Laugh, but I think you get my drift.
m
July 24th, 2009
11:43 am
Tech will win all 3 sec games…mark it down…we are playing 3 of the sec pussssie teams.
Old Gold
July 24th, 2009
11:44 am
UGA Slobberknocker, the first flaw in your thinking (first post) is that you assume that you’re right about the first seven games – you take that 5-2 as a given. That’s why they play the games, Slobber – who knows? As for the second piece of your “analysis,” you mentioned only twice that Tech had beaten Georgia two years in a row in the past 35. Here’s a thought: What happend 20 years ago has nothing to do with what will happen this fall. The only games that matter are two: the one last year and the one coming up.
As for this year, it will be a very, very interesting contest. There’s no way UGA’s offense will be up to last year’s – you lost two first-round NFL draft picks from you “O.” As for your defense, who knows? Bottom line, you better worry like the devil about YOUR first seven games – think you’ll be 5-2?
For Tech, they’ll play with the confidence of knowing that the seven-year loss streak (second longest to the streak owned by Tech over Georgia, as you may know, at eight) is off their back. They have far more depth on offense, and the plays will appear twice as fast this year as last because of familiarity with the scheme. The playbook will be deeper.
Should be a great game. The rivalry is back – whether you like it or not.
Boss Man
July 24th, 2009
11:45 am
uh, CEO, I’m pretty sure Foster was a VERY solid NFL lineman for years and Boss Bailey is still playing also. BTW, I wouldn’t get into a “players in the NFL” argument because UGA has the 3rd most playing in the NFL right now. What is your point? “….so with that track record, how can you even pick a team’s record much less your own???” What the hell does that mean? You are one dumb bag of rocks. What are you CEO of? Your kid brother’s lemonade stand?
Chris
July 24th, 2009
11:47 am
Hey Mark,
How about letting me be your guest blogger. The Topic “How to Improve a Listless ACC Championship Game”. I’ve got the answer. Enjoyed the blog today.
m
July 24th, 2009
11:57 am
I can’t even describe to you how gay I am!! The only one that understands me is Saint Simons.
DAWGPOO
July 24th, 2009
11:59 am
This just in after every Dawg home victory free admission to bubbas sheep farm for men!!!!!!! Ladies stay away you don’t want to know….. All right got to use my agriculture degree and go milk da bull….. I mean da cow
King of Sandy Springs
July 24th, 2009
12:10 pm
Remember Tech was nearly all Freshmen and Sophomores in a new system on both sides of the ball. And the special teams blew. Yet they overachieved. The offensive system is not only smoke and mirrors, but one built on mental and physical toughness. The D is just as tough, count on it. Special teams can’t really go no where, but up. Under PJ, Navy was tops in special teams. PJ has come in unified this team, and now has the talent to win Championships. The O and the D are clearly on the same page now. Tech will dominate the ACC, and beating the crap out of the OOC SEC shools will be a pleasure. Trust me, Tech and the rest of the ACC have big chip on their shoulders, and are ready to lay the smack down on other BCS schools. Which we have for the last two years. Tech should go 12-0, but 11-1 is realistic. Hell, even UF lost to Ole Miss last year. Here’s your fun fact of the day:
Season Record vs. Other BCS Conferences/ND/Moutain West Conference, 2007-2008 Regular Seasons
ACC: 26-19 (.578)
Big Ten: 15-11 (.577)
Mtn West: 17-13 (.567)
Big East: 16-15 (.516)
Pac-10: 12-13 (.480)
Big 12: 12-14 (.462)
SEC: 13-16 (.448)
Dear Mark
July 24th, 2009
12:17 pm
Please require user registration to reduce the ignorant posts!
Top Dogg
July 24th, 2009
12:21 pm
GT will go 12-0 only in Camel racing. They have the best of the best from Iraq you know.38-3 HAHAHAHAHA
IC Atlanta
July 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
Special teams are my biggest concern. I think the O & D should be fine – just hold on to the ball.
I can’ t wait to watch GT light up Ugag the last Saturday in November. Then hear all the gaggers say well you beat us 2 years out of 9, then 3 out of 10, then 4 out of 11. Then CMR will be down at FSU or UM if not before that time.
What’s The Good Word?!!!
SAINT SIMONS LIVES IN MOTHERS BASEMENT
July 24th, 2009
12:25 pm
Remember Tech was nearly all Freshmen and Sophomores in a new system on both sides of the ball. …………………………..
and there juniors and seniors last year were part of the 48th and 49th rated recruiting classes and they beat the preseason #1, top 10 recruiting classes, big time SEC school (ugag, ugay, the mutts, the nadlickers, the pups, the puppies, the fleabags, the leghumpers)…
Mutts-R-Stupid-especially-journalism-majors
July 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
The NCAA Death Penalty Squad is hunting UGA for more lying, stealing, and just plain cheating. UGAY is going down, as in down for the count. Just remember, 45-42 opened the door for all the crooked boosters at UGAY to step up their game of lying, cheating, and stealing. To HE LL with Georgia.
James
July 24th, 2009
12:50 pm
Just win one at a time, preseason prognostications are meaningless. Ask Coach Richt about preseason #1. Go Jackets.
Island Dawg
July 24th, 2009
12:52 pm
The only reason NATS will have a better record than UGA is because of their conference schedule. CPJ was great at Southern and Navy and will continue to be at Tech until he is summoned to climb further up the ladder. Until you guys can sell out your stadium without huge opponent fanbase support GT will remain a second tier job. Maybe if y’all weren’t such snobbish jerks to the “redneck” academically inferior GA populace you could sell 55K in a 4.5 million metro area. That said, you will lose to UGA this year and I’ll be there to help it sell-out
Jon P
July 24th, 2009
12:56 pm
What I have never understood is why 1-11 is fine (as one blogger suggested) as long as you beat UGA? Wouldn’t you rather be 11-1 even if that loss was to UGA? There always seems to be a greater hatred for UGA than love for GT from the GT fans in these blogs that makes no sense to me. Why is it more important for UGA to lose than GT to win? Although a lot of UGA fans love it when Tech loses, they are more concerned with UGA winning than GT losing.
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
Jon P, you should address that one blogger. Just because ONE person says it, doesn’t mean all GT fans believe it.
Mark
July 24th, 2009
1:00 pm
Tech blows. You Tech fans are kidding yourself if you think you’re going to win 10 games. Calm down. You’re an 8-4 team. Always will be. That pounding you took in the bowl game where you put up a monster 3 points is going to be the team we see in 09. Face it, you’re not even close to being an elite team. You run an high school offense. One year wonders! And one other thing Paul Johnson is not the answer!! But keep trying losers!
GTMAN
July 24th, 2009
1:03 pm
UGASLOBBERNOCKER – FYI – I KNOW FOR A FACT IT’S HAPPENED MORE THAN TWICE IN 35 YEARS: 84-85, 89-90, 97-99
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:03 pm
Paul Johnson is the answer if the question is what collegiate football coach in the state of Georgia gets the most out of his available talent.
GT92
July 24th, 2009
1:04 pm
Too Easy- Thats cute that you want suck up to Florida and praise all aspects of their program. Is the inferiority complex becoming that deep seated?
Junkie- I admire your enthusiasm but you either havent been watching tech/acc football very long or are just stirring the pot. If tech emerged with only 2 losses this year it would be incredible. 12-0 is what we are all hoping for but every one of our games poses a threat of some kind and we will be underdogs in at least 2 or 3 of them (miami, fsu and 1 other depending on how the season shakes out). For the record, VT in blacksburg would have been just as tough later in the year after Tyrod Taylor had settled in.
Here is hoping your right but keep a little bit real bro.
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:07 pm
Too Easy is the one said you’d have to be an idiot to be a Tech fan then said that his deceased father was a Tech man.
EW
July 24th, 2009
1:07 pm
Well when you only win a few every once in a while they are easier to remember, sorry all our wins between those kind of overshadowed your precious memories. The dogs will stomp the sh** out of tech this year. Guaranteed.
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:09 pm
I don’t see how we can be an underdog to Miami. Isn’t Randy Shannon still on the sidelines there? What has changed so much in 1 year that they should be favored over GT? Who did we lose and who did they gain to make that much of a difference?
Paul Lee
July 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
Tech has a good shot to go 10-2, and play for the ACC title. I think the defense will be better, pressure will now come from the linebackers, instead of the down linemen, lot’s of speed on defense. The offense will be better. D.Thomas is one of the best WR’s in the nation because of his blocking, check last year’s film, lot’s of long runs were helped by his ability.I think all of the games have the potential to be tough, especially UNC,FSU,and VPI.I think the difference in a CJP coached team is the mental toughness he brings to the table, something the leg humpers don’t and won’t have under Rev. Richt ever. Be ready Mutt fans, GT is no longer going to self destruct against you.
Mark Bradley
July 24th, 2009
1:16 pm
Chris, if you can improve the ACC title game, you shouldn’t settle for being a Guest Blogger. You should be made an associate commissioner of the ACC.
GT92
July 24th, 2009
1:21 pm
Baba- I hear ya. I think we win down there…AGAIN..but there is still alot of residual hype surrounding that program, deserved or not, from their haydays. They are at home. Have a new OC. Still have as good of talent as there is in the conference and all that Randy Shannon lacks in coaching he is a pretty darn good recruiter as they have been amassing some great classes during his tenure that will start to pay dividends.
Dont get me wrong. I am certainly not a hurricane fan as many of the miami fans in the orange bowl who were sitting near me when we held their #4 team in the country to 3 yards total rushing…but I digress. I may be wrong but if I had to bet right now whether or not we will be favored or not in that game I would say we are 2.5 point dog. ??? who knows. Probably better for us if we are.
gtfanfrom1951
July 24th, 2009
1:25 pm
UGA fans are delusional if they think that CPJ will leave in two years. 7-5 or 8-4 is Georgia’s record this year. Winning at home under PJ is at the top of the list. GT is doing this with CG players. In one year his player will start making a difference.
Huh?
July 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
Tech will choke and their fans know it. How could they not? They are GEORGIA TECH. When was the last time expectations were high for the Jackets and they actually lived up to them? You probably have to go back decades. Tech fans know what awaits them. Its almost as if they are trying to talk as much trash while they can. Underneath all this supposed confidence and false bravado I sense a lot of apprehension and wishful thinking. “Maybe this really is it”, they think to themselves. “Maybe we’ve finally made it.” Maybe Techies, but history is not on your side. You are GEORGIA TECH, a never has been, a never is, and a never will be until proven otherwise.
Georgia Tech will get their 300 or whatever yards rushing per game and will win a decent amount of games, at least by their standards. But a lack of defense, special teams, and overall depth will keep them from getting where they want to be. And of course their’s the choke factor cited above. You won’t be surprising anyone this year Techies. They’ll be ready for you.
I know Tech fans just think I’m a flamer trying to get them riled up, but the above is my honest to god opinion. I really do think that you and your football program are a total joke. Promise.
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:32 pm
Uh-oh…Huh? senses apprehension and false bravado, oh my!
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:32 pm
Damn!Damn!Damn! History is not on our side!!!!
Baba O'Riley
July 24th, 2009
1:34 pm
God no!!! The choke factor has been cited above!! We’re DOOMED!