5 reasons Georgia Tech is even worse off than you’d think
A happy Paul Johnson after the N.C. State game. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
1. Apparently B-backs aren’t interchangeable. Jonathan Dwyer rushed for 1,395 yards in both 2008 and 2009. Over the winter Paul Johnson said he’d be willing to bet his new B-back would gain 1,000 yards. Anthony Allen has rushed for 267 yards in four games, which would translate to 801 over a full regular season.
2. Apparently Bay-Bay was indispensable. Joshua Nesbitt passed for 1,701 yards last season, most of them to Demaryius Thomas. Nesbitt has thrown for 316 yards over four games, which projects to 948 over a full regular season. His completion percentage, which was 46.3 a year ago, is 32.6 now.
3. Apparently it wasn’t all about the defensive coordinator. Dave Wommack’s defense ranked 54th nationally last season, yielding an average of 360 yards per game. Al Groh’s defense ranks 71st, yielding 367 yards. In pass defense Tech was 45th last season; it’s 69th now.
4. Apparently “depth” isn’t synonymous with “talent.” Before the season, Johnson called this his deepest Tech team. After losing to N.C. State, Groh lamented that his defense had made but three significant plays in 81 snaps and that there was no “supermarket” where the Jackets could go buy better players.
5. Even with the ACC in retreat, four difficult games remain. Tech must play at Clemson, at Virginia Tech and at Georgia, and it will face Miami at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Given that the Jackets have already lost twice when favored and that their only victory of consequence came against depleted North Carolina, this team could wind up 7-5 — or worse.
Equal time (sort of): 5 reasons the Georgia Bulldogs are better than you’d think.
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356 comments Add your comment
Casey
October 1st, 2010
2:22 pm
Stupid article. Wrong on so many fronts. I guess you are on the way to colorado since you are leaving this up. Enjoy watching the 1-3 dogs. Already as many losses as you predicted for the entire season. Good job! You sure know your sports! Braves wouldn’t lose lead and now this.
What a dope.
bjohndawg
October 1st, 2010
2:36 pm
8 of last 9, 8 of the last 9. All the rest does not mean jack.
THWGT
Stupid comments...
October 1st, 2010
2:40 pm
I’m guessing that half the so called Tech fans on here are UGAG posters just stoking the fire up. Are their issues with this team, uh yes but nothing that can’t be fixed. I said at the beginning of the year that Tech would go 8-4 or 9-3 and I still see that as possible depending on whether these issues get fixed or not. And for all of you that think Gailey was better, please you obviously NEVER went to a game of that terrible mediocrity. Last, let’s face it GT will never get the great blue chip athletes that UGA gets, so this option offense is fine for Tech as opposed the former ‘pro style’ we have had in the past that obviously didn’t work well for us.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 1st, 2010
4:11 pm
I don’t know, is PJ getting arrested for that coaching performance? There ought to be a law against that kind of play! That goes for my team too.
Chihuahua Doggy
October 1st, 2010
4:14 pm
We have the nicest coach. 0-3 in the SEC! Yeah Baby!
Dave Braine
October 1st, 2010
4:16 pm
I like stupid comments.
Dawg H8R
October 1st, 2010
4:26 pm
Why is GT WORSE than we think? Why is jawja better than we think? Sounds like the homerism bug has hit the airwaves again. Just because Green is returning and you guys are playing Colorado,
it doesn’t mean pick jawja as untouchable again!
GT-UT
October 1st, 2010
4:26 pm
Stupid comments is right on. I’m amazed that people are down on the option offense. This is exactly what GT needs. Besides, offense is not the problem. Defense IS THE PROBLEM! 28pts and lose is tough.
BullyDog
October 1st, 2010
4:34 pm
Tech and UGA don’t look too good this year. Both could easily end up having losing seasons. It happens. I’m a UGA fan but I do not know why some get so excited about posting Ga beating Tech 8 out of 9 or last year’s score. UGA ends up with better recruits every year and based on the program they SHOULD beat Tech. And with the dawgs looking pitiful this year there is really nothing to boast about.
Wreckem
October 1st, 2010
4:37 pm
I love all these dumb commments and the dumb article as well. Mark, you have done nothing but point out what real GT fans and good students of GT Football knew the problems were going to be this season. The only people that didn’t know it before now were you guys, sports writers. The same people that screw up the pre-season polls every year, which make me laugh every season. Well I guess I played your game and added 1 to your post count. Your Welcome!
brokeback jacket
October 1st, 2010
5:31 pm
Isn’t one of the tenets of the Gold Standard that all tech virgins must attend all home football games until they have sex with a human being? If they enforced this simple rule, they’d sell out from now until eternity. You’re welcome, tech ticket office.
tough talkin' paul
October 1st, 2010
5:49 pm
i’m paul johnson! i talk tough at press conferences and that makes tech fans think i’m a great coach!! arghhh. punch ‘em in the face!! grrrrr!!! argh!! see? look how good i’m coaching at this press conference!!
Bradley the BASHER
October 1st, 2010
6:10 pm
Apparantly UGA isn’t doing well either.
Coach Sleepy
October 1st, 2010
6:30 pm
I am such a nice guy.
I would never talk tough at press conference and make fans think I am a great coach!!
tough talkin' paul
October 1st, 2010
7:18 pm
so coach sleepy admits that paul’s tough talking makes tech fans think he can coach. point proven, moving along…
techbuzzer
October 1st, 2010
8:53 pm
Just remember Ga.State is doing better than THUGA so far.
Wreckmaniac
October 1st, 2010
9:38 pm
Some things are clear:
1. Fire Groh
2. Put someone else in Allen’s back position. There are candidates.
3. Stop the insane 4 down passing when behind with 5 minutes left. Stupid.
4. Stephen Hill has got to learn to catch.
5. Blitz occasionally
6. Pass on first down more often.
col foot
October 1st, 2010
10:25 pm
Yep, Tech still sucks
George P. Burdell
October 1st, 2010
11:24 pm
FOUR difficult games, Mark?
Granted Clemson, Virginia Tech and Miami will be difficult while the defense gains experience.
But GEORGIA? Pu-lease.
rick
October 1st, 2010
11:25 pm
GT is in big trouble. They will be lucky to finish 5-7. They have the worst defense in the nation as far as i’m concerned!
Gee
October 1st, 2010
11:51 pm
I love CPJ but he is stubborn as all get out. He needs to be realistic and open up the playbook some. Incorporate some shotgun and run the same plays out of that formation. It will get the defense on their heels and give Nesbitt and the running backs time to see the hole developing while choosing whether to keep or give… OR Use the Pistol formation like at Nevada some… I know you want to prove that your 3-0 will work in Division 1 but I think that has already been proven the past 2 seasons. Add some new wrinkles to the offense and would it be asking too much for a lil bump coverage from our DBs… $-h-i-t any receiver given 8-10 yards off the line can make a play. Thats why you have Safeties back there… Incase the Corners get beat. Cmon coaches… Get it together.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 2nd, 2010
12:15 am
Play ball is is the weekend.
5 Reasons UGA is even worse off than you'd think
October 2nd, 2010
7:05 am
1. Dawg fans trash their own campus during home games.
2. 0-3 in the SEC.
3. Last place in the SEC East.
4. Todd Grantham is not the answer for the defense.
5. Mike Bobo’s offense is 53rd in passing and 85th in rushing.
Yellow Fuzz
October 2nd, 2010
9:09 am
GR82BAG8R:
Hahahahaha. I don’t need YOU, or any other crow swallowing dog fan, to tell ME (AND I HOPE YOU CAN HEAR ME) what is “OK” to post on here little man. Hahahahahahahaha. Who do you think you are, Hershil Walker? Hahahahaha.
joeygt
October 2nd, 2010
11:39 am
wake will get crushed today look for techs best executed game today 45-7 tach wins
5150 P.O.A.D
October 2nd, 2010
12:09 pm
I know it must be an odd feeling for the dawgs to be in the basemant. Hell I know most dawgs have never been in the basement because Double Wide Trailers don’t have basements just a skirt to hide the wheels.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 2nd, 2010
12:17 pm
Christian Ponder at FSU is a senior with 2 degrees and is trying to finish a 3rd this year. WOW now that is a STUDENT Athlete.
Jason
October 2nd, 2010
12:25 pm
They lost to Kansas… the season was over at that point. Lay off the kids and let them focus on their studies. At least they’re getting a quality education.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 2nd, 2010
12:39 pm
Virginia looks bad but FSU ain’t looking GREAT. Clemson looks mean, but Miami’s Harris still likes to throw interceptable passes for sure.
InsectInside
October 2nd, 2010
12:41 pm
The patrolman in the picture is probably a good guy, the escorts for CPJ or CMR is the biggest waste of money in state government.
TechRedNeck
October 2nd, 2010
12:58 pm
I wonder how the poster known as “Paul has a small Johnson” knows Paul has a small Johnson?
Time
October 2nd, 2010
1:07 pm
Stores all around Atlanta are canceling their orders for Tech merchandise. They see the fad of out of the closet Tech fans is over. Maybe they can unload the unsold stock next decade.
5150 P.O.A.D
October 2nd, 2010
2:10 pm
Time the stores are all selling UGA stuff 4 for 1. Buy 1 and get 3 more free. Afgter UGA loses today it will be buy 1 and get 4 free and half on Antifreeze for Russ’ water bowl.
Brit Massey
October 2nd, 2010
2:10 pm
Im just ready for a Tickle Pile!!!
Boring Offense
October 2nd, 2010
2:40 pm
Great article mark, it is about time some one spoke the truth about this team. I said at the beginning of the season that tech would lose at least six games. The die hard tech fans bashed me for this comment. I laughed when CPJ stated this team was his deepest ever. They do have quantity but not quality athletes on both sides of the ball. For instance the core group of running backs that we have couldn’t play on any other Division 1 college team and produce. We have a bunch of smallish backs that love getting on the perimeter, but are afraid to run inside. The so called B-backs are fat and slow and are very non athletic. The receiving corps is the worst I have ever seen in all my years of watching college football.
This coaching staff has know imagination on offense! How can you line up in the same formation every play and expect success. Thats not good football, have you ever heard of the shotgun, spread, power I, pistol, or even use joshua nesbit in the wildcat offense just to keep the defense off balance.
Al Groh is a good defensive coordinator but he has no talent to work with. Tarant is their best secondary player and he dosen’t even start. They have struggled to tackle in the early part of the season, and these teams are no where close to the teams they will play at the end of the season.
jojatek
October 2nd, 2010
9:34 pm
Couldn’t agree more… watching this team stumble around right now with Wake Forest is absolutely embarrassing. Ironically, it’s the defense that is playing well and keeping us in this game (barely). Paul Johnson and his offense are pathetic tonight (questions about the option will reappear soon). If you’re on the offensive line right now, you better start looking over your shoulder because, the way they’re playing tonight, a loss should spell the end of that particular group…
I hate to say it, but this game is over already… too many mistakes on offense. Kudos to the Wake Forest defense for lining up and punching us right in the mouth… they deserve this win…
jojatek
October 2nd, 2010
9:49 pm
Embarrassing…
jojatek
October 2nd, 2010
9:51 pm
Wake’s defense deserves this one… our O-line is pathetic. Defense, ironically, having perhaps its best game of the season (which, of course, isn’t saying much).
techmanscott
October 2nd, 2010
10:29 pm
mark, i thank you would take one deep down your throat, you whimpy looking beotch. come down here to south ga and i will slap that red and black out of your a$$. THE STINGER
Boring Offense
October 2nd, 2010
10:32 pm
Great job we beat wakes 4th string qb!!!!
Stumpknocker
October 2nd, 2010
11:34 pm
Like they always say; a win is a win
Stumpknocker
October 2nd, 2010
11:37 pm
Hey Bill King, have another heeping helping of buffalo dung ol buddy.
Ghost Of Woody Hayes
October 3rd, 2010
12:28 am
ONE reason them Jackets & Dawgs are worserer this year: that dad-gum 3-4 defense! It’s an NFL defense that don’t work in college unlessen you got some big & fast mofos on the D-line! One day them idiots gonna figure that out….If not, I just might have to grab ‘em by the neck and give ‘em a shot right straight in the chops!!!
Buzz 2010
October 3rd, 2010
12:51 am
Wrong again Mark… Finished our drive tonight…. Note as with 2009 we will finish a lot more this year.
I don’t think CPJ has lost two games in a row in three years.. Where is Joe Cox when you need a go too guy?
Yellow Fuzz
October 3rd, 2010
8:09 am
Who’s your daddy, or better yet, which is your daddy?
South Carolina
Arkansas
Miss. State
Colorado
Shreveport
GR82BAG8R
October 3rd, 2010
9:05 am
Yellow Fuzz, I am not a Dog fan, but a Gator. What I see are two sets of delusionals – - Tech fans who really believe they are a top program, and Georgia fans who won’t accept that despite continually having the “pick of the litter” for in-state recruits, they never do much with it. Georgia last had an NC in 1980. Since then Tech, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, LSU, and Florida have all had NC titles. Why????
RamblinRecluseRd
October 3rd, 2010
12:58 pm
One reason is they don’t use a high scoring shotgun offense, even occasionally. Another is they got the leaky roof defense of three rushing linemen, even on passes. Ted Roof used to have the LBs try to cover passes by running all over the backfield like swift, skinny DBs, and it never worked. Another is that they went from uniforms with side old gold stripes to the black stripes of this year, with the black tapering around in the backs of their legs which draws attention to their buns within such a “V” shape. If I wanted to have my attention drawn to buns I would watch Denise Austin, but I won’t since she’s married. However I do know about her buns exercises for females. Switching from old gold to black is a going off on a tangent move toward a veritable “black hole” of mass so dense there is no return. Last year didn’t have the old gold side stripes, but they were ok because of no solid black. The Tech Alum Mag said “black is out” after Bill Curry’s Black Watch Defense. Old gold would never be out. A return to old gold would be delightful and the real Georgia Tech color of gold for my alma mater.
Frankly
October 3rd, 2010
7:17 pm
gtu is a very very good team. I believe they could beat Warner Robins for sure, and play Northside to a close game.
THWGT!!!!!!!
Hacker
October 4th, 2010
1:02 am
I will sell the identity, address, and place of work of Brokeback Jacket for $500 to anyone interested in having a face-to-face meeting with him.
Michael
October 4th, 2010
2:53 am
Okay, first things first. I think GT offense and defense are both playing poorly. I am not fond of Allen’s lack of “yards after contact” (i.e. he drops lack a sack of taters immediately), nor do I like Hill’s stonehands. The OL is young and shuffling, couldn’t be avoided, but also, as per CPJ, undersized to be quick. Well, they ain’t all that quick and still undersized (and will get pushed around by big DL’s again, say Miami, UGA, bowl team if we’re lucky).
The defense is also every undersized and understengthed (not a word, but making my points). The 3-4, above all else, demands a beast at the Nose and basically Defensive Tackles (260 + lbs) at the DE positions. Tech doesn’t have that size. Groh can recruit, lets hope he can fill the line as well as he does recruiting LBs. I think Groh’s D will be above average, but just not this year (lots of old 4-3ers, walkons and youngsters this year). Playing Walls at NT is not good enough, but it is what it is. Barnes is probably big enough, but hasn’t learned proper leverage and technique yet. The big UGA line will like do like last year and push our DL 3 yards back every rush attempt. Normally Richt and Co ain’t smart enough to keep running when it is working, but for some reason they smartened up last year (though only against GT).
I am certainly fine with CPJ as I was a Geo Southern student and follower and he did miracles at GSU and Navy. He is capable, no matter if its SEC, ACC, I-AA, high school or pee-wee, it translates as long as the talent translates. It should if the OL and DL’s get fixed up. I would like to see CPJ recuriting OL that are a bit bigger, but not every one can and he swears by leaner and quicker OL. I just think we can have fairly quick and stronger OL and do just as well (and not get our OL pushed back into Nesbitt every 3rd play).
Groh needs time and judging them this season only makes sense if you judge how the improve or not over the second half of the season; HOWEVER, they do play better offensive teams the second half, so an improvement might be holding steady point wise to what they have been giving up.
I predict neither UGA or GT go bowling. Tech and UGA both have fairly tough schedules left and UGA will beat GT..again…because they are still too large and strong for our undersized lines to handle. That will allow UGA to win 5 games and will hold GT at 5 wins. I predict both teams sit at home during bowl season.