Live from Tech-Tech: Rain (and an upset) could be coming
Georgia Tech's uniforms. Not much gold in them thar duds, is there? (Photo by M. Bradley)
Blacksburg, Va. — Here’s great news. There’s a flash flood warning in effect here until midnight, with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms at 7 p.m. (Kickoff is at 8, or whenever ESPN decides it’s good and ready.) We mention this because …
Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech were set to play here on Aug. 27, 2000, which was so long ago that George Godsey was Tech’s quarterback and some guy named Vick was playing for the Hokies. The game never came off. A savage storm that Sunday night forced the game to be canceled, as opposed to postponed. In ESPN lore, the memory lingers because Lee Corso’s rental car was struck by lightning. (Without him inside, let’s stipulate.)
For more on the non-game, here’s esteemed colleagues Ken Sugiura’s recounting of it. But I’m not worried about a repeat of the washout, for these reasons:
1. The forecast — and I’ve been watching — has actually improved throughout the day, and as I type it’s only partly cloudy. (It was, I should note, a weird drive up from Greensboro. It poured in Winston-Salem and was so foggy at 2 p.m. in the Virginia mountains that it seemed like night. Then it got sunny.)
2. My rental car is so small — it’s a compact roughly the size of the water closet on an airplane — that I’m pretty sure any lightning would miss it.
As previously discussed, this seems the biggest game in what stands as a massive season for Georgia Tech and Paul Johnson. As previously mentioned, I like the Jackets to win. I have found absolutely no one else in the media who seconds that emotion, but I’m accustomed to that.
If it should rain hard and/or long, it could well hurt (Ga.) Tech and its pitch-it-around option game more, but those sorts of forecasts are problematic. (Va.) Tech figures to be the better passing team, so inclement weather could curtail the Hokies, too. And if the ball gets so slick nobody can hang on, there’s no real handicapping that.
I’ve liked (Ga.) Tech’s chances all summer because I think this looms as a bigger platform for the Jackets than for the Hokies. VPI, as we old folks used to call this school, is expected to win by a touchdown. VPI is ranked; GT is not. VPI has beaten GT four of the past five years. Give the hunger edge to the visitors.
But really, who knows? Georgia Tech could win, or it could lose, or the game could be rained out. Hey, it happened once.
And whatever happens tonight, I’d appreciate it if you’d hang around for all the fun and frolic. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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1,439 comments Add your comment
JustinSyder
September 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Play of the game so far was Brandon Watts jumping offsides on that punt. He doesn’t do that, most likely a different result.
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:33 pm
Dear TV:
Please never, ever, ever show that Napoleon Red Bull commercial again.
Sincerely,
My aching ears and eyeballs
collegeballfan
September 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
GT gets the ball to start the 2nd half. I always like to have the ball then.
Now they need to do something with it. It appears that the OL cannot block VT. If they cannot block VT, then they will not block Miami, Clemson or UGA.
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
@davidinloganville.
I would give the offense a
C plus.
We did take advantage of the muffed snap.
And did complete some passes to Orwin.
Unis a B minus.
Godhigh probably happy to get his first TD.
BigTimeTECHFan
September 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
Washington need to make some plays on his own, I thinking Tech may pass more in 2nd half, passing game looks like it’s there for them
Under The Bleachers
September 3rd, 2012
9:34 pm
FSU loses Brandon Jenkins for the year with a foot injury……uh oh
Smart like a fox
September 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
Defense looks pretty good…can’t gripe so far…Mark, would you say Ga trolls out number the Tech fans 10to1 ?
Mark Bradley
September 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
Offense. GT 107 yards, VT 137.
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
It is the first half of the first game.
I suspect some of you of having dawg vision.
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:35 pm
What do they give Lou Holtz to keep him awake this late at night?
Under The Bleachers
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
What does it say when ESPN cancels game day at Missouri/ UGA and moves it to Texas A&M?
GIVE ME A BREAK
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
Uniforms look good when you can see them up close. Needs more gold. ” GO JACKETS “
BigTimeTECHFan
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
collagefootballfan – VT front 7 is one of the best in the country
JB
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
decent half for Tech. Tech TD pretty much a gift though
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
BTW VT has their returning players mostly on defense and it shows.
Their D is way ahead of their O.
Murray The Midget
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
I’ll go ahead and say it. I’ll ga tech and gayturds!
Tampa Wreck
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
And the unis aren’t bad.. Would have preferred a darker blue on numbers, but definitely better than the mustard yellow things they wore a couple of years ago.l
Supersize that order, mutt
September 3rd, 2012
9:36 pm
fox…..go to Ken’s blog. He’s not there, but the discussion is better
St Richt
September 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
We’re okay. Strap it on and play hard 2nd half and win this thing.
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
@JB.
We’ll take it.
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
VA-Poly looks like they’re biding their time or something. But we are showing a lot of grit.
Tech dropout
September 3rd, 2012
9:37 pm
I believe this is the best defensive front that Tech will see all season.
Fish Frys make u fat
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
Lookin at the schedule during this game, we are realistically a 7-5 team. We will be 2-2 after 4, 3-3 after 6, 4-4 after 8, then winning 3 outta 4 to finish season. Losses are tonite, Miami, Clemson, BYU and Ugag.
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
No VT gifts declined.
Wouldn’t mind more.
Like a fumble or pick though they usually are earned.
JB
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
Not so fast drop put
Supersize that order, mutt
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
@ dropout…..DEFINITELY
NJ Dawg
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
UGA fan here, but I like Tech, too. (My grandmother worked there for 22 years.) I want Tech to win every game except one… That said, GT’s new uniforms are hideous! Bring back the gold, please!!!
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
Does anyone really hardwood-floor their walls?
collegeballfan
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
BigTimeTECHFan – “collagefootballfan – VT front 7 is one of the best in the country.”
I know. But if you cannot block them then you will not block a few other teams.
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:38 pm
Tevin took the knock and kept on ticking.
Damn good Jacket.
JB
September 3rd, 2012
9:39 pm
Hard to clean nite owl
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:40 pm
If we could not block them at all, we would not have scored.
What is VT ranked?
Most picked VT in this game and we look their equal.
JB
September 3rd, 2012
9:40 pm
Tech starting D doesn’t look bad. Same ole depth problems.
chas_jacket
September 3rd, 2012
9:40 pm
JH Days having a great game. Drummond may have trouble getting back as a starter
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:41 pm
If I want to hardwood-floor my walls, Hope Depot can help me do that.
I’ve seen that commercial 10 times before I realized what they were doing.
@JB: What did Alice use to clean the Bradys’ wood paneling in the den?
Under The Bleachers
September 3rd, 2012
9:42 pm
The VT front 7 is no where close to “one of the best in the country”..not to argue with with all due respect, but they may become a good one by years end but they maybe in the top 20 nationally
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:42 pm
So, does Coach Johnson find a wrinkle to exploit on offense in the 2nd half? I’m thinking more passing and more wide pitches. But then again, I’m also thinking about nachos.
BLT
September 3rd, 2012
9:42 pm
I’ll take it! Keep it close and we have a chance. Go Jackets!
Cheese
September 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
Def is playing well considering the field position VT is getting; Offense needs to get the ball out of tevins hands good operator but not really a threat
Josh Smith for 3
September 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
Paul Johnson can be so ridiculous. What’s the point in taking that timeout with 2 seconds left before halftime? Unless you’ve got Devin Hester suiting up for a punt return, then you’re basically just being that kid who asks the teacher on Friday afternoon if the class has homework.
Fish Frys make u fat
September 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
2 chas_, Hunt Days is for real……hes prob starter from here on out.
ramguy68
September 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
@Under The Bleachers …What does it say about ESPN when they continue to serve up mush mouth Lou Holtz and his bull?
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:44 pm
There was a JB on the blogs last year who was a dawg fan.
He seemed to think Tech had the monopoly on stuck up fans.
I grew up in Atlanta and the biggest spoiled brat in my high school was the son of a lawyer.
The children of the wealthy all have that attitude you complained about.
And they get it from their parents.
Plenty of folks in all fanbases like that.
U that guy?
Jacket Detective
September 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
@JB.
Considering we are missing 3 players on D and held them to seven and looked good doing it.
Pretty good half I’d say.
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:45 pm
@Jacket Detective:
Man, you are taking this detective thing seriously. If you really want to see horrible children of the weatlthy, by the way, check out that Million Dollar Listing show. You will hurl your TV out the window, guaranteed.
Nite Owl
September 3rd, 2012
9:47 pm
Between BLT, Cheese, and Fish Frys Make U Fat, I’m going to have to go raid the fridge now.
Supersize that order, mutt
September 3rd, 2012
9:47 pm
Jacket Detective…..check your email NOW !!!
Paul in NH
September 3rd, 2012
9:47 pm
This game reminds me a little of the first half in 2009 – very little O by GT. Hopefully they will do the same thing as then – make the offensive adjustments after the break and start moving the ball.
Under The Bleachers
September 3rd, 2012
9:48 pm
ramguy68
September 3rd, 2012
9:43 pm
@Under The Bleachers …What does it say about ESPN when they continue to serve up mush mouth Lou Holtz and his bull?
Lou Holtz was a heck of coach in his time, he is a wonderful motivational speaker today, but his opinions and biases always trump the realities of the game today. I really respect him but we all have to take what he says with a grain of salt as he seems to have an agenda to his ramblings. Take USC( Carolina) he will never pick against them, talk them up and do not even bring up the Fighting Irish he will have them playing the BCSCG with a 4 loss season.
Dana
September 3rd, 2012
9:48 pm
Cpj is a great 2nd half coach! Go jackets!