For the first time in Paul Johnson’s tenure at Georgia Tech, Johnson is facing a little bit of adversity. After an ugly 33-17 loss down in Miami last Thursday night, I ask the question What’s Wrong at Georgia Tech?
Maybe you think oh its just one game, but a disturbing trend is starting to be seen beginning with the Georgia game last year. This team just gives up too many points, UGA – 42, LSU – 38, don’t care about Jacksonville St, Clemson – 27, Miami – 33. That’s 35 points a game against the Jackets last four quality opponents. Miami also held the Georgia Tech rushing offense to 95 yards and 17 points.
This has put Johnson in the position of answering questions about his offense, and defense, with a tough UNC team coming to town that beat Georgia Tech 28-7 last year. If the Jackets fall to 1-2 in the ACC with losses to Miami and UNC, their ACC title chances are virtually gone before October. You’d be asking UNC and Miami to lose 3 times in the ACC, just to the win the tiebreaker, and you haven’t even played Virginia Tech yet.
So what can Georgia Tech do? Was Miami just that much more ready to play?
Defensively, I say yes. Just like any game when you win the line of scrimmage you win the game. Miami did a fantastic job of staying at home and taking the dive play away. Remember though against a very good Clemson defense the Jackets ran for 301 yards. I’m not ready to give up on Paul Johnson’s offense yet. He just has too much experience to not make adjustments there. Give Miami credit they had the Tech game circled on their schedule.
Where I am really concerned is the defensive line. Wow Miami manhandled Tech upfront. Some Georgia Tech fans said their smaller d-linemen (none over 285) would actually have more success, because they would be quicker. I don’t buy that argument ever. You need size along the defensive line and the Jackets simply don’t have it. The linebackers aren’t making plays either.
What can defensive coordinator Dave Wommack do? How about blitzing more? At least try to create some pressure. You get beat you get beat. You are getting scored on with what you are trying. Jacory Harris is playing lights out right now for Miami, but up next is T.J. Yates at North Carolina. He’s a pretty solid drop back passer as well. Give him time and Tech will give up another 300+ yards in the air.
I believe the offense will be fine, but if the defense doesn’t starting picking it up then Tech will be out of the ACC picture by the end of next weekend. I hope Wommack is working on something, because running his base 4 down linemen isn’t going to get it done.
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Nice post. This is a huge game for both parties. Yes, GT already has a Coastal loss under its belt, but UNC still has to play MIA (home) and VT (road, THU night). A loss by the Heels here and they will be in the same boat. It’s been a long time since UNC started 4-0…must have been back in the 90’s.
Those UNC teams in mid 90s under Mack Brown, were so good defensively. This Heels team isn’t that far from that…
I think the Heels could suffer a loss a little better than Georgia Tech. It would be a big loss, but UNC will have the opportunity to recover with those games against Miami and VT. If the Jackets lose, I think they are done as far as the Coastal division title is concerned.
Georgia is switching from the 4-2-5 defense to a more standard 4–3-4, so we will see how that works out. Something had to be done there.
Thanks for the comment and reading CSBliss! It should be a good one.
[...] position, but are starting to see some players break out this season. GT Raycom blog says UNC is a must-win game…and I can’t disagree [...]
Nice column. I agree on all points but my concern is that the curtain has been pulled on the option offense. With no credible pass threat the only worry for an opposing defense is execution because everybody in the building knows what is coming!
no team, running any offense, can execute if they cannot 1) win the line of scrimmage or 2) seal the outside. It’s not a matter of “figuring out the offense” The defense blew upand out played the o line.
Another thing abput the UM game; last year, we got the in the 9th or 10 game. This year, we gotthem the 3rd game of the year. It’s no excuse, but our offense usually starts slow.
B.
Thanks for the comments Tampatechfan and BlueCole,
I’m not ready to say the option offense in trouble, but there are some problems. Paul Johnson’s says the team has missed alot of blocks this year, and they just haven’t been very sound.
I’m very interested how the change in defensive scheme change affects the game Saturday with UNC. At the moment I think the defense is playing so poorly it’s hurting the offense. Against Miami the Jackets only had a handful of possessions.
I think you’ll see a much more focued Tech team tomorrow.
Oh Man I wrote “Georgia is switching from the 4-2-5″ defense in my previous comment.
A Tech fan is going to kill me for that. I so meant Georgia Tech!
Sorry Jacket Fans!
don’t give up on the triple option yet. i have watched cpj’s offense evolve over the last year and a bit. stay true, and just wait. even tech coaches would probably agree, we still don’t have the true skill people to run the offense. it will come. we are still way too slow in a lot of phases of the game. nesbitt is still the best choice, but let a few years of recruiting come to town. cpj will be running the option ala okla in the 80’s.