One step forward, one step back, one step forward, one step back… That sounds like it’s going to be story of the Yellow Jacket’s season. Coming off the win at North Carolina, the Jacket’s won a hard fought game against Clemson 66-64 on Tuesday. After that win the Jacket’s had a chance to assert themselves as ACC contenders on Sunday at Florida State. They failed.

Up 1 and at the line with 24seconds left, typically reliable Zachary Peacock misses the front end of a one and one. Then the Jackets foul one of Florida State’s best foul shooters Soloman Alabi. He makes both of his. Georgia Tech still has a chance to win the game, but following a Paul Hewitt timeout nothing resembling a play I could see is called.  The Jackets foul Nole’s Jordan Demercy. He makes one and the Jackets have 3 seconds for a miracle. Not a single a Jacket touches the ball on the inbounds and Georgia Tech goes down 68-66.

It was a comical array of errors in the final 30 seconds for Georgia Tech, and keeps them from gaining any real footing on the season. Sitting at 14-5 and 3-3 in the ACC, the Jackets are very much in NCAA limbo. They have nice wins over Duke and Clemson, but were swept by Florida State and lost at Georgia. If today was selection Sunday they are probably in, but the Jacket’s seem unable to distance themselves from the ACC pack.

Next up is an extremely critical game with Wake Forest on Thursday night. The Jacket’s can under no circumstances afford to lose that game. Following that one is a breather with Kentucky State Saturday, then Georgia Tech will go on the road to Duke February 4th. A 3-5 ACC start would have Georgia Tech in a heap of trouble.

On the bright side, the Jackets may have found a true 3 pt threat. Freshman Brian Oliver hit 6 3 ptrs and scored 20 in the loss. It is not time to panic, but if the Jackets lose to Wake Forest it will be. This immensely talented team just can’t seem to keep any momentum going, and I don’t see it changing over the course of the year. Georgia Tech fans have to hope Paul Hewitt and the Jacket’s can get to that magic 8-8 ACC mark which should be enough to get them to the big dance.

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Count me as one person that can’t figure out the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. In Georgia Tech’s last 4 games, they’ve lost to Georgia, beat Duke, lost to Virginia, and then go on the road and beat North Carolina. Huh? What’s going in Atlanta? First let’s talk about the game with North Carolina.

Paul Hewitt’s best teams have always had a dominant guard play. Today he got dominant guard play. Iman Shumpert was the best player on floor in this one. He scored 30 points with 6 assists and 4 rebounds. Forward Gani Lawal had a strong double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Sharpshooter Brian Oliver chipped in off the bench with 8. Georgia Tech jumped out to a 20 point lead then held on for dear life to get the 73-71 win. If there is such thing as  a season saving victory this might be it for the Yellow Jackets. They now have two impressive resume building victories; the win over Duke and now the road win at North Carolina, but heck if I know what will the Jackets will do next. What will be the key to keeping up the momentum, from the UNC win?

It’s going to be guard play. The Jackets are set inside with Gani Lawal and forward Derrick Favors. Favors has struggled recently, but he’s far too talented not to breakout soon. If Shumpert can continue to play anywhere near what he showed today, Georgia Tech is an extremely dangerous team. What I really like about Tech’s potential is that there are still players not playing their very best. As I said Favors is struggling a bit. Guard De’Andre Bell scored only 5 points today and is easily capable of averaging 8-12 points a game.

Next up is a Clemson team hitting on cylinders. The Tigers are coming off their own strong road win at NC State, and a 19 point whooping of North Carolina. The Tigers guard Demontez Stitt is doubtful for the Georgia Tech game Tuesday. Clemson provides another opportunity for a quality win for the Jackets, but their pressure defense will challenge the Tech guards. It should be quite a battle in Atlanta.

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I was disappointed that Georgia Tech lost the Orange Bowl. There’s no question that the Yellow Jackets didn’t play their best, and I’m sure Paul Johnson is not a happy man. Georgia Tech couldn’t dismiss the myth that teams beat them when they have more time to prepare. To counter that argument, please just look at what Navy did to Missouri or Air Force to Houston in their bowl games, but still critics will point to that extra month unfortunately. Iowa beat Georgia Tech upfront especially in the first half. Quick name me 5 better teams in the country at the line of scrimmage than Iowa? I’ll give you Alabama, probably Florida, maybe Nebraska defensively and that’s about it. Jacket fans take heart.

Georgia Tech just won the ACC title went to a BCS game, and won 20 games in two years. As long as Paul Johnson is at Georgia Tech, the Jackets will be contenders in the ACC. I will make the statement now. Johnson will never win fewer than 8 games at Georgia Tech. Considering a school with the academic restrictions Tech has that would be simply remarkable. What can Tech do to get to the next level though?

Well Tech has proved the triple option will succeed in the ACC and Johnson is 4-2 against the SEC, but improvements can be made. As good as the Jacket’s offense is, it still isn’t run with the crispness or preciseness of Navy. Navy will get beat, but they rarely miss blocks. Georgia Tech still has tendency to get out of position on their blocks. Jonathan Dwyer blocked particularly poorly in the Orange Bowl. He didn’t look at all committed to many of his blocks. It might sound strange to say but Tech needs to keep improving in the passing game. QB Josh Nesbitt became a much better passer this year, but his completion percentage was still under 50%.

One both lines, Georgia Tech needs to get more physical. This has to come through recruiting, and I’m sure Johnson will address this. Along the defensive line the Jacket’s were manhandled several times this year. They played well last night, but overall it was not a good season. Consider all these points, and this is coming off an ACC Title eleven win year. We are a far cry from the Chan Gailey era.

Paul Hewitt on the other hand, can literally take the next bus out of Atlanta. Your team of Mcdonald All-Americans and top 100 players lost another inexplicable game. This time to Georgia in a 73-66 defeat. The same Georgia team that lost by 28 to Missouri and at home to Wofford. Hewitt’s performance at Georgia Tech for a large part of the last 4 years has been down right embarrassing.

For more articles about Georgia Tech, the ACC, and other sports topics visit my blog at

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Check out these great pictures from the Orange Bowl of the Georgia Tech players practicing and having fun.

Looks like the Georgia Tech players are enjoying the Orange Bowl experience. After last year’s game against LSU, I’m really expecting the Jackets to play well Tuesday night. I’m not predicting a win, but I believe Georgia Tech will be much sharper than in last year’s bowl game.