AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 16
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Georgia Tech needs to start fast against wounded Clemson
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five burning questions as we head into the weekend:
1. What kind of team will Georgia Tech face Saturday at Clemson? There is no question that the Clemson players are going to rally around interim coach Dabo Swinney and try to find a way to salvage this season. Clemson’s excitement level at the beginning of this game will be very high. That makes it doubly important for Georgia Tech to get off to a fast start in Death Valley. If the Yellow Jackets can get up early, it will be hard for Clemson to maintain that enthusiasm. But if Clemson hangs around and has some success against the Georgia Tech defense, its confidence will grow. If Georgia Tech wins the toss, the Yellow Jackets should take the ball and go to work on offense. The point is that it’s hard to get ready for the Georgia Tech offense on a normal week. This has not been a normal week at Clemson.
2. Will Georgia look past Vanderbilt?Intentionally? No. Coach Mark Richt and the Georgia players are saying all the right things this week. Yes, they respect Vanderbilt, the team that was 5-0 before losing a tough game at Mississippi State last week. Yes, they understand that Vanderbilt is a well- coached team that usually doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. Before last week, when Vanderbilt had 10 penalties, the Commodores led the nation in fewest penalties with 16 in five games. Yes, they beat Auburn and even if the Tigers’ offense is really bad, it’s still Auburn. I just think it’s going to be hard for the Bulldogs not to think about next week’s trip to LSU and the showdown with Florida the following week in Jacksonville. These guys are human. If the Georgia defense can force a few turnovers against a struggling Vanderbilt offense (No. 117 nationally), the Dawgs will be fine. But if Georgia comes out flat, it could be a four-quarter game.
3. Has the LSU defense been exposed? Despite some significant losses in the secondary (CB Chevis Jackson, SS Craig Stelz) plus Outland Trophy winner Glenn Dorsey at DT, the Tigers were expected to have one of the best defenses in the country. But LSU’s defense was shredded last week (265 yards rushing) by Florida and now folks are taking a second look. LSU is No. 52 nationally in scoring defense (22.4 ppg). Both Auburn and Mississippi State, two of the worst offenses in the country, moved the ball pretty effectively against LSU. South Carolina doesn’t have as many weapons as Florida. It’s not even close. But QB Stephen Garcia is going to get his first start after looking good in the fourth quarter against Kentucky, which does have a good defense. Wide receiver Kenny McKinley (of Mableton) is now back from a hamstring problem and South Carolina’s offense is much better when he’s on the field.
4. Could Tennessee-Mississippi State be another 3-2 game? Tennessee is No. 108 nationally in scoring offense (17.33 ppg). Mississippi State is No. 113 (16.33 ppg). This has a chance to be one of the ugliest games since Auburn’s 3-2 win over Mississippi State on Sept. 13. Mississippi State held Vanderbilt to only 107 yards of total offense last week. Tennessee’s offensive line, which has struggled since defenses have loaded up to stop the run, needs to have a good game or a bad season on Rocky Top just might get worse.
5. Does Alabama need an impressive win against Ole Miss?: Nick Saban would jump me just for asking the question. But here is something to ponder. The Crimson Tide elevated itself to No. 2 with a very impressive win at Georgia on Sept. 27. Then came a difficult 17-14 win over Kentucky. During Alabama’s off week Texas jumped over the Tide to No. 1 after a 45-35 win over previously-No. 1 Oklahoma. My instincts tell me that Alabama is in a great position if it keeps winning. The odds are against Texas running the table. But the voting in these polls i a tricky thing, especially with Penn State and Joe Paterno lurking at No. 3. I’m just saying that it wouldn’t hurt Alabama to have another dominating performance about right now to reinforce its position.
