AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 11 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTech-BC will be clash up front
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chan Gailey talked today about Boston College being very physical in the front seven, and stats alone make the matchup between BC’s run defense and GT’s run offense very interesting.
As Gailey pointed out, Tech is not the biggest O-Line, although I don’t think that’s going to matter much Saturday. In this game, I think Tech is going to be able to run the ball much, much better than BC’s first opponents, who, by the way, both had huge pass-to-run ratios (60 to 24 and 54-25). Tell me that didn’t skew the running defense stats for BC.
Anyway, in talking to Gailey about a few housekeeping notes (at least one of which was triggered by something I read on the Hive), which I’ll also mention later in the notebook):
— No, Scott Blair nor Calvin Booker are on scholarship. As Chan has said before, scholarships are not awarded before seasons to walk-on players except in very rare circumstances (like Tech has some available and can project players who will earn the right while knowing there may be none available the next year even if the players in question play well enough to earn them. That happened with Durant Brooks last year, for example. He got a scholarship after walking on before ever punting in a game, based on how well he punted as a redshirt; he did not arrive as a scholarship player). The protocol is to make decisions on scholarships following the season, Chan said.
— TE Brad Sellers, who is out for the season, had reconstructive knee surgery.
— P-K Mohamed Yahiaoui is redshirting with the idea that he will have two years left to compete for a spot.
— Senior DT Marcus Harris of Lakeside-DeKalb High, a former walk-on, was awarded a scholarship in the offseason.
That’s all I’ve got for today. In a rush once more.
Matt
Comments
By GTMike
September 11, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Matt - what about the injury to Robert Hall? Seems I remember him limping off the field near the end of the first quarter.
By GT
September 11, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
I am thinking people are falling into this same old trap about Wake Forest. They were in that game with BC until they ran out of bullets in the fourth and they certainly held their own with Nebraska without their starting quarterback. Point being BC has what I think will be a better win on the boards than one would think and may be that division’s champion at year’s end. We need to get up for this one which has not been one of Chan Gailey’s strong points in the past. I did like the red face last week when the ref. couldn’t figure out where to line up the kick off. I was wondering if he didn’t get the ref to do that on purpose to show off a little.
By bluefox
September 11, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Calvin Booker, the second string quarterback and only an injury to Bennett from being “the man” for Tech, is not on scholarship?? Is Gailey crazy??
By Nice, isn't it!!!
September 11, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Nice when we have a better record and better team than UGA. They stay off our blogs with their crap. They will have a bad year this year so we can expect a nice quiet blog to ourselves!!
By Rico
September 11, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
Fellow Tech Fans…Please lay off the UGA vs Tech comments and comparisons until after November. Show some common sense and class. The fact is…UGA has beat us the past few years. We can all have our fun after the Novemeber match up.
Just forget about the puppies and concentrate on all the fune between this Saturday and the UGA Game.
I have a good feeling abou this Tech team. They are on a mission this year. Main reason you ask? Because we have a clear leader. Tashard Choice!
By old gold engineer
September 11, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this
Although there’s a lot of football left to be played this season, it’s remarkable to think that the GT vs. BC matchup could be a preview of the ACC championship game. Don’t know of anyone predicting that in the preseason. Should be a good game this weekend and hope GT comes out with a 3-0 record.
By Ainge
September 11, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
I agree about the Tech/UGA comparisons and comments. No matter how each team is playing right now, it won’t matter if, come gameday, one team or another has suffered some significant injuries. It would be nice if we could cut out some of the crap. I hope both teams can stay somewhat healthy. Go Jackets.
By Max Sizemore
September 11, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
I grew up as a Georgia Tech fan, listening to Jack Hurst and Al Ciraldo describing the exploits of Billy Lothridge and Billy Martin. But then I attended UGA. Now I am a fan of both schools. I pull for Tech to win every game except one, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think it would be nice if there wasn’t so much animosity between the two groups of fans. Go Jackets!
By LongBeachJacket
September 11, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Just the mood of the moment…
I’m not sure our defense will be able to totally dominate and dictate the way it has in the first two games. There may be spots where BC “wins” the skirmish. (I hope I am wrong.)
I’d like to see our offense really take charge, like they did in the second half at ND and all day against Samford.
This will give the defense some margin to work with and not force them to “3 and out” BC every series because I don’t think that is going to happen.
BC “feels” like a very, very good team. I know Tech will be ready. It will be very interesting to see how this contest unfolds, because it will tell a lot about both teams.
The winner will take a significant step forward. The loser will not be out of the ACC race but will have it’s margin for error trimmed significantly.
A win by either team should not be considered an “upset” though we should be the favorite at home.
GO JACKETS!
By Slacker
September 11, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
BC will stack the box and make Bennett throw to beat us. Mark it down. It doesn’t take a genious to prepare for this game. The difference this year is that Bennett will not lose the game for Tech as opposed to previous years w/ Ball. A key stat to watch all year long will be the turnover column. If he continues to manage smart games then you have a chance to be undefeated. Its better to pass for only 1,000 yards then to pass to the other team.
By ramblin_wreck_ce
September 11, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
You are right about the BC defensive gameplan, Slacker. There is no way any Defense can ignore Choice and the bevy of running backs which have been so productive.
As a counter, look to the playbook to also change to feature more screens and outlet passes to the RBs, FBs, and TEs on the conservative side to start and get Taylor settled.
Once that happens, Slacker, some 3 WR sets will be used to get some one-on-one match-ups.
By -dig-
September 12, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
This weekend we will find out how good of an OC John Bond is. Against our two inferior opponents, he didn’t have to call much of a game. Yes, there were a few trick plays/direct snaps, but it was basically our O-line & TC running over them.
Bond needs to keep the BC run D honest while not taking Bennett out of his comfort zone. The key will be if we can get the play action going and find seams between the LBs pushing up to support the run and the DBs playing back. He doesn’t need to make huge plays [although I would like to see an early long strike to JJ or G. Smith], but we can’t have the safeties & LBs at the line all game.
Also, BC has a solid OL with a pro-style offense under their new coach and a pro-ready QB who is tall and strong. This means they’ll not only use screens and draws to neutralize Tenuta’s blitz, but also [ if his OL gives him time], Ryan can use his cannon to exploit our weak CBs down field. We need to keep their offense off the field, and if we can’t find a way to get to the QB, we will lose…
By Splibking
September 12, 2007 3:06 AM | Link to this
I also like Georgia every week but one. The one in which they play Georgia Tech. But I do not care for their obnoxious fans. Especially the ones that show up here on our blog. I must say their absence here now is quite noticeable…. And refreshing. Well, I have news for bulldog nation. Last Saturday’s win by South Carolina was Steve Spurrier’s first installment toward OWNING Georgia. Now Georgia has two teams that will beat them year after year. Florida and S.C. . The Evil Genius did this mindfreak at Florida, and now he’s doing it at S.C. . And it’s a proven fact that after he’s gone… The ‘freak lives on. The whole of bulldog nation can not mentally deal with the Old Ball Coach. At Tech we have the same problem with UGA.I’m tired of them OWNING us. I dearly hope we can reverse this mindfreak that they have had on us…Starting this year. GO TECH !
By sandman
September 12, 2007 7:52 AM | Link to this
sorry tech fans, but your winning stops this weekend, you will actually have to play a real football team this weekend instead of the powder puffs you guys have been playing. Let the losing streak begin and the fall out of the top 25 start this weekend
By gatech87
September 12, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
This BC game is a game we win. But it will be tighter than people think.
They are going to sell out to stop the run, and make Bennett show what he’s made of. They are also going to see if they can exploit any weakness in our db’s…
By Hedge / Prunner
September 12, 2007 9:16 AM | Link to this
Hey Sandbag gay boy hydrant humper, I guess OSU & Westen Carolina are real strong teams that your mutts played (AT HOME) ! Not to mention mighty South Carolina, who by the way has never been invited to a major bowl game, the jackets are going to redeem themselves against the hydrant humper this year and turn it around for a good while !!!
By yahmobuzz
September 12, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
The next 3 weeks we should have a better gauge of where we stand in our conference race with BC & Clemson in the crosshairs.I think if we play with the Discipline like we have been “no turnovers, few penalties,good field position,solid running attack, good tackling technique, and Bennett not making dumb mistakes.” We should run the table to the ACC Championship this year and finish in the top 10.Lets not get caught up with the insecure ugaly fans coming on our blog to take out their frustration because they realized their not that good…
Tech 27 bc 21
By GT80
September 12, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this
Agree with Rico, forget about UGA until late November. There are a lot of big games coming up, starting this Saturday night. Our first priority is to win the ACC division and then Championship. 2nd priority is beating the Dogs. Let’s concentrate on priority 1 first and foremost.
BC is going to be tough but I think our O-line dominates the line of scrimmage. As someone else noted, our D needs to be in Ryan’s face if we want to win this one.
By TechFan4Life
September 12, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Last week Matt Ryan threw just under 50%. Beck (NC State) threw just over 50% and more than twice the yardage as Rayn. Take from that what you will, but that tells me that Matt Ryan is a QB that we should respect for his capabilities on the field, but most certainly not fear. It also tells me that if Beck from NC State can rack up over 320 passing yards on BC defense, then Bennett will have more than a few opportunities to get the ball down the field. But don’t forget about the 5 INTs that BC came up with as well.
By TechFan4Life
September 12, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this
GT over BC within 10
By OldTechFan
September 12, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
Looks like we’re going to have a fun gane to watch this weekend. Both teams have their respective strenghts and I am looking forward to this game.
Questions are can we run the ball and slow down the BC QB? Looking at the numbers to date I feel we will be able to continue running the ball sucessfully and keep pressure on their D. We all know what to expect on the defensive side of the ball and we shall see if Ryan can make the right read on a consistent basis. If he can, it’s going to be a long day for the D but I have faith the D will continue to make plays and put he offense on a short field.
It’s going to be interesting to see Dwyer continued progress as the season goes along. I was impressed with his patience and explosiveness in the Samford win. This freshman class is already showing signs of being an excellent one.
Let’s get through this weekend with a win and good health with an eye toward the rest of the season!
Go Jackets!
By ben
September 12, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this
What we’re really going to find out this weekend is whether Chan can coach a team to a championship level. So far, the answer to that question is a resounding no.
By gte578e
September 12, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
GT v BC is the perfect matchup: strength against strength. There’s only one problem for Tech fans, last years matchup against Clemson was strength against strength too.
Will this year be different? H-E-double hockeysticks yes! Last year, as good as our defense and running game were, we weren’t necessarily complete. It was more scheming on defense and pulling/misdirection on offense. That didn’t work against a massive O-line and speedy defense.
We match up better with BC this year because our O-line is bigger (though not huge) and because we can get sacks with 4 rushers. I won’t make a prediction on the game, but I won’t be surprised if GT walks away with another (big) win!
Long Beach, when did you get out?
By shivas
September 12, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Make no mistake, GT will blitz and harrass Ryan all night long. He is a good QB, but I expect the pressure will create mistakes and at least 2 turnovers. It is my hope that Bond makes BC prove they can stop the run by continuing to pound TC between the tackles. Nothing wrong with getting a couple of first downs then punting them down deep with Brooks. If we win the field position battle, it will be hard for BC to sustain long drives to score, especially with the pressure with which he will have to contend. Patience in the game plan is key, with not giving up on the run if we’re not succesful the first couple of series. However, TC is running like he is on a mission, and our OL is just blowing off the line. Just getting into situations such as 3rd and 3 or 3rd and 2 will be success early, and then wear them down as the game progresses. I do think we’ll take some deep shots when in good field position, and I believe we will have success because of their desperation to stop TC.
By Brent
September 12, 2007 2:04 PM | Link to this
Not sure why UGA fans keep harping on the GT marketing efforts. Marketing is good business!! I’d rather see GT marketing the program instead of doing PR on why they lost.
By Thorpe
September 14, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Go BC!
By Viking-YellowJack
September 15, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Matt, re: the note on senior DT Marcus Harris at Tech (who’s a great kid) —Why do you all at the AJC insist on calling his high school “Lakeside-DeKalb High”? It’s NOT the name of the school —it’s Lakeside High School and it is in DeKalb County. I know there is another Lakeside HS in a county 150 miles away from metro Atlanta —and pretty much nobody cares about it. So: Lakeside-DeKalb —ok. Lakeside-DeKalb High School —NOT ok. PS:I like your coverage of the Jackets—but maybe a bit too cocky regarding the BC game. Bennet’s got to step up.