AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 21
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Quick hits
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Five things on my mind today…..
1) After facing a highly-motivated team trying to win for their new coach, Tech faces a highly-motivated team trying to save their coach’s job. Here’s an article that speaks to the Cavaliers’ strong bond with Al Groh.
2) Georgia Tech is 5-0 against the spread this year (there was no spread for the games against I-AA teams). The Jackets have consistently outperformed public expectations. Looks like Vegas is trying to catch up. Oddsmakers installed Tech as 11- to 12-point favorites against UVA, despite the fact that the Cavaliers have pulled off three straight upsets.
3) The good news for Tech is that this game is at home. The Jackets have won their two home games against D-I opponents by a combined 65-7.
UVA, meanwhile, has been terrible on the road this year, losing 45-10 at UConn and 31-3 at Duke. But as this article points out, the Cavaliers are a much different team now. UVA is riding high after its third straight win, a dramatic OT victory over North Carolina.
4) Rashaad Reid should do fine replacing Jahi Word-Daniels at corner. The true freshman has played in every game, and he’s got 2 picks and 3 tackles for loss. But who will replace Reid in the nickel package? Tech has been using 5 DBs a lot.
Coordinator Dave Wommack said the options are DeRon Jasper, a redshirt sophomore out of Dunwoody, or moving free safety Dominique Reese down in nickel situations. (Cooper Taylor then slides in for Reese).
“We’ve got to cross-train them, we’re getting so thin,” Wommack said.
Tech also is losing a lot of leadership with Word-Daniels out, Wommack said.
5) We’ll have a ticket update later this week, but what kind of crowd do you expect Saturday? Will it be another crowd in the 40s or will Bobby Dodd be close to full (55K) for this surprising, nationally-ranked team that leads the ACC?
