AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2007 > November > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBetween Duke and UNC
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Duke
Well…we won 41-24…but it shouldn’t have been that close honestly.
The Blue Devils picked up 21 points on a fumble return, a blocked punt (converted into a TD), and a 64 yard bomb. The defense held a hapless Duke offense to 146 yards of total offense.
We can’t give up 64 yard bombs to UNC or UGA the next two weeks and expect to win. Both are better teams than Duke…by a large margin.
Offensively we scored 41 points but once again the passing game struggled and we squandered excellent field position on more than one ocassion.
Consider the following:
GT gets the ball at the Duke 17. We move to their 11 and kick a field goal.
GT gets the ball at the Tech 47. We move to Duke’s 46 and punt.
GT gets the ball at the Duke 37. We move back to their 40 and punt.
GT gets the ball at the Duke 49. We stall at their 15 and kick a field goal.
GT gets the ball at the Duke 47. We move to their 32 and lose the ball on downs.
Those 5 possessions started at midfield of better and resulted in 6 points.
Tech must capitalize on good field position against UNC and UGA to achieve victory.
Its not all negative though, when considering that three of the GT scoring drives began at or near the Tech 20 yardline. Those three drives were 2 plays for 80 yards, 7 plays for 76 yards, and 7 plays for 81 yards.
This game should have been somewhere in the 51-10 range, realistically. The offense still needs to execute better…catching balls and converting third downs where the Jackets went 7 of 17 on the day.
Game Balls
Tashard Choice came back from his injury and ran for 173 yards despite obviously being less than 100%. This game was a sterling example of Tashard’s vision and how his running style is based on running smart instead of simply running fast.
Corey Earls, who was injured and carted off the field earlier in the season, arrived on the scene and caught 5 balls for 86 yards. Earls may be the best receiver on the team right now considering Thomas and Johnson are dinged up.
Adamm Oliver rang up 6 tackles (2 for a loss) and 2 sacks. Oliver is the unsung guy on the defensive line since Darrell Robertson and Michael Johnson have been getting a ton of publicity at the other end position. Oliver is relentless and never takes a play off. They call him “The Machine” for a reason.
Bowl Eligible Again
We’re now bowl eligible for the 11th straight season. At the end of 2006 we were one of six teams in the nation that had been to 10 straight bowls. UGA was tied with us and we trailed Virginia Tech (14), Florida (16), Florida State (25), and Michigan (32).
This is a big deal despite what some people may say or write in the national media. It doesn’t matter that there are more bowls now. It doesn’t matter if you go to a “good bowl” or a “bad bowl.”
There’s really no such thing as a “bad bowl.” They don’t exist. A bowl is a chance for the seniors to play another game. It’s a chance for the underclassmen, coming back the next season, to get in more practice. It’s a chance for the fans to get in another road trip, tailgate, or watch party. And it’s a chance to recruit … utilizing the geographic area of the bowl and the additional television exposure.
Some people may argue that “bad bowls” don’t mean anything. I would suggest they talk to fans from Miami, Texas, Oklahoma, Auburn, LSU, Ohio State, Southern Cal, UCLA, Bama, Notre Dame, Clemson, Nebraska, Penn State, and/or the rest of the NCAA schools. I would wager that most of the fans polled would have gladly gone to a “bad bowl” than no bowl at all.
You have to ask yourself … if bowl streaks are so easy to maintain, why don’t programs with recent National Titles (Miami, Southern Cal, LSU, Texas) have longer streaks than Tech does?
The streak DOES mean something … and it’s evident in our recent recruiting success.
Hoops
I’m a big fan of Paul Hewitt. I still have the Sweet 16 hat that he signed the night the team bus returned from the big win over Boston College. We were just happy to advance that night and had no idea we’d be playing for a title. Those were happy times.
But since then … we’ve struggled and the honeymoon is over. Hewitt has arguably performed worse since that title run than Gailey has. We can’t buy a win on the road, regardless of the competition, and we have a losing record in the ACC. And all this comes with recruiting classes that are supposed to be national calibre. Gailey has maintained post season play and a .500 or better record in the ACC despite recruiting classes that were considered to be subpar and despite a divided fan base that doesn’t give him nearly the support that Paul Hewitt has received.
Hewitt must do something positive this season … or his seat will begin to get warm.
Comments
By GT88
November 14, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
GT may be bowl eligible but that does not mean they will get a bid. Va Tech, UVA, FSU, Boston College, Wake Forest, and Clemson are bowl eligible. If Maryland, NC State and Miami win some more games, they will be bowl eligible. All those teams, including Wake Forest, will sell more tickets than GT. GT alumni will not travel to see a mediocre team with a “lame duck” or interim coach. If GT loses badly to UGA, it will get ugly. There’s a good chance GT will be home for the holidays. I hope Dan Radacovich hires Navy’s Paul Johnson. He won at Navy and won National Championships for Georgia Southern. His former players love him.
By gtne80
November 14, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
GT88 is right. Just because we have 6 wins and are “eligible” for a bowl does not make us a cinch to get a bid. Tech needs to take care of business before even talking about a bowl.
First, we cannot afford to lay an egg against UNC. Last Saturday NCState failed to put them away when they had the chance. They turned the ball over and handed them 14 points on turnovers. NCState gashed the Heels with the run. No reason a healthy Tashard Choice shouldn’t do the same. Our defense needs to show up from the starting whistle. Too many times in these noon starts we’ve come out sleepwalking. A win over UNC is a must. An impressive win would be very helpful. I fear that we will “pull a Chan” and blow it like we did during the final three games last year or in the UVa or UMd games this year.
Second, we’ve got to match UGA’s level of effort and emotion to stay close. Watching the UGA/UF and the UGA/AU games should be a wake-up call for us. When UGA comes out fired up, they can make some good teams look really bad. If we come out flat against UGA, 51-7 may no longer be the worst defeat in the series.
A win over UNC and a respectable showing against UGA are our next two priorities. We can talk bowls after Thanksgiving weekend.
By 1276jacket
November 14, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
IF there is going to be another coach it won’t be Paul Johnson. There’s plenty of talk around it would not be him. Let’s see how the season plays out before we talk mediocre, lame duck, pulling a Chan.
By Need2BeatUGA
November 14, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
Bottomline, we need to beat the Dawgs. A good showing is not enough, as I can recall when GT beat UGA 4 out of 7 years - and those were not George O’Leary teams. I know it can be worse as living through Bill Lewis was not fun, but a Million Dollar coach needs deliver.
By Chan B. Gone
November 14, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
The die is cast: UNC and UGA results be damned. Chan must go. Its a young world out there and Chris Hatcher is the man with the plan. Bring on the “Hatch Attack!” Chris will put an offense out there on Grant Field that will ring up the scoreboard like a pinball wizard!
By Back to Reality
November 14, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Oh Mr Boggs,
You are the poster child for the eternal optimist…took a week, once again, to pen something positive out of the season. You were good to point out the flaws of the Duke game, but when you are fighting for a bowl game named after a car part,www.com, or played on smurf turf, you may be a little blind to the truth. I know the Seniors will be happy to play one game…but, will the seniors be happy that their last season is fighting for the toilet bowl trophy? Will fans be happy that they are packing up their stingarettes to go travel to the potato state? Will potential recruits be more apt to choose GT over UGA after losing 7 in a row, and be led by a Telle-Tubbie QB? Mr Boggs, I believe the answer is NO. Anyone who has played sports competitively always wants the season to never end, but playing for a lower tier game is bitter-sweet, more bitter than sweet of course.
By Taver
November 14, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Have to disagree about the “bad” bowls. I went to the Emerald Bowl (not the nut bowl as others call it). Both teams on the same sideline (WTF). Just cause a big corp had plenty of $$$ - do not give them a big corp write off.
I want us to go to the Peach (Chick - fil-A) bowl, Sugar, Rose or Outback. The heck with these - no payout poorly attended bowls. I know a streak is impressive, but I want to go somewhere warm!!
By Belle-GT90
November 14, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
DO NOT Settle for a crappy bowl. It makes us look worse. Sorry but reality says unless we have a really crappy season we can get six or seven wins with our out of conf schedule and thown in Duke, NC and Miami.
I would love to see us turn down a low tier bowl and walk away with our pride. Nobody watches a mid december bowl game at 10am. We are a better program and will not settle for less. Mediocrity is NOT Tech.
By Cindy
November 14, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
I agree with Belle 90 - lets have pride and skip a bowl that cost more to attend than we get paid. That would make sportscenter.
Also people DO NOT sell your tix to the UGA game I am sick of seeing red scattered all over our section. Our chances do not look very good but have some pride - at least give the to someone that will wear the blue and gold.
By Hapson
November 14, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this
Sorry it will be a tough game to watch - I do not care what color they wear as long as they present me GREEN. Still want the upset but not holding my breath.
By Da Boze
November 14, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
I disagree. There are bad bowls. We played in three of them: Emerald, Silicon,Humanitarian. All three were Toilet Bowls. The players didn’t want to be there and it showed. Ridiculous scores. If we wind up 7-5 or 6-6 we should turn down any bowl invitation we might get.
By hiveredtech
November 14, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
Wonder where Nebraska, NotreDame, and Miami will be during the bowl season with their new hot shot coaches? Particularly with crappy bowls so easy to get to.
By yellowblood
November 14, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this
Which Bowl has a Tickle Pile on it’s schedule of events. That’s the Bowl we should go to. I believe we would have tremendous attendance if our alumni and students could combine a great Tickle Pile with a Bowl trip.
By razorjacket
November 15, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this
Our team (this year) is not worthy of a real bowl. Not worth debating. Toilet bowl, here we come, but the only reason I see to accept the bid is to get more practices. As you can see, it has really paid off so far……
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
November 15, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this
Rad: Get rid of him. Our offense since he got here is a joke. Our quarterbacks have gotten progressively worse, and the great QB prospects like Bilbo never even got a chance.
Chan must go, and the sooner the better. I believe our recruiting will not suffer as long as we hire a quality head coach like Paul Johnson, Randy Edsall, Larry Blakeney, etc. BUT CHAN MUST GO!!
By surfrider
November 15, 2007 1:47 AM | Link to this
What makes say the Emerald Bowl somewhat attractive now is a Pac 10 tie-in. Tech in theory could play say UCLA or someone like that. The only way to me to make these lesser bowls interesting is to have some big intersectional matchups that would otherwise never happen. The problem though is what could have been another great year to only miss by a few points is frustrating. Imagine what kind of team we could have with a passing game.
By Telly Tubby
November 15, 2007 7:55 AM | Link to this
UNC will win. They have bought in to a their (good) coach’s philosophy and will play hard. GT will not. And to make it worse, the TV commentators will probably make fun of some aspect of GT football, like they seem to do every week. Wait til the UGA game, when the stadium is covered in red for the nation to see on ABC. Embarrassing…
At least we can dress like tellytubbys.
By DD
November 15, 2007 8:16 AM | Link to this
Hey guys, I know it’s been a tough yeat for you guys, but the support for your team drastically needs to improve. Yes, I’m a Dawg fan, but I’m very nervous about you guys this year. By the time we play you we will have put in four tough games (yes, even Troy it does sound crazy)in a row. There is a good chance we can be flat and you guys could steam roll us. I remember the Goff and Donnan years all too well and understand where you guys are coming from all too well.
Yes, your coach sucks and needs to go and will. I’m sure a few players on the team read your blogs and get descouraged by the negative comments and that will affect them. I can honestly say that I hope you guys turn it around. I would love to see you guys go undefeated every year until that last game.
Support your team and good luck
By Go to the game
November 15, 2007 8:24 AM | Link to this
Hey Telly Tubby-
Since you know what the TV commentators are saying everyweek it must mean that you aren’t at the game. If you’re concerned so much about all of the red showing up, how about you buy a ticket?
By DD
November 15, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the spelling errors on my blog. I know, spell check is a wonderful thing.
By braveswin
November 15, 2007 8:34 AM | Link to this
Belle-GT90,You are correct,mediocrity is NOT Georgia Tech.However with a little hard work and a break or two you CAN get there.You guys just need to keep the faith!!!
By Chris
November 15, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this
Go to the game - it’s called Tivo. It’s also called “talking to people that may have watched on tv.”
I don’t think UNC will beat us at home this year. Sure, they may be pretty good with the vertical passing game, but their OL stinks and their QB throws it to the other guys as often as his own. We’ll rattle his cage, he’ll throw some picks, we’ll win the turnover battle. UNC is better than Duke, but only slightly. We should be able to run all over them. We’ll win this one, lose to UGA, and go to some craptacular west coast bowl or the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl or whatever they have in Charlotte now (Tire Bowl?). Sorry, there are bad bowls. Boise? Bad. Emerald Kick-in-the-nuts Bowl? Bad.
On the off chance Georgia manages to play worse than we do in 2 weeks, we might end up in the Champs Sports Bowl or Music City bowl, but that’s unlikely.
By Richard
November 15, 2007 9:43 AM | Link to this
Cindy,
You can’t be serious. Give the ticket to someone who will wear the blue and gold? You do realize the school colors are WHITE and gold don’t you? Tell me that’s a typo.
By Jackets fan
November 15, 2007 10:52 AM | Link to this
I don’t think winning the UGA game will save Gailey. Because he’d still be 1-6 vs. the team’s biggest rival. I’m not saying that Gailey will be replaced for sure, just that a win vs. UGA won’t be what saves him. It will be because GT can’t afford to pay out the $4million he will be owed on his contract AND afford to hire a better coach. But I do think an embarrasing loss to UGA could squeeze some extra cash out of the woodwork to find a replacement.
As for Paul Johnson, I can see him being a candidate for the GT job. From what I read his greatest success as a coach came in the state of Georgia leading GA So. to 5 straight Southern Conference titles and two national titles. The only major college coaching stint he had besides Navy was as the OC at Hawaii back in 87-94 (I don’t remember Hawaii running the triple option). And he doesn’t have a big time school as his alma mater. So why not GT for Johnson? GT has the personnel to run the triple option, although Johnson has stated in the past that if he had the personnel he’d throw the ball more. But I can see Johnson running a more pass friendly triple option with Nesbitt/Dwyer/baby Cox in the backfield with GT’s excellent blocking WR’s.
By CAS
November 15, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Want to sell your Tech-UGA tickets? Send an email to cs2209@att.com.
By GT_JJ
November 15, 2007 11:11 AM | Link to this
Even Machete-wielding Executives Recognize A Little Druid Networking Under The Stairs
Don’t know what the heck that means? Learn it before Dec. 28, cause you’ll likely be seeing a lot of these commercials during Tech’s bowl game. Hey, at least we’ll have the honor of getting humiliated by a Pac-10 team this time, instead of a lowly Mountain West team, right?
By GT Alumni
November 15, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
Skip the bowl, just because you think it is below GT…you all are missing the big picture. The extra practice makes the appearance worth it right there for the returning players, also for recruiting purposes being able to say you go to a bowl each year is valuable, and lastly it is unfair to the seniors and if you do not think they like to play in games you are incorrect, they like the trip and the free goodies they get as well as the opportunity to play one more game as it is likely the last game for most of them. Grow up you little babies, get over yourself and think about the long term benefit for the institute and oh yeah the student athletes.
By mor-eno please
November 15, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Not gonna lie guys, these next two games scare the crap out of this dawg fan. Kentucky’s prostyle offense gives our bend but not break d fits. I called a W against Florida and a loss against Tech long before the season started. You guys have nothing to lose next sat and my gut tells me it will be close. Tech will have to win ugly like against Clemson if my prediction is to come true. Fans should be able to tell after each opening drive how the game will unfold. If it is a shootout i gotta give the nod to us. Otherwise, too close to call in this good ol fashioned rivalry! Best of luck…
By 110PERCENT
November 15, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
TO THE PLAYERS WHATS THE GOOD WORD? THATS CORRECT NOW GO OUT THERE LIKE A TECH MAN AND GIVE THEM ALL HELL. UNC OR UGA
Not like all these winers on this blog, that never could figure out how to put on a jock strap. GO JACKETS BUST-EM IN THE HEAD
By Reggie Ballz
November 15, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Who wants to fly to the other side of the US in Dec to see Gailey get outcoached and embarrassed in a toilet bowl - Raise your hands.
Gailey can’t even get a team motivated for a Thurs night national TV game. Gailey can’t even get a full crowd of GT fans to show up @ Grant Field anymore. Those who do show up and stick around end up BOOING him.
What a pending embarrassment to see 5,000 GT fans in some ridiculous after-thought bowl game clear across the country. Gailey must be proud.
By Embarrassed
November 15, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Stephon Marbury refusing to do what is best for the team. Cries because he is not starting. Refuses to come off the bench. Hops on a plane and flies 3,000 miles away. Meanwhile, 6 minutes into the game, he is needed to replace an injured player.
Don’t ever talk to me again about class of Tech players and alumni.
EMBARRASSING
By reebok
November 15, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Tech will go to a bowl because they will beat NC soundly, then get flattened by Georgia to finish 7-5. A 7-win team, even one with a lame duck coach, will get a bowl invite, probably to a crap game like the Meinike Car Care bowl or some such nonsense. At least getting whacked by 30 points by Georgia will free us of Chan Gailey for good.
By Wes King
November 15, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
Trading a win over the leg humpers for a new coach…..Why not? We got nothing for our loses the last 5 years.
I’ll take a lose to the luckiest team in the nation this season….even a few more, just to get a new start. I’m a long time die hard fan, so I can sweat out a new coach for 3 years I suppose.
By Chris
November 16, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
You people need to look back to the early 80’s and remember what it was like to go 1-9 and 2-8….CONSISTANTLY. If Tech beats UNC,and UGA and goes 8-4, it’s a pretty darn good year. That would get us into a respectable bowl (Music City) and play another SEC team (maybe UT or Auburn). And if we win that it’s a GREAT year. It may not turn out that way, but I’m a loyal Tech fan and I don’t see changing the coach as a sure way to elevate the program. Look at all the adversity Gailey has had to deal with (mostly problems O’leary caused). If we beat UGA this year, Chan has to stay. Besides, unless you’re gonna pony up 2 million a year, you’re not gonna get a “big name” proven coach anyway. Tech is not going to pony up that kind of money.
By Kenny
November 25, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
Ok the Moreno and Choice comments? I mean Moreno is and and may still keep being a good back but come on Choice does it all with 8 in the box knowing there is no pass threat. So eveyone in the stadium knows he will get the ball and he still runs over 100 yards a game.Could you even think as to how many yards he would get with Georgia’s pass game.As much as I think Gailey is a nice man he has never developed a quarteback.Moreno may be a great back in the future but Choice is NOW
By Kenny
November 25, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Ok the Moreno and Choice comments? I mean Moreno is and may still keep being a good back but come on Choice does it all with 8 in the box knowing there is no pass threat. So everyone in the stadium knows he will get the ball and he still runs over 100 yards a game Could you even think as to how many yards he would get with Georgia’s pass game. As much as I think Gailey is a nice man he has never developed a quarterback. Moreno may be a great back in the future but Choice is NOW