AJC > Sports > Tech > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFocus: Duke Blue Devils?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
At face value it may sound silly to focus on, or worry, about the Duke Blue Devils.
Still, make no mistake…this is not the same Duke team that ACC teams have been abusing for the past several years. Coach Cutcliffe has taken over the reigns and has directed what has become a veteran team to a 3-1 record and a big ACC win over Virginia last weekend.
Duke opened with a 31-7 win over James Madison in which they ran up 364 yards of offense and capitalized on a big third quarter scoring flurry.
A 24-20 loss to Northwestern (5-0) followed but looking at the details showed that Duke outgained its opponent 294-251 and ran up 28 first downs in the game while holding the ball for nearly 40 minutes. From what I can tell, Northwestern benefited from short fields on two of their touchdowns.
Duke’s third game presented a look at Paul Johnson’s old Navy team and offense. Duke responded with a 41-31 win, running up 396 yards of total offense. The Blue Devils held the Midshipmen to 207 yards rushing and only 13 first downs. Offensively, Duke did its damage through the air as Thaddeus Lewis connected on 25 of 35 pass attempts for 317 yards and three touchdowns. Eron Riley had a huge game with 8 catches for 137 yards.
And most recently, the Dukies put a lopsided beating on a woeful Virginia team…31-3. While UVA actually outgained Duke 304 to 258, the Devils capitalized on two fumbles and four interceptions in a 28 point second half to bury the hapless Hoos.
So what does that mean for Georgia Tech?
It means Duke can score and force turnovers…both areas which make me nervous.
Offensively, Georgia Tech MUST protect the football and avoid giving Duke a short field. The Jackets CANNOT give up easy points and fall into a “catch up” situation where Jaybo Shaw is forced to win the game with his arm. Georgia Tech fans should be confident in Jaybo’s ability to make reads and pitches in this offense. He played well beyond expectations when forced into action against Mississippi State. This will be different though…this game is Jaybo’s and he’s been thinking about it for the better part of two weeks now. He’s the starter from the first snap and that’s alot different than running out there mid-game without having time to put any pressure on yourself.
Defensively, the Tech front four MUST generate pressure and a pass rush on Thaddeus Lewis. Lewis is a cagey veteran and Eron Riley is a legitimate threat and weapon in the passing game. Riley was actually a Georgia Tech recruiting target when he came out of high school and he’s done very well for himself at Duke. In his career he’s already pulled in 105 receptions for 1,988 yards and 20 TDs. Lewis and Riley are Duke’s biggest scoring threat.
Ultimately I think the Georgia Tech pass rush will rattle Lewis and he’ll make some mistakes or take some losses that will hurt. That means Jaybo Shaw just needs to run the offense and hold onto the ball and let the offensive line and Jonathan Dwyer take care of business.
If Tech can do this and play solid special teams we’re looking at a Jackets win somewhere in the 30-14 range.
If we turn the ball over or give Lewis too much time to find his receivers…we’re going to be looking at a tight game and quite possibly a loss against a Duke team that believes they can win and who has proven it under Cutcliffe.
And really…when you think about it…we may be watching the two leading candidates for ACC Coach of the Year facing off this coming weekend. Either Johnson or Cutcliffe could win that award if their teams continue and finish the season the same way they’ve begun.
Go Jackets!
THWG!
Comments
By TDone
October 2, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Our defense should carry the day.
By Buzz29
October 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t see our defense giving up 14 points in a game for the rest of the year. THWG
By FLJacket
October 2, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
It should be an interesting one to watch that’s for sure. Glad I made the decision to get ESPNU!
Jaybo will shake his nerves quickly in this game. If nothing else PJ will keep him in line.
Ball security has gotten better as the season has progressed - not to say it can’t rear it’s ugly head at any time. But I’m a little more confident in that aspect.
I think Tech’s defensive front 4 will ultimately rule Duke’s O-Line, and I think that will decide the final score.
GO JACKETS!
By ga_tech_92
October 2, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Underestimate no one.
Fear no one.
Sting ‘em Jackets! THWG!!!
By AlabamaRamblinwreck
October 3, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Chris: I think your nervousness is exaggerated because of the Chan years. It is going to be hard to relax until we see CPJ’s team take care of business the way we think they should. I believe we will see a business-like destruction of Duke.
I realize if we turn the ball over, anything can happen, but without a large number of turnovers, I don’t see Duke having any chance. We should score and score at will on their defense.
Go Jackets!!
By THWG
October 3, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
34-6. Duke scores once on a turnover, then once again when we put in the 3rd stringers. Jaybo saves the day again.
By giblets
October 3, 2008 5:19 AM | Link to this
GTech wins, but doesn’t cover the spread, 28-21
I think most of us are underestimating Duke. UVA is by far the worst team, but if you take out their record, the combined opponents’ record is 12-3, losing to an undefeated NW team and FCS #1 team James Madison. We barely beat a BC team that routed NCAA powerhouse Rhode Island? I think we should be a little more humble.
By Zambrano
October 3, 2008 6:45 AM | Link to this
Who will win this battle of the bottom feeders on ESPNU?
By cpgt1990
October 3, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Hey y’all from Baghdad again.
The same questions and concerns about this week’s preparation are the same as last game’s … and the ones still left to play.
See if this sounds familiar fellow GT fans: solid, disciplined defense manning their assignments and lanes … GT D blitzing when necessary not just because … when we’re on D, make sure the 3rd downs become 4th downs … make the tackles … swarm the ball … the GT offense with no (or limited) turnovers … solid special teams play … control the trenches … no stupid 15-yard personal fouls … don’t put ourselves offensively into 3rd-and-long … win the time of possession.
The current staff under Johnson’s firey approach gets it … they get the fundamentals. The staff has been excellent at keeping the team focused for the entire game. They’ve had 2 weeks to preach fundamentals to the team and to prevent them from overlooking this game.
Yes, Duke beat Navy who still runs CPJ’s scheme. But, the Navy first-string QB got injured, and my thought is there is a large dropoff in ability there. Here, CPJ is going to toss Nesbitt and/or Shaw at you. There’s some comfort in that. And, CPJ has seen Duke’s response to his scheme now for 6 times in 7 or 8 years. This is Cutcliffe’s first.
If we play GT ball and dictate the game, I believe things will be just fine … no matter who’s across the ball.
THWG
By Shambo
October 3, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
I find myself in a rare moment of total agreement with Mr. Boggs.
Tech is supposed to beat Duke, which is precisely why Gailey would have lost. That is the source of agita for both Mr. Boggs and myself. It will take a few more games of avoiding the old Gailey habit of “snatching defeat from the jaws of victory” for us to feel more confident.
Tech will win against Duke because PJ plays for 60 minutes vs Gailey’s 45. However, I don’t believe Tech will win by the 14 points espoused by the Vegas books. Why? Tech, has yet to produce a credible pass defense.
By m
October 3, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
Ted Roof did a lot better job at dook than he is getting credit for. When he went to dook, they were getting beat by 30 points a game or more. When he left, they were very competitive in most games and had a lot better talent than when he arrived. I am not the least bit surprised that dook is doing well under Cutcliffe, but they would also have done well if Roof had gotten to stay. On the other side, how wonderful it is that Tech has Paul Johnson and not Chan Gailey. It is like a breath of fresh air. Chan Gailey was the worst mistake in the history of Tech. He sucked big time. In fact, the ONLY thing that sucks worse than Chan is any Tech fan that ever defended him. If you did, you suck worse than he did. Thank God and Greyhound that he is gone and that football is back at TECH. Halleeeedamloooyah!!
By Shambo
October 3, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
TO: cpgt1990
Let’s never forget that we have the priviledge of enjoying this game because of guys like cpgt1990.
I just want to pause a minute and thank you, sir, for your service to our country. Your efforts on our behalf are appreciated and I just wanted to take a moment and let you know.
I hope I am joined by the other participants in this blog (whether they be BEEZ or DAWGS) in an expression of appreciation for our guys in uniform.
God bless you all.
By Factoid
October 3, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I sure hope PJ can accomplish all the lofty things the delusional Tech fanbase has declared inevitable this year or the next because after Jimbo Fisher, Butch Davis, and Randy Shannon get those programs back on track and Clemson finally fires Tommy Bowden, Tech is f*******$ed. The days of 7 win seasons at best will return to the flats. That is if they ever go away even for a season or two at any point in time.
By North Ave Pimp
October 3, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Love the team so far and the attitude. Only one thing, are we going to keep wearing that Ugly white jersey every game ? Can’t wait to see the Gold!!
By Travis
October 3, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this
Well done and well said. However, Georgia Tech > Navy. Georgia Tech 44 Duke 13
By cpgt1990
October 3, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Shambo, Thanks for the kind words and thoughts. It’s a honor to serve. 18.5 down, 1.5 to go until retirement!
By jabster
October 3, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this
Yes, cpgt1990, thank you for serving our country.
It looks like there’s a lot of other crackheads (like me) on this blog who think that Tech will win but won’t cover a close game! :) :) :)
Although cpgt1990 has a GOOD point that Johnson has seen more of Duke than Cutcliffe has seen of Navy, not to mention Navy’s starting QB going down midgame.
GIVE ‘EM HELL TECH!
By BuzzFactor
October 3, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
cpgt1990, ditto, thanks to all of our armed forces, at home and abroad.
Duke will stay within striking distance until mid way through the 3rd. Tech will lead before the first quarter ends and never trail from there. Tech 41 - Duke 24
By GO Falcons610
October 3, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Factoid,
Are we talking about the same Jimbo Fisher that blew the offensive play calling against Wake Forest only scoring 3 points???? When is the last time PJ scored only 3 points?? Don’s see Fisher doing any better than Bowden.
Randy Shannon who??? Hell Gailey beat him last year IN Miami, Miami still blows this year. Not afraid at all.
Butch Davis, UNC may be getting better. I can see them putting together a good team, still I don’t see them as a powerhouse. Not afraid.
I am not even going to touch Clemson, when have they ever even been considered dominant over GT??
Your incessant ramblings are not researched and completely idiotic. You must be a UGA fan hoping that the other teams will rise and PJ will be mediocre at best. I don’t think this will happen.
GT will be the team to beat in the ACC before long.
By CW
October 3, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
The Jackets are still a very young and unproven team that shouldn’t (and likely won’t under Coach Johnson) take ANY team lightly.
Having said that, I believe that Duke will be manhandled on both lines of scrimmage. Lewis and Riley will have a few connections and may score some points, but I think Tech will still win going away.
By OldTimer
October 3, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
The Jackets have something to prove and they will. To hell with Georgia!
By FLA DAWG
October 4, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this
GT Fans,
I watched the GT / Miss State & the GT / BC Games. I was pulling for GT - I always do unless they play against my Dawgs. I saw great coaching and playing by GT. The GT team played their hearts out against BC.
So what did this fine team of players and group of coaches get in return from the fans during the Miss State Game - a half empty upper deck in the 2nd qtr.
No excuses - you guys need to support your team by showing up at the stadium. GT was one play away from being UNDEFEATED so far this season.