If Tech rebounds, it will be with better option
There’s no clear consensus when it comes to forecasts for Georgia Tech’s football season, unless maybe you count Shreveport, La., in December.
Included in 10 predictions by the dart-throwing media: Five who pick the Jackets to finish in sixth place in the ACC Coastal, four who pick them fifth, one (an optimist) who picks them fourth.
Paul Johnson, never shy about throwing a verbal counter-punch to the fourth estate, responded accordingly: “They haven’t been right yet so what makes them so smart this time?”
Imagine the material he’ll have if Tech not only exceeds expectations this season, but does so because of the option offense?
While some believe ACC defenses are catching up to the option and Tech needs to throw more to win more, Johnson comes to the debate armed with statistics that illustrate the Jackets’ problem last season wasn’t a lack of passing but a lack of execution.
“We threw the ball more last year than any year since I’ve been here and we completed less,” he said. “People are still, ‘You need to throw the ball more.’ No, we need to do complete more.”
Quarterback Vad Lee transferred. Lee was a touted recruit and a good kid. But he was the wrong kid. He signed with Johnson knowing the offense he ran, but wanted to throw more. So Johnson tweaked his offense, and it backfired. Lee completed only 45 percent of his passes (82 for 180) with 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The year before, Tevin Washington completed 56.4 percent (75 for 133) with eight touchdowns, four interceptions and a higher efficiency rating.
When Lee announced he was leaving for James Madison — and because Tech fizzled at the end of the season with losses to Georgia and Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl — it was natural to wonder if something had gone sideways in the program. But Lee leaving actually could be a benefit.
“There were issues in more than one area (of the offense), but (quarterback) was an issue,” Johnson said. “And what happened was we got away from (the option) because we did what we thought the guy could do, and what the guy wanted to do, as opposed to just doing what we do. Some of the stuff just wasn’t very good after the first game or two.
“I was the one calling the plays. I knew it. But you have to do what you committed to and you try to play that hand.”
There are questions about the offensive and defensive lines. The defense could be an issue (again). But if Tech exceeds expectations this season, it will be because of the option.
One last forecast: 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the ACC. (See game-by-game predictions.)
