Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said his team is going to have to play better against Florida State this weekend than it did against Mississippi State last weekend.
Though the No. 23 Yellow Jackets defeated the Bulldogs 42-31, Johnson said the team didn't play as well as the final score seemed to indicate.
He cited special teams errors, miscues by every unit on the defense (line, linebackers and secondary), and the interior pass and run blocking by the offensive line.
"We're going to have to play a whole lot better to have some success in Tallahassee," Johnson said.
He indicated that Scott Blair will continue to handle kickoff duties because he has a stronger leg than Chris Tanner. Blair put two kicks out of bounds against North Carolina two weeks ago, and a short kick against Mississippi State was returned 89 yards for a touchdown. That kick was supposed to be long and left, Johnson said after the game.
Johnson said the team may make changes at linebacker and in the secondary, though he declined to name specific players.
The Bulldogs had 487 yards, including 209 on the ground. The Jackets converted three of Mississippi State's four turnovers into 21 points.
FSU down
Johnson said he couldn't pinpoint why Florida State has been so up and down this season.
The Seminoles have lost their past two games to fall to 2-3 this season.
"They are still loaded with great players," Johnson said. "A lot of guys who can run, and very physical. They are very talented."
FSU coach Bobby Bowden said that despite his team's recent string, he is not going to give in. Bowden's retirement is probably the most discussed aspect of the Seminoles' program the past few years as he and Penn State's Joe Paterno compete to become the NCAA's all-time winningest Division I coach. Paterno has the mark (387), while Bowden has 370. The NCAA has stripped the school of 14 wins for rules violations. FSU is appealing that decision. Should that be overturned, Bowden would have 384 wins.
The Seminoles were defeated by Boston College, 28-21, on Saturday, despite rolling up more than 400 yards of offense. FSU was stunned by South Florida the week before, and barely beat Jacksonville State, 19-9.
"You can't give up," Bowden said. "That's the thing about it. You can't give up. I refuse to."
Peeples burst
A-back Embry Peeples had his best game of the season against MSU, carrying the ball three times for 19 yards and catching a pass, also for 19 yards.
"Embry had a really good week of practice," Johnson said. "He didn't have a good week the week before, so he didn't get to play much. I think he took that to heart."
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