Georgia Tech has yet to win the field-position battle in its previous seven games this season. The Yellow Jackets won it five times against teams from Power 5 conferences last year.
Poor field position is one of the many reasons that the Yellow Jackets’ offense and defense are struggling this season as they continue to prepare for next Thursday’s game against Virginia Tech.
In the past seven games, the Yellow Jackets’ average starting field position is the 26-yard line. They are averaging 28 points and 358 yards per game during that stretch.
“It hasn’t been real good,” coach Paul Johnson said.
The Yellow Jackets are 1-6 during that stretch.
Conversely, those same seven opponents are starting on their 34-yard line. Taking advantage of the shorter field, they are averaging 31.2 points per game.
“Anytime it’s that bad, it doesn’t help the offense,” Johnson said.
The starting field position is getting worse partially because the team isn’t creating turnovers like it did last year in producing 18 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries. This year, the team has produced 15, but just nine in the past seven games for a minus-one margin during the span. Opponents have had eight touchdown drives of 50 yards or less in the past seven games.
“When you turn the ball over on your end it’s not going to help the defense,” Johnson said.
In 11 games against teams from Power 5 conferences last season, the Yellow Jackets had 22 drives start in opponent’s territory and scored nine touchdowns. This year, they have had nine drives in seven games, and scored three touchdowns.
Additionally, they had 55 drives start outside their 25-yard line last year, or five per game, in the seven games. This year, they have 23, or 3.3 per game.
“I think we’ve had three drives for touchdowns over 90 yards and that’s unusual in one season and we have three games left,” Johnson said.
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