In last Thursday’s season opener against Alcorn State, some Georgia Tech defensive starters played as few as nine snaps in the 69-6 rout. It was a positive for Yellow Jackets backups, who received valuable game experience.
It was not the ideal, though, for defensive coordinator Ted Roof, as the No. 15 Jackets prepare for Tulane on Saturday with their first road trip coming up in two Saturdays, at No. 9 Notre Dame.
“It’s almost like they hadn’t played a game yet,” Roof said of his starters.
The starters were too effective to play much. The defense didn’t allow a first down in Alcorn State’s first five possessions, by which point the Jackets led 34-0. Roof said Tuesday that he felt good about the conditioning level of his defense, but made the differentiation between being in shape to practice and in shape to play.
“You’re in shape, but, the game, you play yourself into game shape to a certain extent, as well,” he said, “so that’s a concern.”
Tech expects far more resistance from Tulane than FCS Alcorn State. The Jackets’ 34-point first quarter was the team’s highest-scoring quarter in its modern era (since 1950). Tulane is an FBS team in the American Athletic Conference with the likes of Cincinnati, Navy and Central Florida.
“You want for your starters to get in the groove,” Roof said. “That will not be an issue this week.”
Tulane lost 37-7 to Duke last week. Last season, the Green Wave was within 10 points of Tech going into the fourth quarter of their game before the Jackets put the game away.
Coach Paul Johnson expressed less concern with the idea of getting starters more playing time Saturday. On the offensive side, starters began to come out of the game after the end of the first quarter.
“We want to go out and play better and keep improving and win the game,” he said. “If that presents itself, that’d be great. But I haven’t even given that a thought.”
