The joys of Georgia Tech football
This weekend was a good weekend in Georgia Tech football. A year ago, Georgia Tech visited Virginia Tech and promptly proceeded to lose in a humiliating 51-7 rout. It was a sad, sad day at Tech. However, as we're wont to do ("Georgia Tech lost 51-7 on that same field last season, and the Jackets have recently made a habit of exacting revenge for embarrassing losses. Last year's 44-point defeat was the sixth time in the previous three seasons that Georgia Tech was beaten by 21 points or more. Saturday marked the fifth time in as many tries that the Yellow Jackets followed up one of those big losses with a win over that same opponent the following season." -ESPN College Football Final), we went on to give them a taste of their own medicine. Eliminating their rushing game (GT's defense allowed 56 rushing yards), keeping pressure on their quarterback, blocking punts, and making mincemeat out of their defense, it looked a lot like last year's game, except this time the yellow was having fun. Let's not forget, either, the two biggest stars of the game. Tashard Choice ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns, and Calvin Johnson (who would win the Heisman with any other QB) received for 115 yards and two touchdowns. However, we can't forget Tech's awesome defense that forced two turnovers, blocked a punt, and chased their quarterback all over the field. Unfortunately, I was on the brotherhood retreat, so I couldn't actually watch it, but we listened to it on the radio. Awe-fucking-some. And now, without further adieu, a couple of blurbs from ESPN.com.
"On the Mark
Before the administrators at Michigan State and Texas A&M hand pink slips to their coaches, they might want to consider what coach Chan Gailey is doing at Georgia Tech.
Gailey, the former Dallas Cowboys coach, has seemingly been under fire ever since he replaced George O'Leary before the 2002 season. The Yellow Jackets finished 4-4 in ACC play in each of his first three seasons, then went 5-3 last year. Georgia Tech won seven games overall each season.
But since losing to Notre Dame 14-10 in its opener, Georgia Tech has won four games in a row, including a stunning 38-27 win at then-No. 11 Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets beat the Hokies at their own game, jumping to an early 21-0 lead (Virginia Tech hadn't allowed a first-quarter touchdown in 16 games; the Yellow Jackets scored three).
Georgia Tech blocked a punt to set up a touchdown, scored another touchdown on a fumble recovery and led 38-13 in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets moved into first place in the ACC's Coastal Division and are the only team on that side of the league without a loss in conference play. Georgia Tech has what is essentially a two-game lead over the Hokies and Virginia (the Jackets would have to lose two ACC games for either to win the division), as well as a one-game lead over Miami. The Hurricanes play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 28."
Let's see where UGA's been...
"Off the Mark
Is there a softer 5-0 team in the country than No. 10 Georgia? A week after having to come from behind to beat Colorado in the final minutes, the Bulldogs struggled mightily in Saturday night's 14-9 victory at Ole Miss.
Heading into this weekend's key SEC contest against No. 13 Tennessee, the Bulldogs rank 89th in total offense (297 yards per game), 56th in scoring (25.6 points per game) and 90th in passing offense (163.6 yards per game, or, worse than Duke).
Is help on the way for Mark Richt's struggling offense? Senior quarterback Joe Tereshinski, who started the first two games at quarterback before badly spraining his ankle against South Carolina, returns to practice Monday and might be ready to start against the Volunteers.
When asked whether Tereshinski would be the starting quarterback against Tennessee, Richt said, "I wouldn't be surprised if he is.
"We're going to watch him real close. I think Joe needs to be really full speed if he's going to play in the game or start. It looks like he's going to be just fine."
In his absence, freshmen Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox have struggled. Stafford has completed only 48 percent of his passes for 485 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He threw for fewer than 100 yards in each of the last two games and was sacked three times.
"We've definitely got to get it going on offense," Richt said. "There's no question about it. I think they still know they can do it. We're getting ready to play a pretty good defense this week. I don't know if this is the defense for it to happen against."
Georgia at least has a slither of hope after its running game performed better against the Rebels. Junior Kregg Lumpkin, who is coming back from torn knee ligaments, ran for a career-high 101 yards against Ole Miss and displayed the power and speed he had before getting injured."
Based on what's happened recently, I have very, very high hopes for November 25th. UGA's passing offense is horrendous, and our rushing defense is immaculate. Not to mention both of their quarterbacks are newbies, so against our blitz they'll be frazzled, and that 48% will be witnessed yet again. Worse than Duke in passing offense against easy teams? Come on. That's downright miserable. Have fun playing in the hardest conference, Georgia fans. We'll see you in November, and it will be a night to remember.
"On the Mark
Before the administrators at Michigan State and Texas A&M hand pink slips to their coaches, they might want to consider what coach Chan Gailey is doing at Georgia Tech.
Gailey, the former Dallas Cowboys coach, has seemingly been under fire ever since he replaced George O'Leary before the 2002 season. The Yellow Jackets finished 4-4 in ACC play in each of his first three seasons, then went 5-3 last year. Georgia Tech won seven games overall each season.
But since losing to Notre Dame 14-10 in its opener, Georgia Tech has won four games in a row, including a stunning 38-27 win at then-No. 11 Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets beat the Hokies at their own game, jumping to an early 21-0 lead (Virginia Tech hadn't allowed a first-quarter touchdown in 16 games; the Yellow Jackets scored three).
Georgia Tech blocked a punt to set up a touchdown, scored another touchdown on a fumble recovery and led 38-13 in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets moved into first place in the ACC's Coastal Division and are the only team on that side of the league without a loss in conference play. Georgia Tech has what is essentially a two-game lead over the Hokies and Virginia (the Jackets would have to lose two ACC games for either to win the division), as well as a one-game lead over Miami. The Hurricanes play at Georgia Tech on Oct. 28."
Let's see where UGA's been...
"Off the Mark
Is there a softer 5-0 team in the country than No. 10 Georgia? A week after having to come from behind to beat Colorado in the final minutes, the Bulldogs struggled mightily in Saturday night's 14-9 victory at Ole Miss.
Heading into this weekend's key SEC contest against No. 13 Tennessee, the Bulldogs rank 89th in total offense (297 yards per game), 56th in scoring (25.6 points per game) and 90th in passing offense (163.6 yards per game, or, worse than Duke).
Is help on the way for Mark Richt's struggling offense? Senior quarterback Joe Tereshinski, who started the first two games at quarterback before badly spraining his ankle against South Carolina, returns to practice Monday and might be ready to start against the Volunteers.
When asked whether Tereshinski would be the starting quarterback against Tennessee, Richt said, "I wouldn't be surprised if he is.
"We're going to watch him real close. I think Joe needs to be really full speed if he's going to play in the game or start. It looks like he's going to be just fine."
In his absence, freshmen Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox have struggled. Stafford has completed only 48 percent of his passes for 485 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. He threw for fewer than 100 yards in each of the last two games and was sacked three times.
"We've definitely got to get it going on offense," Richt said. "There's no question about it. I think they still know they can do it. We're getting ready to play a pretty good defense this week. I don't know if this is the defense for it to happen against."
Georgia at least has a slither of hope after its running game performed better against the Rebels. Junior Kregg Lumpkin, who is coming back from torn knee ligaments, ran for a career-high 101 yards against Ole Miss and displayed the power and speed he had before getting injured."
Based on what's happened recently, I have very, very high hopes for November 25th. UGA's passing offense is horrendous, and our rushing defense is immaculate. Not to mention both of their quarterbacks are newbies, so against our blitz they'll be frazzled, and that 48% will be witnessed yet again. Worse than Duke in passing offense against easy teams? Come on. That's downright miserable. Have fun playing in the hardest conference, Georgia fans. We'll see you in November, and it will be a night to remember.