jeffgt14
We don't quite suck as much anymore.
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That's the thing about statistics. It always proves your point. That's why I rely on eye test and end result. Neither of which are very good.
The top three teams in the country have played a combined six games that ended with a final margin of eight points or less. Tech by itself has played six. The best teams aren't the best because they can magically turn it on in close games. The best teams are the best teams because they are good enough not to play most teams closely - they just blow everyone out. They're rarely at risk of losing.What?
You say "garbage time" but I beg to differ. Notre Dame kept their defensive starters in the entire game and I can assure you they were doing their best to STOP us from scoring because 8 points is a ONE score game (we make an onside kick recovery then make a TD with a 2-point conversion). In fact, Notre Dame beat UVA with a "Hail Mary" so I can promise you they weren't taking anything for granted.
14 likes! I like the number!!Respectfully, what I've seen is a team that has been inundated with a massive amount of injuries at key positions (we've lost 70 games to starters and others expected to see significant action SO FAR) yet a team that has only been out of ONE game this season (to #1 Ranked Clemson I might add, AT Clemson, in bad weather). Paul Johnson's players may not have gotten the results on the scoreboard anyone has wanted this season, but one thing I think can be said is that they have never quit IN SPITE of their obstacles, and that's a testament to our Coaches and players. They could have easily dialed it in with all of the injuries, yet they beat FSU, and came damned-close to several other teams had there been just a few breaks go OUR way.
It's been said before but I think it should be restated that our roster isn't filled with 4 and 5 star prospects, and it's not because we don't want to recruit them but because our Coaches are pretty much hamstringed from getting them because the Georgia Board of Regents refuses to allow GA Tech to expand its Majors so there might be more "appealing" options for many of these "elite" athletes, as well as we have much tougher admission requirements (the "Hill") than most programs in the Country that play at our level. Couple these two hurdles together and our "pool" of "elite" players we can START to recruit is very small.
This means that when OUR Team suffers injuries, we don't have the same supposed "quality" of depth to step in a play as replacements, so or results on the field SHOULD suffer. In particular, on our Offense, we really need RB's who understand how to block on the outside, work with our QB on a "mesh" handoff so it will look like he has the football even when he doesn't so the option can work, and we need our linemen to be physically "transformed" into players who can hold their own at the LoS against top Defensive Linemen using cut blocks, and now, drive blocking, techniques.
When we suffered so many injuries, we ended up having to play true freshmen, red-shirt freshmen, and even walk-ons who were never expected to see any (significant) action. Is it any wonder assignments have been missed and players weren't physically ready to play at times? The mere fact that the team was able to be competitive in spite of their youth is exciting to me, because it showed me that not only were these kids fast learners and pretty good athletes, but I believe it bodes well for next season as they'll have another year in the strength and conditioning program under their belts to go with the experience they're getting this season.
I agree with you about lack of depth. But please explain something. Gregory has signed five 4 stars (Rivals) since he became coach in 2012. That's not counting at least one transfer that was a 4 star in HS. Because of fewer scholarships, he has only signed what, 10 HS players?
In the same period, Johnson has signed three 4 stars (Rivals). How many scholarships has he given to HS players in that same time frame? 70 or so?
Does the Board of Regents allow basketball players to have lesser academic qualifications than football players? Or, do you maintain that basketball players are better students than football players? Why can Gregory sign a relatively high percentage of 4 stars and highly rated Ga players, but Johnson can't? Do you really believe that academics are the reason?
Now we can blame injuries..........
They were playing prevent.Go back and rewatch it. They were playing very differently at the end of the game
He shouldn't have been playing at all today anyways. We should have rested any vital player that was a little banged up. Justin and PJ Davis should've been there only for emergency purposes.
At 3-7, we had one thing to play for the rest of the way and that is the game next weekend. Hopefully Justin's injury isn't too bad. We will need him to have any sort of chance next week.
Have to disagree that we only had "one thing to play for the rest of the way" before or during today's game. You always play to win the game.
JT could have gotten hurt slipping in the shower or going down stairs.
Agree that hoping JT, TM, etc. are able to play next week. With that, I'm comfortable that MJ at the controls if it comes to that.
Have to disagree that we only had "one thing to play for the rest of the way" before or during today's game. You always play to win the game.
JT could have gotten hurt slipping in the shower or going down stairs.
Agree that hoping JT, TM, etc. are able to play next week. With that, I'm comfortable that MJ at the controls if it comes to that.
I agree with you about lack of depth. But please explain something. Gregory has signed five 4 stars (Rivals) since he became coach in 2012. That's not counting at least one transfer that was a 4 star in HS. Because of fewer scholarships, he has only signed what, 10 HS players?
In the same period, Johnson has signed three 4 stars (Rivals). How many scholarships has he given to HS players in that same time frame? 70 or so?
Does the Board of Regents allow basketball players to have lesser academic qualifications than football players? Or, do you maintain that basketball players are better students than football players? Why can Gregory sign a relatively high percentage of 4 stars and highly rated Ga players, but Johnson can't? Do you really believe that academics are the reason?