Year Two:

[gtbb]

Sometimes, "Year Two" is a huge step-forward breakout year for a program with a new'ish coach.

Paul Johnson - Won the ACC in year 2 (2009).
Bob Stoops - Won it all in year 2 (2000).
Mark Richt - Went 13-1 and won the SEC in year 2 (2002).
Nick Saban - Won the SEC in year 2 at LSU (2001).
Nick Saban - Won the SEC West and went 12-2 in year 2 at Bama (2008).
Kirby - Won the SEC in year 2 (2017).
Urban Meyer - Won the MNC in year 2 (2006).

For Key, this is year 2. His last 8 games of 2022 doesn't count. That was just "Year Zero", for a guy who didn't even know if he'd keep his job. Last year was "Year One", and we started to see that "never quit" attitude against Miami and UNC. I think this is a year where our program out-performs expectations. The continuity under Key is now paying dividends, and Key's program, which is influenced by what he learned under O'Leary and Saban, will start to push people around more. It's a hard schedule. But I just think we are laying in wait, ready to ambush a lot of teams.

 

[UgaBlows]

Sometimes, "Year Two" is a huge step-forward breakout year for a program with a new'ish coach.

Paul Johnson - Won the ACC in year 2 (2009).
Bob Stoops - Won it all in year 2 (2000).
Mark Richt - Went 13-1 and won the SEC in year 2 (2002).
Nick Saban - Won the SEC in year 2 at LSU (2001).
Nick Saban - Won the SEC West and went 12-2 in year 2 at Bama (2008).
Kirby - Won the SEC in year 2 (2017).
Urban Meyer - Won the MNC in year 2 (2006).

For Key, this is year 2. His last 8 games of 2022 doesn't count. That was just "Year Zero", for a guy who didn't even know if he'd keep his job. Last year was "Year One", and we started to see that "never quit" attitude against Miami and UNC. I think this is a year where our program out-performs expectations. The continuity under Key is now paying dividends, and Key's program, which is influenced by what he learned under O'Leary and Saban, will start to push people around more. It's a hard schedule. But I just think we are laying in wait, ready to ambush a lot of teams.

If we get a decent defensive improvement, hell even into just mediocre territory then watch out!

 

[kg01]

Ooh, ohh, now do Jeff Collins.

 

[boger2337]

I think we see 9-10 wins.

 

[AugustaSwarm]

Ooh, ohh, now do Jeff Collins.

 

[iceeater1969]

The new gt gets better each year.

The offense improved in second half of last season.
It needs to improve in first half and second half on this year.

Like the offense did last year I think that this year the defense will finish strong in second half.

 

[gtbb]

The new gt gets better each year.

The offense improved in second half of last season.
It needs to improve in first half and second half on this year.

Like the offense did last year I think that this year the defense will finish strong in second half.

I liked Buster Faulkner's approach, and as the games went on, we got stronger and our opponent's D wore out. We need the defense to hold up their end of the bargain this year in order for us to reach 9-10 wins.

 

[57jacket]

I think we see 9-10 wins.

I'll be very happy with 7.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

Who’s ready for some football? This is the most excited I’ve been for GT football in a really, really long time!

 

[Ramble1885]

I think we see 9-10 wins.

The schedule is tough. I see 6-7. But if we reach full potential 8-9-10 wins is possible.

 

[MWBATL]

I’m just very afraid of that first game. A defeat would demoralize our fan base, which is so optimistic right now. I would LOVE for us to start strong and for an enthusiastic fan base being in Bobby Dodd for every home game.

 

[dressedcheeseside]

I’m just very afraid of that first game. A defeat would demoralize our fan base, which is so optimistic right now. I would LOVE for us to start strong and for an enthusiastic fan base being in Bobby Dodd for every home game.

Maybe, But I think how we perform in the game speaks volumes, even if we lose. If we play well and lose a nailbiter, that’s a whole different story than getting blown out.

 

[gtbb]

Who’s ready for some football? This is the most excited I’ve been for GT football in a really, really long time!

I'm in a similar place. This is the first time I've been genuinely looking forward to a season since....ehhhh....sometime during the CPJ era. I dreaded every year of Collins, and last year, I just wanted to see us compete hard for 60 minutes. This year, I think we are in for a good season. The schedule is very hard, but our team is going to be ready.

 

[MountainBuzzMan]

I’m just very afraid of that first game. A defeat would demoralize our fan base, which is so optimistic right now. I would LOVE for us to start strong and for an enthusiastic fan base being in Bobby Dodd for every home game.

I doubt it unless we look like we are taking a step backwards. We play a low mistake game and make FSU beat us and keep it close. Then absolutely NO you will not see a demoralized fan base

 

[Ramble1885]

I doubt it unless we look like we are taking a step backwards. We play a low mistake game and make FSU beat us and keep it close. Then absolutely NO you will not see a demoralized fan base

This is GT football. I will not be shocked if we win, and I also won’t be shocked if we lose by 40.

 

[Buzztheirazz]

We won’t lose by 40. I’m guessing we score around 30-35 points. It’s what they score that matters. They won’t get 70 though.

 

[Root4GT]

I’m just very afraid of that first game. A defeat would demoralize our fan base, which is so optimistic right now. I would LOVE for us to start strong and for an enthusiastic fan base being in Bobby Dodd for every home game.

We likely lose to FSU. How we respond will say a lot about the season. Our defense was dreadful the last several seasons and looks only marginally Improved this year. New coaches hopefully help. Still players need to make plays on defense. Not sure we have very many defensive playmakers right now.

RB is a big concern behind Haynes. He and Smith as a combination were very good last year. Replacing a very good 5th year senior will be difficult. Hopefully one of the young guys steps up. No way to know yet.

As always GT’s quality depth is a potential issue. Getting better there but not to the level of our top opponents.

FSU will be a good team this year. They will miss Travis for sure. They have lots of studs elsewhere. How they respond from the end of last season will be very interesting.

 

[Techwood Relict]

Ooh, ohh, now do Jeff Collins.

 

[BCJacket]

I've always believed 'Year 2' is when a coach shows you what they can do. Their system is in. The roster is theirs, if not fully developed with 'their recruits'. But it's their program and you see what it's really going to look like.

All of the above were great coaches who broke out in year 2. Our previous coach showed no progress in year 2 and that was how his tenure ended up. Chan went 7-6 and... well. O'Leary, went 5-6 against a tough schedule. But showed progress continuing to rebuild what his predecessor broke.

I believe Coach Key is a very good coach. He seems to have very strong leadership and motivational qualities. The way the team responded in his interim year was extremely impressive. As was the job he did last season. (Most outside prognosticators expected 3-4 wins.) His main weakness, as I see it, is in the tactical. His game management needs improvement, but that will likely come with experience. He's not an accomplished OC or DC, an Xs&Os genius. But that's ok, because he seems to be an excellent recruiter of quality assistants. He knows how a good football program should run and he has the aptitude to implement it.

I predict we're going to see a well-prepared, motivated, and tough football team every week. I think we will do the fundamental things well - good technique in tackling and blocking, limit turnovers and penalties, play through the whistle and at least 'do no harm' on special teams. Which, any football team at any level that does those things will be pretty good. Key inherited a program that was terrible at those things. Last year, the team massively improved in these areas from prior seasons, especially as the season went along. I expect to see further improvement this year. There will be days when our talent and depth just aren't enough. But there will be days when our team is better than the sum of its parts and surprises some folks.

 

[4shotB]

His game management needs improvement, but that will likely come with experience. He's not an accomplished OC or DC, an Xs&Os genius. But that's ok, because he seems to be an excellent recruiter of quality assistants. He knows how a good football program should run and he has the aptitude to implement it.

A HC doesn't need to be good at everything. But he must be able to identify his weaknesses , hire accordingly and get out of the way of those hired to fill the gaps. No different than what we do or did at work. But as we all know, this is very simple to say but very few are actually good at it. I think Key is one of those guys who will be.