hmm. At least from what I've written this season, maybe how well the offensive line has played or P.J. Davis' play. Also, I think the impact that Jabari Hunt-Days and Kenderius Whitehead have had on scout team is considerable. I've mentioned it here and there, but not written about it specifically.
It's actually pretty simple, and I've been intending to blog about it. The SEC Network's contract calls for it to get three SEC games a week. There's only four SEC-controlled games on Saturday. CBS gets first pick and took the Egg Bowl. that left the Iron Bowl, Tech-Georgia and Vanderbilt-Tennessee. ESPN was able to take the Iron Bowl, but the SEC Network obligations still had to be satisfied.
It's hard to say, particularly offensively, because the offenses are so dissimilar. The other way, Georgia put up good numbers on both, but hurt themselves with turnovers, missed field goals and other mistakes. I don't know if there was a pattern to the turnovers, but, to the degree there was, I'm sure Tech's coaches have paid close attention. Georgia holds onto the ball pretty well.
that's an interesting question. I suppose it could have an effect. It's hard to say how much, though. As i said in the last response, Richt has done a good job getting the team ready to play, and I would wonder if players would see the game independently of the SEC title game. That's a tough one to answer with any confidence.
To me, the Georgia game seems tougher, mostly because of the reason you state. Georgia has laid some eggs, no question, but Mark Richt has done a pretty good job over the years of making sure his team is ready for this game.
good question. I'd think Tony Zenon could.
He didn't seem concerned. First, Clemson has one of the best defenses in the country. Second, the defensive touchdowns did take away possessions that could have turned into scores. Third, the offense started out slowly and finished better. I think Tech will do better than 14 points of offense against Georgia.
From a standpoint of production and who's behind them, Zach Laskey and Synjyn Days stand out, because whoever plays there will have never had a college snap at that position. Losing all the A-backs will be big, because Broderick Snoddy may miss the spring, leaving Dennis Andrews (who's gaining playing time), redshirt Clinton Lynch and walk-on Isaiah Willis. They'll need to find a replacement for Shawn Green. This could be a big spring for Francis Kallon. (not to get ahead of ourselves)
I think he'll be drafted. I don't know how he'll do at the combine, which, for better or worse will matter, but I think someone will take him. Once he gets there, I feel pretty confident saying he's going to work hard and be smart, and that is a considerable determinant. But it's hard for me to say he'll be a 10-year starter, or a career backup or wash out in three years. but I think he'll get there.
One of the "what if?" scenarios that may bug Tech fans (while they sit poolside in Miami at the Orange Bowl) is what would have happened had the team been able to hold onto a few of the defensive linemen who left, or if Jabari Hunt-Days and Kenderius Whitehead had been able to play this season. But I hope you're not disappointed by being 9-2.
that's very interesting about Utah. I can't explain that one. I mean, maybe they took a harder look and decided that Utah was better and they were wrong the previous week? But that is peculiar. I'm generally skeptical of conspiracy theories, though. For one thing, I'd like to think the committee is composed of people with enough principal to not listen to whatever outside influence (ESPN, presumably) would not want Tech in the Orange Bowl. Second, what reason would they have?
Probably a few reasons. One it's always easy to look at Miami and Virginia Tech and assume they'll be at the top. North Carolina usually is pretty talented. So that's three teams that are easy to pick high. Plus, Tech has not finished well and maybe that colors perceptions. The other thing, and maybe this is the primary thing, is that most of the people who vote in the ACC preseason media poll probably aren't the most informed.
I see it the same way. That said, I thought the Clemson game would be a shootout (although it might have been had Watson not gotten hurt).
I think the playmaking run that the defense has been on has been, as I wrote on the blog yesterday, hard to believe. I thought the offense would do well, but I didn't expect it would run at such a high level. Individually, Tony Zenon strikes me as a player who's done much better than I thought. From what I heard about KeShun Freeman, I thought he'd do well but he's probably surpassed my expectations.
I'm sure we'll have one for the Tech-Georgia game. I forget how we've done that in the past. it'd be interesting to have one for both teams. interesting meaning dangerous.
