Scouting Report Week #14

GEORGIA-GEORGIA TECH SCOUTING REPORT

A few years back, Coach Richt allowed me the honor of being the honorary captain for the Georgia Tech game. Besides participating in the pre-game coin toss, the honorary captain also gets to deliver a little message the night before the game. The ‘Dogs were a heavy favorite, so my message was along the lines of not underestimating the passion of the opponent. I told them that would be unacceptable in this rivalry. The ‘Dogs won big. Well, that mindset doesn’t apply this year. It’s very obvious that Georgia Tech is legit and worthy of respect.   

This is the best match-up in 10 years. The Jackets hit Sanford Stadium confident and obsessing over the ‘Dogs 7-game win streak. The Georgia Tech seniors have never beaten Georgia. This is their last shot. For the Bulldogs, a win over Tech would get them a 10-win season and extend the bragging rights to 8 years, which would be the longest Georgia win streak in this series history, which began in 1893. As always, both teams desperately want the victory.

Johnson’s Jackets take the field at Sanford Stadium still in the hunt for an ACC Title and pulling for a Virginia upset of Virginia Tech. The ‘Dogs are looking for a shot at another top team in a bowl game (Ohio State in the Cap One or one of those Big 12 teams in the Cotton). Besides the rivalry motivation, there is much to play for.

GEORGIA TECH OFFENSE vs. GEORGIA DEFENSE DEFENSE
Paul Johnson versus Willie Martinez

Georgia Tech hired Paul Johnson last December 7th. Coach Martinez has thought about this match-up every day since, because of Johnson’s unique spread triple-option attack. Willie has had 11 months to research and gameplan. Plus, he’s had two weeks to teach it. Wonder if they were listening?

The Jackets offense is 80% run and 20% pass. And they average 5.5 yards per carry. Their version of the option has generated 59 plays that have gone for 20 yards or more. They average 24.5 points per game. Turnovers have been an issue in all 3 losses (-5 in TOs).

Meanwhile, the Georgia defense has been under criticism. They allow 23.8 points a game, which ranks 56th nationally. But the truth is they have hunkered down, with the game on the line, the last two games. Guys made plays. It’s imperative that happens again. Dudes have got to make plays. Hold’m under that 24 point average and that might be enough to get a win… and give Martinez a decent night’s sleep after the game.  
 

KEY #1: WHO WINS THE DWYER-CURRAN BATTLE? Jonathan Dwyer looks like the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and Rennie Curran could win the SEC Defensive Player of the Year honor. They will knock heads many times on Saturday. This will be the game’s top match-up. Dwyer ripped through the Miami defense right up the middle. That’s right where Curran will be. DWYER AVERAGES 7 YARDS A CARRY. CURRAN AVERAGES 9 TACKLES A GAME. Get ready to see some serious collisions. My advice: focus on this match-up during the game.

From a defensive perspective, defending this triple option attack starts by stopping Option #1, which is the dive play. Dwyer up the middle. GEORGIA’S DEFENSE MUST LIMIT THE SUCCESS DWYER HAS ON OPTION #1! Curran, Atkins, Irvin, and Weston must “Hunker Down” against Howard, Voss and Gilbert (GT’s interior O-Line). The ‘Dogs got a lesson in how not to defend Option #1, by watching the Hurricanes get gashed by Dwyer. What makes it tough on the DTs is this: GT OL block low, which forces the DT to get off blocks and prevents a lot of quick penetration. THE FOCUS FOR THE BULLDOGS DEFENSE HAS TO BE DEFENDING FROM THE INSIDE OUT…AND THAT STARTS WITH SLOWING DOWN OPTION #1.

OPTION #2 IS ALSO A STRENGTH OF THIS GT OFFENSE…JOSH NESBITT KEEPING IT ON THE OPTION. The Jackets QB earned some respect with his performance against the Hurricanes. He played tough on a bum ankle. Dude was balling (that’s how the hip teen would describe it). He fakes it to Dwyer on the dive, comes down the LOS, and then turns it up field at 220 pounds. Josh is athletic enough to make you miss and he can pound you. That means Gamble, Ellerbe, Jones and Byrd better be wrapping up, and not trying to just knock him down.

KEY #2: HOW WILL JOSH NESBITT PERFORM, WHEN IT COMES TO OPTION #3?                 OPTION #3 is Nesbitt pitching it out to one of those slot backs. That can come off the triple option or on one of those misdirection slot pitch plays, coming back the opposite way of the flow. The ‘Dogs must pursue and fly to the ball, when it’s pitched out wide…but flow to fast, and Johnson will call one of those misdirection slot reverses. Nesbitt is in this offense for the first time. He doesn’t appear to be real confident pitching the ball at game-speed. The ball ends up on the ground some. Some of the pitches aren’t real accurate. Martinez would be smart to play it where Nesbitt is pitching it, instead of running it.

KEY #3: CAN GT GET WR DEMARYIUS THOMAS INVOLVED WITH SOME DOWNFIELD SHOTS OFF PLAY-ACTION? At 6’4” 230, “Bay Bay” is a mismatch advantage against the Georgia CBs. Asher Allen, Prince Miler and Ramarcus Brown have their hands full with this guy. Wonder how many times Johnson will go there? 

GEORGIA OFFENSE vs. GEORGIA TECH DEFENSE
Mike Bobo versus Dave Wommack

The Bulldogs Offense needs to step up in this one and take some of the pressure off their defense. Starting fast and scoring some points early would be huge. Tech would rather not play from behind. Bobo wants to get Moreno rolling on 1st down and take some shots downfield to Green and Massaquoi, off play-action.

KEY #1: THE JACKETS HAVE TO PLAY TOUGH ON 1ST & 10! Moreno torched both Kentucky and Auburn (12 carries for 92 yards) on 1/10 plays. Tech can’t allow that to happen. Moreno has been ballin’ the last 6 games…averaging 22 carries and 126 yards, or 5.7 yards per carry.

But it’s not as easy as just crowding the box with 8 bodies. If you put a safety in the box and stack it with 8…then, Bobo is going to attack downfield with Green and Massaquoi. So, Wommack has got to guess right a lot and the GT CBs---Butler & Reid---will have to hold up in coverage.

Coach Johnson knows Georgia will hit on some big plays, but he thinks it’s critical that his DBs pursue and get’m down before they reach the end zone. That way, he gets to see his D-Line get after the ‘Dogs in the Red Zone…force FGs (and maybe a miss or two from Blair Walsh). This Johnson is one smart coach!

The ‘Dogs want to be in manageable 3rd down situations, so they can maintain that balance they desire. On 3rd & 5 or less, you can still run Moreno and get the 1st down. The GT DL can’t get too aggressive in their pass rush. That’s why 1st down is so important. If Moreno gets 5, Bobo can run it or play-action pass.

KEY #2: GEORGIA TECH’S D-LINE NEEDS TO WIN THE BATTLE UP FRONT. Michael Johnson, Darryl Richard, Vance Walker (back off an ankle injury) and Derrick Morgan are the strength of this team. This group would appear to have an advantage over the young ‘Dogs O-Line. Boling has his hands full with Johnson. Glenn, Jones and Davis battle 2 seniors (Walker & Richard). Josh Davis faces a very athletic Derrick Morgan. Because of this apparent mismatch, Bobo would like to stay out of 2nd & Long, and 3rd and Long situations, when the GT DL can get aggressive on Stafford.

Speaking of Matt, he gives Georgia a big advantage before the ball is snapped, by being able to read defenses. You simply can’t put a price tag on how important this is. He can check out of a bad play at the LOS. Stafford’s ability to change the play is a huge advantage. Typically, this is how it works. The QB will call 1 or 2 plays in the huddle and say, “Check with me.” At the LOS, he will audible to the best play. Richt says Stafford has even checked to plays that aren’t scripted (and they’ve worked). Some plays you don’t won’t to run versus a blitz. Some plays are better against a zone defense. Stafford gets them to the right play. 

BIG KEY #3: WHO WINS 3RD DOWN? Georgia’s Offense is converting at a 41% rate. That’s solid. Georgia Tech’s Defense has held its opponents to a 37% clip. Getting this ‘Dogs offense off the field would be huge. But it all starts on 1st down. Bobo has been going to Moreno some out of the backfield in the passing game. That’s one tough match-up on the GT LBs. That’s a great play-call on 3rd & 5 situations. Knowshon is a very skilled receiver. NFL scouts love that about him. Barnes, Jackson and Clark don’t want to see much of this.    

GEORGIA 30 GEORGIA TECH 17