Good information. Not sure I agree with it all. But a good starting reference.
LINK
Day/Time: Sept. 19; 3:30 p.m. (ET)
2014 Record: 11-3
Projected Returning Starters – Offense: Six
Projected Returning Starters – Defense: Seven
Head Coach: Paul Johnson (seventh-year, 59-35)
2014 Points Scored: 37.9 (No. 11)
2014 Points Allowed: 25.7 (No. 52)
2014 Review
Georgia Tech would have finished the regular season undefeated had it not been for back-to-back mid-October losses by a total of 11 points. Led by quarterback Justin Thomas, the Yellow Jackets boasted the nation’s most explosive rushing offense, averaging 342 yards per game on the ground. The triple-option head coach Paul Johnson runs translates into heavy doses of scoring – Georgia Tech averaged 38 points per game.
But a struggling defense allowed an average of 26 points, 411 yards and was the weakness of an otherwise strong team. The Yellow Jackets nearly upset then-undefeated Florida State in the ACC championship game, falling 37-35, before topping Mississippi State by two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl.
Expected Strengths
Thomas, now a junior, is back to lead what should still be one of the most powerful rushing attacks in college football. Georgia Tech lost its top-three backs, but Thomas, the offense’s engine, looks to set a new school record for single-season rushing yards at quarterback (he chalked up 1,086 in 2014). And he still amassed 1,719 passing yards and 26 total touchdowns as well.
Four starters return on the offensive line, while similar experience returns up front on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Adam Gotsis and sacks leader KeShun Freeman both started in 2014. Jabari Hunt-Days, a fifth-year senior, was academically ineligible last season but has 27 starts to his name.
Eight seniors highlight a veteran and potentially improved defense, which includes leading tackler and junior linebacker P.J. Davis. Four of the five members in the secondary are seniors and returning starters minus senior strong safety Domonique Noble, who appeared in 10 games without making a start.
Possible Weaknesses
It’s difficult to pick out one area that can be defined as a true weakness on this Georgia Tech team. Junior Michael Summers is the only returning wide receiver. The Yellow Jackets’ offense isn’t dependent on its passing game, though, and an inexperienced group of wideouts shouldn’t have much of an affect. Losing its trio of running backs didn’t look like it would have too much of an impact until the projected starter and reserve at B-back suffered season ending injuries during spring practice. The replacement at B-back is receiver Marcus Allen, who will team up with the explosive Broderick Snoddy at A-back. The junior averaged 10 yards per carry on 28 rushing attempts in 2014 and is regarded as the team’s fastest player.
Key Players
Justin Thomas; QB: The redshirt sophomore is a potential dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. Thomas rushed for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, and four returning starters on the offensive line could help him build on last year’s totals. He is limited as a passer, completing only 51 percent of his throws last fall. But his 18-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicates he’s unlikely to turn the ball over too much in the air and is capable of accumulating points through the air.
Broderick Snoddy; AB: Snoddy is the Yellow Jackets’ big-play threat. He carried the ball 28 times for 283 yards—an average of better than 10 yards per carry—before suffering a season-ending injury on Nov. 15. The redshirt junior also chalked up 100 yards on three receptions. Next to Thomas, the Irish defense has to focus on containing Snoddy.
Marcus Allen; BB: The redshirt junior began his career at Georgia Tech in the backfield. But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Florida native appeared in two games at linebacker in 2013 before the coaching staff slotted him in at receiver. Allen is taking over at B-back because of injuries to two players ahead of him. Allen will be an important part of the triple-option offense, but he remains someone to keep an eye on because of his inexperience.
Jabari Hunt-Days; DT: The 6-foot-3, 261-pound defensive tackle is back on the roster after missing 2014 because he was academically ineligible. Hunt-Days tallied 92 tackles in two seasons on the field and returns to bolster a defensive line that already returns two 2014 starters. Tech conceded 168 yards per game on the ground last season, and building an experienced defensive line can help combat the problem.
D.J. White; CB: White and free safety Jamal Golden each picked off a team-high four passes in 2014. The senior recorded 52 tackles and earned All-ACC honorable mention honors as a cornerstone of the defense. White is one of five seniors in the secondary and leads the team’s most experienced unit.
Notre Dame Matchup
There shouldn’t be any shortage of points on the Notre Dame Stadium scoreboard on Sept. 19. The result hinges on which defense can generate more stops. Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense is suited to control time of possession, so it will be important for Notre Dame to take care of the ball and make the most of its offensive possessions.
Turnovers could be game-changers because of this, and Tech led the ACC with a plus-11 turnover margin in 2014. Can the Irish defense slow down Thomas? Will Malik Zaire and the Irish offense turn its trips to the red zone into six points or three?
Early Prediction
The Irish should win in a close one if their offense lives up to its potential. Without knowing both teams’ results in the first two weeks, it wouldn’t be shocking if at least 30 points are needed to win.
LINK
Day/Time: Sept. 19; 3:30 p.m. (ET)
2014 Record: 11-3
Projected Returning Starters – Offense: Six
Projected Returning Starters – Defense: Seven
Head Coach: Paul Johnson (seventh-year, 59-35)
2014 Points Scored: 37.9 (No. 11)
2014 Points Allowed: 25.7 (No. 52)
2014 Review
Georgia Tech would have finished the regular season undefeated had it not been for back-to-back mid-October losses by a total of 11 points. Led by quarterback Justin Thomas, the Yellow Jackets boasted the nation’s most explosive rushing offense, averaging 342 yards per game on the ground. The triple-option head coach Paul Johnson runs translates into heavy doses of scoring – Georgia Tech averaged 38 points per game.
But a struggling defense allowed an average of 26 points, 411 yards and was the weakness of an otherwise strong team. The Yellow Jackets nearly upset then-undefeated Florida State in the ACC championship game, falling 37-35, before topping Mississippi State by two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl.
Expected Strengths
Thomas, now a junior, is back to lead what should still be one of the most powerful rushing attacks in college football. Georgia Tech lost its top-three backs, but Thomas, the offense’s engine, looks to set a new school record for single-season rushing yards at quarterback (he chalked up 1,086 in 2014). And he still amassed 1,719 passing yards and 26 total touchdowns as well.
Four starters return on the offensive line, while similar experience returns up front on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive tackle Adam Gotsis and sacks leader KeShun Freeman both started in 2014. Jabari Hunt-Days, a fifth-year senior, was academically ineligible last season but has 27 starts to his name.
Eight seniors highlight a veteran and potentially improved defense, which includes leading tackler and junior linebacker P.J. Davis. Four of the five members in the secondary are seniors and returning starters minus senior strong safety Domonique Noble, who appeared in 10 games without making a start.
Possible Weaknesses
It’s difficult to pick out one area that can be defined as a true weakness on this Georgia Tech team. Junior Michael Summers is the only returning wide receiver. The Yellow Jackets’ offense isn’t dependent on its passing game, though, and an inexperienced group of wideouts shouldn’t have much of an affect. Losing its trio of running backs didn’t look like it would have too much of an impact until the projected starter and reserve at B-back suffered season ending injuries during spring practice. The replacement at B-back is receiver Marcus Allen, who will team up with the explosive Broderick Snoddy at A-back. The junior averaged 10 yards per carry on 28 rushing attempts in 2014 and is regarded as the team’s fastest player.
Key Players
Justin Thomas; QB: The redshirt sophomore is a potential dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate. Thomas rushed for 1,086 yards and eight touchdowns in 2014, and four returning starters on the offensive line could help him build on last year’s totals. He is limited as a passer, completing only 51 percent of his throws last fall. But his 18-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicates he’s unlikely to turn the ball over too much in the air and is capable of accumulating points through the air.
Broderick Snoddy; AB: Snoddy is the Yellow Jackets’ big-play threat. He carried the ball 28 times for 283 yards—an average of better than 10 yards per carry—before suffering a season-ending injury on Nov. 15. The redshirt junior also chalked up 100 yards on three receptions. Next to Thomas, the Irish defense has to focus on containing Snoddy.
Marcus Allen; BB: The redshirt junior began his career at Georgia Tech in the backfield. But the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Florida native appeared in two games at linebacker in 2013 before the coaching staff slotted him in at receiver. Allen is taking over at B-back because of injuries to two players ahead of him. Allen will be an important part of the triple-option offense, but he remains someone to keep an eye on because of his inexperience.
Jabari Hunt-Days; DT: The 6-foot-3, 261-pound defensive tackle is back on the roster after missing 2014 because he was academically ineligible. Hunt-Days tallied 92 tackles in two seasons on the field and returns to bolster a defensive line that already returns two 2014 starters. Tech conceded 168 yards per game on the ground last season, and building an experienced defensive line can help combat the problem.
D.J. White; CB: White and free safety Jamal Golden each picked off a team-high four passes in 2014. The senior recorded 52 tackles and earned All-ACC honorable mention honors as a cornerstone of the defense. White is one of five seniors in the secondary and leads the team’s most experienced unit.
Notre Dame Matchup
There shouldn’t be any shortage of points on the Notre Dame Stadium scoreboard on Sept. 19. The result hinges on which defense can generate more stops. Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense is suited to control time of possession, so it will be important for Notre Dame to take care of the ball and make the most of its offensive possessions.
Turnovers could be game-changers because of this, and Tech led the ACC with a plus-11 turnover margin in 2014. Can the Irish defense slow down Thomas? Will Malik Zaire and the Irish offense turn its trips to the red zone into six points or three?
Early Prediction
The Irish should win in a close one if their offense lives up to its potential. Without knowing both teams’ results in the first two weeks, it wouldn’t be shocking if at least 30 points are needed to win.
