Another week of watching Georgia Tech Football has me worried about developing grey hairs before I hit thirty. The game was riddled with mistakes, including penalties, poor clock management, questionable play calls, and poor decisions. There were countless moments I wish we could redo, but I suppose we’ll chalk it up to lessons learned… ideally. Fortunately, the Jackets have a bye week to regroup and recover. Here’s what I’ve gathered heading into this crucial break.
Consistency Remains Elusive
I’m feeling quite frustrated. Coach Key aims for this team to learn how to win consistently and play a full 60 minutes. While we’re making progress, this game felt like we shot ourselves in the foot. We had numerous chances to take control or build momentum but failed to capitalize. It all began with Haynes King’s confusing fumble/pitch/throw that ended up in the hands of Louisville’s Quincy Riley, resulting in an easy touchdown for the Cardinals. Aidan Birr then missed a 46-yard field goal on the next drive, followed by a failed fourth-down conversion at the goal line and a disastrous scoop-and-score off a blocked field goal that sealed our fate. The Jackets need to find a way to play hard for all four quarters and stop letting opportunities slip away. Thankfully, Coach Key recognizes this need for stability, but we must see these plans come to fruition starting with him.
That said, we have made progress and played competitively against a ranked opponent on the road. While this game was frustrating, we must keep moving forward and continue supporting the team. The season is far from over, and there are plenty of opportunities left to make it memorable.
Fourth Down Performance Needs Improvement
In our two losses, fourth-down conversions have been pivotal. Aside from one successful fourth-down conversion leading to Jamal Haynes’ touchdown just before halftime against Louisville, fourth downs have been problematic for us on both offense and defense. Although we converted that crucial fourth down before halftime, missing a fourth-and-goal chance in the fourth quarter could have changed everything. In the Syracuse game, they had two significant fourth-down conversions that led directly to scores. This past weekend, Louisville was 1-for-1 on fourth downs. These plays could have us sitting at 5-0 instead of 3-2.
Geoff Collins Frustrates Another Fanbase
Since we’re on a bye week, let’s discuss some other college football topics. One of my favorites is watching UNC fans struggle under Geoff Collins’ leadership as their new defensive coordinator. This past weekend, UNC faced James Madison and allowed 53 points by halftime, ultimately losing 70-56.
Roll Tide
Unfortunately, my week won’t be stress-free as I’ll be closely watching Georgia take on Alabama. There’s nothing quite like seeing UGA get defeated on a national stage. This matchup will be thrilling, especially with former President Donald Trump attending what many consider the game of the year so far. So all I can say is THWg and Roll Tide.
No Losses This Week
At least I won’t have to stress about watching the Jackets this week since they have a bye. The players and coaches will benefit from some much-needed rest after their trip to Ireland and several tough games that followed. While we can’t celebrate a Jackets victory this time, everyone (including fans) can recharge and look forward to the Duke game at 8 PM EST next Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Be there, and Go Jackets!
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