The Players

Installment three of the Clean Old Fashion Hate spectacular, a position by position comaprison of the two teams.

QUARTERBACKS

Matthew Stafford is the more heralded player. Stafford has more yards from scrimmage than Nesbitt. Most of Stafford’s yards are passing yards, and most of Nesbitt’s yards are rushing, and that’s reflects the offenses the two QB’s run. Stafford plays in pro style offense, and Nesbitt plays for the fifth best rushing offense in the country. Tech has thrown fewer passes than every other BCS school except for Air Force, Army, and Navy.

But, traditional stats don’t tell the whole story. The triple-option is not a pure running play. It requires the quarterback to make pre-snap reads and in play decisions that are similar to a passing play. Just like a passing play, a good decision by the QB in the triple option can be the key that springs a big play, but unlike a passing play the QB doesn’t get credit for this in the stat sheets. A more fair comparison would be to add the yards Georgia Tech gained on triple option plays to Nesbitt’s stats. Unfortunately the stat sheets don’t record the play call, so it’s impossible to tell from them if the play was an option play or not. As a compromise, we could add A-Back yards to Nesbitt’s totals. This doesn’t account for yards gained by the B-back on the triple option, but lacking harder data it’s safer to error on the side of caution.

Nesbit yards from scrimmage in traditional stats = 1,230
Stafford yards from scrimmage in traditional stats = 2,847

Nesbit YFS plus A-Backs = 1,714

That’s still a substantial lead for Stafford, but if we adjust for the fact that Nesbitt missed two games as of last week (note, I only added a portion of A-Back yards above to account for that). With A-Backs Nesbit accounted for 193.5 YFS. Over an 11 game season that averages out to 2,129 yds. Add to that the fact that Nesbitt and the A-Backs have accounted for a total of 13 touchdowns, and Stafford has accounted for 9 and suddenly the difference isn’t so great.

The more you look into the years each quarterback has had, the harder it is to concluded that Stafford has been significantly better than Nesbit. Even in a comparison of traditional statistics, it has to be noted that Stafford’s back-up Joe Cox only made three appearances in which he threw 15 passes and rushed three times, while Nesbitt’s back-ups made 15 appearances accounting for two starts, 85 rushing attempts and 28 passes. Some of Tech’s back-up appearances were due to Nesbitt’s injuries, but Tech also made a concerted effort to get all four quarterbacks live snaps this year, and Georgia didn’t. This is understandable because the Bulldogs were chasing a national title and Tech was trying to learn a new offense.

Stafford’s more impressive stats are in part a function of having more opportunity. Other contributing factors are Tech learning a new offense, one they are more efficient at now than earlier in the season, and Stafford racking up easy yards in the second half against Florida and Alabama.

Both QB’s do what they are supposed to do very well.

Result – Push

TAILBACK VS. B-BACK

It’s commonly believed that Knowshon Marino is significantly more effective than Jonathan Dwyer. This simply isn’t true. Perhaps it could be argued that Marino is the more complete back at this point in his career, and that he would fit better into a pro offense, but as for on the field production these players are almost exactly equal. Morino is 13th in the country in yards rushed Jonathan Dwyer is 19th. Marino does have almost twice as many touchdowns as Dwyer, but Dwyer averages almost twice as many yards per carry as Marino. Both stats are products of the offenses each player plays in.

Also, like Nesbitt, Dwyer has achieved his stats with significantly fewer opportunities than Marino because of the emphasis Tech put on getting more players game experience.

Result – Push

WIDE RECEIVERS, A-BACKS, AND TIGHT ENDS

Georgia has a classic style offense. They have a good Quarterback, a great running back, and an excellent #1 receiver in AJ Green, a good possession receiver in Mohamed Massaquoi.

AJ Green, the true freshman is 31th in the country with 887 yards receiving and 30th with 7 touchdowns. Massaquoi has 730 yards receiving and 6 touchdowns. Georgia hasn’t used their tight ends much at all.

Georgia Tech is harder to get a hand on. The A-Back position is a hybrid spot. The ideal A-back is similar to a third down back in the pros. Kevin Faulk and Brian Westbrook would make good A-backs. These players are equally dangerous as a receiver or runner on any play. Also, in the triple option A-backs receive plays on pitches from the QB, which is similar to a pass. In a traditional offense ideally the QB only throws to open receivers. Similarly the QB only pitches to the AB when he has a clear path down field in the option attack. So often an A-Back's yards are more a function of the QB’s decision-making process than his skill as a runner. It helps to be able to run, just like it helps if a wide receiver has good hands, but a successful option pitch is the result of two players working together, like a success full pass play.

Georgia Tech’s most effective A-Back has been Roddy Jones. Jones, a true freshman has accounted for 150 yards receiving and 444 yards rushing plus 3 touchdowns. His numbers pale in comparison to Green’s and Massaquoi, but he’s come on quickly and represents a real threat for Georgia Tech.

Lucas Cox is the other starting A-Back and the back-up B-Back. Cox was fullback coming to Tech from UConn and has earned his spot in the starting line-up because of his ability to block and because he was one of the first players to master the new offense. Physically he isn’t a good fit for this offense but he has gained 203 yards and scored 2 touchdown this year.

Tech’s best, and possibly only legitimate wide receiver is Demarious “Bebe” Thomas. Thomas is 88th in the country with 576 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns.

The poor state of the Jacket’s offensive line has hurt Bebe and the rest of the passing games effectiveness, but Paul Johnson and his staff have kept the big play as a serious option. Thomas averages 16.5 yards per reception, which is 39th in the country. Jones has averaged 21.4 yards per catch, but doesn’t have enough catches to qualify.

Georgia has an advantage overall, but Tech is just dangerous enough to make a play or two that can change a game.

Results – plus Georgia

OFFENSIVE LINES

Both of these lines have been beaten up early and often this year.

Georgia lost it’s starting left tackle, Trinton Sturdivant, in the pre season, and Georgia Tech lost its own left tackle, Andrew Gardner, an NFL prospect, after the Florida State game. AJ Smith has also been in and out of the line up for the jackets this year.

In addition, Tech’s offensive lineman had to learn new techniques going into the season. Many of them were recruited to play in a pro style system, which has further complicated the transition.

Both units have struggled during the season, but the coaching staffs and players have managed to grind out good results. Georgia averages 4.75 yards per carry, and Tech averages 5.48 yards per carry. Both teams have surrendered 12 sacks. This is misleading because the Jackets pass so rarely. Georgia gives up a sack once every 26.5 attempts, and Tech gives up a sack once every 10.5 attempts.

Bottom line, both lines are equal on run plays, but Tech struggles to run block.

Results – plus Georgia

Defensive Line

Tech and Georgia have gotten very different results from their defensive lines. Some of this may be do to scheme, but most of it is due to a difference in quality.

Tech’s defensive line has been a dominant force that sets the tone for the rest the defense. Georgia Tech is 9th in the nation in Tackles for loss, and 16th in sacks. All four starters will likely play in the NFL.

Michael Johnson is the best-known player. His 6 sacks are second on the team and 41st in the country, but that’s a very limited metric to judge Johnson by. The coaching staff has really taken advantage of Johnson unique athletic ability. Not only do they line him up at end and rush Johnson, but they’ve also lined him up at tackle, or dropped him into coverage. This has resulted in an impressive stat line. Johnson has an interception, which he returned for a touch down, and he’s second on the team with 5 pass break-ups. He’s also forced two fumbles this year and blocked a kick.

Derrick Morgan is the baby of the unit. He leads the teams with 6.5 sacks. Morgan really benefits from the attention Johnson draws.

Defensive tackles Vance Walker and Daryl Richard are big and quick. They have 8.5 and 10 tackles for loss apiece and 3 and 4 sacks.

Georgia’s defensive line has traditionally been a strength. The defense as a whole has been good against the rush, ranking 15th in the country, and a lot of credit has to go the defensive line for that, but they’ve really struggled against the pass. The starters have only notched 3.5 sacks this year.

Senior Roderick Battle has battled injuries this year, and Jarius Wynn has failed to live up to the potential he showed in part time action last year. He has only one sack. The other end, Jeremy Lomax hasn’t done much either with 1.5 tackles for loss and a half sack

The Defensive Tackles have been pretty solid. They haven’t put up the stats to match Tech’s tackles, but they’ve done a good job of occupying blockers. Corey Irvin has 7 tackles for a loss, and Geno Atkins has 6.5 tackles for a loss.

Georgia’s defensive line tries to set the table for the rest of the team to make plays. Tech’s defensive line makes plays.

The bottom line, no one on Tech’s line can be blocked one on one, and you can’t double all of them.

Results – plus Tech

Linebackers and Rover

Technically the Rover is a Defensive Back in Dave Womack’s defense, but Tech plays a nickel formation on a plurality of snaps, and its best to compare the units, as they will be seen on the field.

Rennie Curran has been a great player for Georgia this year. He’s been able to flow to the ball and make plays behind solid tackle play. Curran has 98 tackles on the season, 9.5 for loss, and 3 sacks. Opposite Curran is Sedric Griffin. The rest of Tech’s Linebackers have been in and out of the line-up with injuries, but Griffin has played at a very high level. Griffin has 66 tackles, 8 for losses and three sacks.

Joining Griffin for most of the year has been Kyle Jackson, thought Brad Jefferson has seen time when healthy. Jackson has been solid, with 53 tackles, but he doesn’t make big plays and has a tendency to miss tackles. Darryl Gamble and Akeem Dent have produced similar results for the Bull Dogs. None of these players are particularly special, but they are all solid and dependable.

Tech Rover Morgan Burnett is a true sophomore and arguably the best player on Tech’s defense. Burnett leads the team and country with 6 interceptions, and he has 5.5 tackles for loss. He makes plays all over the field.

Burnett is a special player and he makes the difference, but unfortunatley for Tech Griffin is out, leaving Tech without it's best linebacker

Results – plus Georgia

Defensive Secondary

Georgia Tech’s secondary is young with only one upper classman, but that doesn’t mean they look up to their Georgia opponents.

Cornerback Asher Allen leads the Bulldogs with 7 break-ups, safety CJ Byrd has six break-ups, and safety Reshard Jones has 3 break-ups. Tech’s Best four defensive backs have two break ups a piece, which is the same Georgia’s fourth defensive back, Corner Back Prince Miller. This is deceiving.

Tech gives up 40 less passing yards a game than Georgia. Though Georgia’s defensive backs have defended significantly more passes than Georgia Tech’s this year, as a team Georgia has only defended against two more passes than Georgia tech. The difference in defensive back production in this area is probably due to differences in scheme and the performance of other units.

While statistically Georgia defends more passes, Tech dominates in tackling statistics. Free safety Dominique Reese and cornerbacks Jahai Word-Daniels and Mario Butler have 3.5 tackles for loss, and Word Daniels missed three games with injuries. Reshard Reid has 3 tackles for a loss. While Cooper Taylor doesn’t have any tackles for loss, he has forced two fumbles. Georgia’s defensive backs only totaled nine tackles for loss and zero forced fumbles.

Result – push

SPECIAL TEAMS

Tech has relied on one player to provide both the punting and place kicking duties. Scott Blair has been an effective punter, averaging about 41 yards a punt, but he’s been a limited field goal kicker. He’s made 58.8% of his field goal attempts. His accuracy slips from further than 35 yards out.

Blair Walsh on the other hand has hit on 63% of his field goals, which is slightly better than Blair. Punter Josh Mims average about two yards further a punt than Blair.

Kick returns are similar for both teams, but Georgia does average 16 yards per punt return, while Tech only averages, but both teams have relatively good coverage teams, which should nullify some of that advantage.

Tech’s rebuilding project has been faster in every area of the game except the kicking game. Georgia is merely adequate, which is good enough.

Results – plus Georgia