Tech Visits Oxford, Falls to Ole Miss
Jackets vs Rebels is an old series with only a few entries in the ledger. The 2023 game in Oxford follows a 42-0 Rebel win in Atlanta last year.
This time Ole Miss beat Georgia Tech 48-23.
Casey Stengel had a saying for ballplayers who were good hitters but who played poorly defensively. ” I never did like those guys who would knock in two, and the let in three” said the Ol’ Perfesser back when.
Different sport and different century, but the feeling is the same. It’s one thing to get into a shootout with the opponent. But if every advance you make is met with a productive return volley, there’s a frustration factor that makes the task even tougher. The seeming futility of feeling your opponent’s repeated offensive success takes a toll if the defense repeatedly hands back the advance. So a loss to Ole Miss was the result. But this game was far better than a year ago. Tech hung in for a good while. So , unlike the kind of improvement that we had to be persuaded/ scolded into “seeing” a year ago, this improvement was apparent to all. But it brings frustration because there is now legitimate reason to plan to actually win these games. Yes, Ole Miss has a better, deeper roster (including a few who wore gold and white previously). Yes, they play in the mighty SEC where it just means more and where they hold their own. But also yes that Georgia Tech–of the ACC– played the Rebels to a virtual draw in the first half, and only saw the game get away in the 4th when Tech’s leaky defense finally caved in completely.
All in all, not satisfying to the Tech fan base. Not at all. But a great deal better than last year when this same opponent came to Atlanta and administered a thrashing so complete that their coach was moved to express mild sympathy –after calling off his troops.
In a nutshell, Tech’s main problem in early 2023 is a wobbly defense. Much like the opener vs Louisville, the defense could generate very little pressure and demonstrated some sub-par tackling. Add in some stellar Rebel playmakers and you have the recipe for a 4th quarter collapse. Ole Miss scored 24 points in the last period and Tech could not come close to keeping up.
Toe to toe in 1st half stat-wise, Tech went to the locker room with aeeming confidence, down 10-3 at half. The Jackets got the second half kickoff, stalled. traded possessions then… handed the Rebs a gift. On Tech’s second possession of the half, a fake punt was called for by Brent Key. It failed. The Rebs then punched that possession in from deep in Tech territory. A later 4th down possession also fell short, this time on a decision to eschew a field goal opportunity .
This type of strategy invites a philosophical debate. Does the unreliable defense push the offensive strategy to take more risks in the name of trying to keep pace? And if so, at what point in the game does that strategy kick in?
One thing is apparent. Georgia Tech has chosen a very good QB in Haynes King. He has led his team with proficiency and efficiency…and seemingly with the resolve of a good field general. On this night he went 28 of 41 for 307 yards and 2 scores. And….no turnovers! That’s a pretty nice stat sheet for a game’s work– excellent production with no turnovers.
And so, on to Wake Forest where the 3-0 Deacs will be favored at home. Again we will see if Tech can find a way to hold back the opposing offense sufficiently to pull out the win. Any significant defensive improvements will be scheme-based, perhaps producing a few turnovers. Then King and company will have a shot to outscore the Wakers and gain their first ACC win of 2023. If Tech falls to 1-3 this weekend, their hopes for bowl eligibility will take a serious hit.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports.com