On the biggest stage Georgia Tech has seen since 1990, the Jackets were stymied and defeated by the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Orange Bowl 24-14. Tech dropped its fifth consecutive bowl game, lowering Paul Johnson’s bowl record to 2-7.
It’s easy to see how the Jackets lost. They were undersized and over matched at the line of scrimmage. The play of defensive end Adrian Clayborn was enough to shut Tech down in the first half. The Jackets offense over thought the situation with a chance to take the lead late in the second half. A situation that saw Josh Nesbitt throw an interception that ate time off the clock, and a near safety on an 11 yard loss by running back Jonathan Dwyer.
That pretty much summed up the offensive effort for Tech. Save for one drive, they really did next to nothing against Iowa’s 11th ranked defense. As the old adage goes, defense wins championships…er…blah blah.
This bowl game had deja vu written all over it. It was reminiscent of the LSU loss in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl a year ago. It now seems that there is a way to stop Tech’s offense. Have a good defense and a month to prepare. That may also be another reason why Johnson is five games under in the post season, all Navy comments aside.
“Last year we just self-destructed,” Johnson said. “We had possessions [this game]. We just couldn’t get anything going.”
Nesbitt’s performance was quite awful, as his passes came off too high and too hot, meaning his footwork wasn’t there. This is of course was due to shoddy protection. It also doesn’t help when your receivers drop passes (Damaryius Thomas), or slip on wide open opportunities (Embry Peeples). All in all, the passing game for Tech hasn’t evolved, leading to a run reliant offense. That won’t work on top tear defenses with advantages in strength, speed and preparation.
There was talk of the Jackets eyeing a National Title game next year in Phoenix this past week. Fact of the matter is, unless Tech goes undefeated and becomes accurate with 10 plus passing plays per game, the Jackets aren’t going to win a National Championship.
Alabama would have their way with them. So would Texas. The lines have to get bigger and meaner. The routes have to be cleaner. The passes have to be accurate. The catches have to be made. Otherwise, it’ll be more of the same. Nesbitt hung out to dry.
Now Tech will have to wait and see who heads to the NFL. It’s difficult to see any offensive players leaving after tonight’s performance. It’s hard to see Derrick Morgan wanting to stick around as the only legitimate defensive lineman as well.
Tech will probably finish in the Top 20, and open next season near the Top 10. With a tougher schedule, Tech might get more attention, but unless they win it’s null and void.
On a night where they could have taken a step forward, they tread water in 40 degree Miami.
An ACC Championship and a 10 plus win season is something to hang a helmet on, but if this team wants to be elite the hunger has to burn more with this loss.
Until then, the Jackets will spin tires on a rusty Wreck.
