Gave a quick overview of the Tech’s new 3-4 defense earlier this week, but now let’s move to that which has become the signature of Georgia Tech football, The Wreckbone. What more can be said? Actually a lot.   We’ve all seen it work and work effectively.  Yes, we’ve seen it not work effectively. So why does it appear to dominate versus Clemson, FSU, and even UGA but anemic against Iowa, Miami, LSU? The short answer is that there is no “short answer.”  In fact I believe this points to the fact that The Wreckbone is like any other offense run by college aged athletes, there are times of execution and lack of it, good games and bad games, superior talent and/or inferior talent. Furthermore every game is a “case” and each must be reviewed on case by case basis.  Context, game situations often have  has much to do with success and failure as anything else.  No offense will ever score on every possession, though Tech doesn’t punt much which speaks volumes beyond what is often said, therefore the game is more complex than just offense and these complexities effect how an offense is run and the plays that are called.  Often it is as simple as holding penalty on the first offensive play of the game that calls back a big gain or touchdown (see Orange Bowl). Sometimes it’s so many special teams blunders that the offense is forced out of otherwise well designed game plan and forced to play catchup (see 2008 Peach Bowl).  Sometimes it just isn’t your day with turnovers and so many mental mistakes that the offense never ignites (see Miami).  And then there are times when your defense is so lacking that it’s an all out shootout with the last team with the ball wins (see UGA) and has little to do with the offense, until you have a wide receiver make one blunder.

The Wreckbone in 2010 will need no apologetic.  In fact I see it brightest days still ahead.  Its third year will prove even more lethal.  I expect to see nation leading numbers in total rushing yards, total offense, total points scored, total time of possession, total domination! Why? Two words and no, not Joshua Nesbitt, though he isn’t going to hurt, but rather : OFFENSIVE LINE.  I will be giving a full review of the line next week.

Kickoff is just hours away, Go Jackets!