Jackets Stumble

After watching one game, there's no reason Tech can't go 9-4 or 10-3 this year - if that first half defense shows up. Marshall gives GT an explosive offense that they wouldn't have with Matthew Jordan at QB. Jordan was the safe choice, but wouldn't have been able to pass or lead Tech to victory over half the teams on their schedule.

Tennessee looked terrible in the first half. Five dropped passes in the first quarter. QB had zero confidence, and struggled with passes to his running backs. No surprise that Paul Johnson out-coached Butch Jones. Jones just got lucky. I bet the Vols play much better against Georgia. I bet Georgia wins.

Tech is struggling in the placekicking department. These days a 47 yard field goal should be a no brainer. The big beefy black punter Pressley Harvin III can really boom the ball. Pressley was the number one ranked punter in the nation. As soon as I praised the punter he shanked one - right at the most critical time of the game. Still, he averaged 46 yards with a long of 56. Hopefully he will be more consistent in the future. Looks and punts like NFL all pro Reggie Roby.

Several things went against Tech in the second half, like the fumble in the open field. What a tale of two halves. Johnson was right - he needs a new kicker, and the defense shouldn't have been worn out after playing only 18 minutes. As I said below, no way Marshall will be able to remain healthy rushing 40 times a game. And he was getting hit after he pitched the ball as well. They've got to play the other QB's against Jax State just to give Marshall a breather.

But if the offense can keep it up hopefully they will be able to outscore most of their opponents.

What I don't like about Tech fans is they say things that are completely unreasonable. Things no knowledgeable football fan would say, like:

Guess they forgot about 2016 national champion Clemson, who won their opener 56-3. The whole SEC Champions thing - "Look at us. We beat Vandy, UGA, and Kentucky." But not Tennessee (or Alabama). "Best band in the nation." Not bad, considering Tech doesn't even offer a music major.

Not sure if GT came out of their time out and lined up in one formation knowing Tennessee would call time out, as in basketball. Johnson said the 2-point play had been the right call, and the 680 radio guys had agreed. If Marshall had pitched earlier supposedly the B-back would've been able to score.

Cleats: Tech wore Nikes. I'd wondered if they might go ahead and switch to Adidas, but I reckon Tech still has a shoe contract with Nike.

One worry: several previous GT QB's (Washington, Vad Lee, Justin Thomas) all ran hard in their first few games. Just like Marshall did in his debut. The other QB's all grew hesitant with experience. Let's hope Marshall can continue to run hard - and not get hurt.

Speaking of injuries, UGA fans are besides themselves about Jacob Eason's injury. Eason opened the App State game just like he played the entire 2016 season: methodically, overthrowing receivers. Before he went down I was worried Georgia would lose the game. The Dawgs had two straight three & outs.

Fromm came in and the entire team immediately perked up. Two straight completions perked up the crowd. Some thought Smart should've let Fromm throw more in the second half to give him experience, but others countered that UGA would really be in trouble should Fromm get hurt. Sounds like all the coaches and players love Fromm's leadership and work ethic.

USC and Notre Dame are overrated. Will still be tough for the Dawgs to win in South Bend with a freshman QB.

Without ten suspended platers missing the game, Florida still looked ok against Michigan. Lots of talk about improved QB play by the Gators, but maybe their offense really hasn't improved. Georgia just may have a chance to win the division.

Bama is loaded, and QB Hurts came up big on the national stage. They should cruise to the playoffs.

At #3 in the nation, FSU was overrated. Still, for most of the game they hung with Bama. Until their QB got hurt. My boss, who played at FSU, knew they had a lot of question marks.

Nobody is picking Clemson cause the great Deshaun Watson graduated. Clemson is loaded like Bama. I think their new QB could have a bigger year statistically than Watson had last year.

Auburn struggled on offense, and is in no way ready to face Clemson with week. The defense looked ok, but were only facing Georgia Southern's freshman option QB.

Kennesaw State was bragging about the uniforms they were wearing Saturday: black helmets, white jersey, black pants. Real creative. Pretty much the same uni worn by South Carolina, Appalachian State, California, Kent State, and several other teams. UCF, Vandy, Missouri, etc. I pick on KSU because they're new - they had the chance to create a unique identity instead of looking like every other team. I contacted them offering my help, but I'm sure they were wedded to their apparel supplier.