Here's a whole bunch of information that I hope you will read and share on social media, particularly exchange-o-gram, where great ideas are put out on the line :
Recapping the loss to Miami in football
I'm not sure I've seen a team give up three plays as odd as the two lost fumbles that were returned for touchdowns by Miami, or the safety that Clemson posted two weeks ago. But such is what's happening with Georgia Tech's football team right now.
Ken Sugiura noted yesterday that the Yellow Jackets have already faced three of some of the toughest defenses in FBS this season. It can only get better from here, right?
Scouting the opponent: Pittsburgh
The Yellow Jackets will play at Pittsburgh on Saturday. It seems that the FBS teams in the Peach State aren't the only ones suffering right now. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ron Cook details the dour mood in the Keystone State .
The Panthers are being helped by a group of young players who totaled 200 of the team's 252 rushing yards in last week's win over Marshall. The good news for Tech is its run defense is playing really well.
It would remiss to not point out that the ACC has six teams in this week's college football poll .
Here are some video highlights of Pittsburgh's win over Marshall .
ACC power poll
Here's a new element in this blog: an ACC football power poll. My opinion expressed in this poll will carry as much weight as my opinion when I ask my two kids, Will and Sarah, what we're having for dinner. Spaghetti, again? I think I just died a little bit inside.
Enjoy!
- Clemson: Hard to argue that they aren't the nation's best team after defeating Louisville. Next: At Boston College on Friday.
- Louisville: No shame in losing to Clemson. Next: Off this week
- North Carolina: Considering what has happened since, that loss to Georgia is going to sting. Next: Hosting Virginia Tech.
- Miami: They weren't as impressive as expected in Saturday's win over Georgia Tech, but the Yellow Jackets had something to do with that. Next: Hosting Florida State in a must-win game for the Seminoles.
- Virginia Tech: The Hokies are starting to round into form for Justin Fuente. Next: at North Carolina in a huge game in the ACC.
- Florida State: Any coincidence that the Seminoles lose as rumors of Jimbo Fisher to LSU swirl? Next: at Miami in another huge game in the ACC.
- Georgia Tech: Still a team that's difficult to figure out because every mistake seems to result in something really, really bad going against them. Next: at Pittsburgh.
- Pittsburgh: The Panthers and Yellow Jackets could easily switch spots (I know you were worried about this), but I'll keep them where they are for now. Next: Hosting Georgia Tech.
- N.C. State: They are 3-1 but the jury is still out whether they are any good because the schedule has been kind of soft. Next: Hosting Notre Dame.
- Wake Forest: They are 4-1 but it still feels iffy. Tulane, Duke, Delaware and Indiana...I don't know. Next: Hosting Syracuse.
- Duke: They lost the momentum of the win in South Bend by losing to Virginia, which hadn't won a road game since Scott Michaux was a student. Next: Hosting Army.
- Virginia: Two consecutive wins for Bronco Mendenhall's men. Next: Off this week.
- Syracuse: While we were enjoying a 32-minute first quarter at Tech on Saturday, Syracuse and Notre Dame were piling up 30-something points. If you can't play defense, you don't rise high in this definitive poll. Next: at Wake Forest.
- Boston College: The Eagles scored 35 points in last week's win over Buffalo after scoring 42 the week before in a win over something called Wagner. The Eagles scored 89 points in all of their ACC games last season.
It’s basketball season!
It felt weird typing that seeing how we are barely into October. Anyway, Georgia Tech opened practice on Monday and new coach Josh Pastner is aware of the challenges facing him, but confident the job will be completed. The biggest question, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section or on social media, is where will the points come from?
Recruiting roundup
Tech had a busy weekend in football and basketball last week. If you missed the good write-ups, here’s where you can catch up on those who may be future Yellow Jackets:
Baseball team gets great class
The incoming class was ranked No. 18 nationally by Perfect Game and No. 36 by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. It is considered the best in the ACC.
The group includes twins Austin and Nick Wilhite and right-handed pitcher Griffin Jolliff from Buford High School, Xzavion Curry from Mays High School, right-hander Garrett Gooden from St. Pius X, left-hander Jay Shaddy of Darlington High School, infielder Parker McCoy of Walton High School, catcher Kyle McCann of Lambert High School, left-handed pitcher Connor Thomas of Tift County High School, and right-hander Andrew Archer of Wesleyan High School.
From outside the state are Chase Murray of Cincinnati Hills Christian in Cincinnati, Ohio, infielder Paxton Rigby of Apopka, Fla., and Lake Brantley High School, and catcher Brenton Sanders of Northridge High School of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Walking
The Georgia Tech Athletic Association will participate in a Juvenile Diabetes Walk on Oct. 15. Three Tech student-athletes have diabetes.
The walk is for three miles through downtown, starting in Centennial Park. Check-in is at 8 a.m. The 5K starts at 9:30 a.m.
Go to http://buzz.gt/gtjdrf for more information.
What's on tap this week
Tuesday
Men’s Tennis at Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships (Tulsa, Okla.), all day
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
Wednesday
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
Volleyball at Clemson, 7 p.m. [RSN/ACC Network Extra]
Thursday
Men’s Tennis at Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships (Tulsa, Okla.), all day
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
Friday
Softball vs. Alabama Huntsville, 4 p.m.
Men’s Tennis hosting Georgia Tech Invitational, all day
Swimming and Diving at Harvard, 3 p.m.
Men’s Tennis at Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships (Tulsa, Okla.), all day
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
Volleyball at Virginia, 7 p.m. [ACC Network Extra]
Saturday
Softball vs. Georgia Southern, 3 p.m.
Men’s Tennis hosting Georgia Tech Invitational, all day
Football at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. [ACC Network, 680 AM, 93.7 FM, Sirius 93, XM 194]
Swimming and Diving vs. Boston College, Pittsburgh (Boston, Mass.), 5 p.m.
Men’s Tennis at Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships (Tulsa, Okla.), all day
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
Sunday
Men’s Tennis hosting Georgia Tech Invitational, all day
Men’s Tennis at Saint Francis ITA All-American Championships (Tulsa, Okla.), all day
Women’s Tennis at Riviera/ITA All-American Championships (Pacific Palisades, Calif.), all day
About the Author
