Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
ACC
It may not have been the way Paul Johnson and his coaching staff drew it up at the season’s outset, but the Yellow Jackets find themselves in another ACC championship game as winners of the Coastal Division. Their mediocre record would lead anyone to question how in the world they made it there. By virtue of some of their division counterparts having some disciplinary issues, Georgia Tech was vaulted to the top of the standings. North Carolina has had a great season, but they are ineligible for a postseason. Miami put together some wins, but decided to self-sanction in the wake of the Nevin Shapiro scandal. Georgia Tech played in their first championship game since 2009 and it was a tough game for the Yellow Jackets.
2012 Record: 6-7, 5-3
Coach: Paul Johnson
Coach Bowl Record: 2-6
Big Wins: 11/10 at North Carolina (68-50), 11/17 Duke (42-24)
Bad Losses: 9/29 Middle Tennessee State (28-49), 10/27 BYU (17-41)
Strengths:
Under Paul Johnson, this will always be an offensive-minded squad. The running game will always be one of the best in the nation. Johnson’s triple-option is fairly unique and the proper personnel must be in place to run it. This season they ranked third nationally in rushing at nearly 325 yards per contest. They generate so much offense on the ground, their overall statistics look quite good. They are 23rd in scoring and 28th in total offense, both of which rank them in the top five in the ACC. Orwin Smith, who started to come on in 2011, is the team’s leading rusher. Not far behind him is the ultimate triple-option quarterback, Tevin Washington. He is the engine that fuels Johnson’s scheme. He has 19 touchdowns rushing and is the trigger man. Because of his running ability, Georgia Tech has always been able to keep Washington off his back. Their sack numbers remain low at around one per game. Defenses have trouble reeling in everyone in the backfield. Their special teams have also been strong in 2012. Their return game was among the best in the conference on both punts and kickoffs.
Weaknesses:
As usual, if the focus is on the running game then the passing game suffers. Georgia Tech is one of the worst passing teams in the nation. They do not even average 140 yards per game. The numbers are baffling considering they average 459 yards per game of total offense. This team really suffers defensively. This is probably one of Paul Johnson’s worst defenses since he has been in Atlanta. They yield almost 400 yards of offense to other teams. They are especially weak in the passing game. At 250 yards allowed per game, if Georgia Tech gets into a shootout they have a difficult time recovering. It is another issue with a run heavy team. When they are in a hole, there is not much they can do. The defense gives up a lot of points. They allowed 40 points or more in four of their first five losses. Even in victories they give up a bunch of points. In a crazy back and forth game against North Carolina in mid-November, they still allowed 50 points. Rarely will a team find itself victorious giving up 50 points and 500 yards of offense. It will be a problem in bowl games against a strong offensive team.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Orwin Smith, RB, 673 yards
Passing: Tevin Washington, QB, 1,173 yards
Receiving: Jeff Greene, WR, 284 yards
Tackles: Isaiah Johnson, S, 87
Sacks: Jeremiah Attaochu, LB, 10.0
Interceptions: Jemea Thomas, S, 3
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 323.33 (3rd in nation, 1st in conference)
Passing Offense: 135.42 (115, 12)
Total Offense: 458.75 (28, 4)
Scoring Offense: 36.17 (23, 4)
Rushing Defense: 143.92 (43, 5)
Pass Defense: 248.00 (78, 7)
Total Defense: 391.92 (59, 6)
Scoring Defense: 30.67 (84, 10)
Turnover Margin: 0.25 (47, 5)
Sacks: 2.08 (50, 7)
Sacks Allowed: 0.92 (14, 1)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2011 Sun Bowl Utah (27-30)
2010 Independence Bowl Air Force (7-14)
2009 Orange Bowl Iowa (14-24)
2008 Chick-fil-A Bowl LSU (3-38)
2007 Humanitarian Bowl Fresno State (28-40)
*all team stats through 11/24
