Georgia Tech Football: Analyzing the South Carolina State Game

As expected, the Yellow Jackets of Georgia Tech scored an easy victory at home against FCS opponent South Carolina State, 41-10.

Joshua Nesbitt had 130 yards on the ground to go along with three rushing touchdowns. He was only 1-for-6 for eight yards with an interception, but was efficient enough with his legs to keep the offense going. 

Roddy Jones had only four carries for 45 yards, but had two touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Tevin Washington scored on a 10-yard run in mop-up duty.

Here are a few observations I had from Saturday's game:

• It seemed as though the SC State defense was keying on B-back Anthony Allen. He only had six carries for 28 yards. He was not needed this week, but I wish they would have given him more carries. If the Jackets are going to be an elite team this year, Anthony Allen is going to have to have a great year.

• With the Bulldogs keying on Allen, that gave way for the Tech A-backs. They had a combined 16 carries for 112 yards. Roddy Jones broke free for a couple of long runs. Orwin Smith looked very good running the ball and BJ Bostic got a few carries. With Smith and Bostic being used more often in the running game, look for Embry Peeples to get a decrease in carries this season. He could still be a threat in the passing game, but he seems too small and easy to bring down, while Smith and Bostic and bigger, stronger backs to go along with solid running abilities. I think this is a very talented and deep group of A-backs. 

• Nesbitt looked uncomfortable throwing the ball. The interception wasn't his fault, but his other throws were way off the mark. Maybe his receivers weren't getting separation, but Nesbitt has to be some kind of a passing threat if Tech is going to contend for a title. 

• The defensive line looked bad. There was no penetration and it seemed like the line was pushed back every single running play early in the game. This led to 178 yards on the ground for South Carolina State and a big game for their starting running back. In their defense, South Carolina State had a huge offensive line. Logan Walls seems too small to play nose tackle, and it would have been great if TJ Barnes or one of the other massive nose tackles would have stepped-up in fall practice, but apparently, Walls is the best guy. They played better later in the game, but big offensive lines are going to scare me all year long. 

• The linebackers and the secondary weren't bad, but there were a lot of missed tackles. Cooper Taylor's missed tackle that should have gone for a loss went for a big gain. Fans shouldn't be too worried about it. It seemed like the players were in the right position most of the time. The defense will get better. 

Overall, it was a solid win. But Jacket Nation shouldn't get too excited yet, as I'm sure they are not. They were very vanilla on both sides of the ball, which was expected.

They did what they were supposed to do against a lesser opponent, and I am expecting a game like that this weekend at Kansas.

If the passing game can improve along with the defensive line, Tech will be a force in the ACC this season.