Georgia Tech vs. Georgia: Yellow Jackets Facing Least Experienced Offensive Line Since 2008

by Winfield Featherston on Nov 22, 2011 4:00 PM EST in Georgia Tech Football

In 2008, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets faced a young but talented dog offensive line. 2010 finally saw the end of that stable of players as the game's starters were represented by four of the original five back in 2008.

2008 was a crucial edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate rivalry because of 1) the snapped streak keeping Bobby Dodd's 8IAR Streak intact as the longest win streak in the rivalry and 2) the dramatic 2nd half. And another fact about 2008 that you need to recall is that the georgie bulldogs were held to only 81 yards of rushing offense in that year of inexperienced linemen.

2008 saw three sophomores and two freshman. 2011 sees three seniors and two sophomores. However, of those five starters three of them (Kenarious Gates- So, Chris Burnette - So, and Justin Anderson - Sr) did not start last year minimizing the level of playing experience.

2011 is the best scenario for the Georgia Tech defense since 2008. The Jackets can expect to see the following starting line up at offensive line for georgie. Number of starts is number of games started in 2011 only.

Tech has faced one other offensive line that could compete with this size in the North Carolina Tar Heels who averaged 6'6, 319 lbs up front.

For the Yellow Jackets to win the game, stopping the run is essential to getting the victory on Saturday. An inexperienced offensive line and a possible injured Isaiah Crowell may give the Yellow Jackets the opportunities they need to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage ala Clemson. What do you think about georgie's offensive line versus Tech's DL?

Edit 11/23/2011: As you read through the comments, you may see there has been some confusion as to the overall point. Better graphics in the comments and you'll see that uga has two noobs on the line this year, the most new additions since 2008.

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Comments

I'm glad we don't run a 4-man front...

because we’re small. We’re going to need lots of havoc created by CAG and his blitz schemes and solid coverage down the middle of the field against Orson Charles (Jemea Thomas will be a huge factor).

"Reach down in there...TURN THAT DAMN THING UP!" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Nov 22, 2011 4:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Psycho/Radar Front

We might run it more this game. Of course, we might also be diced up by screen passes all day….

by GT_Jason on Nov 22, 2011 5:00 PM EST reply actions

...

Isaiah Crowell for Heisman!!

by samxrm on Nov 22, 2011 6:46 PM EST reply actions

As usual,

I think it depends on the coaching. I think we will have a difficult time trying to stand up their massive offensive line using a pure 2-gap scheme. We need to shoot past their big and probably slower O-lineman with effective blitzes. Using 1-gap techniques in addition to 2-gap techniques would be very helpful. We can’t just sit back and hope that Logan Walls at 295 lbs. can take on a double team from 629+ lbs. of C and G. T.J. Barnes needs to be a big part of this game as his size and improved play will be very helpful against Georgia. Using both Walls and Barnes at the same time with 4 down D-lineman can be effective in the right situations. Our linebackers need to be moving around a lot to keep the O-lineman off of them, especially our undersized but fast ILB’s.

We need to put pressure on the quarterback with blitzes and a 4 man rush! Don’t let Aaron Murray get comfortable in the pocket like we let Logan Thomas get comfortable.

by RamblinWreck7 on Nov 22, 2011 7:18 PM EST reply actions

Going to a 1-gap scheme immediately consumes one of our LBs for run support…which puts us at a worse size disadvantage.

Having a 2-gap NT is vital to the success of defending the run in the 3-4…especially against teams that run between the tackles. I understand that Logan Walls isn’t that guy, and TJ Barnes might be, but you need quickness at the position not just size.

"Reach down in there...TURN THAT DAMN THING UP!" - Coach Paul Johnson

by TBuzz on Nov 23, 2011 9:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Georgia is

inexperienced on the line but not as much as you list. Ben Jones has started 46 games, 10 his freshman year, 13 soph., 12 last year (he was suspended a half for a bad hit on a Miss. State player last year) and then 11 this year. Cordy Glenn has only started 11 games at tackle but before that started 36 games at guard. Anderson started 13 games coming into this year before being moved over to defensive line then back to offensive line so he is now at 24 starts. The two guards numbers seem about right.
The advantage teams have on our line is that really it is 4 guards and a center as the two outside guys should really be playing inside but the tackles on the team are very young so we didn’t have a lot of options. Speed edge rushers have given the line a good bit of trouble this season at times.

by dawgfan17 on Nov 23, 2011 3:46 AM EST reply actions