Opposing Returning Starters on Georgia Tech's 2011 Football Schedule

by BirdGT on Feb 1, 2011 8:00 AM EST in Georgia Tech Football

Phil Steele broke down the returning starters for every I-A football program in America. Georgia Tech ranked 105th out of 120 with only 12 starters coming back. Out of the ACC Georgia Tech is ranked 12th out of 12 with the average ACC squad returning 15.6 starters (max of 18 from FSU/Wake).

On GT's schedule there seems to be a lot of veteran depth. UVA and Clemson both return 17 starters. NC State returns 16 while Duke brings back 15. UNC and Maryland have 14 returning starters a piece. VT and Miami return 13. Out of conference-wise, Georgie returns 17 starters, Kansas brings back 14, and Middle Tennessee only returns 12 like us.

Considering we're finally graduating a majority of Chan's magical 2006 class plus Nick Claytor and Jerrard Tarrant, I think it makes sense that we are witnessing a starter vacuum. Hopefully, the depth at running back and defensive coaching will make up for some of our relatively inexperienced starters next season. Any thoughts?

HT: BCI.

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I honestly think GT will be fine

This will CPJ 4th year, and the first full off season with Groh on board. The defense will start to finally “click” and GT will get to finally see player turnover and how will CPJ can recruit. With the offensive system fully in place and the defense going into year two, it should be interesting to see how well the Yellow Jackets will be.

Don't give up, don't ever give up ~ Jim Valvano

by AParker on Feb 1, 2011 8:33 AM EST reply actions

Three thoughts

1.) Chan Gailey’s recruits may have been a subconscious distraction to team chemistry. Coach Johnson needs players who buy into the system and whose entire college experience involves learning one kind of offensive philosophy. Having players on the team who have experienced other approaches to college ball or who have their minds on playing pro ball might keep the rest of the team from totally drinking the koolaid, as they say.

2.) I seem to remember that the 1967 Indiana football team was filled with young players who did not know enough to be scared by all the experience they faced in their opponents that year. They shocked the world by winning the Big 10 and going to the Rose Bowl. Can history repeat?

3.) We’re gonna get killed.

by Atlanta's original team on Feb 1, 2011 8:45 AM EST reply actions

Not worried about offense.

Worried about the D

Better to have died a small boy than to drop this football - John HeismanFromTheRumbleSeat

by Winfield Featherston on Feb 1, 2011 9:06 AM EST reply actions

I would be a little worried

Not much, though. There are two sides to what could follow after this year’s dismal offensive inconsistency.

1.) Sure, there were player turnover issues, but that was still CPJ’s team out there and there were times it just looked plain dead. Too many turnovers, too many stalled drives, and at times it felt like CPJ made no adjustments to get the offense going again. How much of that is in the minds of the players and could the team be undone by CPJ recruiting philosophy of attempting to do more with less?

2.) CPJ is a badass that hates losing and will do what is needed to get this team fully prepared for the new season. He’s had more than enough time to recruit the right players for his system and we should see more consistency in the offense because of it. Al Groh, while still a little behind on recruiting the right players for his defense, will be in year two and the players should have plenty of experience to build on from last year. Could we be in store for another 2009 type season?

Honestly, I think we will fall somewhere between the two. Our toughest games this past year were on the road, this we get them all at home. That should help. I have to believe that Groh’s defense will get better, however, without better players that fit the system, I’m not sure we are going to see a huge improvement. Our best defense is still the option offense. Speaking of which, I’m still concerned about the play of Washington and unless Hill can transform those bricks into reliable hands, I still do not see one single reliable WR that isn’t also a RB.

I think we will win more games than we did this past year, but I’m thinking it will be more like 2008 than 2009.

"You could spend the next fifteen seconds of your life watching a man and a tiger scream together, or you could be an idiot."
Fact.

by Jesse28 on Feb 1, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions

last year

Didn’t we have this conversation last year, or at least with respect to the OL?

Sadly, it may be another year still (as in 2012-2013) before GT finally hits the 10+ win mark again. The team is still young as the freshmen and sophomores, redshirt or otherwise, accounting for about 60% of the roster with only a few seniors.

by Dive Keep and Pitch on Feb 1, 2011 11:43 AM EST reply actions

All a matter of perspective

Had last year gone as many predicted and ended with 10+ wins we’d be discussing how much of a fall off there would be next year due to losing Nesbitt and having a younger team overall. Expectations would be that 7-8 wins would be a success.

Coming off the reality of last year the concern is that 7-8 wins on the back of a 6 win season will invalidate CPJ’s approach.

Fact is last year is over. The cabinet is stocked with what we got and next year will be an independent event, just as last year was compared the previous. Ain’t no guarantees one year to the next.

by ee8384 on Feb 1, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions

The whole recruiting extravaganza gives me the creeps.

Like watching “Toddlers and Tiaras”, “Big Love”, or “OZ”. I know this stuff happens in real life, but I’m still queasy about the whole thing.

Something about pinning your hopes for Fall afternoons on a bunch of over-hyped princes of the gridiron makes me question the slavish devotion of thousands of middle aged men in February.

by DressHerInWhiteAndGold on Feb 1, 2011 3:36 PM EST reply actions

You are right to question. It can get get a little pathetic when we over-the-hill guys put so much stock in following players who have yet to learn any of the real lessons of life.

by Atlanta's original team on Feb 1, 2011 6:44 PM EST up reply actions