Technical Tidbits 11/10: Another suspension for Mills means it’s time for the Marcus Marshall show

For the second time this season, freshman B-Back Dedrick Mills will be missing time due to a suspension following a violation of team rules. Mills received a one-game suspension earlier this season after apparently oversleeping following Tech’s trip to Ireland, but it will be a two-gamer this time around for Tech’s leading rusher and two-time ACC Rookie of the Week. When it’s all said and done, Mills will have missed a third of his freshman season due to a combination of suspension and injury — he was out with a concussion for Tech’s win over Duke. That’s a shame, especially when you consider that he could have become a 1,000-yard rusher with a full compliment of carries. Instead, he’ll have the season finale versus Georgia and potentially a bowl game to add as much to his 578-yard total as he can. Last year’s leading rusher, Marcus Marshall, will step in as the starter for the next couple of weeks.

Despite the recent struggles of Georgia Tech’s defense, Paul Johnson has decided to maintain faith in both his coaching staff and his players rather than making any major changes. There’s absolutely something to be said for continuity when you’re trying to fix an issue as major as this defense, and it really seems like retaining Roof and company is the best course of action during the regular season. There’s simply not much to be gained from firing anyone at this moment, especially given the lack of a clear alternative; no one position coach has inspired the type of confidence that would warrant a shot at calling the plays. Barring an amazing final three to four games, changes will almost certainly be made during the offseason. For now, however, holding strong is the right call for Paul Johnson.

It’s no secret that the SEC East is an absolutely horrible division, but the S&P efficiency ratings have the lesser half of the Southeastern Conference ranked below even the MWC. That sounds ridiculous, until you realize that Boise State could probably go up against anybody in the SEC East. The Vanderbilts and Kentuckys of the world continue to drag down the whole division, and there’s a couple of teams that I could see upsetting those two from the MWC Mountain. The ACC Coastal comes in at fourth on the list, behind the SEC West, ACC Atlantic, and Big Ten East, respectively. Of course, being fifth in that division doesn’t do too much for you regardless of how well-regarded the conference as a whole has become.