Technical Tidbits 8/10: Labor Day Opener is Sold Out

Georgia Tech’s Labor Day opener against Tennessee has sold out

This bad sports town has now sold out both of the Chickfila kickoff openers, with the Yellow Jackets outselling the Volunteers for Monday night’s game. Only a few tickets remain for the game and can only be purchased through the Ramblin’ Wreck’s season ticket packages. Packages for the entire season start at $300.

It’s a good deal and a solid investment, even if you can’t make it to every game. Just please, please don’t sell your tickets to games you can’t make to the away team’s fans, mmk?

Secondhand tickets for the Labor Day game are starting at $90 on Stubhub. With the game sold out, those tickets are likely to go up in price as kickoff gets closer.

I’m so fired up for this game, I’m going to print a life-size cutout of Frank Beamer and practice my cut blocks on him every morning between now and then.

ESPN says Desmond Branch is Tech’s biggest wildcard for 2017

Branch showed his disruptive ability and upside while he played sparingly as a reserve in 2016. The big man taking the next step and plugging rushing lanes and getting to the QB will be a huge part of Tech’s success this season.

“Even with veterans across the line a year ago, the Jackets ranked 117th in sack rate and were among the bottom half of the Power 5 in QB contact rate, pressure rate and stuffed just 14.2 percent of designed runs for a loss or no gain (62nd in Power 5).”

The ability of the Jacket’s front 7 to get to the QB has been missing for several years now. Even moderate improvement from the defensive line would be huge this season with an experienced and talented secondary behind them.

Antonio Simmons wants to be ACC Defensive Player of the Year

Simmons is perhaps the defensive player I’m most intrigued by for the Jackets heading into 2017. Despite only recording 1 sack, he recorded 12 QB hurries without being a starter. He showed a very high upside during his time on the field and committed himself to conditioning this offseason.

“I actually got in great shape,” Simmons said. “This is the best shape I’ve been in since I’ve been playing football. I got leaner, I got bigger and I trained the hoops a lot and stretched.”

With Keshun Freeman returning for his final season and Anree Saint-Amour also in the rotation, the defensive end position is certainly one to watch this fall.