Mailbag 1/2

How many recruits are Tech’s staff targeting for the second signing day?

Ben: As of now, 21 of Tech’s 24 commits have signed their Letters of Intent, with Jahmyr Gibbs, Cade Kootsouradis and Albany Casey being the holdouts. Gibbs was also going to wait until the second signing period, so that’s not surprising. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on with Koots and Casey, but unless they’re going to be gray or blue shirted, they should also both sign during the second period. Beyond that, Tech is still trying to secure more help along the defensive line, specifically at tackle. Bama commit Jayson Jones was the main target there, but he’s been getting some other offers lately, so who knows what’s going on with that. Right now, Tech has Emmanuel Johnson and Akelo Stone both signed as defensive linemen, so one or both of them could possibly slide inside, but I’d be happy with Tech adding another defensive tackle or two.

Nishant: It’s hard to pinpoint an exact number since the number of commits who have signed is already larger than the publicly confirmed number of open scholarships. If I had to guess, I would say they’re looking to sign two more players. One would be Jahmyr Gibbs if he remains committed, and the other would be a defensive tackle. Jayson Jones has long been the name to watch here, but as Ben said, his recruitment remains a bit of an enigma. I think the staff goes after another DT if they miss on Jones but not another RB if Gibbs ends up flipping.

Why are Sugar Bowl tickets going for as little as $15 on StubHub (HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!)?

Ben: It’s a dollar for every UGA player that’s sitting out.

Akshay: Joke answer - uga just doesn’t want to be there. Serious answer - uga just doesn’t want to be there. Also, at one point, I saw them as cheap as $6, so do with that information what you will.

What do we think about hoops thus far?

Ben:

Jake P.: Unless something drastic happens, I think that Pastner’s goose is cooked. The team seems to be playing with the mindset that they will have a new coach next season, and that is not a key to success in the ACC.

Nishant: I remember idly thinking it was a little strange that they hadn’t checked the “inexplicable loss to a low-major” box yet this season. Right on cue, Ball State happened.

Andrew: Sadly, we are not in a great financial place, so I doubt we can afford to fire him after this season. I also have a feeling he ends up winning his 6 ACC games.

ACC record predictions?

Ben: Tech will probably pull out a few games they shouldn’t, but I’m not sure I see them winning more than five ACC games this season. And that might be a bit generous.

Akshay: It’ll most likely end up being sub-.500 again. I feel like we’ll take games off the usual suspects (Clemson, maybe Miami, maybe Pitt, Wake, etc.) and maybe one surprise win, but the top half of the ACC is just ridiculously strong.

Nishant: The next part of the slate is brutal, and it’s entirely possibly they drop the next six games (for reference: at UNC, Duke, at BC, Notre Dame, UVA, at Louisville). I think this team tops out at six or seven ACC wins. This is still a pretty talented team, and I think they’ll sneak in an upset or two along the way because of that, but they’ll also drop a couple games they should win.

Best twentyteens GT ball player to broadcaster: Roddy or Sean?

Ben: Oh, that’s a tough one. I think they both did a phenomenal job when they were doing color commentary for Georgia Tech which, after taking a broadcast class, I have found a greater respect for. I think I’ll give a slight edge to Roddy but only because he’s starting to expand his horizons, moving to the ACC Network.

Akshay: I don’t want to have to pick — they’re both excellent at what they do.

Nishant: They’ve both turned out to be really solid broadcasters. I give the edge to Sean purely because he was an AE major, which is completely relevant to this discussion because Y’ALL HAVEN’T SEEN WHAT WE’VE SEEN^TM. Also, what Ben said is true—doing commentary for even a single game takes a tremendous amount of preparation, and the fact that both guys settled into their roles so quickly is a testament to how much work they put in behind the scenes.

Power rank New Years traditions: Hoppin John, Greens, CFB all day/night, Resolutions, Drunjing and hangovers

Ben: So, I won’t lie, I had to google Hoppin John, because I have never heard of it. Turns out it’s black-eyed peas and rice. I eat my black-eyed peas sans the rice, so I’ll give my rankings the same way:

1. Black-eyed peas
2. Greens
3. CFB all day/night
4. Drunjing and hangovers
5. Resolutions (I couldn’t tell you the last time I made a resolution)

Akshay: 1) CFB all day/night; order the rest how you will.

Jake P.: Like Ben, I’ve never had black-eyed peas with rice.

1. CFB all day/night
2. Black-eyed peas
3. Greens
4. Resolutions are pointless. Just get up off your [Aerosmith] and do good things at all times of the year.
5. Drunjing and hangovers

Andrew: Hoppin John is underrated, having married into a UNC family I have grown to really like it. I also love Collards as well.