Virginia Tech hopes to reintroduce itself on the national stage in an ESPN-televised matchup tonight with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
While the Hokies (6-2, 4-0) have been enjoying their midseason six-game winning streak, the Yellow Jackets have not met their preseason expectations. Ranked No. 16 in the country coming into 2010, Georgia Tech has struggled thus far, as it is currently unranked.
“I have learned in this profession that people jump on and off the bandwagon really fast,” said Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech head coach. “You put together a couple of wins and they will be right back on. There is a lot to play for.”
The most devastating loss this year for the Yellow Jackets (5-3, 3-2) came at the hands of the Kansas Jayhawks in week two. The Jayhawks were coming off a loss to FCS program North Dakota State and defeated the Yellow Jackets in a game in which they beat themselves more than anything. They committed 91 yards worth of penalties, including a costly one in the final minutes, and gave Kansas the 28-25 win.
After bouncing back against conference foe North Carolina, the Yellow Jackets stumbled against North Carolina State, losing 45-28. Georgia Tech then reeled off three straight victories before losing last week to the Clemson Tigers, 27-13.
After that loss, Johnson is well aware of the challenge the Hokies pose to his team.
“Right now (Virginia Tech) is unquestionably the hottest team in our league,” Johnson said. “They have been beating everybody up, won six in a row, are a very talented team, and it is a tough place to play on a Thursday night.”
While the season has not gone as planned thus far for the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champions, there have been some positives. In the Georgia Tech triple-option attack, quarterback Joshua Nesbitt and running back Anthony Allen have carried the load for the run-heavy Yellow Jackets.
Nesbitt, the 2009 first-team All-ACC quarterback, was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate heading into this year. The 6-foot-1-inch, 217-pound native of Greensboro, Ga. is unlike most quarterbacks, as he is more of a threat with his legs than his arm. In 2009, Nesbitt rushed for more than 1,000 yards, while scoring 18 times.
However, this season Nesbitt has been asked to do more with fewer weapons. Georgia Tech lost running back Jonathan Dwyer and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas to the NFL, who were both juniors with one more season of eligibility.
The loss of Thomas especially hurts, as he was Nesbitt’s one weapon through the air, often catching the defense sleeping with long touchdown catches. In 2009, Thomas accounted for 61 percent of Nesbitt’s completions and 67 percent of his yardage, while catching all but two of his touchdown passes. Thus far in 2010, the Yellow Jackets have yet to find a player to fill that void.
While Nesbitt and the passing game have been struggling (last among FBS teams), the rushing attack has been the exact opposite. Allen, who is filling the role vacated by Dwyer, leads the nation’s top rushing offense.
A version of this article appeared in the Nov 4 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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