2010 RECORD: 6-7 (4-4) 3rd ACC Atlantic2010 Bowl Game: Independence Bowl, Lost to Air force 14-7
2010 Schedule/Results
South Carolina State, W 41-10
@ Kansas, L 28-25
@ North Carolina, W 30-24
North Carolina State, L 45-28
@ Wake Forest, W 24-20
Virginia, W 33-21
Middle Tennessee, W 42-14
@ Clemson, L 27-13
@ Virginia Tech, L 28-21
Miami, L 35-10
Duke, W 30-20
@ Georgia, L 42-34
Air Force, L 14-7
OFFENSE
414.5 yards per game
We all know that passing is not in Tech's vocabulary for the most part. That being said, Josh Nesbitt finished his Tech career with a giant fizzle. Nesbitt was nothing short of awful tossing the football, as he hit on only 37.1% of his passes in 2010. He manged to run for 737 yards and 10 TDs, but when he throws so infrequently, one would hope for more. He ended up injured, and Tevin Washington took over, but he wasn't great either. He rushed for 514 yards and 5 scores, and will be the front runner for the job in 2011. Vad lee is an incoming freshman that couod compete, and there are several Athletes that have been brought in that could jump into the fray as well.
Anthony Allen became the main guy in the option attack out of the backfield, as he rushed for 1316 yards and 7 scores, while averaging over 5 yards per carry. Losing Allen and Nesbitt will create a hole in the production of the backfield to the tune of 2053 yards rushing and 17 TDs coming into 2011. That is amazingly huge. Orwin Smith, Roddy Jones, and Embry Peoples will all battle to fill the void at TB.
There is very little depth at receiver, but Tech doesn't pass anyway. Stephen Hill was the top receiver on the season with 15 catches for 291 yards and 3 scores. He will return in 2011. Tyler Melton will be the #2 receiver, which is a bad spot to be in considering the triple option.
OT Nick Claytor is leaving Tech early for the draft. He is undersized in weight, and likely will not see the first round, but is athletic. Playing in an option offense could hurt him on the next level due to his inexperience at pass blocking. Center Sean Bedford and OT Austin Barrick also depart, leaving only the guards to return. Not good news. Phil Smith and Tyler Kidney will get first crack at the tackle jobs, while Jay Finch and Ray Beno, both sophomores next season, will compete for the opening at center.
DEFENSE
378.7 yards allowed per game
Tech's defense was not solid at all in 2010, and the deficiencies were noticable on defense. The line was horrible at getting backfield penetration all season, and only two linemen (Izaan Cross and Jason Peters) had 5 or more TFLs, and neither had more than 10. Cross and Peters combined for just 4 sacks on the entire year. This is an area that has to improve immediately, and Paul Johnson did a poor job of addressing those needs through the recruiting class, with only two marginal prospects will step into the fold.
The LB group was hardly better.Julian Burnett led the team in tackles as a sophomore, but of his 89 tackles, more than half of those were assists. Brad Jefferson had 84 tackles, and did better on the solo jobs, but he is gone. Anthony Egbuniwe had 61 tackles as the 3rd backer. Steven Sylvester also added 60, but this group was equally inept at putting pressure on opposing backfields, letting ball carriers come to them instead of going to the ball. Jabari Hunt-Days will join the crew in the fall, and he could be an impact player at the LB position.
The secondary gave up 209 yards per game in 2010, and that will have to shore up somewhat, but there will be a ton of pressure with the thin talent up front. Jerrard Tarrent only picked of 3 passes (1 for a TD) and somehow, that translated to him leaving early for the draft. We may never hear from him again. Nobody else on the team had more than one, so obviously, the secondary lacks playmakers as well. Dominique Reese was the closest that the Jackets had to a ball hawk, as he broke up 10 passes on the season, but he too is gone now.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Scott Blair was solid, making good on 15 of 17 FG attempts, but he is on his way out with the graduates. Justin Moore, Andy Elakman, and Chris Turner will all compete to replace him.
Sean Poole was inconsistent at punter, and may be pushed by Chandler Anderson, who did steal the job by the end of the season. It will be a battle.
FINAL NOTES
If Johnson does not right this ship, and do it quickly, Tech could fall the way of Wake Forest. A once solid team with a championship pedigree that has fallen face first into the mud. The triple option is fun and all, but you have to pass to win these days, and Tech is horrid at it. The defense was a mess at times, so that has to shored up as well. The recruiting class was less than impressive, so hope may not be on the way, except at LB with Hunt-Days. This team is sliding fast.
2011 NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS
9/1 Western Carolina, 9/17 Kansas, 9/24 @ Middle Tennessee, 11/26 Georgia
No comments:
Post a Comment