Industrial Touchdown Complex and Guarantees

The ITC
I was looking at an interesting statistic this morning - Touchdowns per offensive play. What team in the ACC is a touchdown producing machine? Here's the ranking of the 12 ACC teams' percentage of O plays that go the distance:

12. UVA - 2.96%
11. Duke - 3.13%
10. VT - 3.38%
9. Wake Forest - 3.39%
8. BC - 3.92%
7. MD - 4.30%
6. NCSU - 4.43%
5. Clemson - 4.81%
4. GT - 5.00%
3. Miami - 5.11%
2. UNC - 5.45%
1. FSU - 5.66%

And in an even more interesting look, here's the breakdown of percentage of defensive and special teams plays that result in a defensive or return TD:

12. MD - 0.10%
11. UVA - 0.11%
10. NCSU - 0.31%
9. Clemson - 0.32%
6. GT - 0.33%
6. Wake - 0.33%
6. Miami - 0.33%
5. Duke - 0.35%
4. VT - 0.58%
3. UNC - 0.59%
2. FSU - 0.69%
1. BC - 0.83%

And finally, here's the breakdown of how often every ACC team scored per defensive/offensive/special teams play. PAT's and 2PT attempts are not factored in while FG's, safeties, and all TD's are:

12. MD - 1.96%
11. UVA - 2.47%
10. NCSU - 2.74%
9. Clemson - 2.82%
8. GT - 3.02%
7. Wake - 3.09%
6. Miami - 3.22%
5. Duke - 3.31%
4. VT - 3.47%
3. UNC - 3.61%
2. FSU - 3.66%
1. BC - 4.60%

So basically, because BC has such a good scoring D and special teams, they make up for having a below average offense. VT's offense needs to pick it up when their defense is kicking so much ass. Interesting numbers, in my opinion. Take what you want from them. I kind of think of them as a frustration factor. When you put up points, you're happy. Your team gets momentum. It deflates the other team. It affects the outcome of the game directly. Scoring quickly also affects the crowd.

Guarantees
Here are some guarantees that you can take to the bank:

5. The primary GT QB will not pass for 50% - Hasn't happened since Reggie's freshman year 5 seasons ago.
4. A GT rusher will rush for 1,000 yards - Has happened 4 of the last 6 seasons.
3. A Tech school will make the ACCCG - This has happened every year since the inception of the ACCCG. Both are preseason favorites in all the polls/magazines.
2. GT will make a bowl - The vast number of bowls guarantees GT at least a bowl birth at the end of the season continuing the 12 season post-season participation streak. At least 6 wins will come from our relatively favorable schedule.
1. Tech will win against GA in ATL - Tech is 21-16-1 following a win against Georgia. Tech is 12-8-1 in Atlanta following a W. Let's take hold of the momentum.

Renewing the Old Matchups

Was cruising around looking at the history of Georgia Tech football and started looking at the all-time wins and losses against all of our opponents. I sure would like to get rid of that cupcake game we play every year and play some teams that actually carry some weight. I made a table of the opponents we played the most in the past (a lot from our old Bobby Dodd and SEC and glory days) along with some other recognizable names. I kept off teams that are scheduled for the future no matter how far out.

Opponent	W	L	T	Pct.
Air Force	3	0	0	1.000
Baylor	3	1	0	0.750
Central Florida	3	0	0	1.000
Florida	23	9	6	0.684
Kentucky	11	7	1	0.605
LSU	12	7	0	0.631
Navy	16	9	0	0.640
Notre Dame	6	27	1	0.191
Penn State	3	4	0	0.429
Pitt	2	5	0	0.286
Southern Cal	1	2	0	0.333
Tennessee	17	24	2	0.419

I'd like to see Tennessee, Penn State, and Florida back on the schedule in that order. The old days were good to us and the match ups would surely be intriguing. Plus its always good to beat a "legendary power."

Who do you want to see? Don't see a team you want to play included in the list? Post in the comments!

The Whiz

How do we explain Ken Whisenhunt's Cardinals? I only really have one explanation: engineering background. Whisenhunt was a Civil Engineering major who graduated from Tech in 1985. He actually finished his career at Tech, as a tight end, with the secondmost receiving yards in school history and fourthmost receptions (he's currently 16th in receptions and 14th in yardage).

Whisenhunt quarterbacked one game for Tech in 1980 against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He stepped in as the starter Mike Kelley and his backup were both injured in game. Whisenhunt attempted one pass and was sacked before he got to pass. The game ended in a tie 3-3 and derailed Notre Dame's quest for an MNC. Sadly, it also allowed ugag to vault to #1 in the polls and an eventual title.

I will slightly pull for the Cardinals as Whisenhunt reps the I but will not forget the loss incurred by the Falcons to his posse. I guess the irony is that Whisenhunt designed the offense that took the Steelers to their lone Cowher Super Bowl win and now he's coaching against that same offense in his first attempt at a Lombardi Trophy.

Any thoughts on NFL playoffs or GT alum involved in playoffs?

Ted Roof hired as DC at AU

First off, here's a quick history lesson on GT football lore. From 1984-1985, Bill Curry used a reward system to motivate his defensive players. Players that performed well on the field were awarded black stripes for their helmets and black GT stickers for the side of their helmets. Ted Roof, Pat Swilling, and Joe Harris were three of the prominent D players during this period.

Ted Roof was hired as the DC for Auburn a couple days ago. I hope Roof does well but I don't know if he will. I remember his defenses sucking pretty bad. Games that come to mind are the Woody Dantzler game and ugag in 1999.

So let's look at a breakdown of Roof's DC history:

1) Roof was a coach at Tech from '98-'01. He coached linebackers until being promoted to DC in '99.
2) He was DC at Duke from '02-'03 until Carl Franks got fired and Roof's first game as interim HC ended Duke's ACC record consecutive losses against Tech.
2) Roof HCed Duke from middle of '03 to '07 and got fired at the end of the '07 season.
3) Roof had a short stint at Louisville, then found a DC position at Minnesota last season.

Roof's Defenses:
1) '99-'01 GT gave up 23.8 ppg (26.7 in conference)
2) '02-'03 Duke gave up 29.0 ppg (32.4 in conference)
3) '08 UM gave up 24.8 ppg (26.3 in conference)

For reference GT has given up an average of 20 ppg since Roof's departure. Auburn since '05 has averaged giving up an amazing 16 ppg under three different DC's (Gibbs, Muschamp, and Rhoads).

So do I think Roof will improve upon this number...No. Do I hope he succeeds? Yes, unless they play GT.

Any thoughts on Auburn's hire are welcome.

GT Ballin' Names

Randomly thought of this today at work - the top 10 coolest names in GT football.

10. Jaybo Shaw - Gotta admit that having a name that sounds like a fighting style is pretty badass.
9. Damarius Bilbo - Fan favorite as well as a sweet last name. Maybe Bilbo should've been given a fair shake at QB.
8. Clint Castleberry - If you're gonna make a Heisman run, you've gotta have a unique name. Clint's name not only was unique, it was an illiteration.
7. Tashard Choice - "The choice is Choice for Heisman '07." Seriously, this guy tore it up in '06 and '07.
6. Prince Ahadzie "PJ" Daniels - From PJ, we created the term "To Tulsa someone" or simply beat mercilessly. PJ was named by his father from Ghana.
5. Renso "Rock" Perdoni - An All American DT during the 70's, Rock's name allows this list to come full circle.
4. Douglas "Froggie" Morrison - Most bloggers will not know this name but will know of his feat. Froggie led Tech to a 222-0 blasting of Cumberland in 1916. Froggie started at UT-Chattanooga, transferred to Texas A&M, and finished at Tech.
3. The Rhinos - Kelly and Randy both had great careers at Tech and are still big time fan favorites. The name Rhino was definitely fitting for Tech's All American safety (Randy) and his punt returning son (Kelly).
2. I-Perfection Harris - How can you top that? Maybe with his brother's name of I-Finesse? Harris ended up at Kent State but that first name is pretty epic.
1. Ajenavi "Ace" Eziemefe - Pronounced ah-juh-NAH-vee eh-ZEM-eh-fee. It really rolls off the tongue. He was a diesel at RB and finished his career as a wingback on field goals.

What are your favorite "Ballin' Names" ?