Q & A with Yellow Jacked Up
Dec 6, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Dennis Andrews (3) with the ball as Florida State Seminoles defensive back Nate Andrews (29) defends in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
1. The ACC cleaned house over the SEC during rivalry week, but that was against the East. #2 ACC team vs. #2 SEC West team, do y’all feel this is a big game for ACC bragging rights or is that more of an SEC thing?
"No, this is not a bragging rights game at all. Georgia Tech and its fans from what I have observed could care less about the rivalry and are more about seeing this Yellow Jacket team succeed. The only bragging people want to do as far as Georgia Tech goes has to do with victories for the school and not conference pride."
2. MSU’s defensive coordinator, Geoff Collins, left to take Florida’s DC job just two weeks before the bowl game – with GT’s unique offense, do you see this as a major benefit for the Yellow Jackets?
"I don’t see it as a benefit really. Even if Collins was there the Yellow Jackets were going to pose a problem with their offense just because it is not seen often by opposing teams. This is pretty much a situation where regardless of who is coordinator either you are going to stop Georgia Tech or you’re not."
3. GA Tech is just 1-5 in bowl games under Paul Johnson, is there something this can be contributed to?
"This can be contributed to the Yellow Jackets losing on the scoreboard. I am sure Paul Johnson has no excuses and I don’t have any for them. They just lost."
4. Mississippi State fans have been cleared to bring cowbells to the Orange Bowl – how are Tech fans viewing this decision, and do you think it will have an impact on the game?
"I have not heard anything about fans complaining about cowbells, Jackets fans are just happy to see their team in the Orange Bowl. If a cowbell has an impact on the game then Tech is not focused. No one is concerned about a Cowbell."
5. After curb-stomping MSU in 2008, then winning in Starkville in 2009, how do Tech fans view State?
"Georgia Tech fans are not even thinking about Bulldog teams from 2008 or 2009. Those were teams that were mediocre at the time under Sylvester Croom and first-year coach Dan Mullen. This is a different beast that is taking the field for Mississippi St. Tech fans are viewing this MSU team as an opponent that is in the way of Tech getting a bowl win."
6. What is the strength and weakness of the GT defense?
"Tech strength is creating turnovers. A big reason for the Yellow Jackets proving the critics wrong this season is because of all the turnovers they were able to cause this season. The weakness is run defense. People have disagreed with me on this all season but from my observation they have not been steady as far as stopping the run game of opponent. They got better as the season progressed but they still could be better."
7. How do you see this game playing out?
"Mississippi State is going to be a hand full because they are physical on both sides of the ball. Dak Prescott is a solid QB and the Bulldogs front seven is formidable. When I look at Georgia Tech though I see a team that plays with a grudge and the fact that Mississippi St. has been a media darling, and rightfully so, is going to have Georgia Tech focused for this game. This Yellow Jackets team is one of the most resilient teams I have ever watched. No one expected anything out of this team all year and they are 10-3. I think this game is like a pseudo-championship game for this group. They genuinely care about each other and want to be a team that finishes the season with a bowl win.I have the luxury of not being a diehard Yellow Jackets fan since I am from West Coast, so I don’t look at this team through rose colored glasses. I am objective! Tech is going to beat the Bulldogs in a tight game.31-27 Georgia Tech"