Georgia Tech’s Overtime Woes Continue

By David England
SouthernPigskin.com

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Not all hope is lost for Georgia Tech, but with a major conference game in the first week of October, the Jackets must clean up the mistakes and play better when it matters most.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets started the 2012 season with high expectations for themselves and from some branches of the media. With an experienced team and talent at every position, the Jackets were certainly a dark horse team. So far this season, though, the Jackets have been a bit of a mystery. The offense is firing on all cylinders and remains the only unit in the FBS with four plays of 70 yards or longer, with three going for touchdowns. Even with all of the offensive success, the Jackets have already seemed to lose all hope of making it to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game.

The Jackets have started the season with two heartbreaking losses over big-time ACC opponents, and a couple of wins over less than stellar opponents. If Paul Johnson was on the proverbial hot seat, then the performance of his team against Miami certainly didn't help his cause.

The Jackets were trailing 19-0 early in the contest due to bad decisions and untimely mistakes. The Jackets are no strangers to comebacks, though. Georgia Tech made a great surge after it appeared the game would be a blowout win for the 'Canes. Tech scored 36 unanswered points and had Miami on the ropes in the final quarter with a 17-point lead. Miami scored the last 23 points of the game, however, ultimately winning the game in overtime.

This loss was strikingly similar to the Georgia Tech vs Virginia Tech opener. One heartbreaking loss can swing the pendulum on a season, but two can ruin the hopes of a football team. While the season is far from over, the Jackets have lost two pivotal conference games, and now must run the table to play in a bigger bowl game than the Hyundai Sun Bowl.

The Jackets are no strangers to overtime, as three of the last four overtime games involving ACC teams have included Georgia Tech, while three of their last five games overall have gone into overtime. You would believe that the Yellow Jackets would have a solid strategy in overtime, but a lack of ball movement in extra periods has been the downfall of Georgia Tech.

Not all hope is lost for Georgia Tech, but with a major conference game in the first week of October against Clemson, the Jackets must clean up the mistakes and play better when it matters most.

Georgia Tech faces Middle Tennessee State this Saturday in Bobby Dodd at noon.