Last night’s game was unacceptable for NC State. There are no other words to explain what happened in Atlanta last night. NC State likes to hang its hat on the ability to stop the run. Georgia Tech ran for 235 yards and averaged 6.5 yards per rush.
Georgia Tech came into the game 103rd in passing offense and NC State allowed James Graham to throw for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. NC State went into half time down 21-3.
The second half was more depressing than that if truth be told. NC State came out and ran the football. They ran the football well. The problem with that is, they only have 30 minutes to overcome an 18 point deficit with a team that was designed to run the football. And when NC State got to 28-26 with a missed 2pt conversion (the play call wasn’t terrible but pressure off the edge blew that play up), NC State kicked the ball off with 5:10 and 2 timeouts. Georgia Tech just ran the ball and ran out the clock.
Now, people will say that this isn’t Dave Doeren’s fault, that the injuries let down this team. Really? NC State has started 45 players. Well, Georgia Tech has started 44 different players due to injury. So, if you buy into that injury argument how do you explain that loss? Are you telling me that Georgia Tech has better depth than NC State? If that’s true, that means, that the coach hasn’t recruited better players.
Georgia Tech is also in the midst of a scheme change. Going from a triple option to a pro style offense and all of the development that requires. Georgia Tech at the end of the game ran the ball and bullied NC State.
The defense had the opportunity to get off the field on 3rd down and failed. NC State had forced 0 turnovers in ACC play. NC State was able to force 2 fumbles and recovered those fumbles. NC State won the turnover battle. And they still lost.
This team had the opportunity to get closer to bowl eligibility last night. And what happened was they were bullied out of that opportunity. Georgia Tech did what it needed to do to win that game. Georgia Tech won that game, hands down.
Georgia Tech was the better team, and that’s a problem and that’s the problem. In year 7 going against a team that has those obstacles is completely unacceptable. Changing the coordinators isn’t going to help.
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