Tall task for Tech: Stay on top shelf

Remaining in Tier 1 the goal; chance of success centers on QB Thomas.

When last it played, Georgia Tech stamped itself as one of the absolute best teams in the land by routing Mississippi State, which had been ranked No. 1 only 61/2 weeks earlier, in the Orange Bowl. The Jackets would finish ranked No. 7 by the coaches and No. 8 by the Associated Press, marking the second time since Bobby Dodd retired after the 1966 season they’d graced the Top 10 of both final polls.

Meaning: Only twice in 48 years had coaches/journalists looked on Tech and thought, “That’s one of the absolute best teams in the land.” If the Jackets are never awful — there has been one losing season since Bill Lewis, who had three in three tries and whose name is never mentioned — rarely

Bradley

After rating as one of the most slippery-handed teams in FBS in coach Paul Johnson’s first six seasons — the Jackets’ 197 fumbles (32.8 per season) between 2008-2013 were the most in the country — Tech strengthened its grip last season.

With 20 fumbles, the Jackets put the ball on the ground once every 50 offensive snaps (which is not an entirely accurate ratio, as fumbles can occur on defensive and special-teams returns). It was a 44 percent reduction over the sixyear rate under Johnson.

With one of the country’s most efficient offenses benefiting from more kicks at the can, as Johnson sometimes puts it, Tech won 11 games. The Jackets won three of them by one possession: Georgia Southern, Virginia Tech and Georgia. One more lost possession in any of the three — or even a fumbled snap or toss that was recovered but killed a drive — easily could have meant the game in each. A loss in any would have kept the Jackets out of the Orange Bowl.

“I think those guys just made a lot of good plays,” Owens said. “I think our quarterback is really good. The offensive line, those guys blocked well and the guys that were carrying the ball, they did a great job of being conscientious and taking care of the ball and not being sloppy with their ball security.”

There is reason for concern as the No. 16 Jackets, whose spread-option offense requires more ball-handling than most offenses, begin the season Thursday against Alcorn State. Thomas will hand off to B-backs who have yet to play a live snap in the offense — graduate transfer Patrick Skov, first-year freshman Marcus Marshall and junior Marcus Allen. He’ll pitch to A-backs who are mostly new or inexperienced. For good measure, he’ll throw to a set of wide receivers who are likewise largely green.

However, Tech had one turnover in about 110 plays in its first scrimmage and one lost fumble in its second scrimmage of about 100 plays.

“Judging the scrimmages, (ball security) has been OK,” Johnson said. “As soon as I say that, they’ll start flying everywhere.”

Backup quarterback Tim Byerly said that the B-backs have learned the mechanics of the triple-option play more quickly than anticipated. Further, having two experienced hands in Thomas and Byerly undoubtedly aids ball security.

“We know when to give it and when to pull it,” Thomas said. “A lot of the times, the fumbles, it’s because of indecisiveness. I think we’ve gotten better at that and just making a decision and just going with it.” The challenge begins anew. “This year’s team hasn’t done anything,” Owens said. “Last year’s team, those guys were really good at taking care of the ball. We have to do our own thing this year.”