Jacket's Poor Performance Dooms them in Lawrence.

Wow. The struggles of Georgia Tech begin. Moral victories and close game comebacks speak to the character of the team, but hardly the ability of the team. I think we all agree now, that Kansas was asleep when they lost last weekend to their FCS cupcake, but that left the Jackets with way to much confidence coming into this game. Either that, or this year’s defense and receiving crop are worse than the FCS cupcake North Dakota State. Overconfidence against any opponent is a terrible thing, leaving you thinking you can come to work and take a long lunch. The defense took a long lunch in the first half. The receivers took the first 3 quarters off before finally showing up late in the fourth. Nesbitt played QB on and off throughout the game, but can’t shoulder all the blame. Overall the performance on both sides of the ball was poor, and by poor I mean inexcusable.
What normally dooms an option offense is turnovers, but this time it was poor receiver play and a poor passing job by Nesbitt, and some stupid late penalties. The defense was terrible, and Jacket Nation is left wondering if Groh’s defense is a work in progress or a sign of things to come. Myself, I’m yet to be convinced that Groh has a good thing going. Yes, the defense came up with some huge stops late in the game, but the old adage of a “blind squirrel” comes to mind. Three terrible, stupid penalties also served to keep Jayhawk drives alive or quash a Jacket drive each one of leading to a TD, and 21 points is a lot to try and recover from. But while the defense gave up too much, it did at least hold late, and gave the Jacket Option a chance late. That chance was wasted on a false start penalty, and another poor pass by Nesbitt. Last year you could expect a pass to Bebe, this year you can’t expect anything. Maybe the Jacket’s will decide to show up next week against UNC, or maybe we should hold out our starters on defense and see if we play better.