Virginia Tech should be wary of the triple-option

The ACC has been a disappointment so far this season, with only a few teams ranked in the Legends Poll top-25 — Virginia Tech being the lone top-10 team. In a roundtable, the Legends analyzed the important match-up this weekend that features the No. 5 Hokies and No. 21 Georgia Tech.

George Welsh: I think that the game this weekend with Georgia Tech hosting Virginia Tech is huge. I believe that Georgia Tech will be able to run the ball. I think Virginia Tech has had too many close calls — with Nebraska who had them beat, then to let Duke take them down to the wire. I’m just not sure about Virginia Tech yet, even though I ranked them in the top-10. If Georgia Tech can get that running game going — which I see no reason they won’t be able to — they have a great chance to knock off Virginia Tech. Duke beating NC State on the road, I just don’t think there are any defenses left in the conference. Past Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech there really is no one left in the ACC. I saw Miami get pounded by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, so I’m not sold on them.

Dick Macpherson: Georgia Tech is winning with their head coach (Paul Johnson) calling the plays. I’m interested to see if that can work against Virginia Tech.

Welsh: Virginia Tech won’t hesitate to give you an eight-man front  — which is one of the keys to stopping the triple-option. I don’t think Virginia Tech is going to get beat that way.

Frank Broyles: Georgia Tech rushed for over 400 yards Saturday. It’s hard to prepare for the wishbone and option when you have worked the team for five weeks in a row on defending the pass and sitting back on their haunches, which makes it hard to get a picture in just a week. I can remember when Darryl (Royal) started running the wishbone and we tried preparing for it one week and we just didn’t know how to run it. It’s a big advantage for Georgia Tech.

Welsh: If I was coaching these teams, I would start preparing for the option in the spring and then they could also prepare for it in the summer. You also need to try and find out what those line calls are.

Broyles: The problem is Georgia Tech is not the top team on the other team’s list to prepare for. But it’s so different you just can’t not prepare.

Welsh: The other problem is you cannot simulate that speed with your B team. I figured by now the ACC would catch up with that speed and that style. I think that Virginia Tech is good but I do still think Georgia Tech has a chance against them.

Print Story