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Georgia Tech Football: Takeaways from Jackets loss 37-20 loss to Syracuse

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 2: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks on during the first half of a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 2: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks on during the first half of a game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Bobby Dodd Stadium on November 2, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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For the second straight week, Georgia Tech’s sloppy play ended up being too much to overcome and led to a blowout loss for the Yellow Jackets.

All of the good feelings from Georgia Tech’s season-opening victory over Florida State are most likely gone. On Saturday, the Yellow Jackets dropped their second game of the season in a 37-20 loss to the Syracuse Orange. For the Yellow Jackets it was another poor and sloppy game that shows that while the Jackets have a bright future, plenty of work still has to be done.

No.1: Way too sloppy

The Jackets were once again sloppy on Saturday in their loss to Syracuse and that’s putting it kindly. The Jackets finished the game with five turnovers and 15 penalties. Both numbers are inexcusable by any means. Geoff Collins and the rest of the coaching staff need to find a fix to the turnovers and penalties fast, or this season will get mighty ugly for the Yellow Jackets. When you look at the Yellow Jackets last two games, they’ve turned the ball over 10 times and have committed 22 penalties for 153-yards.

No.2: What to do with Sims at quarterback…

Arguably the biggest takeaway to me is the fact that it looks like the game is moving too fast for Jeff Sims. Sims has a ton of talent and potential but if you’re the Jackets coaching staff, you have to consider seeing someone else at quarterback against Louisville in two weeks. But that would be a hard decision as you don’t want to ruin Sims confidence but at the same time, turning the ball over at the rate he is, isn’t going to do his confidence any favors either.

No.3: Keep feeding the running backs

As the Yellow Jackets quarterback situation still is a major question, the running back room is one place the Jackets don’t have any questions. That room for the Jackets is not just their best room but it’s one of the most talented running back groups in the entire country. This past weekend against Syracuse, the Jackets running backs averaged 5.6 yards per carry, totaling 238-yards on 42 carries.

Going forward, the Yellow Jackets need to continue feeding the running backs both on the ground and through the air especially Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs against Syracuse was once again spectacular with 131 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches. That doesn’t include his 44 yards on kick returns putting his total up to 175-yards.   He’s by far the Jackets best player on either side of the field and he’s only a true freshman. The Jackets need to maintain the 20 touches per game for Gibbs as a minimum and really could push that number closer to 25-30 touches per game.

One Liners…

4. Stop blitzing David Curry…. he rarely gets close to the quarterback and it leaves a huge part of the field open. It’s simply not in his game.

5. Despite only allowing one sack, it was a pretty dismal performance  from the offensive line, it must improve going forward.

6. Perhaps they should never try to kick the ball….The kicking struggles are truly baffling at this point.

7. Overall, the loss is right up there with the losses to The Citadel and Temple last season as the worse of the Geoff Collins era.