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OT: X-Golf Question

Has anyone ever done a scramble format tourney on X-golf before? I got invited to play in one that will take place during two Brewers games at American Family Field. (The X-Golf facility on the club level overlooking left field).

I've only done practice sessions at X-golf on the driving range to work on my swing, haven't played a round. What would it be like for a scramble?

JOL Mailbag 8/28 Sponsored by Auto-Owners Insurance

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It’s Saturday after the game; Georgia Tech has beaten Louisville because ______________

KQ- Tech's defense played well and the Jackets won the turnover battle.

Georgia Tech has lost to Louisville because ___________

KQ- The Cards jumped on the Jackets early and neither the offense or the defense could catch up.

A corollary to this: give us a few stats that will point to the winning time next Friday night (if we allow 3+ sacks that means an L, if we score 30+ that means a W, etc.)

KQ- If Tech is in the plus on turnovers, if the QBs are +8 yards per pass attempt, if Plummer is under 250 yards passing, if GT is +100 yards rushing.

If Stanford, Cal and SMU join would you personally like to see GT draw 1 or 2 per year, and what do you think is the likelihood that GT would prefer to end up with something like a Clemson, Cal, SMU permanent draw over what is in place now? I would Imagine Clemson is the only partner GT will be married to going forward in ACC scheduling.

KQ- I was told that GT would like to play at least one of the new additions as a regular rotation game maybe replacing Louisville or Wake. I don't see Clemson being dropped.

Is there anyone currently with a long term injury that will likely come back before the end of the season?

KQ- The only long-term injury guys are Leo Blackburn, Bryston Dixon and Juju Lewis. I expect Leo back at some point this year, hopefully in October. Juju I don't know about and Bryston is just going to redshirt. Key has mentioned all three publicly as being long-term injuries so I am comfortable sharing this.

Brisket or Pulled Pork?

KQ- Brisket if done correctly, however most places around here can't make brisket to save their lives so if I'm in a Georgia bbq spot I'm probably going pulled pork out of those two options.

In the first scrimmage in Fall Camp, I got the impression that our Defense dominated the Offense. Now I know that is not unusual in the early weeks of practice, but I felt last year we evolved into a really good defense. And we get a lot of the players back. Offensively we have struggled since CPJ left and I think it is fair to say our OL rebuild has taken longer than we all had hoped for various reasons. I am of the opinion we will be better offensively than a year ago, but will we be only marginally better? Will our defense be stout or just better than average? I am of the opinion we will be slightly better on offense, but really good on defense. I just don’t see a lot of playmakers on offense. What say you?

KQ- Those are good questions and I have no idea. They have plenty of playmaker types on offense starting with three of the fastest guys in the ACC, Malik Rutherford, Christian Leary and Eric Singleton Jr. I think they have solid pieces at spots, but the offensive skill spots are still in development and a lot of guys haven't played much here yet or whatnot that could be impact guys like DJ Moore for example or Seither the TE or Blaylock or Chase Lane. The RB position is the one where they need someone to really step up. My money has been on Jamie Felix, but we shall see if that happens.

Is there another restaurant that feeds our organization a pre-game meal in 30 minutes that we're using...or is it still Maggiano's? ("nobody cares" is an acceptable answer)

KQ- No idea. I haven't asked and I know they have things catered sometimes like Fox Bros or other stuff. I am unsure as to what Key's choice is for a pre-game meal.

Whats the shot as some point this year we line up in a defensive formation with players with only jersey numbers 0 through 10? If that happens will ESPN reference that it happened u/o 4.5 times per game for the remainder of the season? How much do the coaches actually care about who gets what number?

KQ- It is pretty much zero. The only single-digit DT is Makius Scott. Only two DEs are single-digit as well, ET and Kennard. So you'd need an odd front with those three and then there are three LBs with singles, but only 11 players with single digits on D and you'd have no nickel in that situation and have to play 3 CBs. That's not how they use their sub packages.

Will the team bring back running out with the American/State flag this year?

KQ-

Dog Gif GIF


The top 3 offensive playmakers for us in the Louisville game will be?
Maybe King, Smith, and Rutherford?
A dark horse like Singleton or D J Moore?


KQ- You'd want to see King, Rutherford and maybe a RB or TE.

What day will be our uniform reveal for the MBS game?

KQ- If they do that, I would guess Wednesday because that would be Thursday (on a normal week) and that is when I think they used to do it. You guys pay way more attention to that stuff than I do.

What kind of crowd are you expecting (overall & GT & Louisville separately)? Assuming you will be at the game, where will you be stationed in MBS? Are going to be able to make it to the HD Lot for tailgating?

KQ- Why would I not be at the game? I've missed three football GT games in my 14 prior seasons covering the program, one with norovirus, and one because my father died and I was onsite already. One for other reasons. I'll be in the press box.

I'm hoping to hit the tailgate scene for a second.

What’s the loudest you’ve heard Bobby Dodd over a complete game? Loudest moment I think would be kick 6 vs. FSU, loudest game I’ve heard was 09 upset of VT. I’m hopeful we’ll see good attendance this year and get BDS rockin again

KQ- Probably the VT game in 2009.

Do you think Key will or have asked for advice from Ralf Friedgen?

KQ- I wouldn't be shocked if he has.

Do you think attendance will go up automatically now since Collins is gone?

KQ- I'm not sure if it will be automatic but it will.

Being realistic I see it being “low” but maybe improved from 2021 and 2022 but I’m concerned it will take awhile to get back to 2008-2011 numbers due to loss of fan support since Collins and other issues.

KQ- It will take consistent winning to get back to anything like the early 2010s numbers.

Do you think this issue of attendance is more than just winning? I hope winning can cure most of it but even if we win I have doubts we can keep it up consistently

KQ- Winning is a big piece of it, having a consistent product.

Whats the most random/stupid topic you have seen on here that was more than one page long?

KQ- Chicken sandwiches.

The deal for Russell was up in July 2018. We announced in late august 2017 that we signed with adidas. So wouldn’t you expect some update on either resigning with adidas ( hopefully a better deal) or going with a new brand. I’m sure JBatt keeps that close since nothing leaks. What’s your gut say?

KQ- It was public that the Russell deal was ending and we are over a year away from the Adidas ending. It is a situation where Adidas is bidding to resign and Batt would be fielding other offers. I broke the Addidas deal back in 2017 because it was a done deal at the time. When there is something done hopefully I can break it. My gut is they may try to go to Nike.

If you addressed this before I apologize, but I was curious how legitimate it was when we heard Bill Clark’s name mentioned in the HC discussion?

KQ- It was not a serious deal.

GT Louisville Line at...

... GT +8 as of Sunday evening, 6:30pm.


Also saw another outlet giving the Cards an 82% likelihood of winning.

Are many of us just wearing gold colored glasses or are we missing something here?

I'm just not blown away by Louisville

Helluva Block Party Logistics

I had reached out to a few people asking how this the "Block Party" will work. I figured they want it to be somewhat like the Grove at Ole Miss.
My concern was people would have to park and lug everything across campus or the city to get to it. They have responded with this info (Below). Incase anyone was looking to joining.



Hey Mr. Boger,


So good news! I just had a conversation with another person who is running point on Helluva Block Party and it seems like you would be able to “unload” at the top of Cherry Street, rather than having to lug everything from your parking space. After unloading you would have to make a U turn and then park in your assigned parking lot. We do close down Helluva Block Party 30 minutes prior to kickoff with the goal of having the roads completely clear for egress by the end of halftime. That does mean you would have to haul your tailgate equipment back to your car in your parking space before the start of the game (since you would not be able to leave your parking lot, come back up to Cherry Street, and then repark in your parking lot). Does that all make sense?





I personally think it needs to be moved to a permanent spot where tents, coolers, grills, TVs can be left safely for those who want to return after the game and hang out a little longer. GT would need to provide a little security in this area. That would give me all the reason to invest even more into an awesome tailgate and make it something I truly look forward to all year long. I would even pay a small fee of $20ish dollars to have a spot reserved for me so I have a spot to unload my stuff.

When GTAA goes that route, I will believe they are serious about football lol.

FOOTBALL Practice Notes and Quotes 8/29

We had a huge media turnout today, like 5x the normal crowd, so I'm going to actually skip over a lot of comments on things we've covered here and you can watch the video or listen to the audio if you want Key's full comments from today.

Brent opened up by joking it was like Gremlins seeing all the media here and I enjoyed his joked.

He said they are relatively healthy going into Louisville and he likes where the team is mentally coming off a very physical fall camp. He said everyone is entering the excitement phase and he is trying to temper that until Friday and focus on one game at a time. He said they only get 12 guaranteed opportunities to play a game fewer than any other sport, so they have to make the most of that and have fun.

Today was a Wednesday practice on a Tuesday because of the shuffled week.

Key said the team isn't anxious about the game, he is trying eliminate that idea from the whole organization and they have plenty in their lives to be anxious about and football shouldn't be one of those things. He wants them excited and ready to compete but he doesn't want them uptight. Don't play tight, don't play with a fear of making a mistake or the fear of losing. He said the best competitors don't play scared to lose it is about the opportunity to get better and show improvement each time and that has been the goal since camp opened. He is excited to see where they are at on Friday night.

Key said the first game is very much about stopping the run and the pass on D and it is not as much about the opponent as other games because you haven't seen this team play yet and they are a new staff at Louisville. They looked at Purdue, WKU for Brohm and Louisville tape from last year as well as tape on the transfers who they expect to play to come up with a plan, but the main goal is just going out and competing and seeing how it plays out because it is still just football.

Key said he is looking forward to seeing how his team deals with adversity and how they handle the challenges of this season. He said last year is last year and this is a new year and a new team.

Key said they plan to roll a lot of DLs and Marco Coleman really wants to keep those guys fresh and he has things ready to go for both run D and to get after the QB.

Key said offensively the goal is to have the team execute in every type of situation and they really focused on situational football in the spring and all of fall camp so they can play with a cool calm demeanor, but also physical and disciplined and that starts with Haynes King and that is how he wants him to play, loose and with confidence, but also the toughness he expects from his QB.

Someone tried to ask if Buster Faulkner will have an opening script and he ducked that.

On ACC expansion, Key said he loves the ACC and has been a part of it since 1996 and he has faith in the commissioner to do the right things and keep it a mix of great athletics and academics with an exciting brand of football. He is behind the decision to expand if they choose to do so.

Key said he wants to reestablish what Georgia Tech football is and that has been his goal since day one on the job. Being committed to that process and to each other and playing physical and tough football. He said every day he works to improve the team and put them in a situation where if they are in adverse situations they can lean on their training and execute.

Key said he hasn't announced the captain for the Louisville game, but he knows who they are and he will tell the team later this week.

Key said he is very confident in Ricky Brumfield and what he has done with the special teams unit and how they are now multiple in various aspects of the game. He is excited to see how they look live under the lights on that side of the ball on Friday night.

HOOPS RECRUITING First 2024 offer board is LIVE

Q's Take sponsored by Inteleca: Calford and week 1 thoughts

Thanks to our new sponsor Inteleca for helping bring back Q's Take my weekly look at things around GT and college sports from my vantage.


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I'm reminded of a song by the Steve Miller Band whenever I hear about conference expansion right now.

"Go on, take the money and run"

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The 1976 hit "Take the Money and Run" reminds me of college football these days but instead of Billy Joe and Bobbie Sue robbing people we have greedy conferences and the ACC deserves plenty of blame as one of the early raiders of CFB including killing the Big East outright as a conference.

Moves are now measured in 5-year increments and adding Stanford, Cal and even SMU will be helpful in a small window and while inconvenient for fans and the media, it is mostly going to be a pain in the ass for student-athletes. However most people don't realize there are already plenty of crazy trips going on in sports as is. Go check out the golf schedule some time or how long baseball is away from Atlanta during a season.

Gold opens the season in Illinois, play in Fort Worth next and go to Pebble Beach this fall and then go to Hawaii, PCB, Chula Vista, CA, San Francisco, Naples, FL and the NCAAT is in Carlsbad, CA.

Travel already sucks for many sports.

The ACC needs money and some more brands to trade on as they lost the war for the Pac-10 leftovers thanks to ESPN's lack of desire to fork over dough to make the ACC a mega conference IMO. Those conversations went on for over a year behind closed doors as I've said and others have confirmed nationally. The cashed-strapped House of Mouse has both the ACC and SEC in check at a time where the Big Ten and Big XII were able to probably overexpand.

What happens in 2028, 2029, 2030, those are problems for a few years from now, but right now they need to add more value to a conference that has really been devalued by poor additions like Boston College and then sagging brands like FSU, VaTech and Miami with the Canes providing almost nothing for the league since joining the conference as I've broken down many times.

GT hasn't held up their end of the bargain for the last five or six years either, but I think that will change.

That gets me to point #2

Win, lose or draw, Georgia Tech fans need to show up this season and support the program. This won't be fixed overnight. GT is not in a position to be Clemson at the moment so have some realistic expectations for the upcoming season. I think you will see a team that plays hard and doesn't give up and they should be able to sneak into a bowl game and maybe a little more than that with some luck. If things go poorly with injuries and breaks then they could fall back a little, but the future is bright with lots of young talent on the roster and a really strong signing class coming in. I'm not hedging, I'm not trying to lower expectations but the reality is this is a brand new team and it will take time to figure out the lineup, the playmakers and even the permanent QB situation unless Haynes King plays like he has practiced in which case, GT would be in a very good position this season.

I don't want people jumping off cliffs in GT falls in the Benz nor should you think they are going to run the table. The first four weeks of the season are about finding out who you are and who your team is and you should get better each game and that is what you want to see.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Brent Key's team looks like in week one, but I'm more curious about what they look like in week 8, 9, 10, 11 etc...

FOOTBALL Rules changes for 2023 snapshot

IRVING, Texas (July 20, 2023) – As the 2023 college football season approaches, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame has again partnered with the College Football Officiating (CFO) to highlight the key rule changes that will take effect this fall.



Since 2011, the NFF has partnered with the College Football Officiating (CFO), led by Steve Shaw and chaired by Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher, to help generate awareness for the rule changes in college football. The CFO functions as the national professional organization for all football officials who work games at the collegiate level, and the organization has held its annual winter meeting of conference coordinators for football officials each January at the NFF headquarters in Irving, Texas since 2013.



Shaw, who became the CFO National Coordinator of Football Officials in March 2020, previously served the Southeastern Conference and Sun Belt Conference as coordinator of officials. He also serves as the Secretary-Rules Editor of the NCAA Football Rules Committee, a position critical to the development of competition rules and policies. Shaw excelled as a head referee for 15 years in the SEC, earning 14 postseason assignments, including two national championship games. He has been a leader in revamping the sport's officiating mechanics and advancing the use of technology to assist officials.



"The mission of the Rules Committee is to develop and evaluate rules changes that will enhance the sport, protect the image of the game, and enhance the student athlete's health and safety," said Shaw. "Player safety has been the highest priority of the committee for many years now resulting in significant changes that have improved the game in terms of mitigating injuries.





2023 Rules Changes​



Enforcing all players’ health and safety rules continues to be the top point of emphasis from the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. The Targeting rule will remain the same in 2023 as the committee feels the rule continues to drive positive player behavior in terms of the use of the helmet. The committee also noted last year’s change to the blocking below the waist rule resulted in data showing fewer player injuries.



The most significant 2023 football rules changes involve adjustments to the timing and clock rules. The rules committee made these changes to drive three strategic initiatives:



  • Keep the game moving in terms of pace of play.
  • Moderately reduce the number of plays per game.
  • Ensure consistency in officiating mechanics managing the game clock.


Stopping and Starting the Clock – First Downs (Rule 3-3-2-e-1)

When Team A (the offense) gains a first down, the clock will no longer be stopped to award a first down except with less than two minutes remaining in the 2ndand 4th quarters. This change is effective immediately for DI and DII and will be implemented in 2024 for DIII.



Consecutive Charged Team Timeouts (Rule 3-3-4-a)

Consecutive charged team timeouts will no longer be allowed by the same team in any individual dead ball period. Each team is entitled to three charged team timeouts during each half, with no more than one charged team timeout available per team, per individual dead ball period.



Extension of Periods (Rule 3-2-3-a)

A period shall be extended for an untimed down in the 2nd or 4th quarter only if a penalty is accepted for a live-ball foul, if there are offsetting fouls, or an inadvertent whistle. The 1st and 3rdquarters will not be extended, and any penalty enforcement will be carried over to the following quarter.



Drone Policy (Rule 1-4-11-d)

Drones are not allowed over the field or the team area when squad members are present within the playing enclosure. Outside the limit lines, game management (or conference policy) will govern drone activity. This governance includes all FAA, state, and local laws including campus policy where appropriate.



Halftime Intermission (Rule 3-2-1-c & 11-1-3)

The field will be available to squad members for halftime warmup no later than three minutes prior to the second half kickoff. When any Squad Member enters the playing enclosure during the halftime intermission, a staff member from that team must be present on the field.



If kickers or other squad members come onto the playing enclosure before the field is available, their activities must be confined to the team area. All team personnel will be respectful of scheduled halftime activities, and all kicks must be into the practice kicking nets until the field is available.



When the field is available to players, the field will be divided into an “L-shaped” configuration with the thirty yard-lines forming the “L” in order to keep the teams separated.



Instant Replay without an Instant Replay Booth Official (New Rule 12-2-1-c)

The optional use of instant replay in games that do not have an instant replay booth official is now permissible and must be in full compliance with Rule 12 (the replay rule) with the following exceptions:

  • The Referee will be the sole decision maker on any review and may include one additional crew member to consult on the review.
  • The equipment used in the review must be located outside the limit lines on the sideline or end zone and must be completely outside the team area. The referee and additional crew member must be provided a separate, secure location away from fans and sideline personnel, with a tent or similar type shelter structure.
  • The Referee will stop the game to review all Targeting Fouls that are called on the field. The only other method to stop a game for a replay review is through a head coach challenge. When the head coach requests a timeout for replay review, the replay challenge flag must be dropped onto the field of play.
  • Other than for a Targeting review, the crew on the field may not initiate an instant replay review.
  • The head coach may initiate a Targeting review if the team has a timeout available and a coach’s challenge remaining.

FOOTBALL WAR ROOM: GT Football Depth Chart Projections and more

For this edition of the WAR ROOM I'm sticking with football only discussion about team topics. I'll dive in soon on hoops and other things in a different WAR ROOM.

Let's start from the top.

QB BATTLE

Haynes King won the job over the final two weeks of preseason camp. Zach Pyron was the leader in the clubhouse exiting spring ball and throughout the summer, but King is more experienced and he has won the job at two other places. Once he got a handle on the offense and what Weinke and Buster wanted he improved a lot and Pyron also probably put too much pressure on himself according to my sources and was pressing instead of just letting it rip.

Coach Key said the leash is not short, but in reality, it is. King has to produce or they will try Pyron and no one knows how this will play out during the season. The decision was a difficult one for Key and his staff and both QBs are extremely motivated. This is King's last shot at P5 starting QB-dom and Pyron is mad he lost the battle and is using that to motivate himself per sources.

Zach Gibson remains the insurance policy and a solid one if you use him correctly like they did at the end of the season rather than trying to call it like he is Jeff Sims. Brody Rhodes is QB4.

QBs- King, Pyron, Gibson, Rhodes

RB BY COMMITTEE

Key wasn't fibbing when he said it would be RB by committee. Dontae Smith is the veteran and probably the first guy in and then it will be production-based. Jamie Felix has flashed at times, Trey Cooley missed a big chunk of camp per sources with an injury but is back now but playing catchup. Evan Dickens had a great spring but hit a freshman wall in preseason camp and has taken time to pick up where he left off. Jamal Haynes is the most interesting of the guys as a speed and space back, but he has had issues holding onto the ball per sources. They even like the three walk-on RBs a lot, Daylon Gordon and Englan Williams are back and they added Chad Alexander from Archer HS who the staff really like as well. I think any of those guys could play in a game even the walk-ons if they had to. They are hoping some guys rise to the top and Dontae is able to return to form. As Key said yesterday this will be a lot of and/or's with that group.

RB- Smith, Cooley or Felix or Haynes, Dickens, Gordon or Williams or Alexander

SLOT RECEIVER

I'll break this up separately even though there are many guys who can play both slot and outside receiver. This is the offensive skill position the staff is most optimistic about overall. Malik Rutherford is very solid and should fill Nate McCollum's shoes nicely as a versatile weapon in the passing game. Christian Leary still has some drop issues, but he is dynamic in a straight line and good at just outrunning folks. Eric Singleton Jr., Zion Taylor and Bailey Stockton are guys who could play inside or outside.

SLT- Rutherford, Leary, Singleton or Taylor or Stockton.

OUTSIDE RECEIVERS

This is the group I have the least feel for right now with the depth chart. I expect it will shake out more as the season goes along and assuming things go well, I expect Leo Blackburn back as soon as sometime in October as he is ahead of schedule. That would be a huge boost here. I am not sure if James BlackStrain has been cleared or not for contact, I'll leave him out for now since I don't know his status yet, but he had a very nice camp even getting some love from the coaches in media sessions. Dominick Blaylock has been okay, Chase Lane has been okay and DJ Moore has been okay, those were the three guys I was hoping to see a jump up from. DJ is still very young, he missed a ton of time last year with his injury which I think was an ankle deal so he is almost like a freshman out there. Abdul Janneh s a bigger Adonicas Sanders in comparison, he will catch the ball and is very solid but isn't going to just beat people one-on-one on the outside. Avery Boyd also had a nice camp. They are not married to using X and Z but for this I will break them up that way. All WRs can play either. The big X factor is the guy I mentioned about Singleton. He is Ahmarrean Brown with hands and cutting ability. If he does what he is capable of, he will turn out to be one of the biggest steals GT has signed in a LONG TIME. He is an absolute freak in practice and is the fastest guy on the team and it is field speed not just in underwear running 40s.

X- Blaylock or Janneh, Boyd
Z- Lane or Moore, Singleton

TIGHT ENDS/H-BACKS

I am not even sure what the nomenclature Faulkner uses for his crew but they will have sets with multiple tight ends assuming everyone is healthy. Dylan Leonard is the clear #1 guy and has been very solid and looked better than the spring probably because he is healthier now removed from all the injuries last season. Brett Seither is a tough kid who gives them a nice dynamic out there in the passing game. Luke Benson when healthy is also really interesting. Jackson Long is coming along slowly, he still drops too many balls. Billy Ward has struggled to make much of an impression per my sources. He looks like he should be a beast but it isn't happening on the field.

TE- Leonard, Seither or Benson or Long, Ward, Joshua Rudder
HB/TE2- Seither, Benson or Long, Anthony Minella

OFFENSIVE LINE

This is another area where I think they have the core group and there might be one interesting position battle still ongoing, but I have not worked to confirm that or not. The top six guys are pretty clear, Corey Robinson at LT (he has had a great offseason and preseason camp), Joe Fusile at LG (had a great offseason and camp), Weston Franklin at C and Jakiah Leftwich at RT (he has had a great camp). The battle to me has actually been Connor Scaglione and Jordan Williams at RG. I would pencil in Williams as the starter right now, but Williams can also play both tackle spots and Scaglione can play both guard spots so those are your first six guys. The next ones are Jordan Brown as a reserve OT and Paul Tchio as backup guard and Brandon Best as the backup C/OG. Things get interesting once you get into this group because Gabe Fortson is gunning for the backup center job as a true freshman and Ethan MacKenny is pushing for the backup OT spot. Both Brown and MacKenny can play LT and RT. Tyler Gibson can play both tackle and both guard spots if needed as well, but he has struggled with staying healthy in the summer and camp per sources. Benjamin Galloway is the other freshman at guard that has done well, but the numbers don't favor him playing much.

LT- Robinson, Brown or MacKenny, Gibson, Cloy
LG- Fusile, Scaglione or Tchio, Gibson
C- Franklin, Best or Fortson or Fusile
RG- Williams or Scaglione, Tchio, Galloway
RT- Leftwich, Williams or Brown or MacKenny, Gibson, Screws
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