Tobacco Road Report

By Chris

Wake Forest rallied from a 6-3 deficit with two fourth quarter field goals to defeat Georgia Tech at All-Tel Stadium in Jacksonville today. The game was played in a light rain which matched the light attendance on hand. TRR wonders if the long-term prospects for the ACC Title game are strong if conference powers, FSU and Miami, do not get back on track with their football programs.

The game featured a battle of two solid defenses with the win going to Wake as it made fewer mistakes (no turnovers) and made one bigger play (two 30 plus yard receptions in second half). Riley Skinner played solid football for the Demon Deacons as the team played their usual mistake free football on Saturday. Tech’s defense was excellent in shutting down Wake’s running game, but Tech’s offense was a complete failure.

For Tech fans, the game marked another sad chapter in the Chan Gailey era. Tech had Wake on the ropes and could not put them away. TRR had a few moments to ponder the following:

• How can an offense with the best receiver in the country and a 1000 yard back be held scoreless?

• Why would Tech offensive coordinator Patrick Nix think he has a shot at the head coaching job at Tulane? He is probably the worst play caller in the ACC. Example: Nix calls a reverse to Johnson on 3 and 1 in the 1st half at midfield when Wake had 10 on the line. Nice call, Nix….

• Can Wake pull off another upset in the Orange Bowl? We’re guessing that the opponent will not have Reggie Ball at QB, so our early prediction is no.

What does this say about the state of the Tech football program? For the second straight year, a promising season has ended with a thud for Jacket fans. Pro-Gailey fans will argue the championship game appearance, but realists will probably point out that without the defensive coordinator, Jon Tenuta, Tech would be luck to scrape out bowl eligibility.

It looks like Tech has a top 15 recruiting class coming in, but Gailey’s commitment to Reggie Ball over the last four years is one of the more puzzling stories of the season.

For Wake fans, this game marked a triumph for the small school. Wake has in Jim Grobe one of the best coaches around, and it appears he has no interest in moving at this point. Wake returns most of their starting units next year and will likely contend again as FSU tries to reverse their fortune.