Georgia Tech vs. Vanderbilt preview

By Doug Roberson

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

3 keys to the game

1. Get ahead early. Vanderbilt’s offense isn’t very strong (the Commodores haven’t scored more than 10 points in a SEC game this season). Grabbing a lead early and turning the Commodores into a one-dimensional offense will give the Jackets more chances to defend the pass.

2. Stay focused. This is a non-conference game so it won’t impact the ACC standings. However, Tech could use it as a chance to impress any national voters in the coaches’ or Harris’ polls who are curious about an ACC-SEC matchup.

3. Stay healthy. Coach Paul Johnson said his team is pretty beat up. With two important ACC games coming up in the next two weeks, he might want to try to use as many players as he can if Tech can jump to a quick lead.

A Georgia Tech win would ...

*Extend its winning streak to six games.

*Be its second in as many games against an SEC team this season.

*Be its fifth consecutive against the Commodores.

A Vanderbilt win would ...

*Be its third against a team from outside the SEC this season.

*Be its first this season against a ranked team this season.

*Improve the Commodores to 67-59-5 against teams from the ACC.

Keep an eye on ...

For Georgia Tech: Safety Morgan Burnett. The Commodores have been in every game this season, but have mostly been undone by an offense that can’t generate many yards passing (174.8 rushing to 148.2 passing a game). Should the Jackets get ahead quickly and force the Commodores to pass, look for Burnett to get a few chances to add to the four interceptions he’s already made this season.

For Vanderbilt: Warren Norman. The freshman from Chamblee High School has 533 yards rushing this season, leads the SEC with 157.5 all purpose yards a game and has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Johnson said it’s not unusual to have good return men on every team now, but that doesn’t mean the Jackets won’t have a solid plan for trying to defend against him breaking a long one for an easy touchdown.

The numbers game

8

Touchdowns in the past three games for Georgia Tech quarterback Josh Nesbitt.

35.5

Points per game average for Georgia Tech on the road this season.

117th

Out of 120 teams in time of possession (26:42) for the Commodores.The Yellow Jackets hold onto the ball an average of 34:50 every game.

History book

Last meeting: Georgia Tech won 24-17 in overtime in 2003 in Nashville.

Series record: Georgia Tech leads series 18-15-3.

The bottom line

Despite Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson’s experience against Paul Johnson’s offenses when the two coached against each other on the Division I-AA level, and again when Paul was at Navy and Bobby at Vanderbilt, this game shouldn’t be close. Vanderbilt’s defense is solid, but its offense likely won’t be able to keep the game close.