What Tech fans need to know about Virginia
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• Record: 3-3 overall (2-0 ACC)
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Who will have the better game?
• Last week: Defeated Maryland 20-9 in College Park.
• Last time played Tech: Virginia won 24-17 in 2008 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
• Virginia on offense: As good as the Cavs have been defensively, they've been just as inept on offense. They gained just 201 yards against the Terps last week and rank in the bottom three in ACC scoring offense (24.2 ppg) and total offense (304.4 ypg). Things were so bad that four games ago, coach Al Groh scrapped the spread offense that the team had tried in favor of a traditional pro set. The Cavaliers do have weapons in QB Jameel Sewell and RB Mikell Simpson but haven't been able to get them going consistently.
• Virginia on defense: The Cavaliers didn't allow a touchdown in their first two conference games. In the past three, they've allowed a total of 19 points and an average of 237 yards. The Cavs have been tough on third down, holding opponents to a 29.3 conversion rate, best in the league. Overall, UVA is allowing an average 18.7 points per game, compared to Tech's 26.
• Virginia on special teams: The Cavaliers are averaging 17.2 yards per kick return, among the five worst in the country. They aren't much better in punt returns, averaging 6.32 (85th in the country). They are slightly better at punt coverage and kick coverage, which could be an issue considering Georgia Tech's prowess at returning punts (No. 1 in the country, 24.88 per return).
• What you need to know: The Cavs are 17-of-17 in red zone efficiency, best in the nation. They are also among the bottom-feeders in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score 16 out of 17 times.
• What you may not know: While the University was founded by Thomas Jefferson, it was actually built on land owned by another president, James Monroe.
• Coach: Al Groh is 59-47 in nine seasons at Virginia.
More on the Web: Virginia Athletics
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