Three storylines
The size of Kansas' offensive line. Georgia Tech's trio of defensive linemen — ends Jason Peters and Izaan Cross and tackle Logan Walls — average 287 pounds, which is big until compared to Kansas' offensive line, which averages 305 pounds. The Jayhawks love to pound the ball and have the personnel to do it. It will be a stout test for the Tech front.
More action for Sims. So long as the game is competitive, coaches plan to use B-back David Sims a lot more than they have in the first two games, in which he averaged 10.5 carries. They also want Sims, a bruiser with powerful leg drive who averages 6.4 yards per carry, to break some big plays.
Keeping up the intensity. The Yellow Jackets have started strong in the first two games, outscoring the opposition 49-0 in the first quarter. Against a team that handed them an embarrassing loss a year ago, the Jackets shouldn't have trouble coming out of the gate with energy and intensity. They would be wise to maintain it. Kansas beat Northern Illinois last Saturday after falling behind 21-7.
A Georgia Tech win would ...
- Give the Jackets their first 3-0 start since the 2005 season and second since 2001.
- Improve Paul Johnson's Tech record in September to 10-4.
A Kansas win would ...
- Break the Jayhawks' nine-game road losing streak.
- Be the Jayhawks' fourth in a row against ACC teams.
Keep an eye on ...
For Tech: Wide receiver Tyler Melton has been workmanlike in providing blocking support for the run game. A senior who has caught 17 passes in 34 career games, Melton may be targeted a little more often to reward him for his efforts.
For Kansas: Wide receiver D.J. Beshears caught the game-winning touchdown pass for Kansas with nine seconds to go last weekend, the last of his 15 touches and 285 all-purpose yards. The 5-foot-8 Beshears returns kicks and punts — he had a 51-yard kick return last week — and is an option in Kansas' Wildcat formation. With the Jayhawks thin at receiver, he'll likely be busy.
The numbers game
9 The number of teams in ACC history, including Tech this year, that scored 100 or more points in their first two games, a collection of more than 500 teams.
199 The number of points that Tech (112) and Kansas (87) have combined to score through their first two games.
The history book
Series record: Tied 1-1.
Last meeting: Entering the game ranked 15th in the country, Tech laid an egg in Lawrence, Kan., and lost 28-25 to the Jayhawks on Sept. 11, 2010. Penalties, special-teams mistakes and Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb, who riddled the Jackets with three touchdown passes, did in Tech.
The bottom line
Once again, Tech appears to be the superior team. Saturday’s game represents an opportunity for the Jackets to demonstrate in particular their resolve and defensive might.
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