Georgia Tech-Mercer: Inside the numbers

1 – Mercer's rank in FCS in 2015 in red-zone offense, fewest penalties per game and fewest penalty yards per game.

1.4 – Percentage of miles, from Mercer's Five Star Stadium to Bobby Dodd Stadium, not on I-75, according to Google directions (1.2 out of 87.1)

19.7/3.8 – Spending on football, in millions of dollars, at Tech and Mercer in 2014, according to U.S. Department of Education statistics

9 – Number of consecutive home openers that Tech has won. All nine have been against FCS opponents.

10 – Number of former Tech players expected to be on NFL active rosters for opening weekend.

61 – Number of yards quarterback Justin Thomas needs to pass Mike Kelley for seventh place in career total offense.

178 – Mercer's finish in the 2015 Sagarin ratings, with a 5-6 record. Seven spots ahead of Mercer was Alcorn State, which Tech beat 69-6 in that season's opener.

887 – Games that the Jackets have played since they last played Mercer in the 1938 season opener, a 19-0 Tech win.

About the Author

Lane Kiffin flexes new muscle on Oklahoma’s Brent Venables, ignites rivalry

The Ole Miss coach unloaded on the well-respected Sooners coach after Venables said he “felt like we were the better team” after the Rebels beat Oklahoma 34-26 on Saturday.