Three storylines
Who will control the line of scrimmage? Georgia Tech set an NCAA record Saturday by averaging 12.1 yards per carry. North Carolina ranks 16th in the country in rushing defense (76.7 yards per game), although the Tar Heels gave up 170 rushing yards Saturday against Virginia. How the Tar Heels linemen handle Tech's cut blocks bears watching.
Tech has to get off the field. The Yellow Jackets' blemish thus far is their defensive third-down conversion rate of 47.9 percent, 104th out of 120 teams in FBS (formerly Division I-A). On Saturday, Kansas converted seven of its first nine third-down plays before Tech switched its scheme and permitted the Jayhawks to make two of their last eight. Tech will need to disrupt quarterback Bryn Renner's timing, or it could be a long afternoon.
Both teams have started strong. Tech has outscored opponents 63-7 in the first quarter, often rattling them with big-play scores. (The Jackets have also trumped the opposition by a 56-0 count in the third quarter.) North Carolina, meanwhile, has held firm in the first quarter also, owning a 21-0 advantage through three games. The team that can control the game will gain a psychological edge.
A Georgia Tech would ...
- Give the Jackets their first 4-0 start since 1990, when they won a share of the national championship.
- Extend its home win streak against North Carolina to seven games.
A North Carolina win would ...
- Give the Tar Heels strong position in the ACC with a 2-0 league record with wins over Coastal Division opponents.
- Make coach Everett Withers the first North Carolina coach to start his Chapel Hill term 4-0 since the school joined the ACC in 1953.
Keep an eye on ...
For Georgia Tech: Center Jay Finch likely will take on Tar Heels defensive tackle Tydreke Powell, a 305-pound senior with a 22-pound edge on Finch. The winner of Powell's battles with Finch and guards Omoregie Uzzi and Will Jackson will strongly influence whether Tech can run the ball.
For North Carolina: Running back Giovani Bernard, aided by backup Ryan Houston, have helped the Tar Heels average 179.3 yards per game. Tech has held its own stopping the run (3.6 yards per rush) and allowing only one run longer than 20 yards. Coming off an ACL tear from a year ago, Bernard will be a tougher challenge.
The numbers game
1971 The last year in which North Carolina had a new play-by-play voice. Jones Angell has replaced Woody Durham, the Tar Heels legend and the father of Tech play-by-play man Wes Durham.
1 Tech's national rank in rushing offense, total offense, scoring offense and passing efficiency.
The history book
Series record: Tech leads 25-18-3.
Last meeting: After getting upset the previous week by Kansas, Tech ran for 372 yards against the Tar Heels and quarterback Joshua Nesbitt accounted for two touchdowns in a 30-24 Jackets on Sept. 18, 2010, in Chapel Hill. A-back Orwin Smith scored on a 73-yard touchdown run to open Tech's scoring.
The bottom line
The Jackets have the opportunity to demonstrate their offensive capability before an ESPN audience and against one of the strongest defenses in the ACC. The Jackets just have to make sure their third-down defense doesn’t spoil the afternoon.
About the Author
