GEORGIA TECH AT PITTSBURGH
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: ESPNU
Line: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2
WHAT TO EXPECT
Tech on offense: The Yellow Jackets will have to depend upon B-back Synjyn Days, who will sub for the injured Zach Laskey, out with a shoulder injury. Days has knowledge of the offense and is a low-to-the-ground bruiser, but doesn't have nearly the experience at the position that Laskey does. First-year freshman C.J. Leggett may make his debut.
Pittsburgh on offense: At 66/34, the Panthers have the third-highest run/pass ratio in the ACC behind Tech (75/25) and Boston College (71/29), befitting coach Paul Chryst's Wisconsin roots. Pittsburgh wields sledgehammer running back James Conner, leading the ACC in rushing at 137 yards per game. Wide receiver Tyler Boyd caught a career-high 11 passes last year against Tech.
Tech on defense: With a run defense ranked No. 115 in the country in yards per carry (5.26), the Jackets will be up against the toughest running back they've faced. If Tech's linemen and linebackers can't get off blocks often enough to gang tackle Conner, the Jackets will be in an awful fix. Also, the Jackets haven't forced a fumble in the past three games.
Pittsburgh on defense: The Panthers look great on paper — No. 6 in the country in defensive third-down efficiency (28 percent) and No. 13 in yards per play (4.59) — but have not played an offense nearly as efficient as Tech's. Jackets coaches are particularly wary of defensive tackle Darryl Render and linebacker Todd Thomas.
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