GEORGIA TECH AT N.C. STATE

Line: Tech by 3 1/2

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tech on offense: After scoring touchdowns on each of their first three possessions against Virginia, the Yellow Jackets slowed their pace considerably, averaging 10.3 yards per play on the first three drives and 3.7 over the final eight. No matter the course of Saturday's game, Tech will be challenged to keep up its "zest," as coach Paul Johnson put it, for four quarters.

N.C. State on offense: The Wolfpack prefer to move the ball on the ground, with a 53/47 run/pass ratio. N.C. State relies on three running backs, Matt Dayes, Tony Creecy and Shadrach Thornton. Together, they average 123 yards per game and 5.5 yards per carry. Freshman wide receiver Bo Hines leads the Wolfpack with 34 receptions and does not have a drop this season.

Tech on defense: The Jackets will have defensive lineman Patrick Gamble in the lineup after he injured his left leg near the end of Saturday's game. He'll be counted on to tighten the pocket on quarterback Jacoby Brissett and to set the edge on run plays. His durability will bear watching, as will tackles Adam Gotsis and Shawn Green, as Gamble had been the No. 3 tackle.

N.C. State on defense: The Wolfpack have a trio of defensive tackles who have caught the notice of Tech coaches, T.Y. McGill, B.J. Hill and Thomas Teal. N.C. State has a major flaw with its third-down defense, ranking 124th in the country at 50.4 percent. Against the No. 1 third-down efficiency offense in the country (Tech converts 57.4 percent of its third downs), that could be trouble.