Three things to watch when Georgia Tech (5-3, 2-3) takes on North Carolina (6-2, 4-1) on Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.:
Bowl eligibility. With one more win the Yellow Jackets will become bowl-eligible. The team's streak of 18 consecutive bowl games was snapped with last year's 3-9 record. Though Tech's offense is rolling, the defense isn't, which is why it's still not a lock that Tech will reach that sixth victory. After this week's game, the team will play at Virginia Tech (6-2) in Blacksburg, will host Virginia (2-6) and then will play Georgia (4-4) in Athens.
Third downs. North Carolina's offense is the best in the ACC on third downs (47.7 percent.) Georgia Tech's defense is the worst in all of FBS at getting stops on third downs (50.9). Getting off the field has been a particular point of concern for Tech coach Paul Johnson. Players on Tech's defense said they must approach third downs like they do first and second downs.
Pressuring Mitch Trubisky. North Carolina's quarterback is still among the best in the ACC, though he is playing behind an offensive line that is being patched together because of injuries. Tech's defense is the worst at getting sacks (8). If the Yellow Jackets can't make Trubisky move, Tech could be in for a long afternoon.
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