3 keys to the game
1. Win time of possession. Virginia Tech, with QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Ryan Williams, might be the only team on Georgia Tech's schedule that can hold onto the ball as long as the Jackets.
2. Make a couple of stops early. Mississippi State never punted, and FSU didn't punt until late in last week's game. If the Jackets can stop the Hokies even once in the first half, it likely will improve its chances of winning, especially with the way its offense is moving the ball right now.
3. Don't give up easy points. The Hokies have blocked only one kick this season, but their history of doing so is well known. The Jackets don't need to give up an easy touchdown.
A Georgia Tech win would ...
• Leave the Jackets and Hokies tied atop the ACC’s Coastal Division standings.
• Be its fourth consecutive this season after wins against North Carolina, Mississippi State and Florida State.
• Be its first against the Hokies at Bobby Dodd Stadium since their first game there in 1990.
A Virginia Tech win would ...
• Likely secure a spot for the Hokies in the ACC championship game.
• Also likely put Virginia Tech squarely in the hunt for the national championship based upon the strength of their early schedule, which was one of the toughest in the country.
• Be its third consecutive against the Yellow Jackets.
Keep an eye on ...
• For Georgia Tech: DBs Mario Butler and Jerrard Tarrant. If they can cover WRs Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale, everyone else can concentrate on stopping the Hokies' running game. Boykin and Coale have 29 catches for 624 yards and five touchdowns this season. The Yellow Jackets have had very little luck defending the pass the past two games (637 yards allowed), which has raised their season average to 249 yards per game.
• For Virginia Tech: Taylor and Williams. Taylor has been beating teams with the pass this season, Williams with the run. Combined, the two have a hand in 1,997 of the Hokies' 2,326 yards. If the Hokies can't effectively run, Taylor can still cause fits with his scrambling and passing, but does he have another game in him like he had against Nebraska?
The numbers game
• 1: Difference in average points scored between the two teams. Virginia Tech leads the ACC with 34.2 ppg, and Georgia Tech is second with 33.2.
• 5: Passes of 50 yards are longer completed by Georgia Tech this season. Virginia Tech has allowed three this season.
• 80: Consecutive passes completed by Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor without an interception.
History book
• Last meeting: Virginia Tech won 20-17 last season in Blacksburg.
• Series record: Virginia Tech leads 4-2.
The bottom line
Even if Georgia Tech’s offense continues its torrid pace, the defense must make a couple of stops. Doing so will put even more pressure on Virginia Tech and would also take Ryan Williams out of the mix. It’s a game the Yellow Jackets must win.
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