Tech vs. Fresno State preview

Sports

Tech vs. Fresno State preview

Georgia Tech and Fresno State square off in the Humanitarian Bowl, Dec. 31.

Many of the Jackets, especially the defensive players, say they are rallying around defensive coordinator and interim coach Jon Tenuta, whose sixth and final season at Tech ends Monday. Tenuta wouldn't discuss his future beyond Monday's game other than to say "I have a pretty good idea" when asked where he'd be coaching in 2008.

Today's game will be played under unfamiliar conditions for Tech in two respects: It's on artificial turf, and the high temperature is forecast to be 30 degrees. The playing surface shouldn't be a big issue. There will be four big heaters on the Tech sideline; also, some players will wear wraparound hand muffs.

The Bulldogs rank 86th in the nation in run defense. To understand how bad that is consider this: It's two spots behind Duke. Running back Tashard Choice ran for 170 yards against the Blue Devils. There's no reason to think he'll be any less successful. "We might play a little meaner, a little more aggressive," Choice said.

The last time Fresno State and Tech met -- Dec. 31, 2002, in the Silicon Valley Football Classic -- it was forgettable. The star of the game was the Bulldog's Rodney Davis. who ran for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Fresno State won 30-21.

Georgia Tech isn't ranked and just fired its coach, but to Fresno State the Yellow Jackets represent the big time, a traditionally strong team from a Bowl Championship Series conference. "We're trying to build a tradition around here, and it takes games like this against big-time opponents to get that going," quarterback Tom Brandstater said.

Kicker Travis Bell and punter Durant Brooks will introduce Tech's offense and defense on ESPN's telecast, and that could be a fitting choice for this game. Tech and Fresno State have two of the nation's best collections of special teams.

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Many of the Jackets, especially the defensive players, say they are rallying around defensive coordinator and interim coach Jon Tenuta, whose sixth and final season at Tech ends Monday. Tenuta wouldn't discuss his future beyond Monday's game other than to say "I have a pretty good idea" when asked where he'd be coaching in 2008.

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