Tech looks to stay in ACC, break streak

"It's an elimination game for us," Johnson said.

And it's coming in a place, and against a team, that has had Georgia Tech's number.

The Yellow Jackets haven't won at Scott Stadium since upsetting the No. 1 Cavaliers 41-38 in 1990. It's an 0-for-8 streak since.

"We are unconcerned and unimpressed with anything that happened in 2007, 2008, or anything from the previous three weeks," Virginia coach Al Groh said.

He was referring to the three-game win streak the Cavaliers are on after defeating Maryland, Indiana and North Carolina to even their record at 3-3. That rising tide also lifted Virginia to 2-0 and surprisingly to the top of the Coastal Division, a place they weren't predicted to be before the season.

Should Virginia keeps its formula of few turnovers/solid defense going and beat Tech, it will eliminate the Jackets from the ACC championship race because Tech will have two losses and will be looking up at not only Virginia, but also Miami, Virginia Tech and possibly Duke.

After starting the season with losses to Division I-AA William and Mary, TCU and Southern Miss, Virginia has allowed its past three opponents an average of 224.3 yards per game, after giving up 344.4 in the opening three.

The Cavaliers are also plus-three in turnover margin, which is remarkable considering they were minus-six after the season's first two games.

"Early in the year they were killing themselves with turnovers," Johnson said. "Defense is getting turnovers and getting great field position and not giving up any points. When you do that, it's pretty easy to win a game."

Georgia Tech hopes it has solved the defensive woes that turned potential blowouts against Florida State and Mississippi State into close games. Though the Jackets held the Hokies to 334 yards, they still averaged 7.4 yards per play. In comparison, FSU averaged 8.2 and Mississippi State averaged 7.16. The Cavaliers come in averaging 4.3 yards per play.

But Tech's fortunes likely will hinge on an offense that has generated an average of 35.8 points and 444.2 yards over the past four games.

Johnson said he doesn't think he will have a problem keeping his team grounded after such a big win over the Hokies when they are about to face a team that has given them so many problems over the years and with so much at stake.

Now, he said Tech just needs to win.

"We have to play as well as we can play and see if we're good enough," Johnson said. "I tell our guys that all the time, go play your game and see if you're good enough. The best way to win the game is not to lose it, don't give them away and make them beat you."