Getting away from the MAC tonight and moving the action to the ACC. tonight we have Viriginia Tech ( 8-1 ) travelling to Bobby Dodd Stadium to face Georgia Tech ( 7-2 ).
Georgia Tech who started the season 6-0 were struggling, dropping back to back games ( to Virigina and Miami on the road ) before getting their shit together to pull off the upset and handing a high powered then ranked #4 Clemson team it's first loss of the season.
Virigina Tech has been slowly climbing the ranks and most recently defeated Duke on the road two weeks ago 14-10. Virigina Techs lone loss this season was back in week 4 to Clemson...they lost 23-3.
GT ranks second nationally in rushing averaging about 320 yrds/game while scoring about 37 points per game. The reason they run the ball so much is because they execute the Triple-Option style of play better than any team in the country. for those who don't know what the Triple-Option is, it is a pain in the ass to defend. The QB lines up under center and has 2 RBs at his flank...depending on the way the defender bites, the QB either hands off the ball to either running back or keeps it himself to find the open running lane. Teams are mystified by this type of running attack. 9 times out of 10 GT is going to run the ball, sounds easy to defend right? Just stop the run...not so fast... there are a number of different lanes that can open up for a runner simply because of the way a defender moves, the way an OLman blocks....if the QB sees this and makes the right decision the RB ( or QB ) can get to the second level and take it to the house. GT leads the nation in plays over 20 yrds... GT passing game has also vastly improved...predominately a run oriented offense, if the defense gets complacent and stacks only for the run, QB Tevin Washington has shown a number of times that he can throw the ball downfield, his favorite target is Steven Hill who is averaging over 30 yrds per reception...if this offense is on their game, they are mighty hard to stop especially since the have added the passing element into their play.
VT on the other hand ranks 7th nationally against the run. They also have a more than capable defense. The team is averaging allowing just 298.3 yards per game and 15.4 points per game, ranking No. 12 and No. 6 in the nation respectively. 9 different players for the Hokies have at least 1 interception this year. On offense Virgina Tech's running back David Wilson has rushed for more than 100 yards in six straight games, which is the longest streak of the last 25 yrs.
This game will come down to VT's ability to stop the run, they have the talent and speed to do it but the question is whether or not they can do it successfully. They may rank high in defense but what concerns me about this stat are the opponents that VT has played. They played a close knit-game against Duke, whooped on a lowly Boston College and Wake Forrest squad, beat up on Marshall and Arkansas state... they played a close game against Miami ( which could have gone either way ). The only team that VT has played that has the same type of fire-power as GT is Clemson, and VT lost that game. Defensve stats on paper look good, but playing against offensivly challenged teams slightly inflates those stats...when faced with a high powered offense, can the defense keep up??
GT beat Clemson and VT lost to Clemson then naturally GT should beat VT...thats not the case. Football math doesn't always work...but in this case people will think that since GT did beat Clemson 2 weeks ago that this is a prime "let down" spot. I think to the contrary...GT,on a nationally televised game, at home and coming off the biggest win of the season, in a game that could determine the ACC champion.... I think the crowd will rally behind this team and give them just enough boost to get the win. GT always plays big games well... VT will struggle with the triple-option, and GT will find opening to get the ball downfield through the air.... At a pick'em I have to side with the home team on this one.
GT-24
VT-23
Georgia Tech who started the season 6-0 were struggling, dropping back to back games ( to Virigina and Miami on the road ) before getting their shit together to pull off the upset and handing a high powered then ranked #4 Clemson team it's first loss of the season.
Virigina Tech has been slowly climbing the ranks and most recently defeated Duke on the road two weeks ago 14-10. Virigina Techs lone loss this season was back in week 4 to Clemson...they lost 23-3.
GT ranks second nationally in rushing averaging about 320 yrds/game while scoring about 37 points per game. The reason they run the ball so much is because they execute the Triple-Option style of play better than any team in the country. for those who don't know what the Triple-Option is, it is a pain in the ass to defend. The QB lines up under center and has 2 RBs at his flank...depending on the way the defender bites, the QB either hands off the ball to either running back or keeps it himself to find the open running lane. Teams are mystified by this type of running attack. 9 times out of 10 GT is going to run the ball, sounds easy to defend right? Just stop the run...not so fast... there are a number of different lanes that can open up for a runner simply because of the way a defender moves, the way an OLman blocks....if the QB sees this and makes the right decision the RB ( or QB ) can get to the second level and take it to the house. GT leads the nation in plays over 20 yrds... GT passing game has also vastly improved...predominately a run oriented offense, if the defense gets complacent and stacks only for the run, QB Tevin Washington has shown a number of times that he can throw the ball downfield, his favorite target is Steven Hill who is averaging over 30 yrds per reception...if this offense is on their game, they are mighty hard to stop especially since the have added the passing element into their play.
VT on the other hand ranks 7th nationally against the run. They also have a more than capable defense. The team is averaging allowing just 298.3 yards per game and 15.4 points per game, ranking No. 12 and No. 6 in the nation respectively. 9 different players for the Hokies have at least 1 interception this year. On offense Virgina Tech's running back David Wilson has rushed for more than 100 yards in six straight games, which is the longest streak of the last 25 yrs.
This game will come down to VT's ability to stop the run, they have the talent and speed to do it but the question is whether or not they can do it successfully. They may rank high in defense but what concerns me about this stat are the opponents that VT has played. They played a close knit-game against Duke, whooped on a lowly Boston College and Wake Forrest squad, beat up on Marshall and Arkansas state... they played a close game against Miami ( which could have gone either way ). The only team that VT has played that has the same type of fire-power as GT is Clemson, and VT lost that game. Defensve stats on paper look good, but playing against offensivly challenged teams slightly inflates those stats...when faced with a high powered offense, can the defense keep up??
GT beat Clemson and VT lost to Clemson then naturally GT should beat VT...thats not the case. Football math doesn't always work...but in this case people will think that since GT did beat Clemson 2 weeks ago that this is a prime "let down" spot. I think to the contrary...GT,on a nationally televised game, at home and coming off the biggest win of the season, in a game that could determine the ACC champion.... I think the crowd will rally behind this team and give them just enough boost to get the win. GT always plays big games well... VT will struggle with the triple-option, and GT will find opening to get the ball downfield through the air.... At a pick'em I have to side with the home team on this one.
GT-24
VT-23
