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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Open Season vs. Alcorn State

By Jonathan Savitske

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The college football season is finally upon us, as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets begin their 2015 campaign on Thursday night against the SWAC Champion Alcorn State Braves.

-= Related: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Who Replaces Zach Laskey at B-back? =-

THE MATCHUP:

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will look to begin the year where they left off in 2014, as the Ramblin’ Wreck handily defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl. Tech won 11 games last year and made the ACC Championship.

After losing key cogs such as Shaquille Mason on the offensive line, and backs Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey, it will be incumbent on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and their new starters to replace the production of those players.

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Alcorn State won its first Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship since 1994 last season.  The Braves bring back 15 starters from last year’s 10 win squad. A smaller school in Mississippi, Alcorn State is most famously known for producing former NFL quarterback and the late Steve McNair. A SWAC team has not beat an FBS opponent since 1985

KEY PLAYERS:

John Gibbs Jr., QB (Senior).: Alcorn State is led by senior quarterback John Gibbs Jr., a four year starter for the Braves. Gibbs is the reigning SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, and threw for 2,482 yards last season to go along with 21 touchdowns. In addition to being an adept passer, Gibbs led Alcorn State in rushing yards with 1,006 on the year. He possesses a similar skill-set to his counterpart, Justin Thomas. Look for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to focus on him.

Justin Thomas, QB (Junior): The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have a dynamic quarterback in Justin Thomas, who will find himself in the running for ACC Player of the Year early on. Not since the days of Joe Hamilton has the Ramblin’ Wreck had such an offensive threat at QB, surpassing the likes of Reggie Ball and Josh Nesbitt in my opinion. Last season, Justin Thomas rushed for over 1000 yards, scoring 8 touchdowns, while passing for 1718 yards with 18 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. He will draw the primary focus from the Alcorn State defense.

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Patrick Skov, B-back: Skov takes over for Zach Laskey at B-back, where the former Jacket rushed for 851 yards and 9 touchdowns, while averaging over 5 yards per carry. Skov resembles more of a fullback than a running back: possessing more power than speed. It will be difficult to replace Laskey’s production, but Paul Johnson and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are confident that the graduate transfer from Stanford will be up to the task at hand.

PREDICTION:

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 41, Alcorn State Braves – 17

Though the Braves possess a great offense and a dynamic quarterback in John Gibbs, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket’s offense will be too much for Alcorn State to handle. Patrick Skov will alleviate any concerns over the loss of Zach Laskey, and Justin Thomas will have a great game at the helm of the offense. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will open the 2015 season with a victory.

Next: Georgia Tech Picked by Kirk Herbstreit to Win ACC

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