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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Clash with Duke in Important ACC Coastal Matchup

By Jonathan Savitske

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The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets travel to Durham, North Carolina to face the 2-1 Duke Blue Devils on Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. Tech enters the game as 7.5 point favorites on the road.

THE MATCHUP:

The Jackets are coming off a loss at the hands of #6 Notre Dame in South Bend last week after a lackluster showing. After keeping the game within reach at 13-6 going into the fourth quarter last Saturday, Notre Dame went off for 17 unanswered points.

-= Related: Georgia Tech: ACC Coastal Power Rankings, Week 4 =-

Though the Ramblin’ Wreck nearly pulled off an improbably comeback in the final minute of the game following two Patrick Skov touchdown receptions and a recovered onside kick, they were unable to overcome the significant deficit. Though the loss was a crushing blow to the momentum that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets possessed through the first 2 games of the season, it did not affect their aspiration to repeat as ACC Coastal Division Champions and return to the ACC Championship this December.

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Their quest for a repeat begins on Saturday at Duke, in each team’s first inter-conference contest. Since David Cutcliffe became the Head Coach of the Blue Devils in 2013, the Blue Devils have won 21 games — the best stretch in their football program’s history. Duke is no longer a pushover when it comes to football, and showed not be overlooked.

The Blue Devils lost at home last week to #17 Northwestern, 19-10. They will no doubt be looking for redemption this week against their divisional rival.

KEY PLAYERS:

Duke:

Thomas Sirk, QB (Junior) – The Blue Devils lost QB Anthony Boone this past offseason, and were concerned about what they would be getting out of Thomas Sirk. Well, Sirk has proven invaluable so far this season, and is third in the ACC in passing yards so far in 2015. It will be important for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets secondary to limit his passing yards.

Jeremy Cash, S (Senior) – In last weeks game against Northwestern, Cash recorded 11 tackles against the Wildcats. He has 25 tackles for losses in his career, and figures to be a big part of David Cutcliffe’s plan to mitigate the efficacy of the Jackets’ offense.

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Georgia Tech:

Patrick Skov, B-back (Graduate Transfer) – Patrick Skov’s addition to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ offense has fit like a glove, as his strength and physicality is right at home in Paul Johnson’s triple-option offense. Last week against Notre Dame, Skov recorded all three scores for the Jackets. Expect a large dose of Skov on offense.

D.J. White, CB (Senior) – Co-captain D.J. White is a leader on the defense, and one of the main reasons the Jackets were so effective at forcing turnovers in 2014. White recorded an interception last week against Notre Dame. Against an effective quarterback like Thomas Sirk, White will be called upon to limit Duke’s big play capability.

PREDICTION:

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 44, Duke Blue Devils – 21

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will rebound after last week’s difficult loss to get a good start on the ACC portion of their schedule, and have an early lead on Duke in the Coastal Division. Duke’s defense will be unable to stop the run, as the Jackets will rush for over 400 yards.

Next: Georgia Tech: 5 Players to Watch vs. Duke

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