ATL All Day
Fansided

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Host Pitt at Bobby Dodd, Hoping to End Skid

By Jonathan Savitske

facebooktwitterreddit

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets host 4-1 Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium, hoping to halt a four game skid.

THE MATCHUP

The Yellow Jackets have lost four consecutive games, plummeting in the ACC Coastal Division standings. Thought as the preseason favorite to being the year, Georgia Tech’s season is now on the brink, as a loss to Pitt would surely put even getting a bowl bid into question, snapping an 18 year long streak of reaching a postseason game.

Over the course of the past four weeks, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have struggled on both sides of the ball. The offense has not functioned properly, losing its efficacy and dominance of the line of scrimmage. Last week against Clemson, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets only recorded 71 rushing yards against the Tigers, forcing QB Justin Thomas to pass more. In order to get back in the win column, the Jackets must return to dominating the ground game, reestablishing the dive play and allowing their running back corps space to run.

More from ATL All Day

Ted Roof’s porous defense has allowed Georgia Tech’s opponents to seemingly score at will. The defense must do a better job in stopping big plays and limiting opposing offenses. Last week, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets allowed 537 yards to the Clemson Tigers, dooming them to another loss.

The Pittsburgh Panthers began the season on a low note, losing star RB James Conner to a season ending injury. Without Conner, many (myself included) thought that the Panthers would be a non-factor in the ACC Coastal Division; but here we are in Week 7 and the Panthers stand at 4-1 and 2-0 in the ACC. If not for a last second field goal against Iowa, Pittsburgh would not have a loss. These are two teams that began the year in opposite positions, and now find themselves 180 degrees from where they started.

KEY PLAYERS:

Pittsburgh Panthers:

  • Qadree Ollison, RB (Freshman): After losing James Conner for the season, Pat Narduzzi turned to freshman RB Qadree Ollison, who has done nothing but impress. Ollison has 476 rushing yards this season, including 4 touchdowns. Against a porous Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense that allowed Wayne Gallman to rush for 115 yards and 2 TD’s, Ollison could have another big game.
    • Nathan Peterman, QB (Junior):

    A transfer from Tennessee, Peterman has played exceptionally all season for Pitt. Last week against Virginia, Peterman threw for 222 yards, completing 17 of 24 passes for 2 touchdowns. Peterman will present another challenge for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense.

    More from Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

    Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets:

    • Marcus Marshall, B-back (Freshman): After not appearing against North Carolina, Head Coach Paul Johnson inserted Marshall into the Jackets offense last Saturday against Clemson. Marshall led the Jackets in rushing with 45 yards, but was still mostly ineffective.
    • Justin Thomas, QB (Junior): The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets’ co-captain has tried to do too much over the past few weeks, as his offensive line has failed to provide any semblance of protection and his running back corps has failed to establish an effective ground game. Thomas must now re-calibrate with the Jackets season on the line, becoming a more outspoken leader on the field and on the sideline to will his team to victory.

    -= Related: Georgia Tech Falls to Clemson 43-24 =-

    PREDICTION:

    Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets – 31, Pittsburgh Panthers – 28

    Amidst a tumultuous time down on The Flats, I believe that the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will get back in the win column with a victory over Pittsburgh. This will not be the Jackets finest game, but I see the team getting back on the right track and correcting some glaring flaws that have been exposed over the past week.

    Next: Georgia Tech: ACC Coastal Power Rankings, Week 7

    More from ATL All Day

    Home/Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets