Why Georgia Tech Will Win Clean Old Fashioned Hate Game
After a thrilling 30-27 overtime win against Virginia, Georgia Tech travels to Sanford Stadium to face the 5th ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have won 6 of their last 7 games including the most recent 30-27 victory over Virginia in overtime. Now, this resilient team will travel to Sanford Stadium, where they have had recent success.
Clean old fashioned hate almost always provides a great game with only 2 of the games, in the last 10 years having a margin larger than 14. Unfortunately, one of those came last year with Georgia winning 38-7 in Bobby Dodd Stadium. The good news is that Georgia Tech is a MUCH better team than last year. The bad news? Georgia is a very similar team.
Why Georgia Tech Will Win: Rushing Offense
It’s no secret Georgia Tech is a great rushing team but this year, the Yellow Jackets have been far and away the best rushing team in the nation. Not only does Tech lead in rushing touchdowns with 44 but also in yards per game with 353.7 rushing yards per game. And it isn’t very close. Georgia Tech has 7 more rushing touchdowns than second place Army and 50 more yards per game than second place Navy.
Georgia does have a great rushing defense but unfortunately for them, the injuries to their front seven have hurt their defense. Defensive end David Marshall (foot) missed his fifth straight game and defensive lineman DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle (undislosed) his sixth in a row vs. Massachussets. In those 5 games, Georgia has allowed 146.8 YPG and 6 touchdowns. In those 5 games, Georgia has also allowed 344.8 YPG and 21.4 PPG.
After those two injuries, Georgia has also lost their leading tackler in Monty Rice. This, in my opinion, is the kicker for Georgia. It’s obvious the importance of Marshall and Hawkins- Muckle’s injuries because they are defensive lineman, but an injury to a linebacker can kill a defense vs. Georgia Tech. Georgia will need their backups to step up if they want to contain Georgia Tech’s killer rushing attack.
In addition to this, Tech also will need to control the clock and have long sustainable drives if they want to win.
Why Georgia Tech Will Win: Turnovers
Georgia Tech’s defensive transformation may not be entirely evident to someone who doesn’t watch Georgia Tech or just looks at yards and points per game. Georgia Tech’s defense has adopted a look of the Falcons defense under Dan Quinn. While Tech still runs too much soft zone and doesn’t run enough blitzes, this defense is “fast and physical”. Along with Tariq Carpenter and the secondary swarming to receivers, the linebackers and defensive line have been physical inside.
Last year, Georgia Tech averaged .7 turnovers per game which was 3rd worst in the nation. This year, Tech’s new defense averages 2.1 turnovers a game which is 5th in the nation. Winning the turnover battle will be absolutely crucial for this game and I’m confident Nate Woody’s new defense can do it.
In addition to turnovers, Tech’s defense has been phenomenal this year at stopping the run. Currently ranked 40th in the nation while only allowing 137 yards, Tech will need to at least contain Georgia’s 10th ranked rushing offense in check.
While all signs point to a Georgia blowout victory, I don’t expect a blowout like last year. In fact, I expect this game to come down to the wire, or at least the 4th quarter. Bias aside, I still think Georgia wins it but it could get close due to the reasons I stated but also the fact that Georgia could be looking ahead to the SEC Championship.
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