Why Georgia Tech's Defense Is the Key To an Orange Bowl Win Over Iowa

Whose strength is the bigger strength? You have Georgia Tech's high powered offense averaging 443 yards and 35 points per game against the Iowa defense yielding just 287 yards and 16 points per game. Both teams rank in the top 15 nationally in those categories.

But could the Yellow Jackets defense and Hawkeye offense be the key to the game?

I look back to Georgia Tech's last loss of the season and find a defense that was not able to stop the Bulldogs and let UGA keep the ball away from the Yellow Jacket offense.

While Iowa has not been churning up yards on the ground as of late, all that may be cured against a defense that is giving up nearly five yards per carry.

I think Ga. Tech will be able to run the ball with success against Iowa. Not a rousing, 400 yard game, but it will be an outing near their season average.

But in order to reach the season average on the ground, the Yellow Jackets must have the ball enough to continue their strong time of possession stats which leads the nation.

Third down stops will be key. As will tackles for loss.

Iowa ranks just 71st in third down conversions at 38 percent.

When Ricky Stanzi drops back to pass, All-American DE Derrick Morgan will need to get to the QB against an offensive line that ranks 72nd in sacks allowed.

Despite the Yellow Jackets' struggles on defense as of late, the more third and long situations they can get the Hawkeyes in, the better their chances of stopping drives and getting the ball back to their potent offense will be.

I think Morgan and the Yellow Jackets' front seven make a play late to seal the game and deliver the Ramblin' Wreck's first 12 win season since 1952.

Georgia Tech 30 Iowa 27

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