Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech: Complete Game Preview
What a difference a week makes for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Coming off one of the biggest wins in recent school history at then-No. 8 Ohio State, the Hokies found themselves ranked and hosting a tough East Carolina squad.
The Hokies defense was asleep at the wheel throughout the first half, and quarterback Michael Brewer looked nothing like the cool customer he was the two weeks before. And Tech suffered a heartbreaking home loss to the Pirates.
Now, Virginia Tech must regroup to face Georgia Tech in the ACC opener for both teams this Saturday in Blacksburg.
The Yellow Jackets enter this weekend's matchup at 3-0; however, with wins over Wofford, Tulane and Georgia Southern, it isn't as if they've been challenged yet.
The two schools have been rivals since Tech entered the ACC in 2004. The ACC Championship Game, which began in 2005, has featured either the Yellow Jackets or Hokies representing the Coastal Division in all but one year—2013.
While Georgia Tech has the second-most appearances in the ACC title game from a team representing the Coastal, it hasn't exactly been an even series. Virginia Tech is 8-3 all-time versus Georgia Tech, including an 8-2 record since the Hokies entered the ACC.
VT has won the last four meetings.
- When: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014
- Where: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
- Time: Noon ET
- TV: ESPN
- Radio: Virginia Tech IMG Sports Network. Here is a complete list of stations by area.
- Spread: The Hokies are currently eight-point favorites, according to OddsShark.com
Georgia Tech Keys to Victory
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Hit Big Plays
Whether it's the Yellow Jackets getting a big play in their running game or getting DeAndre Smelter open down the field, big plays are what it will take to defeat the Hokies in Blacksburg.
Quarterback Justin Thomas has done a good job directing GT's offense this season, but to be fair, he hasn't been tested yet. Facing Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will present quite the matchup for Thomas.
Win the Turnover Battle
Playing a team like Virginia Tech on the road is all about momentum. The more positive momentum you gain, the quieter the raucous crowd becomes. The best way to gain momentum is to force turnovers.
Virginia Tech's Michael Brewer hasn't exactly taken great care of the ball in his three starts. Brewer has thrown five interceptions, including two each in the last two weeks. If the Jackets can get some turnovers on Saturday, they stand a good chance of winning this game.
Thomas has six touchdowns to one interception on the season for Georgia Tech.
Win the Battle on Special Teams
Georgia Tech's option offense has struggled for the most part against the Hokies in recent years. Nothing has happened to think that will change this weekend. Foster's defense was outstanding against Ohio State's rushing attack in Week 2.
So it's imperative that Georgia Tech make a play or two on special teams. If the Jackets can run a kick back or block a punt, they've increased their chances of winning this game greatly.
Virginia Tech Keys to Victory
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Avoid the Big Play
Playing an option team like Georgia Tech you must be aware of the big pass play at all times. Generally, the Jackets always have a big-time receiver, and this year is no different with DeAndre Smelter. For the season, Smelter has nine receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns.
Expect a lot of Kendall Fuller being matched up with Smelter one-on-one.
Run the Ball
Each week, Virginia Tech's running game shows it's a work in progress. After rushing for over 200 yards in the season-opening win over William & Mary, Tech's rushing offense has been devoid of big plays in the two games since. The Hokies should stick with their running game as the run blocking continues to improve.
Deon Newsome has been excellent on jet sweeps in his limited opportunities this season. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler should get him and Isaiah Ford more involved in those types of plays to keep the defense honest.
Rattle Justin Thomas
Rattling the opposing quarterback has always been a strength of a Bud Foster-coached team. However, the Hokies couldn't rattle Shane Carden last week, and it played a big part in their loss. Look for Foster to keep Thomas guessing this Saturday and make him afraid of throwing the football.
Foster's defense usually always rebounds in a strong way after a bad performance.
Georgia Tech Players to Watch
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Justin Thomas
The quarterback is always the key to Georgia Tech's offense under Paul Johnson. Thomas, the first-year starter, leads the Jackets in rushing and has made several big plays down the field thus far. However, he isn't the most accurate thrower.
Johnson needs Thomas to make good, quick decisions with the ball, as the Hokies will be aggressive.
DeAndre Smelter
Smelter is Georgia Tech's latest star receiver. Like Calvin Johnson, Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill before him, Smelter is a physical mismatch who wins jump balls and also possesses excellent speed. Look for Johnson to try and lull the Hokies to sleep in the first quarter before taking some deep shots to Smelter in the second quarter.
Smelter is averaging 26 yards per catch so far in 2014.
Quayshawn Nealy
Georgia Tech's senior middle linebacker, Nealy, is the key to its success defensively. Nealy leads the Jackets in tackles and has an interception return for a touchdown this season. He's strong in coverage, can rush the passer and is the key to stopping Virginia Tech's running game.
As a whole, Georgia Tech has struggled on defense. Nealy is the unit's best player.
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Virginia Tech Players to Watch
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Michael Brewer
Which Michael Brewer will we see? The one who looked calm and composed on the road in adverse conditions in Week 2 or the one who look rattled and unsure of himself at home last week?
How well Brewer plays on a weekly basis will determine how good the Hokies are this season. If he plays strong and takes care of the ball, Virginia Tech will win most weeks.
Marshawn Williams
Williams has taken the lead in the running back derby for the Hokies and is in a good position to separate himself from the other backs. Trey Edmunds will likely be back soon carrying the football, so Williams needs to continue putting up strong performances to stay on the field.
Williams carried the ball 17 times for 74 yards last week against ECU. He's a bruiser with good vision. The Hokies would like to lean on Williams to wear down Georgia Tech's front four.
Chase Williams
Williams, finally a full-time starter, has been outstanding in 2014. He's aggressive in the passing game, both in coverage and rushing the passer, and is excellent at diagnosing plays behind the line of scrimmage. He'll face his biggest test in that regard this week against Georgia Tech's triple option.
Williams will have his hands full against the Yellow Jackets, but he'll be ready.
What They're Saying
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Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer is more than happy to put last week's loss to ECU in the books and hopes his team is ready for this Saturday's ACC opener, per Mike Barber of the Richmond Times-Dispatch:
"We’ve talked about us getting better as a football team. We don’t put blame. We found out what went wrong, figure that out, correct it and hopefully play better this week. We’ve talked about us getting better as a football team. We don’t put blame. We found out what went wrong, figure that out, correct it and hopefully play better this week.
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Prediction
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Expect Foster and Beamer to be more than ready for Georgia Tech this Saturday in Blacksburg. Foster's unit allowed an embarrassing 502 total yards, including 427 through the air, against Tech's vaunted secondary.
No team has confused and bottled up Georgia Tech's triple-option better than Virginia Tech since Johnson took over the Yellow Jackets. While Georgia Tech may make some plays on the ground against the Hokies this weekend, there will be nothing in the passing game.
Expect Foster to turn up the pressure on Thomas and force him into bad decisions leading to at least two turnovers. And Brewer will settle down and play much better this week too.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27, Georgia Tech 14
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