Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech

The Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech need to find away tonight when the Hokies from Virginia Tech come-a-calling. G-Tech is 4-2 in the ACC Coastal and 7-2 overall, while Va Tech is 5-1 in ACC play and 8-1 on the season. A win, by the Yellow Jackets, will leave both teams @ 5-2 and with G-Tech having the divisional tie breaker. Bobby Dodd Stadium should be @ capacity (55,00) and rocking tonite!

These teams have met in each of the past five years: in 06 The Yellow Jackets won in Blacksburg, 38-27, in 07, the Hokies returned the favor, winning in Atlanta, 27-3, and in 08, Va Tech held off G-Tech @ home, 20-17. In 09, the Wreck survived the Hokies, 28-23 and last year, in Va Tech’s Lane Stadium (66,233) the Hokies stopped a determined Yellow Jacket Team, 28-21.

Georgia Tech brings the nation’s 14 ranked team in Total Offense into the contest averaging 473 YPG, while Virginia Tech counters with the 39th best Offense @ 427 YPG. The Yellow Jackets boast the 2nd rated rushing attack in the country, they are running the ball to the tune of 327 YPG, Va Tech is at 200 YPG, good enough to hold down the 25th spot nationally. In Passing Offense, the Hokies are averaging 227 YPG (65th) while the Yellow Jackets are @ 147 YPG (109/120). In Scoring Offense, the the Ramblin Wreck are putting up 38 PPG (17 in the land) and Va Tech is ringing it up @ 29 PPG (52/120) In the 4 offensive categories we reviewed, Georgia Tech has an edge in Total Offense, Rush Offense, & Scoring Offense, while the Hokies are the better passing team.

On Defense, in those same categories, Va Tech is giving up 298 YPG (12th in the country) meanwhile G-Tech is surrendering 348 YPG for a ranking nationally of 37th. In Rushing Defense, Virginia Tech is the 5th best in America, effectively defending the run by holding opponents to 86 YPG, the yellow Jackets are ranked 69th being run on for for a total of167 YPG. In defensing the pass, Georgia Tech gives up 181 YPG (15th best) while V-Tech is giving up 212 YPG, ranking 46th nationally. Finally, in Scoring Defense, the Hokies are the 6th stingiest in the land @ 15 PPG, while the Wreck allows 23 PPG for a ranking of 46 of 120.

Interesting to note that Va Tech led in three defense categories, the same three they trailed in on the offensive side of the ball; and the only area they let in on the offensive side of the ball, passing, was the exact area that G-Tech out-performed them on defense.

Virginia Tech is a disciplined defense and you better be when playing against the triple option. To be successful, you have to be committed to assignment defense (your position’s responsibility first) and then get after the ball! If you go after the first thing that moves, Georgia Tech will make you look like a Dope individually and for a team…. clueless Dopes. Virginia Tech, led Coach Frank Beamer, will commit to their responsibilities first, making 11/10/11 a long night for Coach Paul Johnson’s team! Virginia Tech 28 Georgia Tech 17