The ACC costal division showdown between #4 Virginia Tech and #17 Georgia Tech is probably the second best game on this weekend, behind only the Red River Rivalry. Each team enters 5-1, but Virginia Tech hold a 3-1 ACC record, while Georgia Tech suffered a loss at the hands of Miami to put them at 3-1 in the conference.
If you wanted to take the easy way out, you could just point to their one common opponent (Miami) and say that Miami beat Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech beat Miami, but let's be honest- GT played in Miami, and Miami played in Blacksburg. It's not that simple.
Traditionally, the strength of Virginia Tech has been Bud Foster's defense. Year after year, his Hokies have ranked near the top of the nation in rush defense and total defense. This year, they're only fifth in the ACC in total defense, and in the bottom half (seventh) for rushing yards allowed. However, the Hokies manage to give up only 17.7 points per game, second best in the conference.
The Yellowjackets defense hasn't fared much better. They are ninth in the conference in points allowed (26.5 per) and allow 385.2 yards a contest, better than only Maryland and Florida State in the ACC. They've also picked off six passes tied for third in the conference. Virginia Tech also has six picks this year, including one returned for a touchdown.
Neither team is particuarly dazzling on offense- their total offense rank only 24th and 54th (Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech, respectively), and both teams have a problem throwing the ball. The Hokies get 196.8 yards in the air a game, 90th best in I-A, while the Yellowjackets get only 152.8 yards a game passing, better than only five other teams in I-A.
Not surprisingly, both teams get it done on the ground. Georgia Tech utilizes their triple option to gain 277 yards a game, fourth in I-A. Virginia Tech uses a more traditional ground game to gain 208.5 yards per, 15th in the country. Freshman Ryan Williams has carried the load well since stepping into the role following an injury to starter Darren Evans. Johnathan Dwyer and Josh Nesbitt have done most of the rushing for the Yellowjackets.
When it comes to the schedule, Virginia Tech has a huge leg up. They played a very good Alabama team tough, losing by 10 points to open the season. Since then, they've knocked off two more ranked team in #8 Miami and #12 Nebraska. Georgia Tech has traveled a different road. They've defeated mediocre teams in North Carolina and Clemson, as well as an up-and-coming Mississippi State team. However, in their only true test so far, they got shellacked by Miami. They were even in danger of losing to Florida State for a large portion of their last game.
All things considered, besides strength of schedule, these teams are very similar. However, I'm not going make the same mistake twice. These teams are NOT the same. Georgia Tech is far behind the Hokies defensively, and Frank Beamer didn't become the third winningest active coach in I-A by being an idiot. Virginia Tech has put up better numbers against superior competition. There's a reason why I have Virginia Tech ranked #4- it's because they're a very good football team. Expect Virginia Tech to put away the Yellowjackets 34-20.
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