Overview
The ‘Hoos need to win Saturday’s game to remain “in the hunt” for the league title. Their championship hopes suffered a setback last Saturday with a 31-21 setback at home to Miami. The loss dropped the 18th-ranked Cavaliers to 7-2 overall and into a tie for third place in the conference standings at 4-2.
With its 30-10 victory over Connecticut, Georgia Tech (6-3, 4-3 ACC) earned its sixth victory of the year to become eligible for an eighth consecutive bowl berth. Tech is one of just 11 schools in the nation to play in a bowl game each of the last seven years.
This is the third time in Al Groh’s tenure at UVa that the ‘Hoos come into the Georgia Tech game following a loss. Virginia hopes history repeats itself since it rebounded with wins in 2001 and 2003. Both of those games, however, were at home, while Saturday’s game will be at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
The home team has dominated the series in recent years, winning nine in a row. The last win by a visiting team was Virginia’s 24-7 triumph in Atlanta in 1994.
Georgia Tech Offense vs. Virginia Defense
The Matchups
Georgia Tech Offense
LT 74 Leon Robinson (6-5 305 Sr.)
LG 61 Matt Rhodes (6-3 268 Fr.)
C 65 Andy Tidwell-Neal (6-5 310 Sr.)
RG 72 Brad Honeycutt (6-4 308 Jr.)
RT 77 Kyle Wallace (6-6 295 Sr.)
TE 83 Darius Williams (6-6 270 Sr.)
FB 47 Jimmy Dixon (6-1 225 Sr.)
TB 3 Rashaun grant (5-10 192, fr)
QB 1 Reggie Ball (5-11 195 So.)
WR 5 Nate Curry (5-10 195 Sr.)
WR 21 Calvin Johnson (6-4 225 Fr.)
Virginia Defense
DE 96 Brennan Schmidt (6-3 269, Jr.)
NT 60 Andrew Hoffman (6-4 284, Sr.)
DE 99 Chris Johnson 6-3 275 Fr.
ILB 44 Kai Parham (6-3 247, So.)
ILB 34 Ahmad Brooks (6-4 249, So.)
OLB 45 Dennis Haley (6-1 247, Sr.)
OLB 56 Darryl Blackstock (6-4 240, Jr.)
S 36 Jermaine Hardy (5-11 208, Sr.)
S 5 Marquis Weeks (5-10 214, Sr.)
CB 22 Philip Brown 5-11 188 Fr.)
CB 23 Tony Franklin (5-10 185, So.)
Georgia Tech Offensive Stats
Total Offense – 348.6 (7) / UVA Total Defense – 293.1 (4)
Rushing Offense – 172.3 (5) / UVA Rushing Defense – 106.9 (2)
Passing Offense – 176.2 (9) / UVA Passing Defense – 186.2 (5)
Scoring – 21.1 (8) / UVA Scoring Defense 15.7 (3)
First Downs – 163 (9) / UVA First Down Defense – 137 (3)
Third Down Conversions – 32% (5) / UVA Conversion Defense – 30.3 (5)
Sacks Against – 17 (2) / UVA Sacks For – 26 (5)
Time of Possession – 31:05 / UVA Defense Time Without Possession – 28:24
Turnovers Lost – 23 / UVA Turnovers Gained – 11
Georgia Tech is a run-oriented offense that depends on the big play. But this weekend the Jackets may rely on the arms and legs of quarterback Reggie Ball. All-ACC running back P.J. Daniels looks to be doubtful for Saturday’s game with a recurring knee injury.
“He tried to run around a little bit and wasn’t successful,” said Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey. “He won’t start if he plays.”
Daniels has not played in the past two games, both victories, due to a bruised knee. Backup Chris Woods is out with a bad hamstring and freshman Rashaun Grant likely will start for the Jackets. Grant has rushed for 335 yards on 72 carries this season.
Ball is a strong-armed, athletic quarterback prone to inaccuracy and mistakes. Ball led the Jackets to 17 fourth-quarter points in a 24-17 victory at N.C. State and played his best game of the season last week against Connecticut, passing for a career-best 288 yards and two touchdowns. On the season Ball has passed for 174 yards per game (sixth in the ACC) and rushed for 295 yards.
True freshman and ACC rookie of the year candidate Calvin Johnson is Tech’s leading receiver with 36 catches for 624 yards and six touchdowns. His six scoring receptions are second in the ACC. He leads all ACC freshmen in receptions and receiving yards and also ranks among the nation’s top freshmen receivers. In six wins this season Johnson has made 28 receptions for 518 yards. In three losses he has been limited to eight catches for 106 yards.
Georgia Tech’s top returning receiver from last year is fifth-year senior Nate Curry. The Miami, Fla., native has caught 22 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Levon Thomas is Tech’s second-leading receiver with 25 catches for 384 yards and three scores.
With the loss of Daniels and Woods, Tech will need to rely on Ball to produce. With some limitations on the Tech running game, it’s imperative that Virginia find a way to pressure Ball. In nine losses as a starter, the sophomore has thrown 16 interceptions and only two touchdown passes. In 13 wins, he’s thrown for 22 scores and only 10 interceptions.
Pressure may force the Jackets into mistakes. When they turn the ball over, they lose. In its three losses this season, Georgia Tech has committed four, four, and five turnovers.
Georgia Tech Defense vs. Virginia Offense
The Matchups
Virginia Offense
LT 66 D’Brickashaw Ferguson (6-5 295 JR.)
LG 62 Brian Barthelmes (6-6 288 JR.)
C 75 Zac Yarbrough (6-4 276 SR.)
RG 61 Elton Brown (6-6 338 SR.)
RT 69 Brad Butler (6-8 296 JR.)
TE 89 Heath Miller (6-5 255 JR.)
FB 86 Tom Santi (6-5 225 FR.)
TB 21 Alvin Pearman (5-9 204 SR.)
QB 18 Marques Hagans (5-10 211 JR.)
WR 80 Michael McGrew (6-2 201 SR.)
WR 81 Deyon Williams (6-3 188 SO.)
Georgia Tech Defense
DE 56 Eric Henderson (6-3 265 Jr.)
DT 97 Mansfield Wrotto (6-3 305 So.)
DT 96 Joe Anoai (6-3 255 So.)
DE 94 Travis Parker (6-5 260 Jr.)
LB 35 KaMichael Hall (6-0 225 So.)
LB 49 Gerris Wilkinson (6-4 230 Jr.)
LB 18 Chris Reis (6-1 219 Jr.)
SS 20 Dawan Landry (6-2 215 Jr.)
FS 22 James Butler (6-3 210 Sr.)
CB 9 Reuben Houston (6-0 190 Jr.)
CB 2 Kenny Scott (6-2 185 So.)
Virginia Offensive Stats
Total Offense – 442.4 (1) / GT Total Defense – 298.9 (5)
Rushing Offense – 251 (1) / GT Rushing Defense – 107 (3)
Passing Offense – 191.4 (6) / GT Passing defense – 191.9 (6)
Scoring – 32.1 (3) / GT Scoring Defense 18.2 (5)
First Downs – 210 (1) / GT First Down Defense – 140 (5)
Third Down Conversions – 49.6 % (1) / GT Conversion Defense – 27.0 (2)
Sacks Against – 12 (1) / GT Sacks For – 29 (4)
Time of Possession – 31:26 / GT Defense Time Without Possession – 28:55
Turnovers Lost – 11 / GT Turnovers Gained – 13
Under coordinator Jon Tenuta (a UVa grad), Georgia Tech has owned one of the ACC’s more imposing defenses. The Jackets have held four of their last five opponents to just one offensive touchdown. In those four games, all wins, they allowed an average of 195.3 yards of total offense. Tech held all four teams below 100 yards rushing, allowing just 42 yards per game on the ground.
Tech ranks 12th in the nation in total defense, allowing 298.9 yards per game. The Jackets are 14th in rushing defense (107 ypg), 28th in passing yards allowed (191.9), 21st in pass-efficiency defense (107.2) and 20th in scoring defense (18.2 ppg).
The Tech front line is very adept at disrupting opposing offensive lines. On the season the front four have recorded 27.7 tackles for loss (81 yards) and eight sacks for 45 yards.
Led by outside linebacker Chris Reis, Georgia Tech ranks third in the ACC with 3.22 sacks per game. After recording just three sacks in the first three games, Tech has had 26 sacks in the last six contests.
Ends Travis Parker and All-American candidate Eric Henderson have tallied 54 tackles and 14 tackles for loss. The Yellow Jackets also get good pressure from the interior with sophomore tackles Mansfield Wrotto and Joe Anoai. Anoai is second on the team in sacks (3) and third in tackles for loss (11).
Freshmen defensive tackle Darryl Richard and end Adam Oliver are also a big part of Tech’s attacking front wall. The first-year players have combined for 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
The Jacket linebackers are fast and aggressive. Like the defensive front, they attack the line of scrimmage and try and force their way into the offensive backfield.
KaMichael Hall is a solid defender who has produced 36 tackles this season, but juniors Gerris Wilkinson and Chris Reis are the heart of the Tech defense. Wilkinson is the league’s second-leading tackler and is eighth in the conference in tackles for loss. Reis is fifth in the ACC in tackles for loss (13) and leads the Yellow Jackets with six pass breakups.
One of the key matchups to watch in this game is how Georgia Tech decides to cover Heath Miller. For most of the 2004 season, teams have relied on linebackers to cover the junior tight end, but Tech may use its safeties. But I like Tech linebacker Chris Reis to do the honors. He is an excellent pass defender with the speed to match Miller. The drawback to putting Reis on Miller is that it takes him out of the blitz package where he has been devastating this season.
The Tech secondary is experienced and may well be the best secondary in the league.
Senior free safety James Butler is one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He is a semifinalist for the second straight year. Butler is fourth in the ACC in interceptions and 11th in tackles. His counterpart at safety is Dawan Landry. Landry is third on the team in tackles and is a big part of the Tech zone blitz attack, posting six tackles for loss this season.
Cornerbacks Reuben Houston and Kenny Scott are solid young players and can hang with the league’s best receivers. The pair has recorded 77 tackles, four interceptions and 5.5 tackles for loss. The Tech staff believes its corners can handle Virginia’s wideouts and will force the Cavaliers to prove otherwise.
The Virginia running game has had success against every opponent this season except FSU. There is no reason not to expect more of the same this weekend. But Virginia must have success through the air against the Yellow Jacket secondary. Tech will challenge the Virginia running game and will likely begin the game with Landry playing in the box. Unless the ‘Hoos can show some success in the passing game against the Tech corners, the run game will contend with eight in the box all afternoon.
Georgia Tech Special Teams
After missing his first field-goal attempt from 46 yards in the season opener, Travis Bell has made a school-record 12 straight, including a season-best 47-yarder against Duke. He has also been perfect on extra points (22-22). Bell has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 2004 Lou Groza Award.
Punter Ben Arndt is averaging 39.5 yards per punt (10th ACC) and the Jackets are currently sixth in the league with a 36.4 net punting average.
The Jackets are last in the ACC in kickoff coverage, eighth in punt returns and 10th in kickoff returns.
The Edge
Quarterbacks – Even
Running Backs – Virginia
Offensive Line – Virginia
Wide Receivers – Georgia Tech
Tight Ends – Virginia
Defensive Line – Even
Linebackers – Virginia
Secondary – Georgia Tech
Special Teams – Even
Coaching – Even
Stone-Cold Lock Prediction
When you look at how teams have beaten Georgia Tech, there are two trends that stand out. First, when the Yellow Jackets lose, they turn the ball over – a lot. Second, of the four teams that rushed for over 140 yards against the Jackets, only Clemson has lost. So here is the incredible, well-researched, talking-to-the-insiders analysis. If the Cavaliers can maintain their current rushing average and force turnovers, they will win.
The ‘Hoos must be creative on offense and be aggressive on defense while playing solid assignment football. It would also help if they get off to a good start. If they can force Tech to play from behind, it will allow the defense to play even more aggressively and put Ball in a position to make mistakes.
Oh yes, and special teams must have its best effort of the season. It will!
Virginia 27, Georgia Tech 17
John’s take: I think Virginia is a better team than Georgia Tech, especially if P.J. Daniels doesn’t play, but I’m going to pick the Yellow Jackets for several reasons.
1) One thing I was taught at UVa is that while it’s wrong to be a cynic, it’s healthy to be a skeptic. So forgive me for being skeptical about the Cavs’ ability to win a tough road game. Going back to George Welsh’s final year as coach in 2000, Virginia has accumulated a grand total of one quality road victory this milennium – at Clemson in 2001. Otherwise, all of the triumphs on the road have come against Duke (three times), Wake Forest (twice), North Carolina, Western Michigan and Temple. The Yellow Jackets aren’t a great team by any means, but they’re good. And it’s been a long time since the Wahoos walked out of a good team’s stadium as winners.
2) Virginia hasn’t won a game at Georgia Tech since 1994 – four straight defeats. Streaks like that often don’t mean anything, but it sure seems like the ‘Hoos have been snakebit at Bobby Dodd Stadium. In 1996, they were 4-0 and ranked No. 12, but quarterbacks Tim Sherman and Aaron Brooks threw four interceptions in a 13-7 loss. In 1998, Virginia carried a 5-0 record and No. 7 ranking to Atlanta, then jumped to a 38-17 lead in the third quarter. At that point, Tech’s coaches decided to sit quarterback Joe Hamilton in order to avoid injury, but the Jackets returned a fumble for a touchdown. Sensing opportunity, the coaches changed their minds. So Hamilton kept playing and engineered a fourth-quarter comeback for a 41-38 win. Oh, how we hate that score.
3) The way to beat Georgia Tech, as Greg pointed out, is to force turnovers. The Cavs haven’t done that well all season. In nine games, they have recorded just 11 takeaways, fewest in the ACC. In fact, four ACC teams have forced at least twice as many turnovers as Virginia. The Cavs don’t make many interceptions because their zone is relatively soft. They also haven’t been good at stripping the ball and forcing fumbles. I know they work on it in practice, but they haven’t done it on the field. Will that change Saturday? Perhaps, but there’s no good reason to think so.
4) I originally predicted Virginia would go 8-3 in the regular season, yet so far in these game previews I’ve predicted wins over Temple, North Carolina, Akron, Syracuse, Clemson, Florida State, Duke, Maryland and Miami. I haven’t picked against the Cavs yet! So to avoid being called a shameless homer, I think I need to pick the opponent at least once this season, and I’m not sure I can bring myself to do that next week.
Here’s hoping I’m wrong!
John’s prediction: Georgia Tech 20, Virginia 17
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