Four takeaways from the Georgia Tech’s win over North Carolina
After yet another solid performance by Georgia Tech in week five against the Tar Heels, the real Yellow Jackets seem to be here to stay.
1) The Yellow Jackets should be 4-0… probably 5-0.
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Let’s face it… the longer the season goes on for the Tennessee Volunteers, the more that opening game loss hurts for the Jackets. Tech’s offense dominated the Vols in every way possible, but a key turnover and a pair of blocked kicks cost the Jackets a perfect start. Georgia Tech is the better team, and that still stings a little. Tech could easily be 4-0 to this point and ranked in the top 25, and probably 5-0 without the Central Florida cancellation.
2) Tech still isn’t missing a beat without… what’s his name…?
What’s the name of that one guy the Yellow Jackets are supposed to be missing? Um… er… oh yeah… Dedrick Mills. Paul Johnson recruits well in the backfield. It’s kind of his thing. Why would ever doubt a “next man up” confidence from a Johnson led team? KirVonte Benson had 18 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown last Saturday, averaging 7.2 a carry with a 63-yard long. He wasn’t even the leading rusher folks… TaQuon Marshall went for 137 with a long of 65 yards. The team went for 403 yards on the ground with three rushing scores, including a TD from junior quarterback Matthew Jordan.
3) The ACC Coastal is well within reach for Georgia Tech.
The Tennessee loss hurt, but had zero negative affect on Tech’s perennial goal of winning the Atlantic Coast Conference, starting with a Coastal Division title. Within the division, the Jackets have Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Duke left on the schedule. Out-of-division games include Wake Forest at home and Tech’s annual matchup with rival Clemson, which is a road game this year. Five or six ACC wins have been plenty to win the Coastal in recent years, and if GT keeps up their pace, that shouldn’t be a problem.
4) Ted Roof’s defense continues to prove the Tennessee game a fluke.
Since giving up 42 points (mostly late in the game) to the Volunteers in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic on Labor Day, Georgia Tech’s defense has looked rather tough. Tech gave up 10 points to a top FCS program in Jacksonville State, 17 points to Pittsburgh and only a fourth-quarter touchdown to Carolina. Meanwhile, the offense has been churning away and eating clock on the other side of the ball. Tech’s defense currently ranks 10th in the nation, according to CBS Sports. The Jackets have the 18th best rushing defense and the 17th best passing defense in the FBS.
Next: Two Jackets earn ACC Player of the Week honors
After a scheduled bye week, Georgia Tech gets back to action Saturday, October 14 on the road at Miami in their third consecutive ACC Coastal Division matchup and a chance to move to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the division.