Georgia Tech Football vs Temple: Gameday Preview

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are looking for a big win coming out of their bye week after losing to The Citadel 27-24 two weeks ago.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-2) at Temple Owls (2-1)

Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, PA) – 3:30 pm – Weather

Georgia Tech’s last time was not the way anyone expected it to go as all Georgia Tech fans know. The Jackets defense played well enough for the most part for the Jackets to get a win but the offense simply just couldn’t do enough. On Saturday, the Jackets will take on Geoff Collins’ former program, the Temple Owls. The Owls like the Jackets are coming off a shocking loss as they fell to Buffalo 38-22, last week.

Links:

News and Notes:

Lucas Johnson will miss Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury that he suffered against The Citadel (AJC – Sugiura)

What they did last week:

Georgia Tech (1-2): BYE

Georgia Tech had a bye week as we mentioned above which gave the Jackets the ability to work on some of their key issues on both sides of the ball. If the Jackets want to have any chance of winning on Saturday, they would’ve had to work on their offense massively in hopes of seeing those changes result in better offensive play for the Jackets.

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Temple (2-1): 38-22 win over Buffalo

Buffalo was able to man handle Temple last week for the most part, controlling the game from start to finish. As linked above, Buffalo provided a template for the Jackets to beating Temple. The Owls defense couldn’t get Buffalo off the field while the offense had four turnovers, all from starting quarterback Anthony Russo (three interceptions, one fumble).

Odds: Georgia Tech (-8.5)

The line originally opened at -9 in favor of Temple and quickly moved to -10 by Monday morning. Now, the line has shifted a little bit more towards the Yellow Jackets as bettors expect that a near double-digit win is unlikely from Temple. Perhaps based off their performance last week against Buffalo. The Jackets through their first three games have failed to cover each game so far this season.

Players to Watch:

Temple: DL Ifeanyi Maijeh

Maijeh has been Temple’s best defensive player so far this season with 18 tackles in three games including five tackles for a loss and three sacks. He’s been a menace for offensive lines so far and he has a favorable matchup against Georgia Tech’s offensive line on Saturday.

Georgia Tech: RB Jordan Mason

With little faith in the Jackets passing attack, we look at running Jordan Mason as their player to watch. Mason has been Georgia Tech’s top player on offense. He has an NFL future and we think he has another big game on Saturday against the Owls.

Predictions:

Lee Cagle: 24-17 Georgia Tech

Turnovers are the stroy of the day as the run defense makes up for its poor showing from last time out. James Graham will be the player of the game, with over 200-yards passing and two touchdowns. One through the air and one on the ground.

Bronston Tankersly: 17-14 Georgia Tech

Jackets eek a win out in Philadelphia as the defense shows up with its’ best effort of the season. Jordan Mason and Tariq Carpenter will be the player(s) of the game. Mason will rush for 100+ yards and two touchdowns while Carpenter will come down with a interception and several tackles.

Dylan Callaghan-Croley: 24-13 Temple

I think Georgia Tech has a shot at an upset but I am one of little faith in the offense to score more than 20-points right now against a fellow D1 defense. Without any type of passing attack, the Jackets offense is one dimensional and opponents can stack the box. Perhaps that will change today but until then, I’ll have to roll with Temple in this one. Player of the game will be Jordan Mason who will rush for 100-125 yards and one touchdown.