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Georgia Tech Football: What we learned this week – UNC Edition

By Dylan Callaghan-Croley

CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks on during the Yellow Jackets' warmup before their football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 29: Head coach Geoff Collins of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets looks on during the Yellow Jackets' warmup before their football game against the Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Tech football is entering game five of their 2019 season with a 1-3 record after losing to Temple last weekend 24-2, here’s what we’ve learned leading upto kickoff against UNC.

It’s been a slow and quiet week for Georgia Tech football leading upto their Saturday, late afternoon matchup with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Just two major notes have come out of this week so far but plenty of news can still come out with still over 48 hours to go till kickoff on Saturday.

Injuries continue to mount up:

The one thing we learned this week in Geogria Tech football is that the injuries are continuing to pile up for the Jackets. After losing Jahziel Lee to a season ending injury following the Jackets loss to The Citadel, the Jackets have lost two more key players for the remainder of the season.

The Jackets this week learned that they will be without offensive lineman Kenny Cooper and wide receiver Jalen Camp for the remainder of the season. That marks three seniors that the Jackets have lost for the season due to injuries which is bad news for a team that is already heavy when it comes to relying on underclassmen.

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Jackets are a very young team:

One thing that may have gone overlook about the Jackets this season is just how young they are and how much they rely on underclassmen. According to head coach Geoff Collins in his press conference this week, over 65% of the snaps last Saturday were taken by underclassmen. That includes true freshman, redshirt freshman, and sophomores. The Jackets have one of the smallest groups of seniors in the country and their seeing that group get depleted by injuries (mentioned above).

With that, it’s not shocking that the Jacket struggles offensively have been as bad as they’ve been. The defensive is a little bit more experienced than the offense and that shows in the play. The offense will never be a juggernaut this season for the Jackets but don’t be surprised if the offense begins to turn a corner as we move into the backhalf of the season.

Jackets secondary among the nation’s best

Now, this is something anybody could’ve looked up and found out but earlier this week, we pointed out that Georgia Tech’s secondary this season is currently ranked as one of the top five secondaries in the country in passing yards allowed per game. The Jackets offense may be struggling this season but the defense has surely given the Jackets to win almost every time out excluding their season opener against Clemson.

North Carolina to be without backup QB Jake Ruder and S Myles Wolfolk

North Carolina will be without backup quarterback Jake Ruder as he’s out for an indefinite period of time after suffering a lower body injury against Appalachian State. You can read more on those two injuries, here.

Going forward:

With about 50 hours remaining at time of post till Georgia Tech kicks off against North Carolina on Saturday, we’ll have plenty of coverage regarding this week’s game. Look out for our North Carolina defensive preview, our interview with Old North Banter, our viewers guide, and gameday preview among other preview pieces!