Georgia Tech’s defense has a big test in front of it Saturday, and the pressure starts up front.
After one game, the offseason talk about a major step forward on that side of the ball has not shown up on the field. Against Colorado, the Yellow Jackets had trouble getting off blocks, especially after halftime, and they allowed nearly 200 rushing yards. They didn’t force a turnover, and the lone sack wasn’t nearly enough for a unit that spent the offseason promising real improvement.
Now Tennessee comes to Atlanta, and that changes the complexion of the challenge in a hurry. Josh Heupel’s offense has been among the country’s most dangerous, and this version could be his most talented since 2022.
One place Georgia Tech has to be sharper is at cornerback. Last week, the Yellow Jackets used a tight rotation with Daiquan White, Jaylen Mbakwe, and Kelvin Hill handling almost all of the snaps on the outside. The secondary wasn’t burned over the top, but it also didn’t play cleanly enough to feel settled.
White, who saw plenty of action last season before earning a starting job in fall camp, was on the field for 75 snaps against Colorado. His Pro Football Focus numbers tell the story: a 48.1 overall grade, a 42.7 coverage grade, and a 38.3 tackling grade. That’s the kind of performance Tennessee will try to expose if White doesn’t bounce back.
Hill, Georgia Tech’s starting nickel, also has to be better. He posted a 55.1 overall grade from PFF, with a 49.0 coverage grade.
Those are shaky numbers for any week, and they look even more concerning against an offense built on explosives. Mike Matthews is one of the receivers the Volunteers can lean on, and Georgia Tech’s secondary will need to be ready for first-year quarterback Faizon Brandon if the Yellow Jackets are going to create any turnovers.
If there’s one area that may decide the night, though, it’s the defensive line.
That group has to do more than it did against Colorado, because Tennessee’s offensive front is veteran and stronger than what Georgia Tech saw last week. If the Yellow Jackets can’t get more disruption there, the defense is going to be in real trouble.
The assignment is not simple. Stopping DeSean Bishop and the run game is already a major task, and Brandon adds another layer with his athleticism, his arm, and his ability to threaten defenses on the ground. Georgia Tech’s defensive line has to stay disciplined while rushing the quarterback, because against Tennessee, losing structure can turn into a long night fast.
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Georgia Tech Faces One Defining Problem Against Tennessee
Georgia Tech heads into its matchup with No. 18 Tennessee still sorting through the biggest issue that showed up against Colorado: whether the offensive line can hold up well enough to let the rest of the offense function. The Jackets have already made roster changes up front, and the staff is leaning on younger players to sharpen both the run game and pass protection before the stakes rise again.
Tae Harris has made the point plain, stressing that physical play at the line of scrimmage has to improve on both sides if Georgia Tech is going to be more than just competitive in a test like this one. Against a ranked opponent, the Yellow Jackets do not need perfection, but they do need more sturdiness up front than they showed last time out, and that remains the defining question as kickoff approaches. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Has A Line Of Scrimmage Problem Fans Cant Ignore
Georgia Techs trip to Colorado in Week 1 offered an early look at just how difficult life in the trenches could become for the Yellow Jackets this season. Colorado second-year lineman Chauncey Gooden came away from the opener with the Outland Trophys National Player of the Week honor after a performance that stood out on both sides of the line, and his ability to work at offensive guard and defensive line was part of what made the Buffaloes so hard to sort out.
For Georgia Tech, the bigger concern is less about one award than the broader problem it pointed to. Gooden became only the second two-way player in the Coach Prime era at Colorado, and Deion Sanders said he earned that chance by first taking over one side of the ball. That kind of versatility can stress an opponent in a hurry, and it is the sort of line-of-scrimmage edge the Yellow Jackets cannot afford to overlook as they move deeper into the season. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Faces Its First Real Test After That Explosive Opener
Georgia Tech opened its season with a gut-punch loss to Colorado, dropping a game that slipped away on a late touchdown. It was the kind of finish that leaves a team with a quick chance to respond, and now the Yellow Jackets get a much better read on themselves with Tennessee coming in after a dominant Week 1 win.
For Tennessee, this is the kind of early-season road check that can show whether the opener was a true statement or just a warm-up. DeSean Bishop looked ready for a bigger role right away, and after his strong first game, the Volunteers are expected to lean on him more heavily as the matchup gets tougher and Georgia Tech tries to turn a painful debut into something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]