Georgia Tech heads into Saturday’s ACC matchup with Virginia Tech carrying the confidence of last week’s surprise win over Duke, and there are a few reasons to think the Yellow Jackets can keep things moving in the right direction.
The biggest one starts on the ground. With Justice Haynes doubtful and Malachi Hosley out again, Trelain Maddox could be in line for another heavy workload.
He just delivered the best outing of his career, piling up 80 yards and three touchdowns against one of the ACC’s best defenses, including a 60-yard score. Virginia Tech’s defense may look strong at a glance, but the Hokies have built that reputation against a schedule that includes VMI, Old Dominion, Maryland, Boston College, Pitt with its starting quarterback injured, and Cal without its starter.
Georgia Tech’s offense hasn’t been sharp for much of the season, but this rushing attack has a chance to make life difficult for Virginia Tech, and Maddox looks like the back most likely to cash in.
The Yellow Jackets also showed something last week that matters here: their offensive line held up better than it had all season. Against one of the ACC’s top defenses, Alberto Mendoza stayed clean, and the staff’s quicker game plan got the ball out and into the hands of playmakers.
Virginia Tech brings one of the conference’s better pass rushes, but again, the opponent list matters. Georgia Tech may not need to ask its line to win every snap if it can keep leaning on that same fast, efficient approach.
On the other side, Virginia Tech’s offensive line is one of the weaker spots on its roster, and Georgia Tech’s pass rush has been one of the weaker parts of the Jackets overall. Even so, there’s a path for the Jackets to create some disruption.
Ethan Grunkemeyer will be the best quarterback Georgia Tech has faced this season, so it won’t be a simple task. Georgia Tech is still without Jordan Walker, but Noah Carter is back this week, and he has been one of the team’s highest-graded pass rushers this season.
That gives the Jackets a little more punch up front as they try to make Saturday uncomfortable for the Hokies.
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Georgia Tech had enough second-half fight in Blacksburg to make the trip home feeling like there was something to build on, but the opening stretch left too deep a hole. The Yellow Jackets spotted Virginia Tech a halftime cushion after two early turnovers and an opening-drive touchdown allowed on defense, then spent the rest of the afternoon trying to climb back into a game that had already tilted sharply the other way.
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Georgias Next SEC Test Is Bringing Back Rivalry Tension
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Kirby Smart knows exactly what kind of challenge usually comes with this trip through the rivalry. He pointed to Auburn as a familiar opponent and emphasized that Georgias mindset and approach have to be right against a physical team, which is often where these games get decided. Even with the odds tilted heavily in Georgias favor, this is the sort of SEC meeting that has a way of testing whether a team is ready for the tone and toughness waiting on the other side. [Read more 🡒]