Brent Key has Georgia Tech getting ready for Pittsburgh on Saturday, with the Yellow Jackets trying to rebound from their loss to Boston College and get to 3-5.
That climb gets tougher because the injury situation remains a major issue. Georgia Tech has spent much of the season dealing with a long list of unavailable players, and the week 9 availability report brought more of the same, along with a few important shifts.
The biggest new name on the report is LG Kevin Peay Jr. That matters because, even with Georgia Tech’s offensive line struggling, Peay has been the group’s most reliable piece. He enters with the highest Pro Football Focus grade among the linemen, a 69.2 overall mark across more than 430 snaps, and he has started at left guard in every game this season.
His absence leaves a real question on the depth chart. Courtney Heard is listed as the backup left guard, but he is questionable. If he’s available, the next question is whether he gets the start.
The rest of the projected line is set with Josh Petty at left tackle, Jameson Riggs at center, Joseph Ionata at right guard, and Malachi Carney at right tackle.
Georgia Tech also added Rahkeem Smith to the report. That hits the Yellow Jackets’ special teams, where Smith has been a weapon all season. He already scored a kickoff return touchdown in the opener against Colorado, and his absence makes that phase of the game less dangerous for Georgia Tech.
On the positive side, two key defensive tackles did not show up on the initial availability report: Tawfiq Thomas and Vincent Carroll-Jackson. Their return gives Georgia Tech a better shot at handling the run after last week’s issues.
It’s another full injury report for the Yellow Jackets, and once again, they’ll have to fight through it.
In Other News...
Georgia Tech Faces A Road Test That Could Define This Team
Georgia Tech heads to Pittsburgh trying to steady itself after the loss to Boston College, and the timing of the trip makes it feel like more than a routine road game. The Yellow Jackets have had enough flashes to stay in the conversation, but this is the kind of matchup that can say a lot about where the team really stands, especially against a Panthers group that has been difficult to handle at home and still presents a sturdy defensive test.
There is also a very different kind of pressure on Pittsburghs side, with the offense adjusting to life without its starting quarterback because of an ACL injury. That changes the shape of the game, but it does not make it any easier for Georgia Tech, which has struggled away from home this season and now has to prove it can turn a road setting into something more manageable before the stakes get any higher. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Tech Faces A Big Bounce-Back Test At Suddenly Vulnerable Pitt
Georgia Tech heads into Week 9 trying to steady itself after the Boston College loss, and the trip to Pittsburgh offers a chance to do it against a team that no longer looks nearly as settled as it did a few weeks ago. The Yellow Jackets have had plenty of defensive issues to sort through this season, especially with alignment and the inexperience in the secondary, but this matchup also comes against a Panthers group that has been dealing with its own slide.
Pittsburgh has dropped three straight and has had to adjust after losing its star quarterback, which has shifted more of the burden onto the rest of the offense. Even with a strong passing attack still part of the picture and Damon Ferguson Jr. helping on the ground, Georgia Tech is walking into a game where the margin for error feels thinner on both sides, and the bigger question is whether the Jackets can turn a vulnerable opponent into the kind of bounce-back opportunity they need. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Just Turned Florida Weekend Into A Bulldogs Culture Statement
Georgias annual rivalry weekend with Florida is getting a fresh layer of style, with the program teaming up with Nike on a limited-edition apparel and on-field collection tied to the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The rollout is designed to lean into the city as much as the matchup itself, with the collection set to hit online and select retail locations on Oct. 28, plus a game-day pop-up inside the stadium.
The most eye-catching part is the design language, which blends Georgias identity with a nod to Atlanta music history in a way that should resonate beyond the stands. Along with the apparel, Nike is also preparing a batch of game-day accessories that will show up on the field, giving the Bulldogs a distinct look for one of the biggest stages on their schedule. [Read more 🡒]