Georgia Tech faces three ranked opponents in their last four games. Two of those games come on the road.
Georgia Tech is coming off a disheartening and disappointing loss to the Virginia Cavaliers, thus knocking them into third place in the ACC Coastal Division and out of the top 25 and BCS polls. The loss is made worse by the fact that this game was Homecoming and the first home loss of the season and of the Paul Johnson tenure. The Jackets are now 6-2 and 3-2 in ACC play, with both ACC losses coming against Virginia Tech and Virginia, making the Jackets 0 for 2 against the state.
As tough as the current loss is to swallow, the “easier” portion of the schedule is now a thing of the past, as the Jackets now face “Hell Month.” Coming up in the month of November, Georgia Tech will play host to the resurgent Florida State Seminoles (11/1), head to the Butch Davis lead North Carolina Tarheels (11/8), welcome the pro factory that is the Miami Hurricanes (11/20) for an ESPN Thursday Night Game, as well as the journey to Athens for the final game of the regular season and renew the intrastate rivalry against the Georgia Bulldogs (11/29).
In all honesty, only the BYE week (11/15) appears to be inviting.
Here is a breakdown of exactly what the “Perfect Option” has to face.
Florida State
During the ’90s, Florida State owned the ACC. The Yellow Jackets always seemed to be a day late and a dollar short, even with a share of the ACC Championship in 1998. The Seminoles are 13-0 against Georgia Tech since they joined the league in 1991. The ‘Noles have always been just out of reach for Tech. Will this continue? Florida State has a Top 5 defense, meaning that Tech will need to throw in a wrinkle or two to have a shot at putting up any points.
Key To Winning: Keep the Seminoles out of the endzone. This is a battle of defenses, and nothing is certain right now when it comes to Tech’s defense. This game has to be low scoring if Tech is going to win, and that will be up to Josh Nesbitt and the offense to limit turnovers and keep the defense off the field.
What A Win Means: Georgia Tech would finally get an ACC win over FSU.
What A Loss Means: FSU’s streak continues, and Georgia Tech is out of the ACC Title race.
North Carolina
Butch Davis is in his second year as head coach in Chapel Hill, and he has already installed a winning attitude. UNC is no longer a football pushover in the ACC. The Tarheels are 4-1 at home this season, with their only loss coming in heartbreaking fashion to an overachieving Virginia Tech team. The Jackets are 23-17-3 all time against the Heels, but they have had a difficult time putting UNC away the past couple of seasons, including a two point victory last year in Atlanta. This could be the toughest conference road game of the year for Georgia Tech.
Key To Winning: The Yellow Jackets need to get momentum early and keep it. This game is about Tech’s offense.
What A Win Means: Georgia Tech picks up another tough ACC road victory, going 3 for 4 on the year.
What A Loss Means: UNC moves ahead of Tech in the Coastal Divison, eliminating Tech from ACC Championship contention.
Miami
The “U” used to be about swagger, talking big and backing it up. Now, the Hurricanes are lucky to beat teams like Duke. The ACC switch has not been kind to Miami, and the Jackets have been chief among teams in the conference to not welcome the ‘Canes with open arms. Tech is 3 and 1 against Miami since they entered the league, with all three wins coming the past three seasons. Thursday night under the lights at the Dodd (ESPN) is a sight to behold, but it is doubtful that this fast Hurricanes defense will be caught up in the awe. There is also a rumor of a potential “White Out” occurring, which would ask Tech fans to wear white during the game. Interesting to say the least.
Key To Winning: Don’t get caught up in the Hurricanes arrogance. They will try to intimidate, but don’t have playmakers on offense to keep up with the Jackets in a shoot out. Jackets must play their game.
What A Win Means: The Jackets continue their ACC edge over the ‘Canes and push the win streak to four.
What A Loss Means: A loss to an inferior team at home on prime time for the entire nation to see.
Georgia
One of the oldest rivalries in college football continues this season as UGA hosts Georgia Tech. UGA has dominated the series since Mark Richt became head coach. The Dawgs have won seven straight, and six of those losses came under Chan Gailey. Gailey isn’t at Tech any more, but who can really say how much of a difference Paul Johnson’s triple option can provide? UGA will always be able to get top flight talent within the state due to academic reasons. Tech has really only one thing to keep in mind heading into the game, and that is not getting caught up in the inferiority complex. They must also play solid defense for four quarters. Matthew Stafford threw all over Tech a year ago, and now has his best receiver in freshman A.J. Green. Knowshon Moreno has to be kept in check, because he is the difference maker for the UGA offense. Tech’s defense in a tough environment is key.
Key To Winning: Tech can’t get intimidated by Athens or recent history. Defense has to play well for all four quarters to win this game.
What A Win Means: Ending the UGA dominance and current streak in the series. Getting a win over Mark Richt, which for Tech has never happened.
What A Loss Means: UGA continues its dominance and Tech has to wait another year of being the little brother in the series.
Tech has a tough road to hold. If they win out, they go 10-2, the first time Tech has won 10 games since 1998. If Tech is unable to keep it together, they could go 6-6 and miss a bowl game for the first time since 1995. This is the month that decides Tech’s season.
Paul Johnson has he work cut out for him.
