GT-UNC Preview

Tomorrow the 7-2 Jackets travel to Chapel Hill for a noon showdown with the 6-2 (2-2) Tar Heels of UNC. This game has huge implications for both teams, as the winner will be in prime position to win the Coastal (though the winner will also need another loss by VPI or UVA) and the loser will be all but eliminated from a trip to Tampa on Dec. 6th for a spot at the Orange Bowl.

Oh, line?

Tech's offensive line has been at the root of Tech's offensive success (or lack thereof) all season. This is the case with most teams, but it's importance is amplified because of the quick nature of the UCOBS. Now that Andrew Gardner is out for the year, Tech's o-line is hurting even more. Look for Austin Barrick (converted TE) and Nick Claytor to get lots of PT on Saturday. David Brown should taking over Gardner's LG position to protect Nesbitt's blind side.

Injury Update

Nesbitt should be up to 100% tomorrow after leaving the F$U game in the third quarter due to a sprained ankle. Senior CB Jahi Word-Daniels is still out from the hammy he pulled against Clemson on Oct. 18, but CB Dominique Reese should be back in action tomorrow. If not, CB Mike Peterson (who did a great job against one of the best WRs in the ACC, F$U's Greg Carr) should get some significant PT against a talented, albeit Brandon Tate-less UNC WR corp.

One man's strength is another man's weakness

Tomorrow's matchup features a tale of two different secondaries. UNC's back four lead the nation in interceptions, and while GT's secondary has been no slouches (just look at NCAA INT leader ROV Morgan Burnett), it hasn't really faced a great passing attack yet. The Jacket defense will be tested all day, and avoiding big plays is a key to leaving Kenan Stadium with a W.

On the flip side, UNC's secondary won't have much chance to prove their abilities against a team that passes very little (just six attempts against F$U). Tech's receivers have done a great job of getting open when we do pass, but they will have to be on the lookout against UNC's talented safeties.

Streak Stats

Tech comes in to Chapel Hill having won 8 of the last 9 against the Tar Heels. Tech is also 4-0 in noon kickoffs this year (@BC, Miss. State, Duke, @Clemson).

"This is ball coach..."

This game features a premiere matchup of today's college football coaching elite, in the form of Paul Johnson versus Butch Davis. Johnson has won 113 games in his 12 years as a coach, including two national titles in Statesboro in 1999 and 2000. Butch Davis has been no slouch either, winning 61 games in his career as a head coach, including going 11-1 at Thug U in 2000 (to be fair, they got jobbed by the BCS).

Keys to the Game

UNC wins if they pass for over 250 yards and don't turn the ball over. Tech is fourth in nation in takeaways (including six against Clemson) and it could be higher after two missed INT opportunities against the Criminoles. UNC's offense numbers haven't been pretty, but no giveaways make things a lot easier.

Tech wins if they have <2 turnovers and at least 175 yards on the ground. With Nesbitt in at QB last Saturday, Tech kept the ball off the ground. Hopefully they'll keep it up in a now hostile Kenan Stadium.

Prediction

I think Tech picks up a W in Chapel Hill this weekend, 24-16. Look for Tech's D-line to have a big day, along with Mr. Jonathan Dwyer. Tech's defense will come up with two or three takeaways that the Nesbitt-led offense will convert into points.

Bonus Material: Tigers-Sabans, Saints-Birds, Tech Hoops

#1 Bama travels down to Baton Rouge this weekend for Nick Saban's first game as Tide head coach at his old stadium, Death Valley. I really don't see how LSU can win this one, but you never know what can happen on a Saturday. Tigers win 20-17.

First matchup this season of the Saints and the Falcons is also goin on this weekend in the Georgia Dome. I expect the Falcons to be in letdown mode after handling the Raiders last weekend, 24-0. Look for Brees to have a big day against a relatively untested Falcon secondary.

Tech's first (and only) exhibition basketball game is also tonight, against LeMoyne College (somewhere in NY I think). Win or loss really doesn't matter here, though it will be cool to see Shumpert in his first game. Too bad I won't be able to make it, but I will be there to see Tech's first real game against Winston-Salem State next Friday.

Until next time, have a great weekend and go Jackets!