Virginia Tech vs. Georgia Tech Football 2009
ACC Game Is Critical to Hokies' BCS Title Hopes
Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech will battle for the driver’s seat in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division football race when they meet Saturday, Oct. 17, in Atlanta. And a victory by the Hokies could place them squarely in the Bowl Championship Series national title chase.
Coach Frank Beamer’s team is No. 4 in the national polls, and would like to at least maintain that positioning in the season’s first Bowl Championship Series standings, which will be released Monday.
The BCS standings are determined by a combination of computer averages as well as the USA Today coaches’ rankings and the Harris Interactive poll. A road win over No. 19 Georgia Tech team – which would be the Hokies’ third victory over a ranked team this season – would strengthen their claims all across the board.
The Hokies (5-1 overall, 3-0 ACC) have won five in a row since dropping their season opener 34-24 to Alabama. They stand behind Florida, Alabama and Texas in the national polls.
Florida and Alabama – if they get through Southeastern Conference play unscathed – face a potential showdown in the SEC title game in December. So one of them will have at least one defeat. Texas, meanwhile, must beat No. 18 Oklahoma this weekend, win six other Big 12 Conference games, then prevail in the Big 12 championship game.
So Virginia Tech, by winning the rest of its games, could conceivably gain a No. 2 BCS ranking, which would place them in the BCS championship contest.
But it won't be easy – least of all the matchup with Georgia Tech. Coach Paul Johnson’s Yellow Jackets (5-1, 3-1) will carry a three-game winning streak into Saturday’s 6 p.m. EST game, which will be telecast by ESPN2.
Nesbitt, Dwyer Lead Explosive Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech kept its winning streak alive with a wild 49-44 victory over Florida State last weekend. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt rushed for 140 yards and three touchdowns, and also passed for a TD to lead the Ramblin’ Wreck.
The Yellow Jackets average 33.2 points and 426.7 yards per game, utilizing a powerful option offense. The workhorse running back is 6-foot, 235-pound Jonathan Dwyer, who’s churned out 511 yards and five touchdowns on 6.5 yards per carry.
Nesbitt has added 503 yards and six touchdowns, and Anthony Allen has averaged a whopping 11.8 yards per carry while producing 308 yards and three TDs.
The Yellow Jackets don’t throw often, and barely complete half of their passes. But when they do connect, they can be devastating. Nesbitt is 37-for-73 for 843 yards, with four TDs and two interceptions. The senior averages 22.8 yards per completion.
His target is usually Demaryius Thomas, who’s amassed 620 yards and four touchdowns on 26 receptions. The 6-3, 230-pound junior averages 23.85 yards per catch, best in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision.
Georgia Tech’s Tarrant Provides Punch on Defense, Special Teams
Georgia Tech has given up 26.5 points and 385.2 yards per game, as its defense has been hampered by injuries. But the Yellow Jackets have lost only once – 33-17 to Miami on Sept. 17.
One reason is Jerrard Tarrant, who’s averaging an eye-popping 26.7 yards on seven punt returns. The sophomore has run back two punts for touchdowns, and also scored on a fumble return.
Tarrant is also a starter at cornerback, and he ranks second on the team with 35 tackles. The leader is linebacker Brad Jefferson, who’s made 36 stops and forced two fumbles.
End Derrick Morgan is a force up front with 27 tackles, nine tackles for losses and six sacks, while safety Morgan Burnett has three interceptions along with 33 tackles. Other key players include linebacker Sedric Griffin (34 tackles) and cornerback Mario Butler (2 interceptions).
Freshman Williams Carries Huge Load for Hokies
The Hokies don’t have the most electrifying offense in the world, averaging 387.7 yards per game. But they’ve managed to put up 34.2 points – mainly due to the running of Ryan Williams.
Williams has piled up 734 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5.8 yards per attempt. The freshman, who had 159 yards in last week’s 48-14 of Boston College, ranks sixth in the FBS with a 122.3 average. He’s also caught seven passes for 143 yards, averaging 20.4 yards per reception.
But Williams isn’t the only option out of the backfield. Josh Oglesby and David Wilson have each rushed for over 200 yards, with two TDs apiece, and QB Tyrod Taylor is rushing threat as well.
The passing game has been inconsistent, as the Hokies have allowed 17 sacks. Yet Taylor has had some impressive moments while passing for 995 yards and eight touchdowns, and he’s been intercepted only once. His top targets are Jarrett Boykin (19 catches, 355 yards, 3 TDs) and Danny Coale (10 catches, 269 yards, 2 TDs).
Dyrell Roberts has also caught two TD passes, and he’s also scored on a kickoff return. The sophomore is averaging a stellar 39.1 yards on his eight runbacks.
Virginia Tech Defense Dominant vs. Boston College
After a mediocre performance in a 34-26 victory Duke the previous week, Virginia Tech’s defense turned in a sterling effort vs. Boston College. The Hokies gave up a season-low 163 yards and blanked the Eagles until the final quarter.
On the year, Virginia Tech is allowing 17.7 points and 310.3 yards per game. Leading the charge has been linebacker Cody Grimm, who tops the Hokies in tackles (49), tackles for losses (5.5) and forced fumbles (3).
Linebackers Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson have added 43 and 42 tackles, respectively, and free safety Kam Chancellor – a 6-4, 233-pound sophomore – is fourth on the team with 33.
Cornerback Rashad Carmichael paces the Hokies in interceptions with three, and also has 28 tackles and three pass breakups. Defensive end Jason Worilds has been the primary pass rushing threat, and has three of the Hokies’ 12 sacks.
The Hokies are seeking their third consecutive win over Georgia Tech. They lead the all-time series, 4-2.
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