Georgia Tech-FSU preview

GEORGIA TECH AT FLORIDA STATE

SITE: Doak Campbell Stadium

TIME: Saturday, 8:00 PM ET

WEATHER: 78 degrees, Scattered T-Storms (40% Chance of Precipitation)

RADIO: Georgia Tech ISP Network (WQXI 790-AM Atlanta, WYAY 106.7-FM Atlanta)

TV: ESPN2/ESPN360

RECORDS: No. 22 Georgia Tech 4-1, Florida State 2-3

COACHES: Georgia Tech - Paul Johnson (13-5, second season), Bobby Bowden (311-94-4, 34th season)

Georgia Tech Players to watch:

QB Josh Nesbitt (Jr., 6-1, 214), B-Back Jonathan Dwyer (Jr., 6-0, 235), A-Back Anthony Allen (RS Jr., 6-0, 225), A-Back Roddy Jones (RS So., 5-9, 192), WR Demaryius Thomas (RS Jr., 6-3, 229), OG Cord Howard (RS Sr.,6-5, 300), DE Derrick Morgan (Jr., 6-4, 270), DB Morgan Burnett (Jr., 6-1, 210), DB/PR Jerrard Tarrant (RS So., 6-0, 202)

Florida State Players to watch:

QB Christian Ponder (Jr, 6-2, 217), WR Bert Reed (RS So., 6-4, 205), C Ryan McMahon (RS Jr., 6-3, 282), LG Rodney Hudson (Jr., 6-2, 285), LT Andrew Datko (So., 6-6, 283), LB Dekoda Watson (Sr., 6-2, 226), LB Nigel Bradham (So., 6-2, 235), DB Patrick Robinson (Sr., 5-11, 194), DB Greg Reid (Fr., 5-9, 175)

Georgia Tech keys to the game

Special Teams. GT gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown last weekend against Mississippi State that allowed the Bulldogs to jump right back into the game. Blair also struggled again with his kickoffs, even though it was his only responsibility of the game. Tech does not have anybody else that can kick the ball deep so he will be expected to step up and do his job correctly. Freshman Chris Tanner handled field goal duties, but Tech never even attempted one. He made all of his point after attempts last week, but has yet to be tested with a field goal attempt. Tech's kick return defense currently ranks 108th in the nation and their punt return defense ranks 93rd. FSU has a speedy return man in Greg Reid, so the return defense will need to have a solid game this weekend.

Tackling. Last week the Jackets made Anthony Dixon look like Earl Campbell. Tech still lacks a dominant linebacker that can fill up the stat sheet, but Jefferson and Griffin both played pretty well last week with 8 and 10 tackles respectively. They will need to assert themselves this weekend and make some plays in the backfield. FSU runs a pro-set similar to Miami that is dependent on play action. Play action is most effective when the linebackers buy the fake to the running back, which usually is only effective when the rushing attack is clicking.

Head Start. Tech is tough to catch when they jump ahead early because of the nature of their offense. The Yellow Jackets gobble up huge amounts of clock when the offense is moving the ball effectively and the opponent will always have a limited number of possessions to catch up. They currently lead the ACC in time of possession and rank tenth nationally at 33 minutes per game. Last weekend GT was four for five in the red zone and scored four touchdowns. They will be nearly impossible to stop with that kind of touchdown efficiency.

Florida State keys to the game

Pass the Ball. FSU will need to mix in some running to keep Tech honest, but their bread and butter is their passing attack. They rank 17th nationally in passing offense at 285.4 yards per game, while Tech ranks 77th in passing defense at 227.4 yards per game. Ponder should be able to exploit Tech's secondary similar to the way that Jacory Harris did. FSU has the offensive line to give Ponder time in the pocket, but even when he is flushed, he can make big plays with his feet.

One more for Bobby. There has been a lot of chatter this week about Bobby Bowden being forced into early retirement. This of course is a dead issue until the season is over due to his esteemed reputation, but if FSU loses their third straight game, it will put them in a huge hole. The players could rally behind their coach and play extremely motivated. A third conference loss to open 0-3 in the ACC would also all but eliminate FSU from the ACC title race.

Run Defense. FSU is traditionally solid against the run and this year is no exception. They are fifth in the ACC allowing 128.8 yards per game, while Tech leads the ACC and ranks sixth nationally in rushing offense with 252.2 yards per game. Last year FSU gave up 288 rushing yards to the Jackets, including two big touchdown runs by Dwyer where we went untouched through the middle of the defense. FSU will need to play smarter football on defense this year if they expect to stay in this game.

Patrick Robinson and Greg Reid vs. Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill

Robinson is one of the best cornerbacks in the ACC, but he was injured last week against Boston College. He says that he will be ready to go for this weekend, but only time will tell. Either way, Bay-Bay should still be able to use his size to take advantage of this match up. He is 4 inches taller and 40 pounds heavier than Robinson. Bay-Bay currently leads the ACC and ranks 15th nationally with 107.2 yards per game. Greg Reid was one of the most highly touted freshmen in the nation coming into this season and so far, he has looked impressive at cornerback for FSU. Stephen Hill has also played well as a freshman and he will have a big size advantage at receiver, as he is 7 inches taller than Reid. Hill looks to build on his last two weekends where he made his first career reception against UNC and scored his first career touchdown against Mississippi State.

Josh Nesbitt

Nesbitt showed the big play capabilities of the offense in the passing game by throwing for a career high 266 yards passing while completing 11 of his 14 attempts last week against the Bulldogs. Tech did a good job to mix up the play calling by passing on first down when the defense least expected it. They also did a good job calling simple passes into the flat, which were easy completions and allowed Bay-Bay to do what he does best: gain yards after the catch. Nesbitt also had a solid game on the ground with 53 rushing yards, including some tough runs for first downs in short yardage situations. When he is on top of his game, the only way that Tech can be beaten is if the other team can win in a shootout.

Turnovers

The Yellow Jackets gained four turnovers last week and now lead the ACC and rank 15th nationally in turnover margin with +1.2 turnovers per game. They have only turned the ball over once during the last three games, despite fumbling the ball nine times during that span. Tech hopes that their fortunes continue against the Seminoles.

Doak Campbell

Georgia Tech broke one streak last year by winning against Bobby Bowden for the first time. It was also their first win against FSU since 1975. This year they will look to defeat the Seminoles for the first time at their stadium. Tech is 0-6 all time in Tallahassee. Doak Campbell is the largest stadium that Tech will play in this season with a capacity of 82,300.

Injury Update

Out: DE Robert Hall (knee), LB Kyle Jackson (foot), DB Cooper Taylor (heart condition)

Doubtful: none

Questionable: DE Anthony Egbuniwe (illness)

Prediction:

The FSU game lacks the hype that is had in the past, but every ACC game is important from here on out. FSU should be motivated after losing three straight, but they have also had to deal with the distractions surrounding Bobby Bowden this week. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Noles will be mentally focused coming into this game. Tech on the other hand cannot and will not take FSU lightly. Their offense is on a roll right now and the defense will look to bounce back after a sub par performance against Mississippi State. Tech will probably give up some yards through the air, but their red zone efficiency defense has been solid this year. They lead the ACC in that category and rank 15th nationally. Tech will come out on top 31-24.