The Brigham Young Cougars (4-4) caught Notre Dame in a trap
game situation last week. It could be argued the tables are turned this week
against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-4).
BYU has suffered two tough, emotional losses. The Cougars
played well in these losses to top 10 foes. They may not be in the mood for another trip back east. They may take it for granted that
they can just show up and beat this Yellow Jacket squad that has a losing
record, including a loss to Sun Belt Conference member Middle Tennessee State.
Georgia Tech’s 3-4 record is a little deceptive. Two of the
four losses have come in overtime to Virginia Tech and Miami. Teams with losing
records don’t typically average 37.7 points per game and 497.7 yards per game
on offense. Tech’s problem this year has been their defense. The Wrecking Crew
hasn’t wrecked anybody this year besides Presbyterian. Opponents average 28.3
points per game and 411.7 yards per game. Take out the Presbyterian game and
those averages jump to 32.5 points and 439.8 yards.
The terrible defensive performance prompted Georgia Tech
head coach to Paul Johnson to fire defensive coordinator Al Groh two weeks ago.
In the Yellow Jacket’s only game since then, the defense played better
statistically allowing 296 yards and 17 points, but that, too, is a little
deceptive. Boston College only had the ball for 16:15 in that game. That is an
average of 18.2 yards and 1.05 points per minute. If the time of possession was
evenly split, like it has been in most of the Yellow Jackets’ other games this
season, then Boston College would have had 31 points and 546 yards total
offense.
Boston College was just 1 of 9 on third down conversions. It
would appear that as long as BYU can convert third downs the yards and points
should easily come. BYU has converted 43.65 percent of third downs on offense
this season.
Stopping the Georgia Tech option attack will be priority number
one for the BYU defense. Georgia Tech averages 339.6 yards rushing per game. What
makes this option attack especially dangerous is an accurate passing game. BYU can't go all out to stop the run because when
Georgia Tech does decide to throw, Tevin Washington is surprisingly efficient.
He has completed 61.6 percent of his passes and averages 10.3 yards per attempt.
Georgia Tech averages 158 yards passing per game. BYU will get stung if they forget to watch for pass attempts.
The key to the game for BYU will be defense. If BYU wins and
how big the margin will depend on how well the Cougar D stops the Georgia Tech offense. The BYU offense should move the ball and score enough points to
win as long as the defense doesn't let Georgia Tech put together too many long, time-consuming drives.
All-time Series: Tied 1-1
Last: BYU won 24-13 (2003)
Streak: BYU won 1
KICKOFF: 1:00 PM (Mountain Time)
TV: Click Here
RADIO: KSL 1160 AM, 102.7 FM, www.ksl.com,
Sirius XM Ch. 143
Comments
Post a Comment