Pumpin For Thursday: Week 10

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech -2.5, Over/Under 41.5

Vegas Algebra says: Georgia Tech 22, Virginia Tech 19.5

Matchups:

When Georgia Tech Runs:

Georgia Tech’s Rushing Offense ranks 13th nationally, Virginia Tech’s Rushing Defense is 9th.

When Georgia Tech Passes:

Georgia Tech’s Passing Offense is 107th, Virginia Tech’s Passing Defense is 50th

When Virginia Tech Runs:

Virginia Tech’s Rushing Offense is 96th, Georgia Tech’s Rushing Defense is 8th

When Virginia Tech Passes:

Virginia Tech’s Passing Offense is 102nd, Georgia Tech’s Passing Defense is 34th

Thoughts:

Don’t think Georgia Tech Defensive Coordinator Jon Tenuta was up late trying to figure out the Virginia Tech offense. This might be a yawner even with Virginia Tech playing its second Thursday game in two weeks. Josh and I are going to the Music City Bowl in December in Nashville, a second tier bowl matching ACC and SEC teams. Josh bought ten upper level tickets for the purpose of scalping but those tickets will only have value if the teams selected to go have well traveling fanbases like Virginia Tech’s and not as much Georgia Tech’s. Therefore a Georgia Tech win tonight, makes the Rambling Wreck an easy take for the Chick Fil-A Bowl in Atlanta and may slip the Hokies and their rabid fanbase to Nashville to hopefully play Tennessee and line Josh’s pockets. Go Jackets!

Suggestion:

Doesn’t look like the Hokies will be able to do anything offensively against Georgia Tech in Atlanta, give the points and the under looks safe here, even as low as it is. But get ready for the understatement of the year…I’ve been wrong before.

Projected Postseason Top 25: #7 Georgia Tech

I understand this ranking may shake some heads but looking at the Ramblin’ Wreck’s schedule there isn’t one game in which they’d be a decided underdog. In other words EVERY game is winnable. What isn’t so winnable is overcoming a low preseason ranking and skeptics of the ACC as an elite conference after the performance of its supposed top programs over the past two years. You can decipher from the win/loss breakdown that Georgia Tech is here predicted to go undefeated in the regular season and NOT be in the National Championship game. Could Georgia Tech be the playoff argument of 2007. Looking at the year ahead, its more a possibility than you think.

Projected Record and Bowl Result: 13-1 Lose to #6 in Orange Bowl

Who they’ll beat: Notre Dame (Road), Samford (Home), Boston College (Home), Virginia (Road), Clemson (Home), Maryland (Road), Miami (Road), Army (Home), Virginia Tech (Home), Duke (Road), North Carolina (Home), Georgia (Home)

Who’ll beat them: #6 (Miami, FL)

When they Pass: Reggie Ball won’t be throwing the football. To some that’s reason enough to be excited. Unfortunately Calvin Johnson won’t be catching it either. To some that’s reason enough to underrate Georgia Tech. Taylor Bennett to James Johnson will be a prolific combination replacing them.

When they Run: Tashard Choice might be the best running back most fans have never heard of. He was the ACC’s leading rusher last season and looks to be this season also.

When their Opponents Run: Three of four defensive linemen return as well as two of three linebackers. Georgia Tech was 20th nationally against the run and looks to improve off that ranking.

When their Opponents Pass: Jamal Lewis is first round draft pick at safety. Senior Avery Roberson returns at one of the cornerback slots.
When they Kick: Travis Bell was all ACC two years ago and looks to regain that form this year.

When they call Timeout: Chan Gailey and new offensive coordinator John Bond are hoping to get more creative with the offense this year and get over Ball’s physical limitations as a passer. Jon Tenuta is the defensive coordinator for what is usually one of the ACC’s best defenses.