Keeping It Heel
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UNC Football: Early Opponent Preview Georgia Tech

By Brandon Griffin

Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) runs away from pressure from Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Justin Thomas (5) runs away from pressure from Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Leonard Floyd (84) during the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Leading up to the first game of the season, Keeping It Heel will be doing opponent previews in reverse order.

Previous Previews:

NC State / The Citadel / Duke

This Week: Georgia Tech

Since Larry Fedora’s arrival at Chapel Hill, the Carolina/Georgia Tech games have been high scoring affairs. The two teams have averaged to score 81 points per game in the last four contests. The only season both teams didn’t crack 30 points was in 2013 when Georgia Tech won 28-20.

Last season in Atlanta, the Yellow Jackets opened up an early 21 point lead. However thanks to some great play by Marquise Williams, the Heels stormed back and outscored Georgia Tech 38-10 to win by seven. Will Georgia Tech get off to another strong start or will UNC control the game from the onset?

Head Coach: Paul Johnson. Career Record 168-83 (61-44 at State). This will be his ninth season at Georgia Tech which is his third head coaching stop.

Johnson has been successful wherever he has gone. In his 19 seasons as a head coach, he has two FCS Championships, five Southern Conference Championships, one ACC championship, and four ACC Coastal titles. He also has won multiple coaching awards including NCAA coach of the year in 2004.

Best Graduate: WR Calvin Johnson. Six-time Pro Bowler and 4 time All-Pro, Career 731 receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 touchdowns. Johnson just retired this year at 31 after nine seasons in the NFL, all with the Detroit Lions.

Johnson led the league in receiving twice and holds the record for most receiving yards in a single season with 1,964. Additionally, he holds another eight NFL records and nine Detroit Lions franchise records.

Second Best Graduate: LB Keith Brooking. Five Time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, has 1,435 career tackles, 22 sacks, 13 interceptions, and nine forced fumbles. Brooking played in Super Bowl XXXIII as a rookie, but saw his team lose to the Denver Broncos 34-19.

Last Season: Went 3-9 (1-7 in ACC play). Finished seventh in the Coastal Division. Season highlights include winning their first two games of the season by an average score of 67-8. Finished season by losing eight of their last nine including the seven point home loss to UNC.

Georgia Tech didn’t play in a bowl game for the first time since 1996. However, they did shock the nation with what is known as the block six, when they beat #9 Florida State 22-16 for their only ACC win.

This Season: Eight of their opponents finished last season with a winning record and all eight made a bowl game. Was last season a fluke or have teams figured out Paul Johnson’s Triple option attack? That question will probably get answered this season, but with only four road games, Georgia Tech probably rebounds this season with a 7-5 record and a bowl appearance.

Best Player: QB Justin Thomas. Last season, he threw for 1345 yards with 13 touchdowns against 8 interceptions. He also ran for 488 yards and 6 touchdowns. Like the rest of Georgia Tech, Thomas had a less than stellar season. After having accounted for almost 3,000 yards in 2014, Thomas came back to earth in 2015 by failing to combine for even 2,000 yards.

Matchup: Saturday,November 5th in Chapel Hill TBD

Oct 17, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Tyler Bell (27) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Andre Smith (56) during the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. North Carolina won 50-14. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2015; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons running back Tyler Bell (27) is tackled by North Carolina Tar Heels linebacker Andre Smith (56) during the second half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. North Carolina won 50-14. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction: Last year North Carolina looked dead in the water after showing no sign of being able to slow down the Georgia Tech rushing attack. However, some poor time management by Georgia Tech at the end of the first half allowed the Heels to score late and keep the game close. With the game in Chapel Hill this year expect UNC to start off stronger and keep the option in check from the get-go.

Final score: UNC 42, Georgia Tech 35. These games have consistently been high scoring. With both teams offenses being capable of putting up points in a hurry, UNC takes a big lead and holds off the Jackets as they rally late. LB Andre Smith proves to be the star of the game as he leads the team in tackles and keeps the Georgia Tech option from going wild.

Related Story: Elijah Hood named to award watch list

Unlike last season, this game is a little later in the year. Instead of this being a test of the North Carolina run defense, this should be a reminder to other teams how far the Heels have come. Paired with the Georgia game, North Carolina should also be looking at a sweep of the Peach State while also impressing some future recruits as well.

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