UNC vs. Georgia Tech: Preview, broadcast information and prediction
By Zack Pearson
We preview UNC’s next game against Georgia Tech as they look for their first conference win of the season
The North Carolina Tar Heels enter Week 5 of the college football season seeking their first win in conference play.
UNC is 1-3 overall on the season with their lone win coming at Old Dominion.
They’ve struggled in two conference games losing to Duke and Louisville, both in Chapel Hill this season. Now they hit the road for their first road conference game of the year and this one won’t be easy either.
The Tar Heels travel to Atlanta for a showdown with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who enter at 2-1 overall and 1-0 in the ACC.
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Georgia Tech is coming off a big win over Pitt, beating the Panthers 35-17 just a week ago.
UNC is on a three-game win streak over the Yellow Jackets but they haven’t fared well on the road in the series. The Tar Heels have lost seven of their last eight games at Bobby Dodd Stadium, with that lone win coming in their magical 2015 season.
Junior quarterback TaQuon Marshall is starting his first season for the Yellow Jackets and has looked good. Marshall almost helped the Yellow Jackets pull off a big Week 1 upset over Tennessee but they fell short 42-41.
The Yellow Jackets bring in one of the more unique offenses into the country and if you’ve been watching college football, you know what I’m talking about.
They run the triple option and plan to run the ball down opponents throats any chance they get.
But when you think you’ve finally figured out how to stop the triple option, they can beat you through the air when needed.
Coming off a game in which they faced two good running backs in the loss to Duke, it will be another tough test for UNC’s run defense.
While Georgia Tech is good at running the ball, their defense is really good at stopping the run.
They rank 21st nationally allowing 100 yards per game in three contests this season. UNC will need to get backs Jordon Brown and Michael Carter going early on if they want to have a chance to win.
UNC Key to the Game
The Tar Heels have had problems giving up big plays defensively. They’ve allowed a play of 40 yards or more in each of their contests this season.
That includes the win over Old Dominion.
Georgia Tech’s offense is run-first but that doesn’t mean they can’t pop off a big play. UNC’s defense will need to make sure they are in the right gaps on every play in order to stop that rushing attack.
The Yellow Jackets are rushing for 393.7 yards per game this season and Marshall has been a big part of that. He rushed for 200-plus yards and five touchdowns in the season opener to Tennessee.
With this style of offense, the Yellow Jackets love taking up as much clock as they can. If they sustain drives and keep UNC’s offense off the field, it will be a big day for them in Atlanta.
Georgia Tech Key to the Game
The key for the Yellow Jackets is forcing UNC’s offense in to tough situations including third-and-longs.
Georgia Tech was really good on third down defense against Pitt a week ago as the Panthers converted on just one of their 13 attempts.
UNC comes into the game with Chazz Surratt as the starting quarterback and he’s still learning this offense. Last week against Duke, the Blue Devils brought the pressure early and often, getting to Surratt.
His one big mistake came late in the game when he threw an interception that sealed it for Duke.
If the Yellow Jackets can get the Tar Heels offense into long downs, they can control the game like they want to.
It’s going to be up to UNC’s offense to move the ball down the field and sustain drives. More importantly, they have to find the end zone.
One question we’d like to see answered…
Can UNC survive a week without a major injury?
Okay, raise your hand if you’re frustrated with the amount of injuries the UNC football team has had to deal with this year? Alright, everyone put your hands down.
It seems like every week the Tar Heels have a major injury. It’s not the players faults, it’s not the coaches faults, it’s just something that happens.
UNC has had to overcome the losses of players like Andre Smith, Austin Proehl, Thomas Jackson, William Sweet and Tommy Hatton. That’s just to name a few.
Let’s hope UNC can just get through this game without any major injuries.
What you need to know
WHAT? UNC 1-3 (0-2 ACC) at Georgia Tech 2-1 (1-0 ACC)
WHEN? Saturday, September 30 at 12:00 p.m. ET
WHERE? Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
TV? ESPN 2/Watchespn.com
RADIO? Tar Heel Sports Network.
WEATHER? Mostly sunny with a high of 81 degrees and a 0 precent chance of rain according to Weather.com.
LINE? Georgia Tech – 9.5
ALL-TIME SERIES? Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 28-20-3. UNC has won the last three.
PREDICTION? Georgia Tech 32, UNC 27