CFB Spotlight Game: #4 Virginia Tech @ #19 Georgia Tech

[wayne1218]

Pick the Best Bet

[wayne1218]

ESPN INSIDER

Scots' Edge


Virginia Tech offense vs. Georgia Tech defense

• Virginia Tech should have some success attacking the perimeter of Georgia Tech's run defense thanks in large part to TEs Greg Boone and Andre Smith, who are doing an excellent job of creating lanes for RB Ryan Williams. Boone gets into position quickly and is big enough (283 pounds) to cover up DEs Derrick Morgan (272 pounds), Izaan Cross (272 pounds) and Anthony Egbuniwe (255 pounds). Smith, who weighs 268 pounds, isn't as effective an inline blocker as Boone, but he's capable and has the athletic ability to get into position at the second level. Making matters worse for the Yellow Jackets, Williams is using these blocks well and is a shifty open-field runner who can make defenders miss with subtle twitches when he gets into space.

• There's a lot to like about QB Tyrod Taylor's ability to elude defenders and buy his receivers time to get open, but all pass protection breaks down with time, so it opens him up to taking some big hits. That's reason for concern this week because Morgan is a relentless pass-rusher whose power and athletic ability should give LT Ed Wang and RT Blake DeChristopher some problems. In addition, Morgan's ability to line up on either side of the formation will make it harder for the Hokies to roll Taylor away from him and/or adjust the protection to account for him.

• Georgia Tech has a dangerous punt return man in Jerrard Tarrant, and he faces what has been an inconsistent Virginia Tech coverage unit, but the Hokies still have the edge when it comes to the return game. For starters, the Yellow Jackets have not covered kickoffs well, and poor lane discipline played a big role in their giving up a kickoff return for a score two weeks ago. Meanwhile, kickoff returner Dyrell Roberts locates seams quickly and turns on the jets when he sees daylight, so he's capable of taking advantage of any mistakes. Secondly, punt returner Jayron Hosley can make the first defender miss and appears even quicker than Roberts on film. Even though the Yellow Jackets admittedly have not had to punt much this year, the coverage has looked vulnerable.

Key individual matchup

Virginia Tech WR Jarrett Boykin
vs.
Georgia Tech CB Jerrard Tarrant

Tarrant is a big corner (6-0, 202 pounds) who won't let Boykin (6-2, 215 pounds) push him around, and he can compete for any jump balls downfield. However, his inconsistent footwork is a concern because Boykin is a fluid route-runner who has enough burst to separate from him underneath. In addition, Boykin is tough runner after the catch, and Tarrant did a poor job of wrapping up against Florida State last week. Finally, don't be surprised to see Boykin make a play or two downfield because he does a better job of tracking the ball than Tarrant.
Georgia Tech offense vs. Virginia Tech defense

• Georgia Tech's spread option forces the entire defense to play sound assignment football, but when the offense is executed correctly, QB Josh Nesbitt is the perfect orchestrator. Nesbitt reads defensive fronts well, is just as willing to give the ball to one of his teammates as he is to tuck it and run, and follows his blocks when he does keep the ball. OLB Cody Grimm is a leader on the field and rarely gets caught out of position, but first-year starters ILBs Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson have yet to face a true option attack this year.

• B-back Jonathan Dwyer is a powerful downhill runner who has the speed to go the distance when he hits the second level, so Virginia Tech's first priority is stopping him and forcing Nesbitt to look elsewhere. However, the Hokies' perimeter run defenders can't be too quick to collapse. If either of those inside linebackers and/or the interior defensive line has problems slowing Dwyer at any point, A-backs Roddy Jones, Embry Peeples and Anthony Allen can all turn a pitch into a big play. Jones and Peeples are quick and elusive, while the 235-pound Allen has very good speed for his size.

• Unlike most defensive backs, FS Kam Chancellor (6-4, 230 pounds) is capable of competing for jump balls with WR Demaryius Thomas (6-3, 229 pounds) who has strong hands and times his jumps well. However, Chancellor is vulnerable to play-action and the Yellow Jackets' run-heavy offense should have him on his toes. If he lets Thomas slip behind him, the consequence could very well be a big passing play. In addition, Chancellor won't always line up against Thomas or drop into deep zone coverage. It's important that Nesbitt take advantage when he sees Thomas getting a more favorable matchup.

Scouts' Edge

In a game that pits two well-coached, tough programs against each other, look for the Hokies to eke out the road win thanks in large part to Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. Teaching players how to defend Georgia Tech's potent spread option attack in just one week of practice is a daunting task, but Foster is an excellent motivator and communicator. With his defense limiting the Yellow Jackets' big plays on the ground, Nesbitt will find himself in more third-and-long situations, and Georgia Tech just isn't built to convert consistently in those situations.

Prediction: Hokies 24, Yellow Jackets 20