Midweek Madness

Georgia Tech has the spotlight this week 

Another week, another MM prediction, this time, Georgia Tech from the ACC will be squaring off against the Hokies of Virginia Tech on Thursday.

Georgia Tech
2018 Record: 3-4 (Lost to Duke)


Georgia Tech is a heavy run offense as they have over 398 rushing attempts compared to their 85 passing attempts. And with that, they are averaging 352 yds/gm on the ground and 101 yds/ through the air. TaQuon Marshall will be the likely starter but is listed as probable for Thursday's game. He averages 92 yds/gm through the air with 3 TD's and 4 INT's with a passing rate at a abysmal 48%, but he can run as he is averaging 85 yds.gm with 9 TD's. But if he is not able to play then Tobias Oliver will be the next one up and....... oh boy, he is averaging 7.4 yds/gm through the air and even has a worst passing rate at 44%, but like Marshall he does most of his damage through the run averaging 74 yds/gm with 7 TD's.
There is one major flaw to this team......they can't pass.......at all. And the Hokies have a pretty solid run defense as they give up an average of 123 yds/gm on the ground. This will cause huge trouble for GT as this will severely hurt the run game and with that, force them to make way more attempts downfield with QB's that are really inaccurate and overall bad, I would expect the Hokies defense will have a heyday picking off GT or forcing a ton of 3-and-outs.

Virginia Tech
2018 Record: 4-2 (Won against UNC)


Virginia Tech is a more balance with a emphasis on the pass, and unlike GT, are really good averaging 272 yds/gm through the air, and 183 yds/gm on the ground. Ryan Willis will be the starter after replacing Josh Jackson who is out with a broken fibula. and is doing not too bad, averaging 211 yds/gm to go along with 8 TD's and 3 INT's and a passing rate of 58%.
Not many flaws here as the Hokies are just too balance for GT and both GT's defensive stats and the Hokies offensive stats are similar enough to say that its a wash.

Verdict

This will not be close by any measure. GT relies too much on the run which will severely hurt them in this game as all the Hokies have to do is to play a lock down run defense and bam, they have successfully shut down this offense. And also its really hard for defenses to defend balanced offenses. The victory will go to the Hokies her.