Georgia Tech enters its bye week with a 3-2 record, which is the record that many analysts predicted for the Yellow Jackets at the beginning of the year. Still, there seem to be a few areas that Georgia Tech needs to improve on during its bye week if it wants to make another appearance in a bowl game. Of course, not all issues can be fixed during a bye week, but these three issues certainly stand out right now when watching the Yellow Jackets.
Let’s talk about them.
After leading the ACC in rushing last season, the rushing attack has not been as prominent this year, and that was evident in Saturday’s game against Louisville. Currently, Georgia Tech is 10th in the ACC in rushing, averaging 163.0 yards per game on the ground. The last two games against Power 4 rivals are of most concern. In Saturday’s game against the Cardinals, Georgia Tech gained 98 total yards on 37 carries, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. In the game against Syracuse, the Yellow Jackets gained 112 total yards on 24 attempts, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Georgia Tech wants to have a physical personality on offense, but with the running game struggling, Haynes King and the passing game are having to do a lot of the heavy lifting on offense.
The running backs, in particular, have not had much success this year, with King leading the team in rushing in the past two games against Power 4 teams. Against Louisville and Syracuse, Jamaal Haynes had 60 yards on 23 carries, averaging less than three yards per carry. Without another running back to serve as a second option behind Haynes, the offense is left without much of a rushing identity.
Can they run the ball well again? I think so, but so far it’s been disappointing to watch.
Georgia Tech has recorded just five sacks this season, three of which came against VMI. While the secondary has had plenty of issues, the lack of a consistent pass rush has been just as detrimental to the defense. The Yellow Jackets were pulverized by quarterback Kyle McCord against Syracuse, with only one sack, and none against Louisville on Saturday. That will be troubling for the defense, considering they rank 114th nationally in sacks. Some of the offenses they will face in the future are not as good at throwing the ball as Syracuse or Louisville, but teams like Miami and Georgia can certainly throw the ball. Even Duke (Georgia Tech’s next opponent) and quarterback Ma’lik Murphy had some good moments throwing the ball this season.
Pass defense and pass rush can honestly go hand in hand. Georgia Tech is 89th in the country in passing yards allowed per game, allowing 229.0 yards per game through the air. The Yellow Jackets have not intercepted a pass this season and have forced only two turnovers, ranking 116th in the country. Georgia Tech’s run defense has improved a lot, but they are unable to pass rush, force turnovers, or defend against a good passing game. There is still a lot of improvement to be made on the Yellow Jackets’ defense.
