The Georgia Tech vs. Virginia Tech battle, effectively known as the “TechMo Bowl” or “Battle of the Tech,” has a very long history in the ACC, and more specifically in the ACC Coastal Division.
The first 10 Tecmo Bowls have featured seven of the winners of rivalry games, but this is the first since the No. 16 Hokies won in overtime in a 2012 matchup in Blacksburg. None of the winners are ranked.
That trend continues this year, with Virginia Tech earning AP Top 25 votes in the preseason and Georgia Tech entering the rankings after a win over No. 10 Florida State.
So, how will each team play this year?
Virginia Tech Offense vs Georgia Tech Defense
Georgia Tech’s defense looks much different than last year’s Yellow Jackets team. Head coach Brent Key brought in Tyler Santucci to revamp the defensive mindset, along with a number of other hires this offseason.
The problem with change is that there are always negative factors. For the Jackets, this has to be a decline in pass defense from last season. The Jackets’ defense last year wasn’t amazing, but it was clear that the run defense was significantly worse than the pass defense, which turned it over.
Georgia Tech goes to quarterback at a very low rate, but currently ranks 131st among all teams in sack rate at an impressive 2.64%.
However, the pass rush isn’t the only problem, as Georgia Tech has just two interceptions all year.
However, while the Yellow Jackets have a serviceable run defense, it hasn’t really been tested this year as opposing teams attack Georgia Tech’s coverage areas.
Virginia Tech is not a passing offense. Georgia Tech’s losses are all due to an offensive line that can pass the ball. That wasn’t the case at all for Virginia Tech this year.
Kyron Drones has been an outstanding runner throughout his career, and this year is no exception. He is the No. 2 rusher on the Hokies’ offense behind leading playmaker Beischul Tuten.
For Virginia Tech to dominate this defense, Tuten will need to be explosive. There are a lot of weaknesses in Santucci’s scheme on that side of the ball, and if Georgia Tech can’t get any pressure, it’s going to be a long day for the Jackets.
Virginia Tech Defense vs. Georgia Tech Offense
Georgia Tech’s offense will be without Haynes King this afternoon against Blacksburg, as a Georgia Tech spokesperson announced that he has been ruled out of the game.
That means Zach Pilon, a familiar figure to Hokies fans, will be the Jackets’ starting quarterback.
He led the Jackets to victory in the last meeting between the two schools, throwing for 253 yards and hitting a QB keeper for a score.
Currently, the Pylons are expected to inherit a run-heavy offense that prefers to rely on the quarterback’s running ability and an offensive line that allows for a ton of short plays on the offensive end.
Look to Malik Rutherford or Eric Singleton to take the ball away from the Hokies defense in different ways.
Virginia Tech’s defense may be the opposite of Georgia Tech’s.
While the Hokies have been solid at times against the run, they have excelled in the passing game, with Antoine Powell-Ryland rushing at quarterback while Dorian Strong and Mansour Delaine play cornerback.
The Jackets don’t usually allow Haynes King to put too much pressure on him, but the Pylons could have some problems if Antoine Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles line up on opposite sides of the offensive line. There is.
final prediction
This game looks pretty even on paper, but Virginia Tech’s pass defense will be their strongest unit and there are too many question marks around Zach Pilon for the Jackets to be a strong pick. I can’t see it.
I don’t think it’s going to be a blowout by any means, but I’m going to stick with the quarterback I have more confidence in, Kyron Drones.
Final score: Virginia Tech 23, Georgia Tech 20
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