Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes, 11, celebrated after scoring a touchdown against Louisville last month. (Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo)
There’s always something at stake in the Georgia Tech game during UNC football coach Mack Brown’s second stint in Chapel Hill.
For the past three seasons, when UNC was considered one of the ACC’s elite with star quarterbacks Sam Howell and Drake Maye, the matchup between the Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets was built on preseason hype and playoff hype. The chance to revive hope was in an unexpected place. — at least the first time in 2021 — was buried.
advertisement
But the stakes are different as UNC is scheduled to host Georgia Tech again Saturday at noon.
First, the Tar Heels will have a chance to snap a two-game losing streak that includes three straight losses to the Yellow Jackets and three straight losses to JMU, Duke and Pitt.
But on a deeper level, this matchup is no longer the “trap game” it once was, but simply an opportunity to improve, given that they don’t have any major goals to lose in the postseason.
At 4-2 overall and 2-2 in ACC play, Georgia Tech is a much better team than it has been in recent memory.
The Yellow Jackets scored 14 points in the fourth quarter against a stout defense in an impressive 24-14 home victory over Duke. Redshirt junior quarterback Haynes King ran for 167 yards and two touchdowns, and redshirt junior running back Jamal Haynes ran for 135 yards.
It will be imperative for UNC defensive coordinator and former Georgia Tech head coach Jeff Collins to contain Haynes in the run game by making solid tackles and limiting big plays down the field.
Georgia Tech likes to run a balanced offense and get the ball to speedy, skilled players to make explosive plays.
In last week’s game against Pitt, the Tar Heels gave up three plays of 40 yards or more and totaled 149 yards rushing and 381 yards passing. The longest of those plays was a short pass to running back Desmond Reed, who recorded a 72-yard gain thanks to multiple missed tackles.
It also didn’t help that edge rusher Kymon Rucker played only a few third downs last week as he slowly returned from a lower-body injury. Rucker has been participating in practice this week, and a bigger role from him Saturday could be a much-needed boost for a defense that looks to improve its sack corps.
Opposing quarterbacks took too long to find open receivers down the field, especially in UNC’s three losses. The Tar Heels had 10 sacks in the first three games, but only five sacks in the three-game skid.
In Monday’s press conference, Brown also touted the need for the Tar Heels to take advantage of turnover opportunities. UNC has just two interceptions all year, which is tied for second-to-last in the ACC.
Sophomore defensive back Caleb Kost’s 84-yard pick-six against Pitt was a big jump on the scoreboard, but the Tar Heels’ solid Georgia Tech defense allows just 19.3 points per game. It may be necessary to defend against.
Offensively, UNC needs to improve its execution on big plays, including third down, fourth down and red zone situations.
The Tar Heels made just five of their 15 attempts on third down against Pitt and just two of their six attempts on fourth down.
Opponents have converted just 32% of their third-down attempts and 43% of their fourth-down attempts against the Yellow Jackets this season. Georgia Tech also doesn’t allow teams to reach the red zone often, allowing just 13 trips inside the 20-yard line.
UNC had no trouble getting to the red zone last week, but struggled more than expected to cross the goal line. If UNC can eliminate self-inflicted mistakes in those situations, like missed touchdown passes and missed assignments, UNC could do better on Saturday.
UNC fans may have little hope that the Tar Heels will bounce back, but it’s worth noting that the Yellow Jackets tend to fall behind early.
Georgia Tech is 0-2 in away games this year, losing to then No. 19 Louisville on September 21st and to Syracuse on September 7th.
Against Louisville, Georgia Tech trailed 17-7 with less than two minutes left in the first half, and against Syracuse it led 21-7 midway through the second quarter.
So, the Tar Heels could get off to a hot start and get some payback against Georgia Tech on Saturday with a win as UNC looks to avoid a two-game losing streak.
