Georgia Tech-Duke Preview Capsule

Duke simply never picked up chunks of yardage at any point against Northwestern, which left the Blue Devils in some bad third-down situations, and again, the passing attack seemed to be the culprit.

If there was a bright spot for Georgia Tech in last week’s loss, it might be the defense.

In a game that features the last two teams to claim the ACC Coastal Division title, No. 20 Georgia Tech heads to Durham to play in the newly-renovated Wallace Wade Stadium where the Yellow Jackets will battle Duke in the conference opener for both teams on Saturday. “We’ll do that [Tuesday] and [Wednesday] and hope we don’t get anybody hurt”. “Certainly if we played better in the kicking game”, Cutcliffe said during Wednesday’s ACC teleconference.

Duke also is looking to bounce back from a defeat, having dropped a 19-10 decision to Northwestern. “We have to finish the game”.

Despite what you may think the implications of this game are, there is a odd twist.

On offense, Deshaun Watson is blossoming into one of the best quarterbacks in the ACC, but the offensive line is young, and susceptible to the four-man rush. It kind of shows that this really is a big game.

“They play really good team defense”. His only turnover was an interception on a tipped pass.

“Inconsistencies were bad for us”, Cutcliffe said. “That is just a consistency [issue]”. The Jaguars are coming off a win at San Diego State and should be amped for just their second visit from a major-conference program – they lost to Mississippi State past year. Georgia Tech’s late rally fell short in a 30-22 loss to Notre Dame, while Duke fell to Northwestern 19-10. “They were big up front, strong at linebacker and smacking everybody in the secondary”. Sirk rarely took shots down the field, relying instead on screen passes and short throws to his running backs. “A lot of times, getting the ball to a back in space and letting him work one-on-one on a defender, that’s what it calls for”. “This will be big starting conference play”. “You have to move the chains and you have to put the ball in the end zone when you get the opportunity”. With that scenario, Sirk defended his decision.

“Thomas is going to be bred in these big-time defensive games”, the veteran receiver said. “It’s just a question of who’s going to be able to execute the best and makes plays”. With under seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Prosise made his most devastating run.

Offensive captain Matt Skura said the offense still has faith in Sirk. I’m not going to get down on myself. We know who he is as a person and on the field.

“We want to build on the positives, get mistakes corrected and now it’s a matter of going back and doing it”, Roof said. “They’ve got a good scheme, they p lay hard and they don’t beat themselves”. The last two years, Duke has had an off-week to prepare for the option … this year, just a normal week.

It’s time for Duke to give it a try. “We’ve done that the last few years because we feel like it’s the only chance we’ve got – to take risks”. Our scout team does a tremendous job’. They know what it takes. His previous stops have been with the St. Louis Rams, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans. Hinton replaced injured starter John Wolford last week at Army, throwing for 159 yards while rushing for 114 yards and both of the Demon Deacons’ touchdowns in a 17-14 victory.

“Thad is a good football player”. He can play in any number of types of offense. There is no match for that, especially in the early part of the season when teams are still trying to find their chemistry.

Singleton is one of 16 Georgians on the Duke roster.

– Junior tailback Jela Duncan, who has not been able to play so far this season due to a torn pectoral muscle suffered in preseason, went through contact work Tuesday.

Georgia Tech looked like one of the best teams in the country and a legitimate contender for an ACC title and a chance at the national championship playoff through the first two weeks of the season. It also proved a stark contrast from the first two games, when the Blue Devils averaged 15.2 yards per completion to wideouts. He leads the ACC in scoring with seven touchdowns – the most by a Georgia Tech player through three games since 2002.

Duke safety Jeremy Cash is the heart of soul of the Blue Devil’s defense.

On the season, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets average 110.0 yards in passing and 377.0 yards in rushing. This year, North Carolina already has posted six scoreless quarters through three games.