Georgia Tech (5-3, 3-2 ACC) at No. 20 Virginia Tech (6-2, 4-0, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Line: Virginia Tech by 13.
Series Record: Virginia Tech leads 4-3.
Last meeting: Georgia Tech 28-23, Oct. 17, 2009.
What’s at Stake
The winner of this game has represented the ACC’s Coastal Division in the conference championship game in each of the five years the game has been played. Defending champion Georgia Tech can keep its hopes of returning to the league title game alive with a victory, while the Hokies know they need merely to win out to go to the game for the fourth time, this year in Charlotte, N.C.
Key Matchup
Virginia Tech’s offensive line against the Yellow Jackets’ blitz schemes. The Hokies line has given Tyrod Taylor plenty of time to throw of late, and opened gaping holes for the running game. But they don’t see anything like Al Groh’s 3-4 defense very often.
Players to Watch
Georgia Tech: QB Joshua Nesbitt. He completed just one pass, but ran for 122 yards in this matchup last year, including a clinching 39-yard TD with 3 minutes left.
Virginia Tech: QB Tyrod Taylor. He’s now fourth in the nation in passing efficiency, third in yards per attempt and has thrown 10 touchdown passes since his last interception.
Facts & Figures
Nesbitt needs 42 rushing yards to pass Clemson’s Woodrow Dantzler (2,761) as the rushing leader among QBs in ACC history. … Georgia Tech safety Mario Edwards began his career at Virginia Tech, redshirting in 2006 and playing in four games in 2007 before transferring for family reasons. … Virginia Tech has scored over 40 points in each of its last four games, this first time the Hokies have done that since 2000. … The Hokies are seeking their first seven-game winning streak since the 2005 season, when they started 8-0. … Virginia Tech is 16-5 in ESPN Thursday night games, including 2-0 against Georgia Tech, which is 11-12 overall.
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