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Georgia Tech vs. North Carolina
Betting Line - Tar Heels -1
9/18/10
All the hype going the way of North Carolina before the season started meant
they will compete for the ACC. They started off slow in week one by losing to
LSU, but that loss can be forgiven due to the absence of several key defenders.
They will now take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets who won the ACC in 2009.
Both teams need this win to get off on
the right foot. Georgia Tech comes into
this game after losing to a bad Kansas team. The Tar Heels are in still ailing
from suspensions. They played admirably without some of their stars, but its
clear they are a much better team with players like WR Greg Little on the field.
Georgia Tech was a stout 5-1 on the road last year and 4-1 ATS on the road. They
were 2-0 ATS after losing the previous week. The Tar Heels were 5-2 at home last
year SU, and 3-2 ATS. The Yellow Jackets own the series lead 8 wins to 2. They
dominated the clock last year and kept the Tar Heels defense on the field while
winning 24-7.
The North Carolina Tar Heels are going to need improved production from QB TJ
Yates. They got just that as he played out of his mind against LSU putting up
412 yards and 3 TDs without any INTs. He showed poise late in the game as his
team trailed and nearly got the comeback win. The offensive line protected him
well. While the passing game was flying high under Yates, the run game was near
non existant. North Carolina needs to get a 100 yard rusher in this game to
improve their chances of winning. It shouldn't be out of question for them to do
just that.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets boast a powerful triple option offense led by QB
Josh Nesbitt. The senior was 1st Team All ACC last year with 1,205 rushing yards
and 18 TDs. He passed for 1,701 yards and 10 TDs. Nesbitt is tough to tackle and
he can make things happen for his team. RB Anthony Allen will be pivotal for
Georgia Tech as they travel to face the Tar Heels. He did well to have 88 yards
on 11 carries against Kansas. Georgia Tech would be wise to let him see the ball
more. Overall the running game was strong, but the passing game had just 5
completions. No matter how good the ground game is, teams can't win by
completing only 5 passes in a game.
Senior LB Brad Jefferson was the top tackler for the Yellow Jackets in 2009 with
95 tackles. GT's defense returns 8 starters from 2009. Losing Derrick Morgan has
hurt the defensive line. He had 12.5 sacks last year. They still have the
potential to keep the pass rush on TJ Yates even without him. The LBs and DBs
will be much stronger this year. If they can start intercepting TJ Yates then
this game could be over quickly.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have a nasty defense dotted with future NFL stars.
The only problem is that a slew of them are suspended for allegedly talking to
agents. They gave up 30 points to a poor offense in LSU. How are they going to
stop the triple option? They weren't able to do it last year and without their
stars it will be even harder in 2010.
This game could define the Tar Heels season. Will the controversy with agents
consume them, or will they make a stand and get a big win at home? TJ Yates will
have to play huge to help their chances. It's just about impossible to make a
call on a game like this with so many question marks surrounding the Tar Heels.
Oddsmakers think so as well, as this game is off the board just about
everywhere. We see North Carolina -1 at one or two Sportsbooks. We'll pass this
game, but monitor the Odds,
we'd get interested in either side here getting +3 or more.