Tuesday Afternoon Quarterback Virginia Versus #12 GA Tech Noon 10.24.09 Scott Stadium www.youtube.com/watch www.youtube.com/watch
If you had told me four weeks ago that the biggest game of the ACC schedule this weekend would be UVA-GT in Charlottesville, I would have told you to lay off the hallucinogens! But, it’s true. Virginia has turned an 0-3 start into 3-3, and 2-0 in their division, and is currently in first place in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division. Las Vegas likes Georgia Tech to win this one by 4.5 or 5, but look for that to go higher if Sewell and Conrath aren’t able to go for Virginia.
The Hoos have won their only two ACC contests of the 2009 season, and they are coming off two straight wins on the road (Carolina and dreaded Maryland). Georgia Tech, is fresh off a stunning, Atlanta Saturday night, prime-time defeat of our country cousins to the SW, Virginia Tech.
We all are aware of the insanely difficult time GT has had in Charlottesville since the Scott Sisson 1990 game GT-UVA game. The Rambling Wreck of GT has not won here, since that beautiful autumn day 19 years ago here at Scott. Right after that memorable game in Scott Stadium, the Alman Brothers Band played a concert at U-Hall. I went to both, and I just remember sitting in the same seat that was my basketball seat along with three friends, and we all drained our flasks of bourbon, while not uttering a word for the entire 3 hour concert. That loss, as Virginia lost their only ever #1 in the AP Poll ranking, was the most disappointing sporting event of my entire life.
I will have much more information for you, Hoos fans, as we get closer to Saturday. So, check back! Here are some items that stood out to me as I was preparing for the game Saturday:
~ Georgia Tech is averaging 32.4 points per game and UVA is holding their opponents to 18.7 points per contest.
~ Georgia Tech is ranked #12 in the BCS poll. In the AP poll GT is #11, which is their highest ranking since 2001.
~ The home team in this series has won 12 of the last 14 meetings. UVA leads the series all-time 16-14-1.
~ Last Five Meetings
2008 Virginia 24, @ Georgia Tech 17
2007 @ Virginia 28, Georgia Tech 23
2006 @ Georgia Tech 24, Virginia 7
2005 @ Virginia 27, Georgia Tech 17
2004 Virginia 30, @ Georgia Tech 10
~ The winner of this game takes over sole possession of 1st place in the Coastal Division of the ACC.
~ Over the last three games, GT has averaged 457 yards of total offense, 39.7 points per game, and 307.7 yards of rushing per contest!
~ GT’s sophomore punt-returner Jerrard Tarrant leads the ACC in punt return average with 24.9 yards per attempt. That is an amazing number if he can keep that up. UVA must not get beat on special teams to have a chance to win this game.
~ The Rambling Wreck is outscoring their opponents 76-28 in the 1st quarter this season.
~ The Wahoos have not beaten a Associate Press ranked team as high #11 since beating #7 GT in 1999.
~ The Hoos are 12-18 against ranked teams under Al Groh. During the same stretch, UVA is 9-8 at home versus ranked teams.
~ The last time Virginia lost at home in October, was all the way back on October 14, 2006 to Maryland.
~ 37 percent of all UVA players to see time this season have been freshmen (27-73). Amazingly high!
~ UVA is one of only two teams (San Jose State), to convert 100% of their red zone scoring opportunities. The Hoos are 17-17 (10 TD, 7FG) and all the TD’s have come by the way of the run, not the pass.
~ Rashawn Jackson scored the first touchdown of his entire career last week at Maryland.
~ Georgia Tech runs the triple-option offense which is run by only a handful of teams in major college football. Navy, Air Force, Army, GT, that’s the only teams I can think of that actually run this extremely difficult to defend offensive system. It’s totally reliant on the QB to make a lightning quick decision to: hand-off to the fullback, pitch to the halfback, run it himself, or (rarely) throw it downfield to a receiver.
What is your predictions for the game readers? Can Al Groh continue Groh-Toberferst? Will Jameel play? How much will the loss of Matt Conrath hurt the defensive front for Virginia? Can Verica step-up or is Vic Hall going to come in to save the day and season for the Hoos? WIll Riko Smalls see his first QB action for the Hoos?
My prediction: Virginia 24 Georgia Tech 24. Overtime, the Hoos win it on a Mikell Simpson scamper up the right side for the winning touchdown! UVA 31-GT 24!!! Go Hoos, beat the fighting Scott Sisson’s.
