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It’s game day again at Georgia Tech and welcome back to Western Carolina since 2011. The Yellow Jackets are looking to bounce back from their opening game loss to Clemson and Tech is the favorite heading into the day.
There will be a lot of things to keep an eye on throughout this game, but here are three things I’ll be keeping a close eye on.
3. Running game
Georgia Tech is hoping for a big game from Donta Smith tonight
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Network / USA TODAY NETWORK
Georgia Tech struggled to get anything going on the ground last week, but they should have a chance to compete against the Catamount defense.
The trio of Donta Smith, Hassan Hall and Dylan McDuffie struggled last week, but I think they’ll get a lot of work done today. I don’t think Western Carolina will stop Georgia Tech’s ground game and I expect them to run it early today.
2. The defense continues to play well
The Georgia Tech defense is hoping for another good week
Dale Zanin-America Today Sports
Georgia Tech’s defense played well for most of the game against Clemson before faltering late in the game. The defensive line got three sacks, two of them from Keon White, who was constantly pounding Clemson’s offensive line. The Tigers couldn’t get anything going in the running game and that was thanks to the Yellow Jackets’ front seven.
Now, Georgia Tech must continue that good momentum into this week’s game, as Western Carolina is swinging the football through the air. Georgia Tech has more talent and needs to cover this offense and I think they will.
1. New players are getting significant snap.
Georgia Tech quarterback Zach Gibson could see action against Western Carolina.
Source: Dale Zenine-USA TODAY Sports
When a team becomes a big favorite, it’s fair to assume that many backups or rookies will see action. I think that will be the case for Georgia Tech at some point today. It might not be until the second half, but I expect Georgia Tech to get some youth today against Western Carolina.
I think the two backup quarterbacks, Zach Gibson and Tysun Fomachan, could see action today, but they won’t be the only ones. Freshmen running back Antonio Martin, defensive end KJ Miles and Horace Lockett, offensive lineman Tyler Gibson, and other young players are looking to make a significant impact on Western Carolina. As the season progresses, it will be an opportunity for the younger players to show they can add depth and playing time.
With how tough the Yellow Jackets’ schedule is, this might be the only game where they can rotate a large number of players, and that’s the number one thing I’m looking at today.
Georgia Tech vs. Western Carolina is set for the opener at Bobby Dodd Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
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