Boston College vs Georgia Tech: Yellow Jackets Team Preview
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
#14 Georgia tech (8-1, 5-1) sits atop the ACC standings inching ever closer to a shot at the College Football playoff. Standing in their way first is Boston College (1-9, 0-6). It will be the last home game for these seniors, so hopefully the Eagles aren’t just counting the seconds. These two programs last faced off in 2023 where the Eagles came away with a win. BC is in fact riding a three-game winning streak against the Eagles. O’Brien of course coached 8 seasons at Georgia Tech early in his career, in fact coaching Tech HC Brent Key.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye week, but before that NC State handed them their first loss 48-36. They’ve had some close games prior too, just getting by Colorado to start the year and last minute wins against Clemson and Wake Forest later on. With two marquee games against ranked teams in Pitt and Georgia to end the year, Georgia Tech will want to handle business here.
Offense
Super senior Haynes King has been among the best quarterbacks in the country this season on an offense putting up 36 points per game. Throwing for 226 yards a game and up to 282.5 per in the past month. In that stretch, he’s been top three in the country in completion rate, yards per dropback, and success rate. He’s doing it all for the program, leading in rushing with 754 yards too and accounted for 23 total touchdowns. He was recently named a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and sixth or seventh in most Heisman Trophy odds lists.
Supporting King in the backfield is running back Malachi Hosley, providing explosive plays and averaging nearly 8 yards per carry), and Jamal Haynes who adds a change of pace with 632 yards from scrimmage. Jamaal Haynes King, perhaps a Sports Jeopardy question one day if this Tech team can make a run.
King spreads the ball out pretty well, with senior Eric Rivers leading in receptions (31) and yards (397), but freshman receiver Jordan Allen is a big playmaker, leading the top receivers averaging 19.6 yards per catch and in their latest game with 110 receiving yards Isaiah Conlon is second on the team with 329 yards and is tied for the lead with four others with two receiving touchdowns. The group runs deep. This balanced attack be a nightmare for the Eagles to defend.
Defense
The Yellow Jackets’ defense has left more to be desired, most recently seen surrendering over 580 yards in a loss to NC State. Be it against the pass or run, it has to improve if they’re going to want to make some noise. In total they’re ranked 96th in the country in total defense allowing 395 ypg.
Up front, they’re not generating a strong enough pass rush, only managing 17 sacks on the season. Defensive tackle Akelo Stone leads the way with three. Junior linebackers Kyle Efford and EJ Lightsey are key contributors here, with Efford anchoring the middle. He leads the team with 60 tackles, and the pair have each recorded a sack.
In the secondary, they’re a hair better and quite experienced littered with seniors. Clayton Powell-Lee and Omar Daniels have been contributing at safety, while guys like Ahmari Harvey and Rodney Shelley have been in coverage. Harvey leads with four passes defensed. Shelley and Daniels have the team’s two interceptions.
With just six turnovers gained on the season, again among the worst in the country, maybe BC can at least put some points on the board to make things a tad more competitive. As poor as the BC defense has performed this season giving up explosive play after explosive play, the offense has produced back-breaking (as if we still had a spine) turnovers that aren’t acceptable.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos