Virginia Tech Looks to Defeat Georgia Tech for the First Time in the Fuente Era

(Image via roanoke.com)

In the Fuente Era, the Hokies have struggled with Georgia Tech. Under Justin Fuente, the Hokies are 0-2 vs Georgia Tech losing 20-30 in 2016 and 22-28 in 2017. The last time Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech was in 2015 when the Hokies won on the road, 23-21.

Team Overview

Virginia Tech

For the Hokies (4-2, 3-0 ACC) it has been a roller coaster year. The Hokies went from the 12th ranked team in the nation to losing to ODU and struggling with UNC. The Hokies defense has been struggling slowing down offenses all year. They allow an average of 295.7 passing yards per game which gives the Hokies the 3rd worst passing defense in the NCAA. But Luckily for the Hokies, Georgia Tech doesn’t really throw the ball.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech (3-4, 1-3 ACC) are off to another mediocre year. Georgia Tech has found success with some teams such as Louisville and Bowling Green, but haven’t been able to top teams such as Duke and Pitt. Defensively, the Yellow Jackets haven’t been all that bad. They rank 51st in total defense and 41st in passing defense. On offense, Georgia Tech has the best run offense in the country averaging 352.4 yards per game.

Keys to Victory

Virginia Tech

The Hokies will need to stop Georgia Tech on the ground and stop them on 4th downs. Georgia Tech runs an option offense, this means they run the ball about 90% of the time. The Hokies have struggled with the Yellow Jackets’ offense in past 2 years. One of the biggest factors for the Virginia Tech defense will be stopping the Yellow Jackets on 4th down. In the past, Georgia Tech has not been afraid to go for 4th down and stopping them could give the Hokies good field position.

Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech needs to mix in the passing game and force turnovers. Virginia Tech will be expecting Georgia Tech to run the ball. If Georgia Tech mixes in a couple pass plays here and there it will throw off the young Hokie defense.

Players to Watch

Virginia Tech: WR Damon Hazelton

Damon was finally slowed down by UNC. Damon was targeted 11 times but only managed to catch 2 balls for 36 yards. Also, that was the first game that Damon didn’t catch a touchdown pass. He will be looking for a big comeback on Thursday night.

Georgia Tech: QB TaQuon Marshall

TaQuon Marshall has been up and down this season. Against Louisville, it seemed that TaQuon was running free as he stacked up 175 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. Against Duke he only managed 41 yards on the ground and 91 yards in the air. If TaQuon can get his run game going he’ll cause the Hokies trouble.

Score Prediction

Virginia Tech hasn’t defeated Georgia Tech in the Justin Fuente Era but that ends on Thursday. The Hokies will come in off their bye week with a chip on their shoulder and leave the game still undefeated in the ACC.

VT 35 GT 14