Preview and prediction for matchup against Virginia Tech

Game time is almost here for Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

On Saturday, the Yellow Jackets and Hokies tip off at noon and it’s an important game for both teams. Georgia Tech can earn bowl eligibility by beating Virginia Tech while the Hokies hope to stay alive in the ACC title race.

In the latest episode of Bleav Georgia Tech, RJ and Jackson break down each play in the game and make a prediction. Can Georgia Tech bounce back this week against a vulnerable Virginia Tech defense? Can the Yellow Jackets find a way to slow down the duo of Bhaishul Tuten and Kyron Drones? Will Georgia Tech’s offensive line stop the Hokies’ passing game?

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However, Georgia Tech is an underdog football team heading into this game. They were missing quarterback Haynes King, linebacker Kyle Efford and defensive tackle Rodney Shelley on Saturday, and in his media availability today, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key provided an update on all of those players:

“Kyle has been training, you know, still limited in training, you know, we’ll see where he’s at on Saturday, it’ll probably be really before the game, see what he’s capable of going out and doing and what he’s not, but you know the others guys. get reps and prepare if he can’t.

He (Rodney Shelley) came close to it last week, so if he continues to go in the direction he’s in now, I’ll really hope so. I know that there is the doubtful, the doubtful, the probable. I now have hopes for many of them.

Trey Cooley had the most practice reps this week in a long time. So I was glad to see that he was able to come back and start progressing at a good pace. Again, he’s in category H, I hope. And then, Haynes, if we played right now, that would be enough. I’ll still take it day by day, but I would say I’m with a capital H hope that he can go. But these things have different timetables. He is improving every day. But hope is approaching dubious. But if it was something that was definitely coming out right now, I would say it. But I still hope. But I have confidence in the other guys too.”

If Haynes King can’t go, Zach Pyron will start for the second time this season.

While Georgia Tech’s quarterback uncertainty is a major talking point heading into this game, it’s not the only thing. Georgia Tech’s offense, which was going well until last week, faces one of the worst defenses in the ACC. Hokies head coach Brent Pry had this to say about the matchup this week:

“Yes, this will undoubtedly be the key to success. We haven’t been consistent enough in our run defense and that’s obviously the highlight for us this week. They did a good job schematically and using I think their line played well. They play well together. I think they have good guards, especially number 11. They run their quarterbacks well and they have some players on the perimeter that they get the ball to. This is one of the best teams we’ve ever seen.”

When these two teams last played in 2022, it was Zach Pyron’s first career start and he won the game 28-27. If Haynes King sits out again this week, Pyron will get the start against the Hokies. However, Pry said this week that he doesn’t think the offense will change much with Pyron’s addition:

Yes, I think so. I hope that we have seen it and some of our players are familiar with it. These two quarterbacks are very similar, both are 6’3, 220, dual threat guys. I don’t think their offense changes much from one to the next. Of course, Pyron will come here with some confidence. He beat Virginia Tech. at the Lane Stadium once in my career.”

Additional links:

Georgia Tech Football: Brent Kay updates Georgia Tech injury report ahead of Saturday’s game

Georgia Tech Football: ESPN’s FPI Gives Virginia Tech Advantage in Saturday’s Game

ACC Football: Predictions for Every Ninth Game Week