From Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets On SI · · 2m
Georgia Tech opens as a 41.5-point favorite over Mercer
An 0-2 Georgia Tech team needs a blowout of an in-state FCS foe to reset a season that has gone sideways fast.
In brief
An 0-2 Georgia Tech team needs a blowout of an in-state FCS foe to reset a season that has gone sideways fast. The line says Georgia Tech should win big, but the run defense and a two-touchdown offense are the real tests before the bye week. Originally reported by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets On SI.
An 0-2 start nobody planned
Georgia Tech heads into week three without a win. The season has not looked anything like what the Yellow Jackets expected coming in.
Same problems, second week
The flaws that sank Georgia Tech against Colorado showed up again versus Tennessee. No run defense, a struggling offensive line, and nothing explosive on offense.
A blocked punt masked it
A blocked punt returned for a touchdown gave Georgia Tech an early 10-7 lead. Without it, the Tennessee loss would have looked far uglier.
Mercer is next
The week three opponent is in-state Mercer, a consistently successful FCS program. Brent Key's team gets them at home coming off two losses.
The number is 41.5
FanDuel Sportsbook opened Georgia Tech as a 41.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 60.5. The market still expects a rout.
No complete game yet
Georgia Tech has not put four clean quarters together this season. Saturday against the Bears is the chance to finally do it.
The run defense has to answer
Tennessee ran for nearly 300 yards and Colorado for nearly 200. That is not what an improved defense is supposed to look like.
Two touchdowns in two games
The offense has scored just two touchdowns all season. That number wins nothing, no matter who is on the schedule.
Key saw a rhythm
Key pointed to Alberto Mendoza spreading the ball on the perimeter and to run-game adjustments, even with two turnovers in the game.
“I thought Alberto was in a pretty good rhythm. Obviously, I know he had the two turnovers, but he'll grow from those.”
Stay ahead of the chains
Key's fix is efficiency. Second and 10 or second and 12 all game makes any offense unworkable, and he thought they stayed on track better against Tennessee.
“An offense is going to be better when you stay on track, when you stay efficient, when you're in manageable D&Ds.”
Get to 2-2 by the bye
Key has never lost to an FCS team at Georgia Tech. Beat Mercer, win a long trip to Stanford, and the Jackets reach the bye week at .500 with something to build on.
At a glance
The line says Georgia Tech should win big, but the run defense and a two-touchdown offense are the real tests before the bye week.
