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Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

No. 11 Georgia Tech (7-1, 5-1 ACC) at Vanderbilt (2-6, 0-5)

Where: Nashville, Tenn.

When: 7:30 p.m., today (Cox Sports TV)

Last meeting: Georgia Tech 24, Vanderbilt 17 (OT), Sept. 27, 2003.

Offense

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets’ run-based option attack is among the nation’s best. Georgia Tech ranks just second nationally in rushing offense with 291.6 yards per game. But the run game isn’t the only thing the Commodores will have to be wary of; they’ll have to watch out for Georgia Tech’s ability to score. The Yellow Jackets have scored an average 38.3 points in their past four games.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores feature one of college football’s most balanced attacks, with its rushing offense edging out the passing game 174.8 yards per game to 148.2. Former Peach County standout Udom Umoh is among the team’s receiving leaders. Despite completing 104 passes, quarterback Larry Smith has had his troubles, tallying just three passing touchdowns — Georgia Tech’s run-based scheme already has five — and a 46.2 percent completion rating.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Defense

Georgia Tech: After measures were taken several weeks ago to simplify its defensive assignments, Georgia Tech has played some of its best statistical football. Bear in mind, however, that the Yellow Jackets’ defense the past two games has been on the field an average 19.5 plays fewer than it had been during the previous six games. Fewer opportunities for opposing offenses translates into more rest time for the defenders.

Vanderbilt: It may not seem like a major statistic, but in six of Vanderbilt’s eight games this season, the Commodores have been beaten in the time of possession battle. They lost each of those games. Against Georgia Tech — a team that burned more than 15 minutes off two second-half drives last week against Virginia — possession will be critical. If Vanderbilt’s defense, anchored by defensive backs Casey Hayward — a former Perry standout — and Myron Lewis cannot end Georgia Tech’s drives quickly, it could be winded by the end of the game.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Special Teams

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets have played 17 consecutive quarters without punting the ball. That includes a failed fake punt run last week against Virginia. While it was the bane of Georgia Tech’s existence early on this season, special teams play has not hurt the Yellow Jackets in recent weeks. Largely because of a lack of opportunities, it hasn’t helped, either.

Vanderbilt: Led by a pair of Georgia natives, Vanderbilt’s special teams play may be its area of expertise. Commodores kick returner Warren Norman leads the SEC in all-purpose yards, and has already taken back two kicks for touchdowns. He had a 99-yarder against South Carolina last week. While Georgia Tech’s kick coverage has to be on guard all night, so will its punt return team. Griffin native Brett Upson has had more than half of his 58 punts either downed inside the 20, fair caught or ruled as touchbacks.

Edge: Vanderbilt

Coaching

Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson continues to have his team focused on one singular task: Vanderbilt. Despite the talk about the relative ease of the Yellow Jackets’ remaining schedule, and the high probability of their BCS hopes and aspirations, he has kept his players grounded. Although he knows a victory out of this non-conference game helps Georgia Tech’s BCS dreams and won’t influence its increasingly likely ACC title hopes, he has his team thinking about tonight’s game as just another it needs to win, regardless of what is on the line.

Vanderbilt: Commodores head coach Bobby Johnson coached against Paul Johnson when the two were in the Southern Conference at Furman and Georgia Southern, respectively. Although Paul Johnson routinely had the teams that contended for national titles, Bobby Johnson’s 2001 team put an end to that, when the Paladins beat the Eagles in the national semifinal. Although the two have met in recent seasons with other programs, they face one another for the ninth time today. If any opposing coach knows Paul Johnson’s unique spread option the best, it could be Bobby Johnson.

Edge: Push

Key Matchups

Offense: Georgia Tech receiver Demaryius Thomas vs. Vanderbilt cornerback Myron Lewis. A pair of All-America candidates, the two could find themselves matched up on Sundays in the near future. Both rank atop their positions for next year’s draft class. Lewis, a senior, has 34 tackles and a team-leading three interceptions. Thomas, a former West Laurens standout, has 30 catches and four touchdowns as a junior. He was also named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist this week.

Defense: Georgia Tech’s tackles vs. Vanderbilt center Bradley Vierling. A senior, Vierling is the leader of the Commodores’ attack up front. He is a versatile lineman who has the speed and size to play guard, as well. Watch for well the Yellow Jackets get penetration across the middle of the line.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Vanderbilt 14