It’s another SEC versus ACC match-up in the new Mercedes Benz Dome to close the opening week of the college football season. The (25) Tennessee Volunteers travel to face the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Atlanta Monday, September 4th at 8:00 p.m. EST. The game will be televised on ESPN for your viewing entertainment. Coming into this contest, the Volunteers are a -3 point favorite over the Yellow Jackets. As of this preview, the matches over/under rests at 55.5.
The Volunteers finished last season 9-4 and won the Music City Bowl 38-24 over Nebraska to finish out their campaign. Similarly, Georgia Tech went 9-4 in 2016, winning the TaxSlayer Bowl 33-18 over Kentucky. Tennessee holds a 24-17-2 advantage in the all-time series between the teams, including a 29-15 win at home in the most recent meeting in 1987.
Tennessee Volunteers
The Vols had another respectable season for the third straight year and won a third consecutive bowl game. Still, the season had to be considered a bit of a disappointment when they fell short of playing in the SEC Championship game.
Tennessee had a three game losing skid in October and also a disappointing defeat to Vanderbilt to close out the year. Now, the Volunteers look to improve defensively. Tennessee struggled throughout the year, surrendering at least 31 points in six of their games.
Offensively, the Vols ranked 24th in scoring offense with an average of 36.8 points per game. Unfortunately for their fan base, quarterback josh Dobbs has graduated. As of this article, head coach Butch Davis has refused to name a starter at quarterback. The consensus being that it will be between Quinten Dormady who was 11 of 17 for 148 yards in a clean up roll last season, or Jarrett Guarantano.
No matter who starts, Tennessee does return running back John Kelly. In 2016, Kelly toted the rock almost 100 times for 680 yards and had five touchdowns to show for his work. Even with Kelly back, Tennessee will surely miss the 831 yards and 12 scores the Josh Dobbs provided with his feet.
With the departure of the team’s leading receiver Josh Malone, Jauan Jennings now is the go-to wide out. Last season he did well as the second look, recording 40 catches for 580 yards and seven trips to the end zone. Also, tight end Ethan Wolf will need to improve on his 21 receptions for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense was an issue as the Vols finished 70th in scoring defense, giving up 28.8 points and 449.2 yards a contest. To help stop the bleeding, the Vols have two of the more dynamic defensive backs in the SEC. Todd Kelly Jr. and Nigel Warrior are both the sons of former Vols first-round NFL Draft picks.
Nigel Warrior is the son of former NFL All-Pro Dale Carter. Even with the back half set, the front half needs to improve dramatically. Against the run, the Volunteers allowed an eye-popping 218 yards per game last year.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets finished the 2016 season strong, winning six of their final seven games after starting the season 3-3. Georgia Tech relies heavily on the dangerous triple option, which teams have a tough time preparing for. Unfortunately, that will not be the case on Monday night. especially on short weeks.
That’s a big reason why Georgia Tech scored at least 30 points in eight of their games last season. A three game losing skid early on to Clemson, Miami and Pittsburgh hurt the Yellow Jackets. Furthermore, their other loss came on the road to North Carolina in a game that wasn’t close as they were abused by four touchdowns.
The Yellow Jackets were 70th in the nation in scoring offense with 28.2 points per game last season. For his opening line-up, coach Paul Johnson has said he has named a starter at quarterback but that he wouldn’t alert it to the public. Apparently, Matthew Jordan, who passed for 111 yards and ran for another 243 with seven total scores is the most experienced option in the mix.
At he running back position, the Yellow Jackets lost their top three leading rushers from 2016. This year, they will look for Clinton Lynch and Qua Searcy to lake on much larger rolls. After the smoke settled from a year ago, Searcy had 46 carries for 273 yards and two scores. Lynch pitched-in another 37 carries for 415 yards and two touchdowns of his own.
Passing isn’t the main stay for a triple option attack. With that in mind, Georgia Tech brings back receivers Ricky Jeune and Brad Stewart. Together, the two ballers brought in 44 balls for over 800 yards and a score.
Running backs Qua Searcy and Clinton Lynch also get involved out of the back field. As a duo, the two runners caught another 26 receptions for over 500 yards and a touchdown.
Last season, Georgia Tech finished 39th in scoring defense by allowing 24.5 points per contest. In fact, that was a pretty good output considering the Yellow Jackets have never been dominant on defense under Paul Johnson.
This year, Georgia Tech must reignite a pass rush that has fallen flat the past couple seasons, generating just 18 sacks in 2016. That would work wonders for their experienced secondary, who has had to cover opposing wide outs for far too long as the plays progressed.
Prediction
Both the Yellow Jackets and the Volunteers will have a new signal caller this season, which is likely to slow their progress offensively. At least for the first few weeks of the season. Really, Tennessee has had a complete overhaul offensively, as they have new running backs and have to develop some receivers as well.
Georgia Tech is an offensive system that isn’t overly reliant on the quarterback to make plays with their arm as opposed to with their legs. The Yellow Jackets have enough weapons in the system to stick around with the Volunteers in this one. Especially considering the Volunteers inability to stop other team’s rushing attacks.
Considering the above information, I once again will sound like a broken record and suggest that my readers think dog in this one. Take the Yellow Jackets to keep this one close, whether it is full of action or not. Georgia Tech +4 is the play in this match-up.
Trends
The Volunteers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
The Over is 4-0 in the Volunteers last 4 games overall.
The Over is 4-0 in the Volunteers last 4 vs. ACC.
The Yellow Jackets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall.
The Yellow Jackets are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 neutral site games.
The Under is 5-2 in Yellow Jackets last 7 neutral site games.
The Over is 12-5-1 in Yellow Jackets last 18 non-conference games.
Please join the Rainmaker and myself for our fourth and fifth additions of the Throwdown podcast on Tuesday, September 5th and Thursday September, 7th. On the fifth, we will be covering the three games on Thursday and Friday, as well as a review of last week’s action. Then on the 7th, we will be previewing all the games for the second week of college football on September 9th. So far, we are busting out winners at an alarming rate. Get in on some good betting advice and put a little money in your pockets. #moneytreesgrow
