Here’s a fun fact you probably didn’t know. Georgia Tech was actually one of the founding members of the Southeastern Conference and played in the SEC from 1932-1964. The TaxSlayer Bowl gives the Yellowjackets (8-4) a chance to renew one of their old rivalries when they face the University of Kentucky (7-5) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. on Dec. 31. Kick off is scheduled for 11 a.m.
The Game: Georgia Tech vs. Kentucky (+3.5, 62 O/U)
Georgia Tech Yellowjackets (8-4)
The Yellowjackets enter the TaxSlayer Bowl on a three-game winning streak, with solid victories over then No. 14-ranked Virginia Tech, Virginia and Georgia. That last one, over the Bulldogs, was a 28-27 squeaker.
In most years the Georgia Tech option attack can put up some serious points, but it was down in 2016, averaging just 27.8 points per game. Facing a lot of one-on-one man coverage match ups in the passing game, quarterback Justin Thomas wasn’t very effective. He completed just 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,454 yards and only eight touchdowns with two interceptions. Only A-back Clinton Lynch picked up any serious yardage in the passing games, catching just 16 passes for 490 yards and six touchdowns. Wideout Ricky Jeune led the team with a paltry 22 catches on the season.
B-backs Marcus Marshall and Dedrick Mills split most of the running back carries. Marshall carried 96 times for 624 yards and four touchdowns. Mills had 121 carries for 602 yards and 11 touchdowns.
The only NFL prospect on the Yellowjackets’ offense is center Freddie Burden. The 6-foot-4, 299 pound redshirt senior could be a late round pick.
Georgia Tech’s defense was a more productive unit, giving up just 25 points per game. Defensive end Patrick Gamble is their most disruptive player. He had 5.5 sacks this season and 8.5 tackles for a loss to go with his 47 total tackles and two forced fumbles. Safety Corey Griffin led the team with 79 tackles, four for a loss, one sack, three passes defended, one fumble recovery and two interceptions.
Kentucky Wildcats (7-5)
The Wildcats come into the TaxSlayer Bowl off their biggest win in at least a decade. Right before Lamar Jackson was awarded his Heisman Trophy, Kentucky managed to beat his Louisville Cardinals 41-38 to finish their season on a two-game win streak.
The Cats averaged 31 points per game on offense and gave up 31.2 points per game on defense, so they’re a pretty one-sided team. And when I mean, one-sided, I mean severely one-sided. Kentucky boasts not one, but two 1,000-yard rushers this season. Boom Williams was the official starter and got plenty of opportunities with the ball, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, picking up 1,135 yards and scoring seven touchdown. His “back up,” Benny Snell, averaged 5.9 yards per carry, gained 1,057 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. Their No. 3 running back JoJo Kemp scored six touchdowns of his own.
The Wildcats didn’t get a lot out of the passing game. Quarterback Stephen Johnson completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,862 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. Wideouts Garrett Johnson and Jeff Badet were effective downfield threats. Badet averaged 22.8 yards per catch, caught 28 passes for 639 yards and four touchdowns. Johnson averaged 15.8 yards per catch, caught 36 passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns.
Kentucky has its own NFL prospect at center with Jon Toth. Toth is the No. 5 rated center on a lot of boards and could be picked as early as the fifth round.
The Wildcats defense gives up a lot of yards and a lot of points, but there are some playmakers here. Linebacker Jordan Jones leads the team with 100 tackles, 14 for a loss, four sacks, four pass defenses and one forced fumble. Josh Allen at defensive end has seven sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 55 total tackles and four forced fumbles.
Trends and Notes
This game was called the Gator Bowl all the way up to 2014. TaxSlayer.com had already sponsored the Bowl for the previous two years, but thanks to a six-year agreement the Gator Bowl Sports company caved and changed the name of entire bowl.
The TaxSlayer/Gator Bowl has been played since 1946. in that game No. 19 Wake Forest beat South Carolina 26-14.
This is Georgia Tech’s eighth appearance in the Gator/TaxSlayer Bowl. This is Kentucky’s first appearance.
The Pick
These two teams bring a lot of the same issues to the table, but, if anything, the Wildcats have the better rushing attack. That should be enough to win this one. Kentucky 33, Georgia Tech 30
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