jackette
Jolly Good Fellow
- Messages
- 121
It took the Tar Heels home field advantage, a four-quarter rally and all but 11 seconds on the clock to beat Georgia Tech last season. The victory was a major win for Chapel Hill and snapped their four-game losing streak, helping turn the season around for UNC. It was a gut-check win for the boys in Carolina blue last season, and 2015 doesn’t look to be any different. Let’s look at some key factors the Tar Heels must pay attention to in order to dig deep and beat the GT Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.
Key #1: Contain their superstar QB Justin Thomas
Thomas finished 2014 with 26 total touchdowns—18 through the air, 8 with his feet. Besides throwing 96 completions for 1719 yards, this quarterback led the team in carries and rushing yards with 1086 yards obtained from 190 carries.
I’ll give you some time to process these stats.
Oh, also, that was this guy’s sophomore season. He put up those stats as an underclassman. Let that sink in.
If UNC is to leave ATL with a win, they absolutely must prepare for both Thomas’ passing and running ability. This means it’s Chapel Hill must put Justin Thomas on the ground early in the game. He’s too quick, too wily and too accurate to let him enter the second half with a boatload of confidence. By UNC’s defense laying the wood to Georgia Tech’s QB, it makes him think twice about sprinting out of the pocket for big yards and a debilitating first down.
Thomas is not a big guy. He only stands 5’11 190 and a running quarterback doesn’t throw as accurately if he’s continuously smacked around by a bunch of linebackers. It’s essential UNC make it their mission to blitz consistently, make open tackles and get Justin’s jersey dirty. The only way he doesn’t eat up yards is if Chapel Hill makes him hesitant and, preferably, a pocket-passer.
Here’s what he can do if UNC doesn’t:
Key #2: Realize Just How Good GT Is As A Team
The Yellowjackets have not been known as a football powerhouse in the last two decades, but Tech is determined to change this going forward. They are for real and UNC must treat them as such. Just to emphasize this point, here are some stats from last season.
In 2014, Georgia Tech was:
Be prepared for a battle when these two teams meet in Georgia this Fall. Hopefully the Heels are able to steal a win and put themselves on track towards an ACC Coastal Division title.
Key #1: Contain their superstar QB Justin Thomas
Thomas finished 2014 with 26 total touchdowns—18 through the air, 8 with his feet. Besides throwing 96 completions for 1719 yards, this quarterback led the team in carries and rushing yards with 1086 yards obtained from 190 carries.
I’ll give you some time to process these stats.
Oh, also, that was this guy’s sophomore season. He put up those stats as an underclassman. Let that sink in.
If UNC is to leave ATL with a win, they absolutely must prepare for both Thomas’ passing and running ability. This means it’s Chapel Hill must put Justin Thomas on the ground early in the game. He’s too quick, too wily and too accurate to let him enter the second half with a boatload of confidence. By UNC’s defense laying the wood to Georgia Tech’s QB, it makes him think twice about sprinting out of the pocket for big yards and a debilitating first down.
Thomas is not a big guy. He only stands 5’11 190 and a running quarterback doesn’t throw as accurately if he’s continuously smacked around by a bunch of linebackers. It’s essential UNC make it their mission to blitz consistently, make open tackles and get Justin’s jersey dirty. The only way he doesn’t eat up yards is if Chapel Hill makes him hesitant and, preferably, a pocket-passer.
Here’s what he can do if UNC doesn’t:
Key #2: Realize Just How Good GT Is As A Team
The Yellowjackets have not been known as a football powerhouse in the last two decades, but Tech is determined to change this going forward. They are for real and UNC must treat them as such. Just to emphasize this point, here are some stats from last season.
In 2014, Georgia Tech was:
- Second in the nation in rush yards per game.
- Lost by only 2 to 2013 National Champion and 2014 Preseason #1 FSU.
- Finished the season with three victories out of their final four games, all of whom were top-15 ranked opponents.
- Demolished SEC’s Mississippi State 49-34 in the Orange Bowl. The Bulldogs, who spent five consecutive weeks as the top-ranked team in the land in both the AP and Coach’s poll, were ranked 7th.
- Were ACC Coastal Division Champions
Be prepared for a battle when these two teams meet in Georgia this Fall. Hopefully the Heels are able to steal a win and put themselves on track towards an ACC Coastal Division title.
