10% UNLIMITED Bonus from Bodog!
Get a 10% deposit bonus when you open a new sportsbook account with Bodog!

BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus.

North Carolina vs Georgia Tech Football Lines

Written September 24, 2009 by Rock Henderson

The 22nd ranked North Carolina Tar Heels are off to a 3-0 start under Butch Davis for the first time since 1997. Carolina will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak on the road against Georgia Tech as their last win in Atlanta came during the 97’ season. Their defense slowed down Tech’s trip option attack in 2008 and held them to a season low 7 points in a 28-7 victory. The Yellow Jackets will be playing their 3rd ACC opponent in four games. Paul Johnson’s squad will have to re-group quickly after their 33 to 17 loss at Miami last Thursday night. Checking the college football odds, Georgia Tech is a 3 point favorite against their ACC foe.

North Carolina wasn’t considered an ACC title contender before the season got underway, but a win at Georgia Tech will certainly garner the attention of the conference. 9 starters return from a defense that held East Carolina to just 55 yards rushing in last week’s 31-17 win. It will be an added bonus that many of Carolina’s defenders have faced the triple option before. In last year’s game, the Jackets were able to rush for 326 yards, but could not turn that yardage into points. The Tar Heel defense ranks sixth in the nation in total defense, allowing under 200 yards per game. They are a fast and athletic group that swarms to the ball. Offensively, Carolina has junior quarterback TJ Yates surrounded by a nice stable of running backs and a talented trio of wide receivers. Freshman WR Erik Highsmith showed play making ability last Saturday, catching six balls for 113 yards and a touchdown. The run game is led by junior Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston. The pair have combined for 342 yards and four touchdowns through three games.

ACC player of the year Jonathan Dwyer hasn’t started the 2009 season quite like he envisioned. The junior back carried the ball five times for seven yards against Miami before suffering a shoulder injury that kept him on the sidelines for the night. Dwyer is expected to play against North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets have been forced to go to the air more often this season as opponents get familiar with their run scheme. QB Josh Nesbitt has thrown for 357 yards and two scores, but is only completing 37.5% of his passes. When Nesbitt does drop back to pass, it seems the ball always goes in the direction of Demaryius Thomas. The Calvin Johnson look-a-like was the lone player to impress against the Canes’, catching six balls for 133 yards and a touchdown. The Rambling Wreck have won 9 of the last 11 in this series. If you bet college football, check out the $500 match bonus at BetUS.

Miami proved last Thursday that there is a way to stop the triple option. Team speed and assignment football held the Jackets to 35 yards rushing after their first drive. Carolina’s D could be the class of the ACC. Georgia Tech has struggled defensively and their offense does turn the ball over quite a bit.

Recommended Play: North Carolina +3

Get college football picks all season long from the to handicappers at Betfirms. There’s no better place to find winning football picks.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?