Georgia Tech @ Wake Forest preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 7, 2009 ) Wake Forest 27, Georgia Tech 30

Georgia Tech has not lost consecutive games under coach Paul Johnson, who is 22-9 in his third season in Atlanta.

The defending ACC champion Yellow Jackets will try to keep that distinction when they visit reeling Wake Forest Saturday night in Winston-Salem.

Both teams are 2-2 overall, 1-1 in the ACC. But while Georgia Tech is trying to bounce back from a 45-28 home loss to North Carolina State, the Demon Deacons are dealing with a significant crisis of confidence. They've been outscored 99-24 the past two weeks at Stanford and Florida State.

Opponents have controlled the clock against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons had the ball for nine fewer minutes than Florida State in their 31-0 loss in Tallahassee as the defense allowed 9 of 15 conversions on third and fourth down. Now the Yellow Jackets arrive with their option attack predicated on ball control.

Wake Forest produced just 12 first downs against Florida State, and quarterback Tanner Price was knocked out with a concussion. Backup Ted Stachitas worked with the first team this week. He showed promise in relief against the Seminoles, hitting all five of his throws for 47 yards. But leading rusher Josh Adams was held to 35 yards on 10 carries.

The Demon Deacons should have more success against Georgia Tech, which lacks playmakers on defense. The Yellow Jackets gave up 527 yards to the Wolfpack amid a slew of missed tackles and assignments. Inside linebacker Brad Jefferson was a bright spot in coordinator Al Groh's 3-4 scheme. He finished with 11 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Tech's senior quarterback, Joshua Nesbitt, leads the ACC with six rushing touchdowns and the Jackets lead the ACC with 320.5 rushing yards per game. A-backs Orwin Smith (14.0 yards per carry) and B.J. Bostic (11.6) are big-play threats, while B-back Anthony Allen (5.2) powers up the middle. Tech is hoping to senior center Sean Bedford, who left last week's loss early with a leg injury, will be able to play Saturday.

The passing game remains a work in progress. Nesbitt is just 14 of 43 this season, but those completions have gone for 316 yards and three touchdowns. Nesbitt has been victimized by several drops. Sophomore wideout Stephen Hill is a gifted 6-foot-5 target who's struggled to replace Demaryius Thomas, now in the NFL.

Georgia Tech leads the alltime series 21-8, including last year's 30-27 overtime win in Atlanta. Due to ACC scheduling quirks, this is Tech's first visit to BB&T Field/Groves Stadium since 2003. Tech has won four straight ACC road games.

Wake Forest is 2-0 at home this season, having outscored Presbyterian and Duke by a combined 107-61.