Georgia Tech @ Middle Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 16, 2010 ) Middle Tennessee State 14, Georgia Tech 42

THE STORY: Georgia Tech unveiled a new and improved passing game in its opener, but that was against an FCS opponent. Now the Yellow Jackets get a better test at Middle Tennessee State, which nearly won at Purdue in its opener. There’s no denying, however, that Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington looks far more comfortable in the pocket than he did while starting four games in place of the injured Joshua Nesbitt last season. Washington has three talented wideouts, a strong cadre of running backs and an air of confidence he did not possess in 2010. Georgia Tech won last year’s matchup at home 42-14 as the Blue Raiders committed six turnovers. MTSU expects a sellout crowd of 30,788 at Floyd Stadium.

TV: ESPN3.com. LINE: Georgia Tech -11

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (0-1): Sun Belt coaches picked the Blue Raiders to tie for third in the conference. MTSU led the Boilermakers until giving up a late score, then had a field goal blocked that would have forced overtime. Quarterback Logan Kilgore completed 27-of-45 throws to nine different receivers for 330 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (1-0): The Yellow Jackets' 365 passing yards against Western Carolina in their opener were its most in coach Paul Johnson’s four-year tenure. Two long pass plays came on hitches as the wideouts stiff-armed corners and ran free. But Georgia Tech had six fumbles in its 63-21 victory over the Catamounts, including three on dropped snaps. They can’t afford to be that sloppy against MTSU.

EXTRA POINTS

1. MTSU is 2-15 against schools from BCS conferences over the last six years.

2. Georgia Tech leads the nation after one week in pass efficiency (322.3), a rarity for an option team.

3. Georgia Tech's Stephen Hill, the ACC receiver of the week, likely will be covered at times by his best friend, cornerback Kenneth Gilstrap. They grew up together and graduated from Miller Grove High School in Lithonia, Ga.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, Middle Tennessee State 20 - Playing on the road at night won’t be easy for the very young Yellow Jackets, but their talent will win out.