North Carolina @ Georgia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Georgia Tech 30, North Carolina 24

THE STORY: No. 24 Georgia Tech finally gets a real test Saturday when North Carolina visits Bobby Dodd Stadium in a key ACC Coastal Division matchup. The Yellow Jackets, running coach Paul Johnson’s option offense to perfection, lead the nation in scoring (59.3), pass efficiency (322.7) and rushing (428 yards per game). But they’ve only played one team from a BCS conference, Kansas. The Tar Heels, who have several NFL prospects on defense, are 3-0 for just the second time in 14 years. Tech has won the last six meetings in Atlanta and 11 of 13 overall, including last year’s 30-24 win in Chapel Hill, N.C.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Georgia Tech -6.5

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (3-0, 1-0 ACC): Senior DE Quinton Coples (18.5 career sacks, two this year) leads a defense that has 10 sacks and allows under 77 rushing yards per game. QB Bryn Renner has completed 81.4 percent of his throws, and WR Dwight Jones has four TDs. Interim coach Everett Withers is the first UNC coach to start 3-0 since George Barclay in 1953. The Tar Heels have overcome seven turnovers in their three wins.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (3-0, 0-0 ACC): The Jackets set a school record with 768 total yards in their 66-24 rout of Kansas as A-back Orwin Smith became the first player in school history to go over 100 rushing yards and 100 receiving yards in the same game. Tech has scored a TD on its first offensive play in all three games. QB Tevin Washington has thrown for 637 yards and seven TDs with no interceptions. WR Stephen Hill is averaging 39 yards per catch.

EXTRA POINTS
1. Tech is trying to go 4-0 for the first time since 1990, when it shared the national championship.

2. UNC RB Ryan Houston has scored 20 touchdowns in his last 28 games.

3. Four of the last six meetings have been decided by seven or fewer points.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, North Carolina 20 – The Jackets won’t shatter records like they did last week, but they have too many weapons to contain.