Minnesota @ Georgia Tech preview

QUICK LANE BOWL STORYLINES

1. It is the end of an era for Georgia Tech as it takes on Minnesota in the Quick Lane Bowl on Dec. 26 in Detroit as 11th-year coach Paul Johnson directs the Yellow Jackets for the final time. The 61-year-old, whose triple-option offense has given opponents fits while ranking among the nation’s top rushing attacks year-in and year-out, announced he is stepping down Nov. 28 and has spent the time since trying to deflect attention from his farewell. “To me, it’s just like getting ready for any other game,” said Johnson, who will be replaced by Temple coach Geoff Collins. “You’re just getting ready to go play a game.”

2. The Yellow Jackets reached their ninth bowl under Johnson thanks to a furious late-season hot streak, helping to erase a 1-3 start with six victories in seven games - including victories over Virginia Tech, Miami and Virginia. The rushing offense remains the focal point as Georgia Tech has rushed for a FBS-leading 334.9 yards per contest. Quarterbacks TaQuon Marshall and Tobias Oliver have combined for 1,703 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns while passing for a total of 990 yards.

3. Minnesota won three of its final five games to become bowl eligible, including a stunning 37-15 rout at Wisconsin to beat the Badgers for the first time since 2003. The Golden Gophers season may have turned when Joe Rossi was elevated to interim defensive coordinator Nov. 3 as Minnesota allowed only 49 points in its final three games after surrendering 40-plus points in four of the previous six contests. But Minnesota will not have leading tackler Blake Cashman for the bowl game as the senior is foregoing his remaining eligibility to prepare for the NFL Draft.

TV: 5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Georgia Tech -6

ABOUT MINNESOTA (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten): Cashman is one of two starters (along with left tackle Donnell Green) to skip the bowl game, meaning new starters such as linebacker Jacob Huff - recorded 10 tackles in each of Minnesota’s final two games - have to play well. Freshman running back Mohamed Ibrahim is ninth in the Big Ten in rushing yards (936 yards, seven touchdowns in nine games), while redshirt freshman quarterback Tanner Morgan has played more as the season has progressed, completing 59 percent of his pass attempts.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (7-7, 5-3 ACC): The Yellow Jackets score plenty of points, averaging 36.6 per game, but have allowed 28.9 per contest, although two of the worst performances came against powerhouses Clemson (49 points surrendered) and Georgia (45). Senior defensive lineman Anree Saint-Amour recorded team highs in tackles for loss (11), sacks (four) and forced fumbles (three), and also intercepted two passes. Marshall has rushed for 100-plus yards four times in 11 games, while surpassing 100 passing yards just three times (two of those games coming against Alcorn State and Bowling Green).



PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 34, Minnesota 24