Georgia Tech @ Duke preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2012 ) Duke 24, Georgia Tech 42

Brandon Connette came off the bench to lead the Duke Blue Devils to victory last week, and the junior quarterback will look for the same results in his first start since 2010 on Saturday at home against Georgia Tech. Connette takes control of David Cutcliffe’s offense after Duke lost starter Anthony Boone to a broken collarbone in last Saturday’s 28-14 victory at Memphis. Connette directed back-to-back fourth-quarter touchdown drives for the Blue Devils, who seek their first 3-0 start since 1994.

Georgia Tech has yet to be tested, the Yellow Jackets opening the season two weeks ago with a 70-0 thrashing of Elon before an off week. The Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense overwhelmed Elon, rushing for 368 yards and six touchdowns. The defending ACC Coastal Division champions, who play three of their next five on the road, have beaten the Blue Devils nine consecutive times.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Georgia Tech, -8

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (1-0): Sophomore quarterback Vad Lee played impressively – albeit against an inferior opponent – in the opener, passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for 49 yards and a score. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in rushing since coach Paul Johnson arrived in 2008, averaging 304.8 yards per contest. Scoring big is nothing new for Georgia Tech, which has topped 40 points 18 times in Johnson’s 68 games as coach.

ABOUT DUKE (2-0): Connette finished 14-for-21 for 198 yards and a pair of touchdowns, marching the Blue Devils to the end zone twice in a 2-minute, 54-second span of the fourth quarter. Junior Jamison Crowder has filled the void left by ACC receptions and receiving leader Conner Vernon, catching 11 passes for 140 yards against Memphis. The Duke defense features eight juniors or seniors, and has surrendered just 210.5 yards per game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Both Georgia Tech and Duke posted shutouts in their openers, just two of seven FBS teams to not allow a point on that weekend.

2. Connette started against Miami in 2010, completing 4-of-6 passes for 30 yards and rushing for a touchdown.

3. Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 49-30-1, winning 42-24 last season.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, Duke 21