Middle Tennessee @ Georgia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2011 ) Georgia Tech 49, Middle Tennessee 21

Overtime has been far from kind to Georgia Tech, which has suffered two demoralizing Atlantic Coast Conferences losses in extra time to Virginia Tech and Miami. The Yellow Jackets look to find their footing when they step out of ACC play Saturday and host Middle Tennessee State of the Sun Belt. Georgia Tech trailed the Hurricanes 19-0 last week, scored 36 unanswered points, but went on to allow two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lose 42-36 in overtime. Georgia Tech’s defense may get a slight break Saturday, but the improvement expected in the third year under defensive coordinator Al Groh has not occurred. The Yellow Jackets allowed 609 yards of total offense against Miami. Middle Tennessee State won its second consecutive game last week, forcing four turnovers to defeat Memphis 48-30 as quarterback Logan Kilgore passed for two touchdowns. The Blue Raiders stumbled in their opener, falling to FCS school McNeese State 27-21.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, Raycom Sports, ESPN3. LINE: Georgia Tech -27.5

ABOUT MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE (2-1): A balanced offense has led the Blue Raiders after the opening-week stumble. Middle Tennessee State ranks second in the Sun Belt in passing efficiency, third in rushing and fourth in scoring. The tandem of Jordan Parker (117 yards) and Drayton Calhoun (104) sparked the Blue Raiders to 302 rushing yards in a 31-17 victory over Florida Atlantic two weeks ago. Kilgore has completed 69.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and one interception.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (2-2): Through four games, it is hard to find fault with the Yellow Jackets on offense. They lead the ACC and rank third nationally with 352.3 rushing yards per game, sparked by quarterback Tevin Washington (300 yards) and running back Zach Laskey (269). But Washington could not convert on fourth-and-inches from inside the 1-yard-line in overtime against the Hurricanes. The Jackets hope safety Fred Holton (bruised foot) can return to bolster a defense that ranks last in the ACC against the pass.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Washington rushed for three touchdowns against Miami and has seven rushing scores this season.

2. The Blue Raiders have not allowed a sack through three games, despite four new starters on the offensive line. Only Air Force and Oklahoma State have not allowed a sack so far this season.

3. Georgia Tech and Middle Tennessee State have played each of the past two seasons. The Yellow Jackets won 42-14 in Atlanta in 2010, and beat the Blue Raiders in 49-21 last season in Murfreesboro.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 48, Middle Tennessee State 17