QUICK-STRIKE JACKETS: For all the talk about Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense relying on ball control and dominating time of possession, there’s this counter: Half of the Yellow Jackets’ scoring drives have lasted 2 minutes or fewer.
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS: North Carolina has made significant progress in its first year with defensive coordinator Gene Chizik. He carried 11 times for 27 yards and completed 8 of 24 for 121 yards and a sack and also had a had touchdown run negated because of a holding penalty. Ryan Smith recovered 2 onside kicks to help preserve the victory. I do think these are two very good defenses that the Jackets have played back to back, but I’m going to guess no one left on the schedule is the defensive equal of Alcorn State or Tulane, either.
The handoff went to running back Shaquille Powell. This is a big game not only for the Coastal implications, but because each team was considered a serious contender this season. If you played Powell in DFS today, you hit the jackpot.
This Blue Devils defense is faster and stronger and better than any Cutcliffe has had since arriving in Durham seven years ago.
But give some credit to Duke, a team that has won 19 games in the last two seasons and has two bowl losses to show for it. The Hokies appear to have recovered from their opening week blowout at the hands of Ohio State and the loss of quarterback Michael Brewer to a shoulder injury. Who will win this game?
His quest is for his team to do these things on an even more consistent basis. So an upset isn’t as certain as it might have been earlier in the season.
It was the fifth straight 100-yard game for Fournette, eighth of his career, and a fitting place for him to shine again. The Jaguars are coming off a win at San Diego State that they’ve called the biggest in their program’s brief history. Ask the Heels if that can’t get the ball rolling.
Before Clemson returns to conference play, the Tigers face a tough non-conference test at home this week against Notre Dame (4-0).
This matchup will come down to the wire, and the Broncos of Boise State will barely escape Charlottesville with a win.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) – Jake Rudock ran for two touchdowns and threw for another score and Michigan scored all of its points in the first half. Duke took full advantage, claiming high ground in the division race, but failed to make a truly convincing statement.
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Tech is set to host North Carolina next Saturday from the homegrown comfort of Bobby Dodd Stadium. Six touchdowns and 572 total yds later, there is no doubt who should be running this high-powered offense. Summers rushed for 169 yards and two scores, providing a possible sub package blueprint for Tech’s future opponents. But Georgia Tech’s 6-2 Coastal mark edged Duke’s 5-3 record. You have to believe that everyone on the defense is going to stay on their man. If you get caught helping off your assignment it can be the difference in a tackle for a loss and a long run for the opposing offense.
