NCAA Football Picks and Odds: Georgia Tech at NC State Wolfpack
Friday, September 30, 2011
by Frank Martin
The offensive juggernaut that is No. 21 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets should put up more big numbers when it rolls into Raleigh, N.C., to face faltering North Carolina State Wolfpack.
The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in scoring (53.2 ppg), total offense (630.5 ypg) and pass efficiency (283.6) and rank second in rushing (398.8 ypg). The Wolfpack, beset by defensive line injuries, are coming off a 44-14 humiliation at Cincinnati. N.C. State won last year's meeting 45-28 in Atlanta, but that was with Russell Wilson (now at Wisconsin) at quarterback, not Mike Glennon. Tech has won five of the last seven meetings and 10 of 13.
- #21 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets @ North Carolina State Wolfpack
When: 3:30 PM ET, Saturday, October 1, 2011
Where: Carter Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina
TV: ABC/ESPN
The Hokies have opened as 30½-point favorites on Bet Online Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Football Odds.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0): Coach Paul Johnson's option attack looks unstoppable. A-back Orwin Smith is averaging 18.4 yards a carry with five total touchdowns, WR Stephen Hill is averaging 33 yards a catch with four scores, and QB Tevin Washington has accounted for 12 touchdowns, including four on the ground. The defense, in its second year under Al Groh, has forced eight turnovers but is still vulnerable on third down. Opponents are converting 46.4 percent, which ranks 10th in the ACC.
North Carolina State Wolfpack (2-2): Glennon has perhaps the strongest arm in the ACC and is averaging 270 passing yards, third-most in the ACC. He's thrown 10 TDs against three INTs. Top target T.J. Graham is lightning fast and averages 107 receiving yards. But the running game has been horrid (2.8 ypg). Three of four projected starters on the defensive line could miss Saturday's game due to injuries. DTs Brian Slay (ankle) and A.J. Ferguson (knee) were knocked out of last Thursday's loss at Cincinnati.
1. The Jackets have won three straight in Raleigh, including a 31-23 decision on their most recent trip in 2006.
2. Tech has had a 100-yard receiver in every game.
3. Graham, a dangerous kick returner, leads the nation with 230 all-purpose yards per game.
NCAA PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 41, N.C. State 24 -- The Wolfpack have too many injuries on defense to slow down the high-flying Jackets.
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a.j. ferguson - al groh - brian slay - carter finley stadium - georgia tech yellow jackets - mike glennon - north carolina state wolfpack - orwin smith - paul johnson - russell wilson
