UNC Tar Heels vs GT Yellow Jackets

Lawrence Jordan: Why the Tar Heels will win...

• UNC run defense. The Tar Heels stingy run defense has not yielded more than 72 yards in a game this year. GT is ranked #1 in the ACC in rushing yards per game, so we're matching strength on strength. Top RB Dwyer is gimpy after suffer a shoulder stinger last week against Miami. GT will get more than 72 yards with their unique system, but watch for the Tar Heels to frustrate them.
  
• UNC developing receivers. Erik Highsmith is proving to be a reliable receiver, especially in high pressure/long yardage situations. Jheranie Boyd flagged down a nice deep route against ECU. Jackets have given up 250+ yards against their past two ACC opponents.
• GT passing inefficiency. Nesbitt is only completing 38% of his passes. GT receivers have a tendency to haul in the deep route, but if the running game cannot establish itself against the UNC DL this percentage cannot carry an offense. So ineffective running, poor pass completion rate...
• GT poor 3rd down conversion rate. GT is 9-28 in its last two ACC games. Watch for the Heels to pin their ears back and get after Nesbitt in 3 and long.
• Miscellaneous. GT's fake FG/TD against Clemson resulted in the entire ACC officiating crew being suspended. The referees are now well aware of the results of missing tom-foolery. This will be a tightly called game.

Final Score:
North Carolina 27
Georgia Tech 23

Philip Thompson: Why the Tar Heels will lose...

• Georgia Tech was embarrassed last week in Miami. The Yellow Jackets were humiliated on national television and will be looking to reclaim their status as a contender in the Coastal Division
• Georgia Tech will play like a desperate team. They were picked to challenge for the division, but a loss on Saturday would have them two games behind UNC and either Virginia Tech or Miami. Also they would be in a bad position on all tie breakers.
• Georgia Tech is due for a huge game rushing the ball. Their ground game has struggled the past two weeks, and Paul Johnson will not allow for this to continue.

Final Score:
Georgia Tech 21
North Carolina 17