Jackets dressed for success vs. UtesScouts, Inc.
Utah capped an undefeated 2004 season with a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl win, but this year's Utes will be overmatched in nearly every facet when it faces Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl.
Georgia Tech Offense vs. Utah Defense
Georgia Tech has one of the top weapons in the nation in WR Calvin Johnson. He is a huge acrobatic receiver with tremendous ball skills and body control. He is capable of going up and getting the ball over every corner on Utah's roster. He is also a beast in the red zone. The problem is getting him the football, as QB Reggie Ball is completing a dismal 48 percent of his passes. Ball is vastly undersized for the position, struggles to find throwing lanes and is far from a pure passer. He creates a lot of second-chance looks with his feet, but Ball's erratic arm is one of the biggest reasons for Georgia Tech's erratic results again this season. Utah will double Johnson much of this game. CB Eric Weddle is Utah's top cover guy and should draw the assignment of slowing Johnson with safety support over the top. That will put a lot of pressure on No. 2 WR Damarius Bilbo to produce versus man-to-man coverage.
In all likelihood, though, Georgia Tech will lean more on their two running backs in this contest against a Utes' defense that allows 152.3 yards per game on the ground. Georgia Tech has a powerful north-south runner in P.J. Daniels, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and they complement him with Tashard Choice, who also is quite effective.
The Yellow Jackets must account for DT Steve Fifita in both the run and pass game. Although he is short, Fifita is a tough powerful interior presence that gets off the ball with quickness and pure strength. He can flush Ball out of the pocket and clog interior running lanes for Daniels and Choice. Fifita's presence makes life much easier for LB Spencer Toone, who is one of the top playmakers in the Mountain West. Toone combines speed and instincts with outstanding tackling consistency.
Utah Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense
Utah QB Brian Johnson is out for the season with a knee injury that he suffered in mid-November. Johnson's 63.6 completion percentage and 18/7 TD/INT ratio is sorely missed. Making only his second career start, QB Brett Ratliffwill be handing the ball off often to RB Quinton Ganther, who has exactly 1,000 yards rushing on the year. Ganther is quick and elusive with great overall power. He is difficult to get on the ground and keeps his legs churning on contact. Utah will rely on Ganther to keep the chains moving and to alleviate pressure from Ratliff. This is good news for the Yellow Jackets, as they allow a meager 2.9 yards per attempt on the ground and are fantastic at getting to the ball carrier with their athletic defensive unit.
Not only are the Utes missing their starting quarterback, but also their top receiver, John Madsen, who is out with a broken ankle. WR Brian Hernandez becomes the top threat in the passing game. He is capable of stretching the field, as evidenced by his 20.5 yards per catch average.
DE Eric Henderson is an NFL prospect that can really get after the quarterback. Utah will have to keep extra blockers in on Henderson's side if they are going to have any success getting the ball deep to Hernandez. Georgia Tech is aggressive and opportunistic on defense. Coordinator Jon Tenuta runs an attacking scheme and his players do an excellent job of capitalizing on the tenacious pass rush by creating turnovers. As far as this matchup is concerned, playmakers like safety Dawan Landry and LB Gerris Wilkinson are sure to capitalize on Ratliff's mistakes.
Special Teams
Georgia Tech kicker Travis Bell has really struggled in his sophomore season and is only 10-of-20 on field goal attempts. He has missed his last four tries, although all were from outside of 40 yards. Utah also has woes with their special teams, as their punt team ranks 89th in the country, with only a 34.1 net average. Overall, Georgia Tech gets the nod for special teams as they have superior athletes and speed on their coverage teams, but neither of these two programs has been dominant in this important category.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson vs. Utah CB Eric Weddle
2. Georgia Teach RB P.J. Daniels vs. Utah LB Spencer Toone
3. Georgia Tech OG Brad Honeycutt vs. Utah DT Steve Fifita
Scouts' Edge
Following an undefeated season and a Fiesta Bowl win in 2004, Utah lost three of their last four games in 2005 and was only 4-4 in Mountain West Conference play. Georgia Tech will be making its ninth-straight bowl appearance and were 7-3 before losing to Georgia (SEC champs) in its last regular-season game. Utah showed exceptional character in an overtime defeat of BYU to become bowl-eligible in Ratliff's first career start. Regardless, the Utes are overmatched in nearly every facet of this contest. The Yellow Jackets excel against the run and will make Ratliff beat them through the air while applying great pressure on the young signal caller. The Jackets will not allow many points and will win this one big.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Utah 14
Utah capped an undefeated 2004 season with a Tostitos Fiesta Bowl win, but this year's Utes will be overmatched in nearly every facet when it faces Georgia Tech in the Emerald Bowl.
Georgia Tech Offense vs. Utah Defense
Georgia Tech has one of the top weapons in the nation in WR Calvin Johnson. He is a huge acrobatic receiver with tremendous ball skills and body control. He is capable of going up and getting the ball over every corner on Utah's roster. He is also a beast in the red zone. The problem is getting him the football, as QB Reggie Ball is completing a dismal 48 percent of his passes. Ball is vastly undersized for the position, struggles to find throwing lanes and is far from a pure passer. He creates a lot of second-chance looks with his feet, but Ball's erratic arm is one of the biggest reasons for Georgia Tech's erratic results again this season. Utah will double Johnson much of this game. CB Eric Weddle is Utah's top cover guy and should draw the assignment of slowing Johnson with safety support over the top. That will put a lot of pressure on No. 2 WR Damarius Bilbo to produce versus man-to-man coverage.
In all likelihood, though, Georgia Tech will lean more on their two running backs in this contest against a Utes' defense that allows 152.3 yards per game on the ground. Georgia Tech has a powerful north-south runner in P.J. Daniels, who is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and they complement him with Tashard Choice, who also is quite effective.
The Yellow Jackets must account for DT Steve Fifita in both the run and pass game. Although he is short, Fifita is a tough powerful interior presence that gets off the ball with quickness and pure strength. He can flush Ball out of the pocket and clog interior running lanes for Daniels and Choice. Fifita's presence makes life much easier for LB Spencer Toone, who is one of the top playmakers in the Mountain West. Toone combines speed and instincts with outstanding tackling consistency.
Utah Offense vs. Georgia Tech Defense
Utah QB Brian Johnson is out for the season with a knee injury that he suffered in mid-November. Johnson's 63.6 completion percentage and 18/7 TD/INT ratio is sorely missed. Making only his second career start, QB Brett Ratliffwill be handing the ball off often to RB Quinton Ganther, who has exactly 1,000 yards rushing on the year. Ganther is quick and elusive with great overall power. He is difficult to get on the ground and keeps his legs churning on contact. Utah will rely on Ganther to keep the chains moving and to alleviate pressure from Ratliff. This is good news for the Yellow Jackets, as they allow a meager 2.9 yards per attempt on the ground and are fantastic at getting to the ball carrier with their athletic defensive unit.
Not only are the Utes missing their starting quarterback, but also their top receiver, John Madsen, who is out with a broken ankle. WR Brian Hernandez becomes the top threat in the passing game. He is capable of stretching the field, as evidenced by his 20.5 yards per catch average.
DE Eric Henderson is an NFL prospect that can really get after the quarterback. Utah will have to keep extra blockers in on Henderson's side if they are going to have any success getting the ball deep to Hernandez. Georgia Tech is aggressive and opportunistic on defense. Coordinator Jon Tenuta runs an attacking scheme and his players do an excellent job of capitalizing on the tenacious pass rush by creating turnovers. As far as this matchup is concerned, playmakers like safety Dawan Landry and LB Gerris Wilkinson are sure to capitalize on Ratliff's mistakes.
Special Teams
Georgia Tech kicker Travis Bell has really struggled in his sophomore season and is only 10-of-20 on field goal attempts. He has missed his last four tries, although all were from outside of 40 yards. Utah also has woes with their special teams, as their punt team ranks 89th in the country, with only a 34.1 net average. Overall, Georgia Tech gets the nod for special teams as they have superior athletes and speed on their coverage teams, but neither of these two programs has been dominant in this important category.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson vs. Utah CB Eric Weddle
2. Georgia Teach RB P.J. Daniels vs. Utah LB Spencer Toone
3. Georgia Tech OG Brad Honeycutt vs. Utah DT Steve Fifita
Scouts' Edge
Following an undefeated season and a Fiesta Bowl win in 2004, Utah lost three of their last four games in 2005 and was only 4-4 in Mountain West Conference play. Georgia Tech will be making its ninth-straight bowl appearance and were 7-3 before losing to Georgia (SEC champs) in its last regular-season game. Utah showed exceptional character in an overtime defeat of BYU to become bowl-eligible in Ratliff's first career start. Regardless, the Utes are overmatched in nearly every facet of this contest. The Yellow Jackets excel against the run and will make Ratliff beat them through the air while applying great pressure on the young signal caller. The Jackets will not allow many points and will win this one big.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 35, Utah 14
