6 days ago3 min read

Yellow Jackets Try to Sting Tar Heels in Conference Matchup

Yellow Jackets | QB Haynes King — © Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

On Oct. 12, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to renew their ACC rivalry with the North Carolina Tar Heels (3-3, 0-2) with a noon EST kickoff. In what will be the 58th matchup between the foes, the Yellow Jackets have won the last three meetings, including a 46-42 thriller last season. Will the Tar Heels feel the Yellow Jackets' sting?

What's on the Line in the Game?

For the Yellow Jackets, with two conference losses already, they hope to remain a top team in the ACC. They are on the outside looking in for the ACC title game. Georgia Tech needs to take care of winning their remaining schedule to position themselves for postseason play. Despite those conference losses, the Yellow Jackets are a tough opponent for any team and can play spoiler for several teams. A strong win against North Carolina will help them.

For the Tar Heels, the season got knocked off the tracks with a season-ending injury to quarterback Max Johnson. Head coach Mack Brown and North Carolina are seeking their first ACC win of the season. While they have had struggles in their losses, the emergence of Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell has been much needed for the team. Running back Omarion Hampton has continued his dominant play and is averaging 5.6 yards per carry. A win against a quality conference foe in the Yellow Jackets would go a long way in repairing their season.

Who to watch for the Tar Heels

Criswell has been strong since taking over the offense, currently averaging 7.4 yards per pass and throwing for 1,158 yards. He's shown that he has a solid arm and can make a variety of throws. Having a weapon like Hampton has helped the offense. He has rushed for 764 yards and 7 touchdowns this season while adding 123 yards receiving. While receiver JJ Jones leads the team, it's been tight ends Bryson Nesbit and John Copenhaver who have led the way with 3 touchdowns a piece. Defensively, lineman Jahvaree Ritzie has been an absolute force in disrupting opposing offenses. He's recorded 20 tackles and leads the team with 5 sacks.

Who will lead the Yellow Jackets?

Head coach Brent Key and Georgia Tech have quite a dynamic duo leading their offense in quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes. King has completed 74 percent of his passes and is averaging 8.5 yards per pass. Haynes has 366 yards rushing and averages just under 5 yards per carry. He's also rushed for 5 touchdowns. Receivers Malik Rutherford and Eric Singleton Jr. have led the way as go-to targets for King, combining for 854 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, linebacker Kyle Efford has been a tackling machine, leading Georgia Tech with 42 tackles (next closest has 29).

Yellow Jackets sting — © Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Key Matchup for the Game

Amare Campbell vs. Haynes King

The dual-threat quarterback that King is makes for a difficult matchup for defenses. While he's thrown for 1,441 yards and 8 touchdowns, he's only been sacked 1 time and thrown 1 interception. He's equally as dangerous as a runner with 246 yards and 4 touchdowns. Campbell has been everywhere for the Tar Heels. He's second on the team with 37 tackles, second behind Ritzee with 3 sacks, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble. Campbell seems like the likely candidate to act as a mirror for minimizing King's effectiveness