Georgia Tech

"Bennett Gets His Chance" by Joe Johnson

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   Taylor Bennett looks like his is going to be Georgia Tech's QB against Virginia Tech. It will be a tall task for Bennett and the Yellow Jackets to pull the upset on the Hokies' home field.
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"Good Start, Bad News" by Drew Smith

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It's Good News, Bad News for Jackets

• Reggie Ball taken sick
• The silver lining

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"Bilbo Finally Fits In Georgia Tech's Offense" by Joe Johnson

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   Three years ago Demarius Bilbo thought he was the quarterback of the future for Georgia Tech. Now a senior, he's a wide receiver who can make a difference for the Yellow Jackets.
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"Tech is Too Tough!" by Drew Smith

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Georgia Tech has momentum

• The Jacket's new Rocky
• Just give the ball to Ball

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Prediction: Georgia Tech 20, North Carolina 21 by Drew Smith

In his first four seasons as Tar Heel's head coach, John Bunting has a record of 1-3 in season opening games. Not exactly a great record, but I think Carolina is going to buck the trend and pull off the upset in Atlanta this weekend. What the heck, somebody's got to pick the Heels and it might as well be me!

Darian Durant is gone, and senior Matt Baker finally gets his turn at quarterback for UNC after being Durant's understudy for three seasons.
Durant was an excellent athlete, but Baker is a better quarterback and if the offensive line gives him protection, then I like the Heels chances of putting at least three touchdowns on the board.

This is the speediest team yet under Bunting, and I think the Heels could be a Cinderella story this season, IF Baker stays healthy. Georgia Tech is good, very good, but there could be a bit of a letdown after a huge win last weekend over Auburn.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 20, North Carolina 21

"Henderson Could Be a Factor in Stopping UNC" by Joe Johnson

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   A year ago Eric Henderson wasn't on the field for the North Carolina because of an injury. This year he will but it may be with a heavy heart. Henderson, who is from New Orleans, had family displaced by Hurricane Katrina and the flooding she caused.
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Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 17 by Rick Fields

Questions abound the UNC program with the departure of record setting gun slinger Darian Durant but the buzz around new senior QB Matt Baker has reached a crescendo.  How will his debut be without the supporting cast of an experienced backfield and how will  UNC's defense fair after showing little improvement over the past several seasons?

The Jackets had a tremendous performance against 16^th ranked Auburn as they knocked off the heralded Tigers by a score of 23-14.  But consistency has been Georgia Tech's biggest issue and they've been known for their Jeckyl and Hyde performances under Coach Gailey.

But when you look at everything, it's just impossible to go against the Yellow Jackets.  From last week's tremendous victory, all the way back to last year's bowl game dismantling of Syracuse, the cards are all pointing towards the Jackets.

Prediction: Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 17

Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, North Carolina 17 by Joe Johnson

The Yellow Jackets have a huge advantage with a game under their belt. Not to mention it was a win over a ranked team. Georgia Tech handled Auburn on its own field with relative ease and now the Yellow Jackets come home for their opener.

North Carolina has a couple of hurdles to overcome, not to mention first-game jitters for first-time starting quarterback Matt Baker and the question mark at running back. Barrington Edwards, who transferred from LSU and was set to be the starter this season, had two speeding tickets come to light and now is status for the first game is unclear. Court records showed that Edwards failed to appear for either ticket but a new date was set for Sept. 20.

The Tar Heels beat Georgia Tech last season in a game that was set up a lot like this one. Georgia Tech entered that game after beating a ranked team but lost to the Tar Heels. The Yellow Jackets are coming off a big win against Auburn and I think that momentum will carry over for a change for Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have had a lot of success against North Carolina, especially at home, where they hold a 13-7 advantage.

Prediction: Georgia Tech  31, North Carolina 17

"Jackets are jacked up" by Drew Smith

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Tech isn't fancy, just effective

• Huge win on the road at Auburn
• Reggie Ball is a baller!

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"Georgia Tech Can't Afford To Stumble" by Joe Johnson

   Winning the Champs Sports Bowl was a good end to a tough 2004 season for head coach Chan Gailey. But 2005 is a different season and fans of the Yellow Jackets want more. A season-opener at Auburn is a tough way to start the season but there are other potential potholes along the way for Georgia Tech. Quarterback Reggie Ball will have some help with super receiver Calvin Johnson and that could be enough for the Yellow Jackets to win the games they are expected to win rather than losing them like in year's past.
   The defense should be much improved for the Yellow Jackets, who return nine starters that ranked 12th in yards allowed last season. And when they weren't allowing yards, they weren't allowing points, either. In six of the last eight games, opponents scored fewer than 20 points.