18 Jan 11 NC State at Georgia Tech: Lay the Points with the Yellow Jackets

Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesACC play will begin for the upstart North Carolina State Wolfpack this weekend when they travel to Georgia Tech and take on the Yellow Jackets.Georgia Tech got back on the winning side of things with a 30-24 road win over a depleted North Carolina team. The Wolfpack controlled the entire game Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
against Cincinnati last Thursday and were never seriously challenged in a 30-19 win. Tom OBrienteam has started 3-0 for the first time in his four year tenure.The Yellow Jackets are an eight point favorite according the college football odds makers.North Carolina State has been the surprise team of the ACC to this point. The conference as a whole has taken a beating by analysts for their lack of impressive non conference wins this season.Russell Wilson has thrown his name into the dark horse Heisman contender list. The multi-sport athlete at NC State has thrown for 744 yards and eight touchdowns with no interceptions. Wilson is coming off a season in which he threw 31 touchdown passes and is one of the top players in the nation that not many have heard about.True freshman Mustafa Greene has been a nice addition to the backfield, gaining 174 yards and scoring three times. He has been used with Dean Haynes to give the Wolfpack offense some balance. Five players have at least eight catches in this spread offense.George Bryan leads the team with 10 receptions and has one touchdown. Jarvis Williams is the big play threat with eight catches for 163 yards. TE TJ Graham is effective running routes over the middle and is tied for the team lead with two touchdown catches.Wilson is veryReebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
good at getting all his offensive players involved and not keying on one or two particular players. The defense has been especially strong against the run, holding all three opponents to under 100 yards on the ground. That streak will end this weekend, but containing the run will be vital if the Pack want to pick up a win.Paul Johnsonteam rebounded nicely against North Carolina after their upset loss at Kansas as a heavy favorite.Granted, they werenplaying the full Tar Heel squad thought to be sent out on the field each Saturday but it was still a nice win. QB Josh Nesbitt has been a man on a mission with eight total touchdowns and nearly 500 yards accounted for. He has completed just nine passes in 25 attempts, but is averaging over 20-yards-per completion.Tech thrives on the triple option giving multiple backs the opportunity to carry the ball. Anthony Allen is second on the team in rushing behind Nesbitt with 232 yards on the ground. Roddy Jones is another key part of this offense and has gained 97 yards on 15 carries with two touchdowns. The Jackets as a team average more than six yards per attempt and have already gained more than 1000 yards rushing.Defensively, Georgia Tech has looked suspect at times against average offenses. They will get their first taste of a high-powered passing attack that will test their secondary.The home team has dropped three straight games in this series, but this will be the first time they meet since 2006. Georgia Tech is 7-0 the last two years against Atlantic Division members of the ACC Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
and NC State has just two wins in twelve tries versus the Jackets.This is an interesting match-up due to contrasting styles on offense and will likely be decided on the defensive side of the ball. NC State has historically struggled to run the ball against Tech, which could result in their front four teeing off on Wilson.I expect a Yellow Jacket double digit victory.Play: Georgia Tech -8Sign up for a premium package at Locksmith and start getting expert football picks immediately. No site has a better track record giving out winners.