Georgia Tech at Virginia 10/23/21 - NCAA Football Picks & Predictions

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will continue their season with a trip to Scott Stadium to take on the Virginia Cavaliers. Georgia Tech had a bye-week last week, but has shown a lot of improvement after many years of struggling in the ACC, with a 31-27 win over Duke they improved to 3-3 (2-2 conference). Virginia has rattled off three straight wins after starting conference play 0-2, they beat Duke 48-0 last week to move to 5-2 (3-2 conference). 

Georgia Tech has taken a big step forward offensively for the first time since moving away from the triple-option, they’re averaging over 400 yards per game and scoring 28.5 points per contest. Freshman Jeff Sims continues his development as a duel-threat quarterback, he’s completing 62.5% of his passes for 791 yards, while adding 492 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Fellow freshman Jahmyr Gibbs leads the running back room with 279 yards and a touchdown. 

The Yellow Jackets defense continues to have its struggles allowing 380.5 yards per game and allowing 25.7 points per game. They’ll have their hands full in this game against one of the most lethal passing attacks in the nation, the Yellow Jackets allowed 389 yards and 4 passing touchdowns against the last lethal passing attack they faced in Kenny Pickett and Pitt.

That Virginia passing attack has been what has boosted them to three straight wins, they’re one of the nation's best passing attacks averaging over 400 yards per game. The air raid offense, led by junior Brennan Armstrong, has racked up a nation-best 2,824 yards and the seventh most touchdowns through the air with 19. The run game is below average with 120.3 yards per game, but senior Wayne Taulapapa is averaging over 4.5 yards per carry for 204 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cavaliers’ defense has had its struggles allowing 413.1 yards and 24.4 points per game, which can be pointed to their losses where they gave up 59 and 37 points to Wake Forest and North Carolina. Virginia did pitch a shutout in its best defensive performance to date, holding Duke to 325 yards, forcing four turnovers, and rolling through the Blue Devils.