Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Advanced Stats Preview

Georgia Tech Offense vs. Georgia Defense

Data courtesy of Sports Source Analytics. Data visualization courtesy of Zane Murfitt (Coug Center).

So, this doesn’t bode well for Georgia Tech’s offense, but I think there is some hope here. The offense has only really been consistently good at one thing this year: running the ball. And that’s in large part to Jordan Mason, who has been nothing short of incredible this year despite the issues along the offensive line, even putting up good numbers against teams with decent defenses like Miami (141 yards) and Virginia (94 yards). Georgia’s defense is better than both of theirs, but knowing that Mason has put up big numbers against tough defenses in the past gives me more hope than looking at how many rushing yards they gave up to Texas A&M last week.

Georgia Tech Offensive Explosiveness vs. Georgia Defense

Data courtesy of Sports Source Analytics. Data visualization courtesy of Zane Murfitt (Coug Center).

Now these numbers scare me a little bit more. When Georgia Tech’s offense has worked this season, it has been because they have been able to get chunk yardage, both through the air and on the ground. Something that will help Tech in this regard is that Georgia isn’t quite as good at havoc and stuff rates as some other teams Tech has faced. In fact, they’re almost average in that respect. So while Georgia has been good at stopping explosive plays so far this season, I think there’s a chance Tech can take advantage of those more normal havoc and stat rates.

Georgia Tech Defense vs. Georgia Offense

Data courtesy of Sports Source Analytics. Data visualization courtesy of Zane Murfitt (Coug Center).

Surprise, surprise, Georgia’s offense lives and dies on its running game. Sure Jake Fromm is an efficient quarterback, but the offense is the running game. Unfortunately, that is what Georgia Tech has struggled with all season. The offense is achieving a success on almost half of its plays, which is INCREDIBLE. Geoff Collins and Andrew Thacker will certainly have their work cut out for them.

Georgia Tech Defense vs. Georgia Offensive Explosiveness

Data courtesy of Sports Source Analytics. Data visualization courtesy of Zane Murfitt (Coug Center).

One thing the Tech defense does have going for it is that Georgia isn’t actually that great at getting explosive plays, but rather just above league average. The one thing that really stands out to me scoring opportunity percentage, that is, finishing drives with a touchdown. Georgia is below league average, and Tech is actually pretty good at stopping drives short. Unfortunately, Georgia also has the guy that’s probably going to win the Lou Groza in Rodrigo Blankenship, so even on those drives that do finish short, they probably still feel pretty good about scoring.

Conclusions

I’ll be frank. This is going to be a long game. It’s a stoppable force meeting a nearly immovable object, so points are going to be hard to come by for Georgia Tech. As far as Tech’s defense, the linebackers and defensive line are really going to need to step up in order to contain Georgia’s mutli-headed rushing attack. But anyway, here’s hoping for a miracle!