Virginia Tech @ Georgia Tech preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 4, 2010 ) Georgia Tech 21, Virginia Tech 28

THE STORY: The ACC’s Coastal Division likely will be decided at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Thursday night, when No. 9 Virginia Tech visits No. 19 Georgia Tech. The winner of this matchup has won the division every year since divisional play began in 2005. The Hokies own four of those victories, including 28-21 last year in Blacksburg, Va., and lead the alltime series 5-3. The Jackets rank second in the ACC in scoring (37.6), while the Hokies allow an ACC-low 15.4 points per game. Both teams were off last Saturday.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Virginia Tech -1

ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH (8-1, 4-1 ACC): Nine players have intercepted passes for the Hokies, who also average three sacks per game. RB David Wilson has rushed for more than 100 yards in six straight games, the longest such streak in Frank Beamer’s 25 seasons as head coach. QB Logan Thomas (6-6, 254) has thrown for 1,934 yards and run for 285 more while accounting for 17 TDs. Jack Tyler will start at MLB over Barquell Rivers because Tyler’s speed gives the Hokies a better chance of stopping Georgia Tech’s option attack.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (7-2, 4-2 ACC): The Jackets rank second nationally in rushing (328.0). QB Tevin Washington bounced back from a string of poor outings with a terrific overall game in the upset of Clemson. He made good option reads, threw the ball fairly well and ran for 176 yards, most ever by a Tech QB. WR Stephen Hill is averaging 30.4 yards a catch, which leads the nation. He has a knack for making spectacular catches, but drops some easy ones. The defense has gotten a spark from CB Jemea Thomas, who had two INTs, a forced fumble and two pass breakups against the Tigers.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Jackets are 7-4 vs. ranked teams under coach Paul Johnson.

2. The Hokies rank seventh nationally in rushing defense (86.3).

3. The Hokies are 17-5 on Thursday Night Football, the Jackets 11-13.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 27, Virginia Tech 24 – The Jackets got their confidence back by upsetting Clemson and will feed off a raucous home crowd.