Presbyterian @ Georgia Tech preview

Georgia Tech must forget about its disappointing opening-night loss to Virginia Tech and avoid a letdown against Presbyterian, an FCS team from the Big South. Georgia Tech’s defense, the biggest area of concern the last two seasons, was impressive in the opener despite having three starters out with either suspensions or injuries. Georgia Tech hasn’t played Presbyterian since 1937 and the Yellow Jackets lead the series 3-0. Tech is 5-0 against FCS schools under coach Paul Johnson; the only game decided by fewer than 20 points was a 10-7 win over Gardner-Webb in 2008.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com. LINE: None

ABOUT PRESBYTERIAN (1-0): The Blue Hose, which opened with a 45-10 win over Brevard, take a big step up in weight class. Presbyterian accounted for 430 yards of offense in the opener, its first season-opening win since moving to Division I football. Lance Byrd rushed for 108 yards and became the first player in school history to reach 2,000 career yards in the D-I era. Demarcus Rouse ran for 83 yards and scored three touchdowns. The defense is led by all-conference linebacker Donelle Williams.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (0-1): Georgia Tech never really got its offense in gear until the fourth-quarter drive that enabled the Yellow Jackets to take the lead. Tech will need more productivity from its vaunted rushing game, which produced only 192 yards. The crucial B-back position (a fullback in most offenses) managed only 76 yards on 23 carries. QB Tevin Washington threw for 96 yards and one TD, but all 10 completions were to backs. Tech’s top rushing threat, senior Orwin Smith, left the opener with a shoulder injury; his availability isn’t known, but it’s unlikely any chances will be taken in a meaningless game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Presbyterian’s Michael Ruff became the first player in Big South history to return a season-opening kickoff for a touchdown.

2. Tech DB Louis Young and LB Daniel Drummond return after missing the first game with suspensions for violating team rules.

3. Tech has played in two straight overtime games, counting the Sun Bowl, and lost both.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 49-3.