Brigham Young @ Georgia Tech preview

The focal point when host Georgia Tech steps out of ACC play to welcome Brigham Young to Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday will come when the Yellow Jackets take the ball. Georgia Tech puts the nation’s third-best rushing attack against a Cougars’ run defense that ranks eighth in the country. The Yellow Jackets bring some momentum into the matchup after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 37-17 victory last week over Boston College. The Cougars hope to avoid a three-game skid, having drop consecutive games to then No. 10 Oregon State and then No. 5 Notre Dame. BYU has allowed only 14 points per game this season, and held Notre Dame to 17 last week. Georgia Tech senior quarterback Tevin Washington has rushed for 15 touchdowns this season, second-most by any player this season.

TV: 3 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports, FSN, ESPN3.com. LINE: Georgia Tech, -2.5

ABOUT BRIGHAM YOUNG (4-4): BYU’s strength is on defense, where the Cougars are allowing 276.9 yards per game, ranking fourth in the nation. The BYU rush defense allows an average of 93.1 yards, despite giving up 270 rushing yards last week against Notre Dame. Junior linebacker Kyle Van Noy has forced eight career fumbles, including three in eight games this season. Offensively, the Cougars will look to junior wide receiver Cody Hoffman to catch a pass in his 28th consecutive game. Hoffman has four games of 100-plus receiving yards this season. Four BYU offensive linemen have missed time with injuries this season, and senior center Braden Hansen will miss at least two weeks with a groin injury.

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (3-4): In their first game since dismissing defensive coordinator Al Groh, the Yellow Jackets allowed only 296 yards in dominating Boston College. But Georgia Tech’s hopes for success revolve around a rushing attack averaging 339.6 yards per contest. Washington has competed 61.6 percent of his passes, and backup quarterback Vad Lee is pushing for more playing time after passing for a score and rushing for a touchdown last week. The Georgia Tech defense has intercepted at least one pass in its past six games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cougars are 0-3 against ranked teams this season, also losing to Boise State in September.

2. Georgia Tech used two kickers last week - David Scully and Justin Moore - and both struggled. Scully missed practice Monday and Tuesday with a hip injury.

3. The teams have split their two previous matchups, BYU winning in Provo in 2003 and Georgia Tech prevailing in Atlanta in 2002.

PREDICTION: Georgia Tech 28, BYU 27