National Media Picks are in for Georgia Tech vs North Carolina
Georgia Tech is coming off of a disappointing loss to Boston College last week, a loss that put a big dent in the bowl game hopes of this team. The Yellow Jackets are going to have to win some games they are not going to be favored in (North Carolina, Clemson, Georgia), as well as being able to win the ones you are likely to be favored in (Virginia and Syracuse).
Georgia Tech has shown that they are capable of pulling upsets under Brent Key and the program has had a good measure of success against North Carolina in Atlanta.
That is not enough for many to pick the upset though and most of the national media is going with the Tar Heels in this game.
On 247Sports, analysts Chris Hummer and Brad Crawford are both rolling with the Tar Heels.
Here is what Hummer had to say about the matchup:
"I have no idea what happened to North Carolina a week ago. The Tar Heels were playing the best ball of Mack Brown’s second tenure and then they collapsed against Virginia. But this should be a get-right game for the Tar Heel offense as the Yellow Jackets’ defense ranks 125th nationally in yards allowed per play. The other problem for Georgia Tech is turnovers. The Tar Heels have gained more than any team in the ACC this year (14) and the Yellow Jackets give up the second-most in the league (11). … North Carolina 35, Georgia Tech 20.
and here is what Crawford had to say:
I'm not bailing on the Tar Heels' New Year's Six hopes just yet. Last week was a bad, bad loss and the locker room in Chapel Hill resembled a morgue after the game, I'm sure. However, the talent edge in this game is notable and North Carolina should be able to bounce back against a Yellow Jackets defense that just surrendered 38 points to Boston College. Atlanta has been the site of misery before for the Tar Heels, but not on Saturday. ... North Carolina 37, Georgia Tech 23."
Can Georgia Tech pull another upset against North Carolina?
Bleacher Report's David Kenyon has the Tar Heels winning and covering the spread as well:
"After a horrendous loss to one-win Virginia, North Carolina remains in the thick of the ACC hunt. Georgia Tech ranks 125th out of 133 teams in yards allowed per snap, so this is a lopsided game on paper yet again. But, hey, I thought UVA had basically zero chance last weekend. Still, you'd think UNC won't be taking anything for granted."
Prediction: North Carolina 41, Georgia Tech 24
It will be interesting to see how both teams come out. Georgia Tech plays well as the underdog, but the loss to Virginia may have woken up a talented Tar Heels team that can't afford too many losses if they want to stay in the ACC title race.
Georgia Tech vs North Carolina kicks off at 8:00 p.m. on the ACC network.
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