Across the Ball: Three key matchups for Georgia-Georgia Tech

Here are three matchups to watch for Georgia as it enters Saturday’s game against Georgia Tech.

Georgia defense vs. Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King

King can do it all. He’s a bruising runner with excellent vision. He has good awareness and can deliver accurate balls downfield. There’s a reason he was in the Heisman Trophy race until last Saturday’s loss against Pittsburgh. Last year, it took a Dan Jackson forced fumble late in the fourth quarter to finally stop King, which led to one of the wildest endings in the rivalry’s history.

Georgia prides itself on being physical and so does King. A lot of Georgia Tech’s rushing success depends on the quarterback run, with a stout offensive line executing its blocks. The Bulldogs’ goal will be to disrupt the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack in order to force King into being a one-dimensional quarterback. That’s easier said than done. 

Georgia running backs vs. Georgia Tech rushing defense

This is the most glaring matchup advantage for Georgia. The Yellow Jackets rank 96th in the country in defending the run at allowing an average of 167.8 rushing yards per game. Pittsburgh running back Ja’Kyrian Turner just ran for 201 yards and a touchdown against Georgia Tech, possibly laying the blueprint for how to dissect this defense.

For Georgia, Nate Frazier is playing the best football of his young career and Chauncey Bowens should be well rested. The offensive line will be full strength as well, which should give the Bulldogs a jolt in a key area of the game. 

Georgia place-kicker Peyton Woodring vs. Georgia Tech place-kicker Aidan Birr

As rivalry games tend to go, special teams could be a big factor in the outcome. Both teams possess good kickers, with Woodring connecting on 12 of 13 field-goal attempts and Birr making 22 of 25. Woodring has made both of his attempts from 50 yards or more with a long of 53. Birr is 1-of-3 kicking from over 50 with a long of 55.

Both kickers have proven to be reliable in big moments in the past. If this game is close in the fourth quarter, it could come down to the leg of one of these standout specialists. 

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