Jackets/BC a matchup of strengths

By MATT WINKELJOHN
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 09/12/07

In the matchup within the matchup in Saturday night's Georgia Tech-Boston College game, the combination of statistics and a sound bite gives B.C. an edge.

When a team ranked No. 4 in the nation against the run arrives allowing 29 rushing yards per game, like the No. 21-ranked Eagles, it may be a head start for the visitors against No. 15 Tech's fourth-ranked rushing attack (324 ypg).

Tech coach Chan Gailey says, "They are extremely physical. They are big and strong. It will be a challenge for our offensive line because we're not the biggest people in the world."

The Eagles (2-0) have big defensive tackle Ron Brace (6 feet 3, 325 pounds), fellow tackle Brady Smith (6-2, 284), and backup tackles Damik Scafe (6-3, 305) and Thomas Claiborne (6-3, 330).

But Tech has four offensive linemen playing their third straight year together, plus running backs Tashard Choice, Jamaal Evans and Jonathan Dwyer.

Looking deeper still, the Eagles will be without injured defensive end Nick Larkin, and 6-1, 325-pound tackle B.J. Raji is redshirting to tend to schoolwork.

Plus, starting ends Alex Albright (6-5, 235) and Jim Ramella (6-4, 247) are relatively light.

Yes, the Eagles are allowing a paltry 1.2 yards per rush (thanks to 67 yards lost by opponents), but the Jackets are averaging 6.6 yards per rush.

"Something's going to have to give," said Choice, who leads the ACC in rushing with 153 yards per game. "We feel we can run the ball against anybody.

"The teams they played didn't really run the ball against them [48 attempts in two games]."


Injury report

Wide receiver James Johnson (leg) returned to practice Tuesday after not playing against Samford, and Gailey said Johnson will start.

Reserve safety Joe Gaston (hamstring) is out for the B.C. game, and reserve tight end Brad Sellers has had season-ending reconstructive knee surgery. Reserve defensive end Robert Hall (leg) is "questionable."


Housekeeping

With freshman Scott Blair taking over kickoff duties, coaches want to redshirt junior kicker-punter Mohamed Yahiaoui to leave him with two remaining seasons of eligibility beginning next year. ... Former walk-on defensive tackle Marcus Harris of Lakeside-DeKalb High was awarded a scholarship during the offseason. ... No new walk-on players, including Blair and backup quarterback Calvin Booker, have been awarded scholarships. Gailey typically makes decisions whether to award scholarships to walk-ons only after seeing what they do over a season.


Earls gets noticed

Redshirt freshman Correy Earls returned kickoffs for 67 and 43 yards against Samford in reserve duty. Does that mean one of Tech's fastest players might move into a starting spot ahead of Dwyer/Evans and senior Rashaun Grant (injured)? "It possibly does, yes," Gailey said.


Night prowlers

One need not go far to find Tech players excited to be playing Saturday night rather than in the heat of the day.

"I like playing at night better than earlier," middle linebacker Philip Wheeler said. "My body gets more of a chance to wake up. I'm more of a night person. I have pretty good games at night usually."

Choice said of Bobby Dodd Stadium at night, "Crazy. It's amazing."

Only one more day until we find out if the Jackets are a real contender in the ACC this year, or just an OK team who can run up the score on lesser opponents.

Damn if Matt Ryan does not look as if he is ready to play at the next level.
That kid is good.