Kansas Jayhawks at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, September 17, 2011, 12:30 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: Georgia Tech -13 1/2 (all odds courtesy of bookmaker)
Current Line: Georgia Tech -15
Opening Total: 58
Current Total: 61
Opening Money Line: Georgia Tech -625 / Kansas +500
Current Money Line: Georgia Tech -600 / Kansas +450
Both Kansas and Georgia Tech are 2-0 this season and both have scored at least 42 points in both games. Kansas, coached by Turner Gill, has wins over McNeese St 42-24 and Northern Illinois 45-42. Georgia Tech, coached by Paul Johnson, has wins over Western Carolina 63-21 and Middle Tennessee St 49-21. This will be the third time Georgia Tech and Kansas have played each other. The series is tied 1-1. Kansas upset the then #15 Yellow Jackets last year in Lawrence 28-25. Before that the two teams hadn’t played since the 1948 Orange Bowl.
Last week Kansas beat Northern Illinois 45-42 in an offensive shootout that wasn’t decided until 9 seconds left in the game. Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb threw a 6 yard touchdown pass to D.J. Beshears to win the game after Northern Illinois had taken the lead with 5 minutes to go. It was Webb’s third TD pass of the day, and the second to Beshears. The Jayhawks had 534 total yards including 253 rushing yards in the win. Kansas had 32 first downs and was an incredible 15/20 on third and fourth down conversions. Kansas lost one fumble for the only turnover of the game for either team. Kansas allowed 462 total yards, including 315 passing yards.
Going into this season, Kansas had some questions on offense as they were one of the worst teams on offense in the 2010 season. That doesn’t appear to be the case this season, albeit against McNeese St and Northern Illinois. Although Northern Illinois is predicted to contend for the MAC title. Kansas is averaging 490.5 yards a game and 43.5 points a game. The Jayhawks have one turnover and have allowed 4 sacks this season. They are 18/30 on third down conversions, and 3/4 on fourth down conversions. Kansas is allowing 440 yards a game and 33 points. Kansas opponents are throwing for 320 yards a game. Kansas has forced 3 sacks and 1 turnover.
Quarterback Jordan Webb is 28 for 40 for 427 yards, with 6 touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has 19 carries for 15 yards and a touchdown run. Running back James Sims has 45 catches for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with 2 catches for 49 yards. Darrian Miller and Tony Pierson also get significant carries and both have a touchdown run. Wideout JaCorey Shepherd has 5 catches for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns this season. He is questionable Saturday with an undisclosed injury. Beshears has 7 catches for 70 yards and 2 touchdowns, along with 3 carries for 29 yards. Receiver Daymond Patterson is also questionable with a groin injury. However, the Jayhawks should get receivers Christian Matthews & Erick McGriff and tight end Jimmay Mundine back from suspension for violating team rules. Kicker Alex Mueller is 12/12 on extra points and 1/2 on field goals with a long of 27 yards.
Georgia Tech rolled to 49-21 win last week against Middle Tennessee St. The Yellow Jackets had 596 total yards including 382 rushing yards. Georgia tech only threw ten passes but still had 214 passing yards, which worked out to 21.4 yards per attempt. The Yellow jackets had 29 first downs and were 10/14 on third and fourth down conversions. Tech lost one fumble in the game but caused 3 MTSU turnovers. Georgia Tech allowed 342 total yards to the Blue Raiders including 147 rushing yards.
Georgia Tech is averaging 629 yards a game including 339.5 rushing yards a game. They are scoring 56 points a game. Georgia Tech has 3 turnovers and has allowed 1 sack this season. The Yellow Jackets are 19/27 on third and fourth downs. The Yellow Jackets have allowed 321.5 yards a game and 21 points on defense. They have forced 6 turnovers and 4 sacks this year.
Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington is 13/21 passing with 473 yards and 5 touchdowns with no interceptions. He also has 16 carries for 40 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Synjyn Days has 29 carries for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. Davis Sims has 21 carries, 135 yards, and 1 touchdown. Orwin Smith has 7 carries for 113 yards and 3 touchdowns, and also has 2 carries for 43 yards. Receiver Stephen Hill has 7 catches for 307 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tony Zenon has 3 catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Justin Moore is 16 for 16 on extra points and 0 for 1 on field goals.
Georgia Tech is 2-0 against the spread this season and both games have gone over the total. Kansas is also 2-0 ATS and both games have gone over the total as well. Kansas is 13-3 ATS in their last 16 non-conference games, 21-7 ATS in the last 28 September games, and 4-10 ATS in the last 14 against teams with winning records. The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 as a favorite. and following a straight up win, 4-15-2 ATS in the last 21 home games versus teams with winning road records, and 1-4 ATS in the last 5 against teams with winning records.
Expect lots of points in this match-up as both offenses are explosive. Georgia Tech will look for revenge after last year’s upset. Georgia Tech should be able to control the clock with their powerful running game. I like the Yellow Jackets to cover against the Jayhawks.
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