North Carolina Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have lost their past three meetings with the North Carolina Tar Heels. Last season’s meeting wasn’t even close in a 48-20 romp. The Yellow Jackets finished the season 9-4 but 4-4 in ACC play.

The Tar Heels accumulated 636 total yards of offense and six touchdowns as a team in last year’s matchup. The Yellow Jackets gave up three rushing touchdowns in the second half. The Tar Heels use 283 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns to put last year’s game out of reach.

The goods for Georgia Tech is the Tar Heels don’t return a bulk of the rushing from last year. Running back Elijah Hood, the player who did most of last year’s damage. Hood ran for 168 rushing yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries in the game. Running back T.J. Logan also had 10 carries for 36 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Even quarterback Mitch Trubisky had six carries for 44 rushing yards and a touchdown to go along with 329 passing yards and a passing touchdown. Trubisky is also gone for the Tar Heels, making next year’s gameplan all the more interesting.

The Tar Heels allowed 518 yards on defense but they used two fumble recoveries to their advantage. They had no turnovers as a team on offense.

The North Carolina Tar Heels should win this game if they can limit their turnovers. The Yellow Jackets return eight starters on defense and nine on offense. Their experience, despite the lack of a starting quarterback, should pose a challenge for the Tar Heels.

Final: Georgia Tech 24, North Carolina 28 (4-1, 2-1 ACC)