Georgia Tech Football: Paul Johnson’s finale against Minnesota in Quick Lane Bowl
By John Scimeca
Georgia Tech football and Minnesota help restart college football post-Christmas action in the 2018 Quick Lane Bowl meeting at Detroit’s Ford Field.
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After a few days bereft of college football, the second bowl game on Dec. 26’s slate features a compelling matchup between two squads looking to bounce back from losing 2017 seasons. The Yellow Jackets finished 5-6 a year ago after Hurricane Irma canceled a matchup with UCF. The Golden Gophers finished 5-7 in 2017 in head coach P.J. Fleck‘s maiden voyage.
The biggest headlines surrounding this game involve the schools’ head coaches. Georgia Tech (7-5, 5-3 ACC) will enter Wednesday’s matchup knowing that it’s head coach Paul Johnson’s final game in charge. Minnesota (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten), on the other hand, hopes to build momentum in Fleck’s second season by finishing with a winning record.
Johnson’s final game as Georgia Tech’s boss will be an emotional one. The 61-year-old holds a 189-98 career mark in stops including Georgia Southern, Navy, and Georgia Tech. With the Yellow Jackets, Johnson is 82-59 after 11 seasons. For many, Johnson’s triple-option style and offensive prowess will remain a defining feature of Georgia Tech football.
Last week, the Minnesota Board of Regents awarded Fleck a one-year contract extension, which now lasts through the 2023 season. The extension is indicative of the promise that the school sees in Fleck, who brought his famous “Row the Boat” mantra and infectious enthusiasm from Western Michigan two seasons ago. Fleck was 30-22 with the Broncos, including the 2016 13-1 season that ended with a New Year’s bowl appearance.
How to watch
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 26
Time: 5:15 ET
Location: Detroit
Venue: Ford Field
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN or FuboTV
Keys to Victory
Georgia Tech’s rushing offense vs. Minnesota run defense. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in rushing, averaging 334.9 yards per game — 40 yards more than the second-best team, Army. The Yellow Jackets have thrived with a committee approach, seeing four players rush for more than 500 yards in 2018. Senior quarterback TaQuon Marshall has rushed for 896 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is six more scores on the ground than he has through the air (five).
Minnesota’s defense will try to prepare for Georgia Tech’s unique and potent rushing attack. Senior linebacker Blake Cashman (62 solo tackles) will lead the effort to try thwarting the Yellow Jackets offense.
Betting Odds
Courtesy of OddsShark
Points Spread: Georgia Tech -5.5
Over/Under: 56.5
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Prediction
Although Minnesota may have had extra time to prepare for the Yellow Jackets’ triple option, Georgia Tech is playing with the pressure of sending out Paul Johnson a winner after 11 successful seasons (one ACC title, four division titles, and nine postseason appearances). Look for Georgia Tech to wear down Minnesota’s D by controlling the clock late in this game.
Final Score: Georgia Tech 23, Minnesota 17