College Football Handicapping - Georgia Tech vs. South Florida (Sept 8th)

 by Fairway Jay

As mentioned in my college football handicapping article outlining the power of rushing the football, we’ve identified Georgia Tech as a team that can streamroll its opponent at the point of attack and roll to victory on the road in Week 2.

Georgia Tech (1-0) vs. South Florida Bulls (1-0) Saturday, Sept 8th - 12pm ET College Football Handicapping Line: GT -3.5 (57.5)

Georgia Tech’s option offense should cause real trouble for the South Florida Bulls, who allowed little Elon to rush for 192 yards last week in USF’s 34-14 non-covering victory. Georgia Tech also had an easy warmup game in their 41-0 dismantling of Alcorn State. The Yellow Jackets rushed for 439 yards in a shutout victory.

Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson is a proven coach and master in manipulation and the option offense, making him a college football handicapping dream. Early in the season, the Jackets are especially tough under Johnson and a profit-producing 16-5 ATS in its opening three games over the past 7 season. The Georgia Tech defense is going to show improvement this season and beyond with the hiring of veteran defensive coordinator Nate Woody. All he did in the last three years at Appalachian State is put the Mountaineers on the map in their first three years of FBS competition in the Sun Belt, averaging a top-20 national ranking in scoring defense and total defense. Georgia Tech also has a special teams edge in this match-up, and a coaching advantage which matters when preparing for an opponent and especially against a less familiar scheme like the option offense.

South Florida went 10-2 last year for weak coach Charlie Strong, who inherited the winning program and players from previous coach Willie Taggert. The Bulls went 10-2 last season, but lost numerous starters including their quarterback, top two running backs, leading wide receiver and top three tacklers on defense. Gone too are three of their four down defensive linemen. South Florida becomes one of the youngest teams in college football, and defending the option becomes an even tougher task with inexperienced players.

Our projections have the Yellow Jackets rushing for more than 300 yards and ‘double-rushing’ the South Florida Bulls in victory.

We’re rolling with the Rambling Wreck of Georgia Tech.

College Football Handicapping Free Pick: Georgia Tech -3.5