2021 Game Previews – Duke versus Georgia Tech

I tried to do an audio version of this, but it turned into me ranting and being a little too negative. So, with that in mind, I’m turning back to the written word. My preview will be short and sweet because there are really only two things that you have to look at coming into this game: 1) inconsistency from Georgia Tech; and 2) the larger trend for Duke.

Let’s start with Georgia Tech. Sure, they have been inconsistent. A loss to Northern Illinois, a win against Kennesaw State, a nail-biter against Clemson, a big victory against UNC followed by an embarrassing loss to Pitt screams inconsistency and a likely loss. But, while the Yellow Jackets have put together some bad losses, they have better wins and beat a UNC team that … you remember how that ended. Add to that the pattern of alternating losses and wins and you realize that Georgia Tech is on track to get a win on Saturday.

Now, let’s turn to the Blue Devils’ general trend since the 2019 season and why that’s important for Saturday – blowout losses in conference. Here’s what happened in 2019 – three blowout losses (defined as a margin of victory by the opposing team of at least 20 points) (and the Wake game could have been one but for DPJ’s play on the kicking teams):

Take a look at 2020 and we see the same general pattern:

I count a total of five such losses (BC by 20, UNC by 32, Georgia Tech by 23, Miami by 48 and FSU by 21). And 2021 is off to that same concerning trend with a 31 point loss to UNC.

All of this should worry us coming into Saturday. The coaching staff (notice I’m not saying anything about the players) are not able to field competitive games against ACC teams that have changed coaches in recent years. While other teams are moving forward, we’re still running the same bubble screens we ran when just getting to a bowl game was almost unheard of in Durham.

While Georgia Tech has been inconsistent, the inability of the Duke coaching staff to compete in conference has me thinking that Georgia Tech is likely to win this game, inconsistency issues notwithstanding. The Blue Devils have a chance and can pull it off, but not if we keep running WR screens, botching the Moore package and failing to let Gunnar run the ball. Until we get a different approach to the offense, expect the trends to continue.

My prediction – Georgia Tech 33, Duke 13.

But I want the Blue Devils, the players, to read this, get angry and use this as motivation to win. Make me eat my words, guys – I’ll be more than happy to do it. I’m rooting like crazy for you guys and won’t stop just because of a bad loss. Bull City Coordinators may be pessimistic, but we’ve still got your back.

Go Duke!