No. 19 Louisville will play host to Georgia Tech on Saturday in a battle of ACC teams intent on having a say in who wins the conference title.
Georgia Tech (3-1, 1-1 ACC) is coming off a 59-7 blowout victory over VMI last Saturday. The Yellow Jackets were picked ninth in the ACC preseason poll but already have knocked off preseason No. 1 pick Florida State in their opener, while falling 31-28 at Syracuse on Sept. 7.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Louisville coach Jeff Brohm said of Georgia Tech. “We’re going against a team that’s very efficient on offense, in the passing and running game. They’re physical at the point of attack, control the football and play solid defense.”
Louisville (2-0) had time to prepare for its conference opener, as it is coming off the first of two bye weeks. The Cardinals have shown some early offense in victories over FCS opponent Austin Peay 62-0 and Jacksonville State 49-14. Louisville was picked fifth in the ACC preseason poll.
“We have two bye weeks this year, which I don’t love, but they’re there, so we try and get our guys fresh and healthy, which we did,” Brohm said. “It’s important that they know that we have an important stretch of games coming up that we have to be ready for. We have to continue to progress to reach our ultimate goal, and you’ve got to be sharp each week.”
The Yellow Jackets are ranked 36th in total offense at 446.2 yards per game and have averaged 36.5 points per game. The defense has allowed 317.5 yards (66th) and 17.8 points per game (51st).
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King has 962 passing yards and six touchdowns, while he has rushed for 158 yards and three more TDs. King has thrown only one interception and has completed 76.4 percent of his passes.
“They’re battle-tested, without question,” Brohm said. “They’ve proven that they can play some good football, so I give the credit where credit is due. They’ve done a really good job.”
While Louisville rolled to victories in two games against heavy underdogs, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key knows this week’s opponent can be a scoring threat.
“We have a big challenge in front of us,” Key said. “A very good Louisville team. Coach Brohm, Jeff does a great job. Not just coaching and developing his team, but, you know, as a game manager as well. … They’re a talented team.”
Louisville went 10-4 last season in the first year under Brohm, a former Cardinals quarterback. Louisville beat Georgia Tech 39-34 last season in the opening game for both teams and eventually lost to Florida State 16-6 in the ACC championship game.
Even with 41 newcomers on the roster, the Cardinals are third-best in the nation with 55.5 points per game and are fourth with 590.5 yards per game. Quarterback Tyler Shough has passed for 581 yards and six TDs. The Louisville defense is allowing just seven points and 198 yards per game, which rank 10th and eighth, respectively.
It’s the fourth all-time meeting between Louisville and Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets won the first two games, 66-31 in 2018 and 46-27 in 2020.
