When Georgia Tech has the ball on Friday night, it'll be strength on strength when the Yellow Jackets do what they do best and run the football. It's no secret that a team coached by a former offensive lineman in Brent Key, wants to win the line of scrimmage. They are coming to Folsom Field to dominate the trenches, and it'll be up to Colorado not to allow that.
Last season, the Jackets averaged 187 yards per game on the ground, a mark that ranked 26th in the country. The ground game is difficult to defend with a running quarterback in Haynes King, who is one of the best in college football at getting the tough yards.
Team King with returning senior RB Jamal Haynes, who has rushed over 2000 combined yards the last two seasons, and the Jackets have one of the most formidable QB-RB duos in the country.
Georgia Tech will want to grind this game out, almost to a halt. Key and OC Buster Faulkner will hope their offense can consistently go on long drives where they just punish the Colorado defense over and over again, keeping the ball out of the hands of a potentially explosive Buffaloes offense.
Colorado DC Robert Livingston did an exceptional job a season ago in improving Colorado's defense, but the strength of the team was in the back end. The Buffs' secondary is revamped this season, with many expecting the strength of the defense to be up front with an inexperienced and deep defensive line.
That line will need to take a sizable leap forward to be a strength, however, as Colorado gave up over 150 yards per game on the ground a season ago. They also need to be really good to cover for an LB group with almost exclusively new faces.
Whether or not Colorado can stop the run will decide the game against Georgia Tech
King is a capable passer, and his arm could absolutely be a factor on Friday night, but that won't even matter unless Colorado can consistently stop the run. King has won games with his arm before, but if Key knows he can shove the football down Colorado's throat all night long, he won't have to ask him to.
Deion Sanders has built an experienced and deep defensive line that features almost exclusively upper-classmen. They've all played a lot of football and won't be caught off guard by what they see.
Arden Walker and Quency Wiggins are a formidable end duo, but the most important players for the Buffs on Friday will be on the defensive interior. Anquin Barnes and Amari McNeill will start, but Colorado will need the guys behind them to play significant roles.
This is the type of offense that Coach Prime went out and got Alabama transfer Jehiem Oatis for. He can be that space-eating defensive tackle who can take away the interior running game. Unfortunately, Oatis has had a rough camp and may not be a factor at all early in the season for the Buffs.
It will be a group effort for Colorado up front against Georgia Tech. The Jackets can beat the Buffaloes without running the ball effectively. Colorado can't win the game without stopping the run.