Friday October 14, 2005
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Duke (1-5) vs. Georgia Tech (3-2)

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Football player.

By William Bretherton Contributing Writer

DUKE: The 1-5 Duke Blue Devils are on a three-game losing streak. Against Virginia Tech, the Blue Devils had 35 yards of total offense while the Hokies scored 45 points. In six games this year, the Blue Devils have been outscored by opponents by a total of 201-96. Sophomore running back Justin Boyle has led Duke with five rushing touchdowns, which puts him fourth in the ACC in touchdowns for the season. Junior defensive end Eli Nichols leads Duke with three sacks on the year which ties him for third in the ACC. The Blue Devils will try to create a repeat of their home victory against Tech in 2003.

TECH: The Jackets come into this game after losing the last two games. The loss against N.C. State was their first at home against the Wolfpack since 1988. Even in these two losses, there have been standouts for the Jackets. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is showing no signs of going into a sophomore slump, as he has accumulated 28 receptions for 508 receiving yards with five touchdowns. Freshman linebacker Phillip Wheeler leads Tech as well as the ACC with his three interceptions this season. Senior running back P.J. Daniels is third in the ACC in total rushing yards with 437 for the season.

Four Key Questions

Will the woes of the special teams continue for the Jackets?

This season the Jackets have had a tough time on special teams. Travis Bell has struggled this season, completing five of 10 field goals. In addition the kick coverage has been a weak point, and the Jackets will face a good returner in running back Ronnie Drummer, who is Duke's leading return man. Drummer has a 100-yard return for a touchdown this season. Duke is second in the conference in total return yards with 484 for the season. Tech must cover the kicks better in this game, as well as solve their kicking woes. If the Jackets are able to improve their special teams, then it will lead to fewer opportunities for the Blue Devils to keep this game close.

Will any of the wide receivers step up against Duke to take pressure off of Calvin Johnson?

In last week's game against N.C. State, Johnson amassed 10 receptions for 130 yards receiving. The rest of the receiving corps had 149 yards passing with 11 receptions. This isn't as bad as in games past, but Tech receivers can use the game against the Blue Devils to try to improve their level of play. Earlier in the season Damarius Bilbo stepped up against North Carolina for eight receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Against Auburn Pat Clark led the Tech receiving corps with six receptions. So the other receivers are not unproven, but they need to build on these in later games.

Can the Jackets keep from overlooking Duke?

With a record of 1-5, the Blue Devils are arguably the weakest team on Tech's schedule. This is the perfect trap game for the Jackets before they take to the road to face off against No. 6 Miami. While Duke has a record of just 1-5, they are not to be overlooked. Last time Tech traveled to Durham, they suffered a defeat at the hands of the Blue Devils. Before that day, Duke had not won in 30 conference games. Tech had been caught off guard by a then 2-7 Duke team under new head coach Ted Roof. The Jackets went into that game as favorites just as they do for this weekend's game.

Will Tech limit the number of mistakes against Duke?

The Jackets must keep penalties and turnovers to a minimum in a game where they are expected to win. While Tech has a 1.20 turnover rating for the year, which ranks second in the ACC, the Jackets have turned the ball over at bad times in their last two defeats. Ball has thrown four interceptions and only two touchdowns in the last two games. The Jackets should look out for cornerback John Talley, who has three interceptions this season. This puts him in a tie for the lead in the conference.