Georgia Tech (7-5) vs. Fresno State (8-4)
December 31, 2 p.m. (ESPN2)
Fresno has nothing to frown at, with their losses coming to Hawaii, Boise State, Texas A&M (in triple overtime) and Oregon.
But if you look at those four losses, there's a common denominator: Big rushing performances.
This is Georgia Tech's forte. Tashard Choice is one of the country's better running backs you may have not heard of. Bottled up just one time this year, Choice is the lone reason Georgia Tech's offense can be taken seriously. Taylor Bennett, the incumbent to the unpopular Reggie Ball, was highly ineffective this year, completing under 50 percent of his passes and throwing for just six touchdowns (and nine interceptions).
Let me backtrack a little bit. Georgia Tech's true forte of 2007 has defense. The Jackets give up fewer than 20 points per game and average four sacks a game. And they come at you from all sides, the Yellow Jackets swarm, if you will (sorry). Vance Walker, Darrell Robertson and Philip Wheeler will keep the heat up on Bulldogs QB Tom Brandstater, surely leading to some serious turnovers (Fresno State has a horrid turnover margin of -.75, large in part to them forcing just 12).
With Choice and that defense, there's no reason the Jackets win this game by anything less than a touchdown.
The line: Georgia Tech -6
The pick: Georgia Tech