Head To Head Matchup: Receivers

Georgia Tech is best known for its triple-option offensive attack, but FSU defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews knows that the Yellow Jackets have a talented receiver in sophomore Demaryius Thomas who ranks second in the ACC with 71.9 receiving yards per game. Says Andrews, "... he is 6-foot-3, 225 pounds, and he runs as fast as any defensive back we've got."

Georgia Tech however is at the bottom in the ACC in passing offense generating only 115 yards a game and 5 TDs through the air. The Yellow Jackets also have thrown 5 interceptions. It is true that Thomas ranks #2 in the ACC for receivers having caught 27 balls for 503 yards and 3 TDs this season. After Thomas, the most catches the other Tech receivers have is 5. A-back Roddy Jones has caught 4 balls for 126 yards and 1 TD.

Defensive matchup: The test for the Noles will be not to have blown coverage and be able to matchup with the talented Thomas. The triple option could catch the secondary off guard and lead to an easy TD that the secondary has been beaten on all too often in games this year.

The Nole pass defense is ranked #2 in the ACC allowing 167 yards a game and giving up 8 TDs through the air. The secondary has also had 4 picks on the season which is the second lowest in the ACC.

The Noles rank #1 in the ACC in passes defended with 37 passes broken up and 41 passes defended. This is a secondary that is in need of some key plays from Tony Carter and Myron Rolle on Saturday. A pick or two would be a big boost and the secondary needs to play an almost flawless game.Blown coverages and easy TDs could spell trouble in front of a hostile crowd.

For the Noles, the receiver that continues to perform in the clutch is Greg Carr. Last Saturday against Virginia Tech, Carr caught 3 passes for 100 yards one of which was for 48 yards. On the season, he has 19 catches for 312 yards and 2 TDs.

Taiwan Easterling is becoming a go to guy also. He had a spectacular catch for a TD against Va. Tech and for the season has 20 catches for 232 yards and 1 TD. Bert Reed will be back this week and should add another target for Ponder. Reed for the season has 12 catches for 208 yards and 3 TDs. Could this be a break out game for Preston Parker this week? Maybe. Parker has been relatively quiet so far this season having caught 13 balls for 125 yards and 0 TDs. Corey Surrency is a big target but recently has had a hard time holding on to the ball.

The Noles are ranked #6 in the ACC in pass offense generating almost 200 yards a game and 11 TDs. They have also thrown 8 interceptions.

Defensive matchup: Georgia Tech ranks #3 in the ACC in pass defense allowing 168 yards a game and yielding 7 TDs through the air. They however have 14 interceptions which is the second highest in the ACC. Ponder will have to be careful in his reads and accuracy this Saturday in order to avoid some picks. Sophomore defensive back Morgan Burnett leads the nation and the ACC in interceptions with 6 which is 2 more than the entire number of interceptions for the Noles. Sophomore defensive back Dominique Reese is second on the team with 3 picks one of which was returned for a TD.