Duke football: Blue Devils must be wary of rejuvenated Georgia Tech

When you look at their 2-3 record that includes three blowout losses, it might be easy to dismiss Georgia Tech and think it is ok to consider this a sure win for Duke football. Not so fast. The Blue Devils need to be wary of a Georgia Tech team that looks rejuvenated after an upset win over Pitt last week.

They say a change will do you good

After losing to UCF, the administration at Georgia Tech had seen enough and fired head coach Geoff Collins. Brent Key, the assistant head coach under Collins, was given the keys to the Ramblin’ Wreck. The win over Pitt is proof the players responded to the change in a big way. But it remains to be seen if Collins can maintain that momentum swing and carry it through the remainder of the season. The Blue Devils need to believe the Yellow Jackets team they face is going to be the same one that got an upset win on the road last week.

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Class of competition

When I compare the teams unit by unit and player by player, the Blue Devils have a clear and decided edge. But if there is an area Tech has an advantage it is in the competition they’ve played compared to Duke. So far, the Yellow Jackets have played Clemson, Mississippi, UCF, and Pitt. The foursome of Temple, Northwestern, Kansas, and Virginia that the Blue Devils have played pales in comparison. Tech has taken some beatings, but they are used to playing quality teams. To me, this makes the matchup closer than it appears on paper.

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Be better from the start

While Tech has played better competition, Duke is still a better football team from top to bottom. They need to be the better team from the opening kick. Jump on them early and make them play from behind. Don’t make things easy for the Yellow Jackets by committing turnovers and penalties. The Blue Devils must not find them selves playing at Tech’s level-make them have to raise the level of their game just to keep up. Be the better team.

This is a different type of challenge for Blue Devil head coach Mike Elko’s team and another chance to prove themselves, because Georgia Tech is such an unknown at this point. A win puts the Blue Devils at 2-0 in the conference and just one win away from that coveted bowl eligibility status.