Collegiate Times

Saturday's game against Georgia Tech may come down to how well Virginia Tech's defense can stop the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense.

For Georgia Tech, they've seen the option stuffed by Miami, and they've seen it destroy Florida State. The Hokies are taking notes and drawing up their own schemes to halt the Jackets' potent offense.

Georgia Tech's total offense ranks 24th in the nation and first in the Atlantic Coast Conference, averaging 426.67 yards per game. Its rushing attack ranks fourth in the nation and first in the ACC.

"It's such a unique offense that you need to be on everything," said Jason Worilds, a redshirt junior defensive end. "You can't take anything for granted. We went over everything and all the minute details of the offense."

The Hokies defense has been improving throughout the season, but they still aren't where they want to be. The rush defense is 48th in the nation, allowing 123.83 yards per game, and their total defense ranks 35th, allowing 310.33 yards per game.

While the Hokies may want to play aggressively, the triple option forces them to sit back and be patient.

"Everybody has their assignment they need to take care of," said Barquell Rivers, a redshirt sophomore linebacker. "Me and Jake (Johnson) focus on our key reads and take care of our assignments, and if everybody takes care of theirs, we should be OK."

This isn't the same Georgia Tech offense from last year, though. They've added several more wrinkles.

"Last year they put in a base offense," Rivers said. "This year they have more plays and more formations. Now they run a lot of trap plays backside, counters and reverses that we didn't see last year."

Those new wrinkles put added importance on the Hokies' assignment defense. Players must stick with their assignments first before moving to the ball.

"Before the play, I'm looking at motion and the flow of the run," said Cody Grimm, a redshirt senior linebacker. "I'm trying to keep an eye on the backfield when I'm picking up a run-pass read off the tackle. It's tough to do. Once you get the gist of it and see how they're trying to attack you, it gets a lot easier."

What makes the option so difficult is trying to be patient while getting to the ball quickly without allowing five-yard gains every time.

"You got to stay patient," Grimm said. "They'll get first downs more than other teams. Any time you hold them to one to two yards, that's a win for you. The key is to get them in long situations where they have to pass and you expect them to pass."

The Yellow Jackets pride themselves on running, even in pass situations. They've only completed 39 passes, which is 117th in the nation; however, their pass efficiency ranks fourth in the nation at 169.24. The passes they do complete end up being huge difference makers.

"They're hitting a big play or two, minimum, each game," said Torrian Gray, defensive backs coach. "With the success they're having running the ball, to get a 50 to 60-yard catch is the difference to why they're having success."

The pass efficiency is so high because of one-on-one situations. With the defense stacking the box with seven or eight guys, it leaves the defensive backs in man-to-man.

"That's the beauty of their offense," Gray said. "They get you in one-on-one situations - whether you're one-on-one on a dive play or one-on-one with the quarterback.

They make you have to be sound and disciplined, and then you got to finish the play. If you miss, it's a big play."

Tackling may very well determine the outcome of the game. If the Hokies find themselves trying too many arm tackles or big hits, the Yellow Jackets will have one big play after another.

"You got to get your head across and run your feet on each tackle," Rivers said.

To better prepare for the option, the Hokies have true freshman safety Antone Exum running the option in practice.

"He was an athlete in high school," Rivers said. "He plays quarterback, and he's back there running the option, so that's a good look for the defense."

Despite all the hype from Georgia Tech's offense and the differences in practices, some players just like to keep things simple.

"I'm going to hit anything I see and go blow it up," Worilds said. "That's my job."