With Georgia Tech’s losses to Colorado and Tennessee, the Yellow Jackets have started 0-2 for the first time since 1989. Fortunately for them, they get a team in the Football Championship Subdivision for their next matchup: the Mercer Bears. The Bears have been a solid team in the Southern Conference for seasons, going 9-3, winning the Southern Conference, and making the second round of the FCS playoffs last season. However, given Power 4 vs. non-conference records, Georgia Tech fans expect a blowout win.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Mercer Bears
Matchup History and Excerpts
The matchup history has been one-sided, but it’s been quite a while since these teams have played. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets hold a 16-1-1 record against the Mercer Bears, with their last matchup coming on Sept. 10, 2016. Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas had just 80 passing yards, but the running game racked up 364 yards and five touchdowns on 52 carries, so it didn’t matter. The Yellow Jackets also fumbled twice, but their defense allowed just 85 net yards on 28 carries.
Brent Key mentioned the run defense a lot in his pressers, and he said the hand placement needs to improve.
“If I had to say one thing, we don’t use our hands well. We do not use our hands well. That’s been a massive focus really since the beginning of the year. Then after the first game and then into this week, really emphasizing our hands, right? Being able to get off blocks, okay? It’s one thing to fit every gap and to fit a play right, and schematically that’s what coaches are looking for. But at the end of the day, you gotta have overlap in your defense, right? You gotta be able to get off the block, and that goes by using your hands and not getting engulfed,” said Key.
Why Mercer Can Cover
The spread is set at -38.5 in favor of Georgia Tech. The Mercer Bears enter this game 2-1, although they lost to Furman 20-13 last week.
The Mercer running game has been better than sturdy. They’ve had 660 yards and five touchdowns on 106 carries, good for over six yards per carry. Their lead back Zahmari Palode-Gary has 231 yards on 28 attempts. That is why, despite quarterback Jayden King throwing five touchdowns to four interceptions, Mercer is 2-1. The ability to close out games has come in clutch for Mercer. With Georgia Tech’s struggles against the run, the Bears could chew up the clock.
Defensively, the Bears have earned seven turnovers in three games, including five interceptions and three fumbles. They’ve had a pick-six as well. While they’ve had struggles getting to the quarterback (just eight sacks in three games), their linebackers have been sturdy open-field tacklers. Jyarius Carter has 30 tackles so far, and three more players average more than five tackles a game.
Why Georgia Tech Can Cover
Georgia Tech is playing with a desire to beat up on someone after two frustrating losses in different ways. The Colorado one could be chalked up to poor pre-snap execution and missed opportunities, but the Tennessee one was a blowout. The Volunteers were nearly flawless on offense. Georgia Tech needed a herculean effort from Alberto Mendoza to keep up, and he couldn’t.
That’s why I think they can come out with a punch in the mouth early. The running game looked much better against Tennessee, and even with the many injuries on the offensive line, they will be able to hold up against Mercer’s pass rush. Mendoza should flash his immense intelligence and talent. The Yellow Jackets will need to be more effective (and aggressive) on early downs, and I think they can.
Defensively, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets really bulked up with size in the transfer portal, but now is the time for the execution to be there. Tawfiq Thomas and Vincent Carroll-Jackson can be sturdy, but they need more from the EDGE rushers and linebackers. Cayman Spaulding should help take the pressure off of Kye Efford and E.J. Lightsey, and Braylon Outlaw will be exciting to watch. The Yellow Jackets should also be able to force turnovers and interceptions if Mercer is down by a ton early.
That’s the key: start fast and stay sturdy. Georgia Tech should be just fine if they do both of those.
Game Result
I think Georgia Tech comes out with a statement win in this one. While the Mercer Bears should be good in the FCS, they aren’t as menacing as they were last season, and certainly not at the Yellow Jackets’ level.
Georgia Tech needs a wake-up call before their ACC schedule starts on the road against Stanford. I think this is the perfect antidote.
Result: Georgia Tech 41, Mercer 3
How to Watch
Date: Saturday, Sept. 19 | Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium — Atlanta, Georgia
TV: ACC Network | Live stream: ESPN, Fubo (try for free)
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