The Virginia Tech Hokies return home to the friendly confines of Lane Stadium on Saturday, hoping to end a two-game losing streak. Across the field is the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-3, 1-1).
The Yellow Jackets head to Blacksburg coming off a big win, defeating previously unbeaten Duke 28-25. GT lost three of its first four games to Colorado, Tennessee and Stanford.
Here’s a closer look at the Yellow Jackets by the numbers.
105
Georgia Tech’s defense ranks 105th in the FBS, out of 138 teams. The Jackets allow opponents 389 total yards per game and 5.5 yards per play. GT struggles against the run, ranking 118th nationally, allowing 183 yards per game and 4.3 yards per carry. Georgia Tech’s run defense is worse than Cal’s last week, and the Hokies struggled to find running lanes against the Golden Bears. Another excellent opportunity for Virginia Tech to get its running game going.
87
The Yellow Jackets rank 87th in total offense, averaging 373 total yards per game. GT ranks 61st in passing offense and 101st in rushing offense. Star running back Justice Haynes has rushed for 462 of Georgia Tech’s 670 team rushing yards, and he is doubtful for Saturday’s game.
10
Georgia Tech quarterback Alberto Mendoza has been sacked 10 times. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound younger brother of 2025 Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza isn’t much of a threat with his legs. Of course, Cal backup Jackson Brousseau wasn’t either last week. The Hokies’ defensive front of Aycen Stevens, Kemari Copeland, Cortez Harris and Mylachi Williams should have some opportunities to sack Mendoza.
21
The Hokies and Yellow Jackets have met 21 times. The Hokies lead 12-9. Twenty of those 21 meetings have occurred since Virginia Tech entered the ACC in 2004. So, the Hokies are 12-8 against GT as ACC rivals. Georgia Tech won last year’s meeting, 35-20, while the Hokies won in 2024, 21-6.
64
The Yellow Jackets moved up eight spots in ESPN’s SP+ rankings after last week’s win over Duke. Now 64th, they’ll face the Hokies, who dropped 11 spots to No. 39 after an upset loss to Cal. Tech had been sitting steady at No. 28 for the past two weeks.