\n<\/p>\n
The No. 15 Yellow Jackets (9-1, 6-1 ACC) boast the nation\u2019s top offensive attack, averaging 496.7 yards, and are led by a Heisman Trophy contender in dual-threat quarterback Haynes King.<\/p>\n
But, defensively, Georgia Tech has been far less elite, potentially creating opportunities for Mason Heintschel and Co.<\/p>\n
\u201cOffensively, we\u2019ve got a great challenge,\u201d coach Pat Narduzzi said. \u201cIt starts up front with our line and their defensive line. We have to protect our quarterback and be two-dimensional.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whereas Pitt\u2019s defense ranks 32nd nationally in yards per game (325.2) and ninth against the run (90.3), Georgia Tech defense ranks 103rd in total defense (409.2) and 95th against the run (166).<\/p>\n
More opponents than not have run the ball with near impunity against Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n
The ACC\u2019s worst team, Boston College, which came within a breath of dealing a crippling upset to the Yellow Jackets last weekend, rushed for 175 yards on 26 carries.<\/p>\n
N.C. State, which won 48-36 over Georgia Tech, rushed for 243 yards, the most allowed by the Yellow Jackets this season.<\/p>\n
The list goes on: Virginia Tech rushed for 186 yards, Wake Forest for 210, Clemson for 174.<\/p>\n
Overall, opponents are averaging 4.6 yards per carry against Georgia Tech.<\/p>\n
But just how much the Panthers (7-3, 5-1) can exploit remains to be seen.<\/p>\n
In particular, the backfield personnel available to Narduzzi for Saturday\u2019s 7 p.m. kickoff has yet to be determined.<\/p>\n
Desmond Reid, after leaving last weekend\u2019s contest versus No. 9 Notre Dame with an apparent ankle injury, was listed as questionable on Thursday\u2019s initial player availability report.<\/p>\n
It was another tough break for Reid in an injury-riddled campaign. Initially going down Sept. 13 during the Backyard Brawl, Reid missed Pitt\u2019s next two games against Louisville and Boston College.<\/p>\n
Returning to action against Florida State on Oct. 11, he dominated, catching eight passes for 155 yards and two scores, adding 45 rushing yards.<\/p>\n
But a week later, Reid was out again, missing the Syracuse game. Versus N.C. State on Oct. 25, Reid played but departed in the third quarter with an injury, which kept him out of Pitt\u2019s following game at Stanford.<\/p>\n
That led into last weekend against Notre Dame, which Reid started before again going down and leaving.<\/p>\n
With Reid\u2019s status uncertain, Narduzzi is bracing to utilize another committee approach with freshmen Ja\u2019Kyrian Turner and Juelz Goff.<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n