Tonight’s game
Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse
Where: Citrus Bowl, Orlando
Time: 4:30 p.m. PST TV: ESPN
Records: Tech 6-5, Syracuse 6-5
Key stats: Tech is 14th in the nation in total defense (299.5 yards per game). Syracuse is 104th in the nation in passing offense and has 12 picks.
About Georgia Tech: This is the Yellow Jackets’ eighth consecutive bowl appearance. Tech struggles offensively unless its ground game gets going, but the best player on offense is WR Calvin Johnson, who could have a big night against Syracuse’s iffy secondary. Defense is the Jackets’ calling card.
About Syracuse: It’s all about the run for the Orange (190.4 ypg), who really struggle when they go to the air. RBs Walter Reyes and Damian Rhodes are an effective 1-2 punch, and QB Perry Patterson has some running ability, too. The Orange averaged 266.0 rushing yards in their final four ason games. The defense isn’t much, and the Orange allowed at least 423 yards eight times.
The buzz: Run defense will determine the outcome.
The line: Georgia Tech by 4 1/2
– Orlando Sentinel