The Associated Press

Duke (4-1, 0-1 ACC) at No. 22 Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0), 12:30 p.m. (ACC Network)

Line: Georgia Tech by 3

Series Record: Georgia Tech leads 50-30-1

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Georgia Tech can start 6-0 for the second time in the Paul Johnson era and maintain at least a tie atop the ACC’s Coastal Division, while gaining a tiebreaker edge over the defending division champs. After an off week, Duke will be looking to bounce back from a 22-10 loss to Miami in its conference opener and put itself right back in the thick of the Coastal race.

KEY MATCHUP

Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense vs. Duke’s run defense. The Yellow Jackets rank second in the ACC and 11th nationally with a rushing average of 297.2 yards per game. QB Justin Thomas is the leading runner (470 yards) and fullback Zach Laskey is the workhorse, coming off a 29-carry, 133-yard performance against Miami. Duke, meanwhile, has struggled to stop the run, giving up an ACC-worst average of 186.4 yards. The Blue Devils will likely need another big game from S Jeremy Cash, who had 10 solo tackles and two forced fumbles in Duke’s last outing.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Duke: Freshman RB Shaun Wilson put up career highs in catches (six) and receiving yards (74) in the loss to the Hurricanes.

Georgia Tech: WR DeAndrew Smelter is the primary weapon in the Yellow Jackets’ seldom-used passing game. With Duke likely to stack the line, look for Smelter to get plenty of single coverage. He’s got 14 catches for 339 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 24.2 yards every time he pulls down a reception.

FACTS & FIGURES

Georgia Tech has a 10-game winning streak against Duke. The Blue Devils’ last victory in the series was a 41-17 triumph in 2003 at Durham, and they haven’t beaten the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta since a 27-12 win in 1994. … QB Anthony Boone has led Duke to a 14-3 record as the starter. … Georgia Tech held the ball for 40 minutes, 45 seconds in a 28-17 victory over Miami last Saturday. … Georgia Tech leads the ACC with conversion rates of 58.1 percent on third down and 85.7 percent on fourth down. Duke ranks third in the conference at stopping such plays: 29.1 percent on third down and 21.4 percent on fourth down. … Georgia Tech is one of 10 unbeaten teams remaining in the Football Bowl Subdivision.

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