Quarterbacks

In the last Edge, Brett Ratliff was an unknown. Two weeks later, he’s a hero and will always be etched in the annals of Ute history. Now comes the encore, as he faces a Tech team that won’t be quite as easy to throw on as BYU. He’s got confidence, but we’ll see if he has the tools to go up against a good ACC defense. Reggie Ball had a nice junior year, even while missing some time because of a bout with viral meningitis. He’s been starting since game one as a true freshman and has the leadership, throwing ability and mobility to do some special things-just ask Auburn and Miami. But he’s also a bit inconsistent-Ball (98.9) is the only non-Duke starting quarterback in the ACC to have an efficiency rating of less than 100.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Running Backs

The season may have had some ups and downs for Quinton Ganther, but in the end he got his 1,000 yards and earned second-team All-MWC honors. Being a big-time competitor, he would like nothing more than to take the Utes on his back and go out a winner after a fine two years at the U. Senior P.J. Daniels and sophomore Tashard Choice give the Jackets an effective 1-2 punch. Daniels was second-team All-conference this year, finishing third in the ACC in rushing, while Choice had a team-leading six rushing touchdowns. As a unit, Tech finished third in the ACC in rushing yards per game but only 10th in rushing touchdowns.

Edge: Even

Receivers

John Madsen is still on one foot, so the youngsters get the call again. Brian Hernandez and Travis LaTendresse gave two of the gutsiest performances you will ever see against BYU, essentially running lame all afternoon, but still catching some big balls (including LaTendresse’s game-winner). They will both be at full health against Georgia Tech, which is good news considering the Jackets’ weakness is in the secondary. Tech trots out one of the country’s most impressive young talents in sophomore Calvin Johnson, a first-team American Football Coaches Association All-American. He’s had some down games, but the 6-foot-4-inch Johnson has the ability to burn just about anyone. With a Hank Baskett-like physique, Johnson will pose match-up problems for the smallish Ute secondary. Damarius Bilbo is the only other consistent Jacket receiving threat.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Offensive Line

First team All-MWC Jesse Boone capped off a great career that saw him shift mid-stream over to center from tackle, with excellent results. The U front five opened some massive holes against a highly touted BYU defensive line and should have a lot of confidence going into San Francisco. Georgia Tech’s O-line is very young-eight out of the 10 players on the two-deep are either a freshman or sophomore. But the youths have had no problem in the physical ACC, opening up big holes for the runners and yielding a ridiculous eight sacks on the season. (If you’ll recall, Brian Johnson was sacked eight times in a single half against New Mexico.)

Edge: Georgia Tech

Defensive Line

As the season wore on, this unit really started to gel. Steve Fifita was a rock, and ends Martail Burnett and Soli Lefiti grew into their positions. They will have their work cut out for them against the stalwart Jacket line, but they are playing their best ball of 2005. Eric Henderson leads the Tech line and has a big nose for the ball. The senior end has 6.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. Georgia Tech only allows 2.9 yards per carry and is third in the ACC in team sacks.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Linebackers

A major liability at the start of the season, this will be viewed as one of Utah’s strongest units when all is said and done. Spencer Toone led the MWC in tackles, while sophomores Kyle Brady and Joe Jiannoni give the Utes a nice pair of backers to build on. Tech’s Gerris Wilkinson is the lone senior linebacker for the Jackets. The second-team All-ACC ‘backer contributed 78 tackles and four sacks and is coming off a two-sack game against rival Georgia. Sophomore Philip Wheeler is excellent in pass coverage, nabbing four interceptions on the year.

Edge: Utah

Secondary

Coming out of high school, the only other offers that Eric Weddle had were from UNLV, Wyoming and New Mexico State. The diamond in the rough has now reached his full gleam, earning the conference Defensive Player of the Year and putting himself in line for All-America honors this, and next, season. He’ll “get” to guard Johnson in what should be an entertaining battle to watch. Props also go out to Casey Evans who earned second-team All-MWC after being practically anonymous going into the season. For Tech, senior safety Dawan Landry parlayed four interceptions and five pass breakups into second-team All-ACC status and is the best player on a unit that was in the middle of the pack in this conference.

Edge: Utah

Special Teams

If Weddle has a nice story, then Dan Beardall has a personal fairy tale. He was about to give up football but instead pushed through. Now he has an All-MWC first-team trophy to put on his mantle. Fano Tagovailoa had a long kick return against BYU, giving the normally placid return unit a long awaited big play. Ben Arndt is a good enough punter for Tech, but Travis Bell is only 10 of 20 on field goals and has not shown very good accuracy from beyond 40-yards. The Tech returners have been underwhelming as well.

Edge: Utah

Coaching

All was forgiven when Kyle Whittingham walked out of LaVell Edwards Stadium a winner. Now comes the task of getting his team ready to face an opponent that may be better than any program Utah has faced in the last two years. Chan Gailey has done a nice job building on what George O’Leary was doing and has gotten the most out of a school that will always be at a bit of a disadvantage recruiting-wise thanks to its high academic standards.

Edge: Georgia Tech

Joe Beatty