Ethan Grunkemeyer wasn't the problem in Berkeley. He went 21-of-31 for 288 yards with no turnovers, including 9-of-11 for 139 in the 4th quarter on the go-ahead drive. The problems were everywhere else. Kicker John Love missed from 55 and 39, both wide left, and has now missed 3 straight after making his first 6 of the season. The Hokies didn't score in the 3rd quarter. Cal converted all 5 of its 3rd downs in the 4th, helped by roughing-the-passer and pass-interference penalties on back-to-back snaps that handed over 30 free yards.
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Those weaknesses are what Georgia Tech can go after. The Jackets just won a game on the ground, in the rain, by grinding out the clock. If they can run on a Hokies defense that couldn't get off the field late at Cal, they can shorten the game, keep Grunkemeyer on the sideline and leave it to Love's leg to decide. The question is the other side of the ball. Tech gave up 45 to Tennessee and 34 at Stanford, and its only road game so far ended in a loss. It's still unclear whether that defense can contain a quarterback who just made a clean 4th quarter look easy.
Check the injury report before reading too much into either list. Georgia Tech's was last updated around the Stanford game and showed 3 defensive linemen out, plus starting guard E. Mackenny, safety S. Riley and receiver C. Jean-Noel. If those linemen are still out on Saturday, Virginia Tech's run game has an easier afternoon. On the Hokies' side, guard B. Meadows and running back B. Davis missed Cal, and receiver S. Peterkin's foot has kept him questionable for weeks. The forecast for Saturday, October 17 in Blacksburg is around 50 degrees and cloudy with a 12 mph wind. That's fine football weather, though not a great day for a kicker who keeps missing left.