Heading into their off week, Georgia Tech sits at 3-2, which would have been the record many analysts would have expected the Yellow Jackets to have at the start of the year. Still, it seems like Georgia Tech has some serious areas to improve on during their off week if they want to make it to another bowl game. Of course, you can’t fix every single problem during the off week, but these three problems definitely stand out when watching the Yellow Jackets right now.

Let’s talk about it.

After leading the ACC in rushing last season, Georgia Tech’s running attack hasn’t been quite as impressive this year, and it showed on Saturday against Louisville. Georgia Tech currently ranks 10th in the ACC in rushing, averaging 163.0 yards per game. The last two games against Power Four opponents have been the most concerning. Against the Cardinals on Saturday, Georgia Tech totaled 98 yards on 37 attempts and averaged 2.6 yards per carry. Against Syracuse, the Yellow Jackets totaled 112 yards on 24 attempts and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. Georgia Tech is looking to project a physical identity on offense, but the running game has yet to get going, and as a result, Haynes King and the passing game have had to do a lot of work on offense.

The running backs in particular have not had much success this year, as King has led the team in rushing in the last two games against Power Four teams. Against Louisville and Syracuse, Jamal Haynes managed 60 yards on 23 carries, averaging less than three yards per carry. Another running back has not emerged as the No. 2 option behind Haynes, and that has led to the offense not having much of a rushing identity.

Can they get back to running the ball well? I think so, but it’s been disappointing to watch them so far.

Georgia Tech has just five sacks this season, and three of those came against VMI. While the secondary has struggled with plenty of issues, the lack of a consistent pass rush has been just as detrimental to the defense. The Yellow Jackets had just one sack against Syracuse when they got shredded by quarterback Kyle McCord, and they had zero sacks against Louisville on Saturday. When you’re ranked 114th in the country in sacks, that spells trouble for the defense. While some of the offenses they face down the stretch aren’t as good at throwing the football as Syracuse and Louisville, teams like Miami and Georgia can certainly throw the ball. Even Duke (Georgia Tech’s next opponent) and quarterback Maalik Murphy have had good moments throwing the football this season.

The pass defense and the pass rush could honestly go hand in hand. Georgia Tech ranks 89th nationally in passing yards allowed per game and allows 229.0 yards per game through the air. The Yellow Jackets have not intercepted a single pass and forced just two turnovers all season, which ranks 116th nationally. While Georgia Tech’s run defense has improved quite a bit, they can’t pressure the passer, force turnovers, or defend against good passing plays. Defense-wise, the Yellow Jackets still have a lot of work to do.