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In control of ACC Coastal, Georgia Tech hosts NC State

Oct 31, 2006 - 9:06 PM No. 20 Georgia Tech (6-2) at NC State (3-5), 7:00 pm EST

RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) - After rebounding from a tough loss with a much-needed win, Georgia Tech is on track for Jacksonville.

The 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets continue their march toward the Atlantic Coast Conference title game Saturday when they host North Carolina State.

Georgia Tech (6-2, 4-1 ACC Coastal) was routed by No. 19 Clemson, 31-7, on October 21 for its first conference loss. But the Yellow Jackets bounced back with a 30-23 victory over Miami last week and now have wins over the three teams in the division with two conference losses.

Off to its best start after eight games since 2001, Georgia Tech should roll into the conference title game if it can get past NC State. After the game with the Wolfpack, the Yellow Jackets face North Carolina and Duke - who are a combined 0-10 in conference - and then close the season with the annual in-state grudge match with Georgia.

Georgia Tech should be careful not to overlook NC State, as the last six games between the teams have been decided by 10 points or fewer.

The Wolfpack (3-5, 2-3 Coastal) handed Boston College its only ACC loss to date on September 23 and followed it up with a win over a then-ranked Florida State team before hitting the skids.

NC State has lost three straight since defeating the Seminoles and is coming off a 14-7 loss to Virginia.

Georgia Tech has won four of five and nine of 11 meeting with NC State to take a 16-9 lead in the series. Last season, the Wolfpack posted a 17-14 win in Atlanta.