Georgia and Georgia Southern combined for 363 rushing yards last week.

And there could be more yards on the ground on Saturday when Georgia faces Georgia Tech.

The Yellow Jackets are ranked seventh in the country with an average of 261.8 rushing yards per game. The Bulldogs aren’t too shabby on the ground, themselves. Georgia averages 195.8 rushing yards per game, fifth best in the SEC.

The key for Georgia (8-3, 5-3 SEC) once again will be slowing down the opposition’s running attack. Force the Jackets into obvious passing downs, and win the rivalry game for the 13th time in 15 years.

Freshman RB Marcus Marshall leads the Tech (3-8, 1-7 ACC) triple option offense, but the Jackets have several formidable backs. Marshall leads the team with 609 rushing yards. He also has a 7.9 yards per attempt average on 77 carries.

Junior QB Justin Thomas leads Tech with 136 carries and shares the team lead with six touchdowns. He also has 491 yards.

Senior Patrick Skov is the other running back with six rushing TDs. Freshman RB Clinton Lynch has five TDs and leads the team with a 9.5 yards per carry average.

Tech’s problem throwing the ball. Thomas has just 1,263 passing yards and a 42.6 completion percentage.

Georgia should have a lot of success if it can force Thomas into obvious passing situations.

Last week, Georgia Southern ran for 233 rushing yards against Georgia, but the Eagles managed only 4.4 yards per rush — a small victory for the Bulldogs.

If Georgia can slow down the Tech running game enough, the Bulldogs should be able to avenge their 2014 loss to the Jackets.

GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS CLOSER LOOK

Key player, offense: Marcus Marshall, Fr., RB – The freshman leads Tech with 604 rushing yards. He also has four TDs.

Key player, offense: Clinton Lynch, Fr., RB – Another freshman, Lynch is tied for the team lead with eight TDs. He is also just behind Marshall with 625 yards from scrimmage.

Key player, offense: Justin Thomas, Jr., QB – Thomas is a good runner, but not a good passer. The junior has 488 yards and six TDs rushing and 1,257 yards and 12 TDs passing with six interceptions.