X factor: Duke football vs. Georgia Tech

Following a much-needed bye week, the Blue Devils are seeking their first ACC win of the season against the spread-option attack of No. 22 Georgia Tech Saturday at 12:30 p.m. at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Every week throughout the football season, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.

Duke: defensive end Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo

Duke's offense was putrid in its last game, but defense will still be the team's focus for Saturday's contest. In their second ACC road contest of the year, the Blue Devils will look to redshirt senior Jordan DeWalt-Ondijo to lead the defensive line against the dangerous spread-option attack of Georgia Tech. Having registered 16 tackles—including four for loss—and two sacks through the first five games of the season, DeWalt-Ondijo will have to step up on the edge to keep the Yellow Jacket offense honest. If the Prairie View, Texas, native can provide a strong push off the edge, then the Duke defense may be able to slow down a rushing attack that is averaging almost 300 yards per contest.

Although the defense has had an extra week to prepare for Georgia Tech's numerous backfield threats, it has never been able to solve Yellow Jacket head coach Paul Johnson's system since head coach David Cutcliffe started in 2008. The Blue Devils have lost to Georgia Tech every year since and have held the Yellow Jackets to less than 30 points just once in the six matchups. In order for things to change this time around, DeWalt-Ondijo will be expected to seal the edge and beat his blockers to force more runs into the box toward leading tackler David Helton.

As long as the 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end can force quarterback Justin Thomas to make split-second decisions, the Blue Devil defense has a shot to keep the Yellow Jackets from controlling the clock and dominating the game despite giving up 186.4 yards per game on the ground so far this season. But if DeWalt-Ondijo and his fellow defensive linemen are unable to generate a greater push up front, Duke could be in for a long afternoon and its offense might not even get the chance to make up for its performance in the ACC opener.

Georgia Tech: quarterback Justin Thomas

After a strong offensive outing in a 28-17 win against Miami last week, Thomas looks to showcase his dual-threat ability and keep his team unbeaten. The redshirt sophomore leads the team with 470 rushing yards and three touchdowns, and has also proven to be an efficient passer, boasting a 7:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Although the Yellow Jacket offense is known for its ability to run the ball—posting the 11th-best mark in the nation with 297.2 yards per game—Thomas could potentially provide a spark through the air if the need arises, especially if Duke sells out to stop the run and has its secondary play more aggressively than it normally does.

The Prattville, Ala., native's connection with speedster DeAndre Smelter—who has 14 receptions for 339 yards and four touchdowns—has kept opposing defenses honest so far this season and allowed Georgia Tech to keep opposing safeties out of the box. If Thomas keeps running the offensive unit like a well-oiled machine and controlling the clock—like he did against the Hurricanes when the Yellow Jackets held the ball for more than two-thirds of the game—the Blue Devil offense will have an even smaller margin for error when it takes the field and the defense will wear down as the game goes on.