X Factor: Duke football vs. Georgia Tech

Duke will retake the field for the first time in 15 days Saturday against Georgia Tech at noon in Atlanta. A win for the Blue Devils Saturday would be critical for their fragile hopes of making a bowl against an unspectacular Yellow Jacket team that has started the year 1-3 in the ACC. Every week throughout the football season, the Blue Zone will break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest:

Duke: Safety Alonzo Saxton II

A season-ending knee injury to All-ACC defensive back DeVon Edwards has opened the door for Saxton at the safety position. In the three games prior to Edwards’ injury against Notre Dame Sept. 24, Saxton had six total tackles. But the Columbus, Ohio, native has made the most of his expanded role, and has now recorded 18 total tackles in his last three games as he continues to produce on the defensive end.

Saxton will need to continue his recent success in order to contain quarterback Justin Thomas and Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense. The Yellow Jackets average more than 230 rushing yards per contest and boast multiple offensive threats in their backfield. Saxton was a quintessential factor in Duke’s ability to limit the nation’s highest scoring offense in Louisville Oct. 14. Saxton’s nine total tackles and five solo tackles were both season highs, and he recovered a fumble for the second straight game. If Saxton can keep elevating his game, the Blue Devils will be in position to claim their first ACC victory of the season.

Georgia Tech: Running back Clinton Lynch

Versatility is necessary for a strong triple-option offense. The more players’ skillsets vary, the less predictable they will be, and Lynch will be perhaps the most versatile and explosive player on the field Saturday. The sophomore running back is tied for second on the team with 469 total yards, trailing just Thomas and tied with running back Dedrick Mills, who will be sidelined against Duke with an upper body injury. Although he is listed as a running back, 215 of Lynch's 469 yards have come as a receiver.

In order to defeat the Blue Devils, Georgia Tech will need Lynch to continue to be explosive. Lynch has averaged more than 13 yards a carry and 26.9 yards per reception this season. Duke has struggled with big plays thus far this season, allowing at least one play of more than 40 yards in each of its last six contests. The last of them came Oct. 14 on a backbreaking 80-yard touchdown run by Louisville on the road. Lynch has had at least one play of 30 yards or more in four of his last five games and will be hungry against a susceptible Blue Devil defense.