ESPN College Football

Four players, including two projected starters, will not play in Monday’s AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl against Air Force because of various academic issues, the school announced on Thursday.

Senior defensive end Robert Hall and senior linebacker Anthony Barnes are ineligible under NCAA academic guidelines. Sophomore wide receiver Stephen Hill and senior safety Mario Edwards, both listed as starters on the latest depth chart, are both ineligible for not meeting Georgia Tech’s academic requirements.

Hill, though he never quite lived up to the preseason expectations, is still a significant loss. He leads the team in receptions (15) and touchdown receptions (3). He was also averaging 19.4 yards per catch. Edwards started all 12 games, has 36 tackles in the past five games and has 68 tackles and a forced fumble on the season. He's in his third season after transferring from Virginia Tech.

Hall's absence will hurt the depth at defensive end. He has eight tackles and three pass breakups this season. Barnes is a career backup who has played mostly on special teams.

Georgia Tech and Air Force meet Monday at 5 p.m. (ET) on ESPN2.

Enjoy this weekend's games, we're running out of them ...

• Marcus Davis wasn't able to enjoy his best day as a Virginia Tech wide receiver because during the game against UNC, he received some terrible news.
• And another heartbreaker ... FSU defensive back Michael Harris has made it through this season despite the death of his mother the day of the season-opener.
• Miami quarterback Jacory Harris will be dressed for Saturday's game against the Hokies, but he won't start.
• Which Miami team will show up on Saturday? The Hokies are probably hoping it's the one that lost to UVA.
• John Graves might be big and bad on the field, but off it? He's the nicest guy on the team, they say.
• BC linebacker Luke Kuechly should be the lead candidate for the Butkus Award.
• NC State might be ahead of UNC in the ACC standings, but the Tar Heels have the lead in recruiting.
• It's been a trying career for Georgia Tech defensive end Robert Hall, but as it comes to a close, he said it's all been worth it.
• Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will be back for at least one more year.
• UVA will be missing injured rusher Keith Payne for the BC game.
• Dabo Swinney wants to win a bowl game (and qualify for one) and he thinks Kyle Parker gives him the best chance to do both.

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Georgia Tech defensive end Robert Hall has been suspended for the season opener against South Carolina State as a result of his previous battery charge, coach Paul Johnson said on Monday.

"Robert has almost finished community service," Johnson said. "He has some things he has to take care of. Robert has performed everything that we have asked him to do. He will be suspended for the first game.”

This isn't a huge surprise, as it was announced in mid-June that Hall was suspended indefinitely. The Jackets can afford to miss him for the opener, but they'll need him for back-to-back road trips against Kansas and North Carolina.

Links even Strasburg would appreciate ...

• Maryland is happy in the ACC. That makes three athletic directors who have voiced their intent to stay in the conference -- Jim Weaver at Virginia Tech and Kirby Hocutt at Miami have also gone on record saying they have no intentions of bolting. Well, make that four. Boston College AD Gene DeFilippo has said it repeatedly in the past.
• In hindsight, FSU owes the NCAA an apology, writes Mike Bianchi.
• Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker says he hasn't had any conversations with the Rockies about the possibility of also playing football.
• Duke's Johnny Williams has welcomed the opportunity to move from wide receiver to defensive back, where he also plans on making a few catches.
• No news is usually good news this time of year. Just ask Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson, who had to suspend defensive end Robert Hall indefinitely.
• Virginia picked up its 14th commitment this past weekend, a linebacker.

Georgia Tech defensive end Robert Hall has been suspended indefinitely after an argument with his girlfriend led to a battery charge.

This is a significant hit to the Jackets' defense. Hall is projected to be one of, if not the best, defensive ends returning to a defense in transition under first-year coordinator Al Groh. He suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, though, and didn't practice this spring, so it's hard to judge where his game was at heading into summer camp.

Jason Peters might have been the MVP of the spring, which is good news for the Jackets. Georgia Tech also has true sophomore Izaan Cross, who has shown a lot of potential, but most of the depth is comprised of redshirt freshmen. And everyone is still learning the 3-4 defense.

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said quarterback Josh Nesbitt, who left the Georgia game briefly with an ankle injury, should be ready for the ACC championship game on Saturday.

"I just talked to the trainer, and right now, like I said, we've still got some guys beat up and banged up a little bit, but I think we're going to have most of them available for the game," Johnson said on Sunday night. "They might miss a day of practice or so, just like anytime you play a physical game. But I think Stephen (Hill) is going to be okay. I think he's got a mild bruise really is what it is. I think he'll be okay.

"The one guy who might be a little more serious injury is Ben Anderson. I think he's a guy that might be doubtful. I think the rest of the guys will be fine."

Here is the Jackets' latest injury report:

Out

Austin Barrick, r-Jr., OT (heel)

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Malcolm Munroe, r-Fr., LB (knee)

Doubtful

Ben Anderson, r-Jr.

Probable

Stephen Hill, Fr., WR

Josh Nesbitt, Jr., QB

Embry Peeples, So., RB

Jason Paters, r-So., DE

Omoregie Uzzi, r-Fr., OG

Out For Season

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome)

If you don't see it here, I didn't get it ...

BOSTON COLLEGE

OUT FOR SEASON

LB Mark Herzlich (illness)

FOR MARYLAND GAME

RB Rolandan Finch (illness) – DOUBTFUL

LS Jack Geiser (foot) – DOUBTFUL

OG Thomas Claiborne (leg) – QUESTIONABLE

DE Alex Albright (ankle) – QUESTIONABLE

DT Kaleb Ramsey (ankle) – QUESTIONABLE

CLEMSON

They're "all in." (Sorry, too easy.)

DUKE

QB Thaddeus Lewis (leg) -- Probable

RB Re'quan Boyette (leg) -- Questionable

DT Vince Oghobaase (leg) -- Questionable

WR Johnny Williams (knee) -- Questionable

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

OG Mitchell Lederman (foot) -- OUT FOR SEASON

QB Sean Renfree (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

FLORIDA STATE

Out

76 OT Garrett Faircloth (hip)

70 OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)

51 LB Aaron Gresham (knee)

44 LB Maurice Harris (neck)*

62 OG Rodney Hudson (knee)

97 DT Demonte McAllister (knee)

81 TE Caz Piurowski (knee)*

7 QB Christian Ponder (shoulder)*

74 OT John Prior (knee)

27 CB Xavier Rhodes (thumb)

11 LB Vince Williams (back)

Questionable

9 WR Richard Goodman (groin)

30 ROV Jajuan Harley (hamstring)

Probable

94 DT Justin Mincey (knee)

* - out for the season

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Austin Barrick, r-Jr., OT (heel)

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Malcolm Munroe, r-Fr., LB (knee)

Probable

Sean Bedford, r-Jr., C (ankle)

Omoregie Uzzi, r-Fr., OL (back)

Anthony Barnes, r-Jr., LB

Out For Season

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

MIAMI

Probable

RB Lee Chambers – Lower Extremity

WR Thearon Collier – Lower Extremity

DB Sam Shields – Lower Extremity

Doubtful

OL Jason Fox – Illness

Out

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity

DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

NC STATE

OUT

Audi Augustin, DE - elbow

Mike Glennon, QB - clavicle

DeAndre Morgan, CB - concussion

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

Denzelle Good, OL – shoulder

T.J. Graham, WR – stress fracture/leg

Steven Howard, WR - knee

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB – knee

R.J. Mattes, OG - knee

Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder

Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia

Rashard Smith, CB - knee

Javon Walker, S – knee

James Washington, HB - knee

NORTH CAROLINA

Out

Joshua Adams WR Shoulder

AJ Blue RB/QB Knee

Curtis Campbell DB Wrist

David Collins OL Foot

Shaun Draughn TB Shoulder

Carl Gaskins OT Knee

Matt Merletti S Knee

Trevor Stuart DS Knee

Ryan Taylor TE Knee

Jamal Womble RB Wrist

Questionable

Anthony Elzy RB Ankle

Devon Ramsay FB Ankle

Gene Robinson CB Back

VIRGINIA

Out

Isaac Cain (foot)

Raynard Horne (back)

Torrey Mack (ankle)

Doubtful

Darren Childs (ankle)

Questionable

Jared Green (shoulder)

Mikell Simpson (leg)

Probable

Daniel Childress (ankle)

Matt Conrath (ankle)

Connor McCartin (shoulder)

Jameel Sewell (shoulder)

Patrick Slebonick (leg)

VIRGINIA TECH

Probable:

Beau Warren (knee)

Ed Wang (knee)

Jameel Sewell, Marc Verica, Chris Turner, Christian Ponder and Thaddeus Lewis are all on this list. Not a good week for ACC quarterbacks. Duke will need everyone healthy in order to beat Georgia Tech, and while several key offensive players are listed as probable, they're still listed:

BOSTON COLLEGE

OUT FOR SEASON

LB Mark Herzlich (illness)

FOR VIRGINIA GAME

RB Rolandan Finch (illness) - OUT

DE Alex Albright (ankle) – DOUBTFUL

LS Jack Geiser (foot) – DOUBTFUL

WR Billy Flutie (head) - PROBABLE

OT Rich Lapham (shoulder) - PROBABLE

LB Mike McLaughlin (leg) - PROBABLE

CLEMSON

Out

DaQuan Bowers, DE, knee

Probable

Coty Sensabaugh, CB, toe

Cleared to play

Kantrell Brown, DB, concussion

DUKE

QB Thaddeus Lewis (leg) -- Probable

LB Damian Thornton (neck) -- Probable

WR Donovan Varner (knee) -- Probable

WR Conner Vernon (head) -- Probable

WR Johnny Williams (knee) -- Probable

LB Abraham Kromah (leg) -- Questionable

OG Mitchell Lederman (foot) -- Questionable

LB Vincent Rey (leg) -- Questionable

K Will Snyderwine (leg) -- Questionable

DT Vince Oghobaase (leg) -- Doubtful

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

FLORIDA STATE

Out

76 OT Garrett Faircloth (hip)

70 OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)

51 LB Aaron Gresham (knee)

44 LB Maurice Harris (neck)*

97 DT Demonte McAllister (knee)

94 DT Justin Mincey (knee)

81 TE Caz Piurowski (knee)*

7 QB Christian Ponder (shoulder)*

74 OT John Prior (knee)

27 CB Xavier Rhodes (thumb)

11 LB Vince Williams (back)

Questionable

28 CB Dionte Allen (thumb)

9 WR Richard Goodman (groin)

Probable

89 WR Louis Givens (hand)

72 DT Budd Thacker (knee)

* - out for the season

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Austin Barrick, r-Jr., OT (heel)

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Out For Season

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Tyler Bowen (foot)

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Bennett Fulper (shoulder)

Isaiah Ross (knee)

Out:

Da’Rel Scott (wrist)

Doubtful

Chris Turner (knee)

Questionable

Ronnie Tyler (upper body)

Austin Walker (lower body)

Probable

Demetrius Hartsfield (hand)

MIAMI

Probable

DL Eric Moncur – Lower Extremity

DB DeMarcus Van Dyke – Lower Extremity

Out

DB Ray-Ray Armstrong – Lower Extremity

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

LB Sean Spence – Lower Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity

DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

NORTH CAROLINA

Out

Joshua Adams WR Shoulder

AJ Blue RB/QB Knee

David Collins OT Foot

Shaun Draughn TB Shoulder

Carl Gaskins OT Knee

Matt Merletti S Knee

Trevor Stuart DS Knee

Ryan Taylor TE Knee

Jamal Womble TB Wrist

Questionable

Brennan Williams OT Wrist

Probable

Cam Holland C Shoulder

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

Denzelle Good, OL – shoulder

T.J. Graham, WR – stress fracture/leg

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

R.J. Mattes, OG - knee

Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder

Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia

Rashard Smith, CB - knee

Javon Walker, S – knee

James Washington, HB - knee

PROBABLE

Ray Michel, LB - ankle

VIRGINIA

Out

Raynard Horne (back)

Quintin Hunter (ankle)

Questionable

Darren Childs (neck)

Jameel Sewell (shoulder)

Marc Verica (head)

Probable

Javaris Brown (ankle)

Aaron Clark (knee)

Matt Conrath (ankle)

Colte Phillips (leg)

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for Season

Darren Evans (ACL)

Doubtful

Beau Warren (knee)

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

I think I actually have them all this week ...

BOSTON COLLEGE

Questionable

DE Alex Albright (ankle)

Doubtful

OT Rich Lapham (shoulder)

LB Mike McLaughlin (leg)

Out

WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee)

RB Rolandan Finch (illness)

CLEMSON

Out for Season

J.K. Jay, OT, back

Probable

Scotty Cooper, LB, Concussion

Doubtful

Michael Palmer, TE, Concussion

Out

Kantrell Brown, S, Concussion

DUKE

RB Re'quan Boyette (knee) -- Questionable

CB Lee Butler (leg) -- Doubtful

LB Abraham Kromah (leg) -- OUT

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

FLORIDA STATE

Out for the season

44 LB Maurice Harris (neck)

81 TE Caz Piurowski (knee)

Out

28 CB Dionte Allen (thumb)

76 OT Garrett Faircloth (hip)

70 OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)

51 LB Aaron Gresham (knee)

97 DT Demonte McAllister (knee)

74 OT John Prior (knee)

72 DT Budd Thacker (knee)

11 LB Vince Williams (back)

Questionable

27 CB Xavier Rhodes (thumb)

21 CB Patrick Robinson (ankle)

Probable

9 WR Richard Goodman (groin)

26 RV Korey Mangum (shoulder)

94 DT Justin Mincey (knee)

36 LB Dekoda Watson (groin)

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Questionable

Julian Burnett, Fr., LB (knee)

Out For Season

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

MIAMI

Probable

OL Joel Figueroa – Upper Extremity

K Matt Bosher - Illness

Out

DB Ray-Ray Armstrong – Lower Extremity

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

RB Javarris James – Lower Extremity

DL Eric Moncur – Lower Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Lower Extremity

LB Sean Spence – Lower Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity

DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

Everett Proctor, QB – shoulder

Jeff Rieskamp, DE – sports hernia

Rashard Smith, CB - knee

Javon Walker, S – knee

James Washington, HB - knee

OUT

T.J. Graham, WR/RET – leg

Ray Michel, LB - ankle

Jesse Riley, DB - knee

Dwayne Maddox will start at middle linebacker in place of Michel; Clem Johnson, Jamelle Eugene and Donald Bowens will return punts/kicks.

VIRGINIA

Out

Aaron Clark (knee)

Matt Conrath (ankle)

Probable

Oday Aboushi (knee)

Landon Bradey (knee)

Darren Childs (leg)

Nate Collins (leg)

Cam Johnson (knee)

Corey Mosley (shoulder)

Brandon Woods (shoulder)

WAKE FOREST

Out for Season

WR Terence Davis (knee)

Questionable

DE Kyle Wilber

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

If you don't see it, that means I didn't get it:

CLEMSON

Out

Kantrell Brown, DB, Concussion

Scotty Cooper, LB, Concussion

DUKE

RB Re'quan Boyette (knee) -- OUT

LB Abraham Kromah (leg) -- OUT

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT FOR SEASON

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Doubtful

Julian Burnett, Fr., LB (knee)

Questionable

Anthony Egbuniwe, Jr., DE (illness)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Out For Season

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Tyler Bowen (foot)

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Kerry Boykins (upper body)

Gary Douglas (upper body)

Bennett Fulper (upper body)

Demetrius Hartsfield (hand)

Da’Rel Scott (wrist)

Lansford Watson (lower body)

Questionable:

Lamar Young (upper body)

MIAMI

Probable

RB Graig Cooper – Lower Extremity

OL Joel Figueroa – Lower Extremity

DL Josh Holmes – Lower Extremity

RB Javarris James – Lower Extremity

RB Mike James – Lower Extremity

WR Aldarius Johnson – Upper Extremity

DL Eric Moncur – Lower Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

DB Randy Phillips – Upper Extremity

Out

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity

DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

VIRGINIA

Out

Matt Conrath (ankle)

Doubtful

none

Questionable

Oday Aboushi (knee)

Joe Torchia (shoulder)

Probable

Javaris Brown (ankle)

Cam Johnson (knee)

Corey Mosley (shoulder)

Mike Parker (knee)

LaRoy Reynolds (knee)

Jameel Sewell (ankle)

Brandon Woods (shoulder)

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

BOSTON COLLEGE

OUT FOR SEASON

LB Mark Herzlich (illness)

FOR NC STATE GAME

WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee) – OUT

TE Jordon McMichael (hip) – DOUBTFUL

LB Will Thompson (shoulder) – DOUBTFUL

FB James McCluskey (Achilles) – QUESTIONABLE

FS Okechukwu Okoroha (leg) – PROBABLE

DT Austin Giles (back) – PROBABLE

CB Roderick Rollins (Leg) – PROBABLE

DE Alex Albright (ankle) – PROBABLE

DT Damik Scafe (neck/shoulder) – PROBABLE

CLEMSON

I don't have an injury report, but I do have the following lineup changes:

After practice Thursday coach Dabo Swinney announced that Dalton Freeman would start at center. Scotty Cooper will miss the game while still recovering from a concussion suffered at Maryland. Daniel Andrews will move up to second-team strongside linebacker behind Kevin Alexander.

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Kevin Cone, r-Jr., WR (ankle)

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Questionable

Anthony Egbuniwe, Jr., DE (illness)

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Out For Season

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Tyler Bowen (foot)

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Travis Baltz (ankle)

Masengo Kabongo (leg)

Da’Rel Scott (wrist)

Questionable:

Bruce Campbell (leg)

Demetrius Hartsfield (hand)

MIAMI

Probable

RB Lee Chambers – Lower Extremity

RB Graig Cooper – Lower Extremity

Doubtful

OL Joel Figueroa – Lower Extremity

Out

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

DL Josh Holmes – Lower Extremity

WR Aldarius Johnson – Upper Extremity

DL Eric Moncur – Lower Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

DB Randy Phillips – Upper Extremity

Surgery and Out for the Season

DL Dyron Dye – Lower Extremity

DL Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

LB Jordan Futch – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

Everett Proctor, QB - shoulder

Javon Walker, S - knee

OUT

Jeff Rieskamp, DE – hip

Jesse Riley, DB - knee

VIRGINIA

Out

Javaris Brown (ankle)

Doubtful

Mikell Simpson (neck)

Questionable

none

Probable

Landon Bradley (knee)

BJ Cabbell (ankle)

Patch Duda (flu)

Mike Parker (knee)

Zane Parr (ankle)

Brandon Woods (foot)

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for Season

Darren Evans (ACL)

Probable

Marcus Davis (ankle)

Mark Muncey (knee)

Sergio Render (pec strain)

Eddie Whitley (ankle)

Ryan Williams (illness)

Out

Brandon Dillard (ankle)

Posted by ESPN.com’s Heather Dinich

Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Dave Wommack has tried just about everything. He’s moved players around. He’s switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme because he was running out of healthy defensive ends. Now, with the injury situation having limited his options, he’s given his players one more task -- have fun.

	AP Photo/Gregory Smith
	Safety Morgan Burnett knows the defense needs to pick things up.

Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett said the message this week was not to become preoccupied with making mistakes or worrying about past errors made against Florida State. Instead, it was to let loose and have some fun on Saturday against the Hokies.

There’s no question, though, that the Yellow Jackets’ pride has taken a hit in the past two weeks. Despite winning both games, Georgia Tech allowed Florida State 539 yards of total offense and Mississippi State racked up 487. Both teams averaged 37.5 points against Georgia Tech, and with the way Virginia Tech’s offense has been clicking lately, the better defense should win on Saturday in what could be a season-defining Coastal Division game.

“You take that real personal because football is a competitive sport, so no matter what you do, you want to be the best,” Burnett said. “You want to be the best unit and you want to try to stop the offense. When a team puts up that many points, it’s very frustrating, and it gets you really upset. But you can’t get frustrated. We have to move on to Virginia Tech. We can’t sit back and worry about what happened at Florida State. The only thing we can do is fix it and get better.”

Georgia Tech’s defense was the Jackets’ lone question mark entering this year, as it lost three of four starting defensive linemen who are now in the NFL. With the exception of Burnett and defensive end Derrick Morgan, this defense lacks the superstar lineup it had a year ago, and injuries have compounded the problem.

Linebacker Kyle Jackson suffered a season-ending foot injury, and two defensive ends -- Anthony Egbuniwe and Robert Hall -- have both missed time. Hall could return from a knee injury in November, and Egbuniwe missed one game with an illness. Two star safeties -- Cooper Taylor and Dominique Reese -- have missed a combined four games. Taylor has missed the past three games with a heart problem, but began to practice lightly on Monday. Reese has a shoulder injury and missed one full game and played only a snap at MSU. Combined, those players have missed 13 games.

“You hate to sit there and say that because it sounds like you’re making excuses,” Wommack said, “but I think that’s it as much as anything, I really do.”

It’s caused a lack of continuity, and the Jackets have gotten away from the experienced reps they had during spring and two-a-days. Wommack said he doesn’t expect to get anyone healthy this week. Instead, he’s had to move a corner who’s never played safety to free safety in Rashaad Reid, and that’s part of the reason he’s been tweaking his defensive philosophy midseason, which is usually unheard of.

“It’s the worst thing you can do, to keep changing this and that,” Wommack said. “We’ve got new players playing different positions and so forth, but it’s somewhat been out of necessity, too.”

Georgia Tech is ranked 108th in the nation in pass efficiency defense. Its rushing defense is allowing 135.5 yards per game. The number that counts, though, is how many points they’re allowing, and that’s 26.5 points per game. None of those statistics match up well against the No. 4 ranked Hokies, who are scoring 34 points per game, and rushing for 208.5 yards per game. Virginia Tech is ranked among the top 20 in the country in both categories.

“You just fight through it, that’s what you’ve gotta do,” Wommack said. “You try to point out the mistakes to the kids when you review the film and why, where the breakdowns were, and all of a sudden you start getting better. It doesn’t happen overnight. It really doesn’t happen overnight.”

It’s got to happen by Saturday, though, or the Jackets will be behind the Hokies in the Coastal Division standings -- again.

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

If you don't see it, that's because I didn't get it ...

BOSTON COLLEGE

OUT FOR SEASON

LB Mark Herzlich (illness)

FOR VIRGINIA TECH GAME

WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee) – OUT

TE Jordon McMichael (hip) – OUT

FS Okechukwu Okoroha (leg) – OUT

LB Will Thompson (shoulder) – DOUBTFUL

DT Austin Giles (back) – DOUBTFUL

FB James McCluskey (Achilles) – QUESTIONABLE

CB Roderick Rollins (Leg) – PROBABLE

DE Alex Albright (ankle) – PROBABLE

DUKE

RB Jay Hollingsworth (ankle) -- Probable

OT Jarrod Holt (concussion) -- Probable

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT

CB Randez James (hand) -- OUT

LB Abraham Kromah (leg) -- OUT

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

FLORIDA STATE

OUT

FB Daniel Gard (knee)

OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)

LB Aaron Gresham (knee)

OT John Prior (knee)

LB Vince Williams (back)

QUESTIONABLE

DT Justin Mincey (knee)

CB Patrick Robinson (ankle)

PROBABLE

ROV Korey Mangum (shoulder)

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Doubtful

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Questionable

Dominique Reese, Jr., S (shoulder)

Marcus Wright, So., RB (shoulder

Out For Season

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Tyler Bowen (foot)

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Travis Baltz (ankle)

Mike Barbour (leg)

Louis Berman (leg)

Bruce Campbell (leg)

Danny Edwards (concussion)

Da’Rel Scott (wrist)

Joe Vellano (foot)

MIAMI

Probable

DL Olivier Vernon – Lower Extremity

Questionable

RB Graig Cooper - Lower Extremity

LS/TE Jake Byrne - Illness

Doubtful

DT Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

DL Steven Wesley – Lower Extremity

Out

DL Dyron Dye - Leg

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

FB Patrick Hill – Lower Extremity

DB Ryan Hill – Upper Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

DB Randy Phillips – Upper Extremity

Surgery and Out for Season

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

NORTH CAROLINA

Out (Season)

Carl Gaskins OT Knee

Matt Merletti S Knee

Trevor Stuart DS Knee

Out (Game)

Lowell Dyer C Shoulder

Doubtful

Zack Pianalto TE Foot

Ryan Taylor TE Knee

Questionable

Josh Adams WR Shoulder

Kyle Jolly OT Ankle

Mike Paulus QB Shoulder

Devon Ramsay FB Knee

Probable

Jonathan Cooper OG Ankle

Anthony Elzy FB Shoulder

Linwan Euwell LB Ankle

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Ryan Cheek, LB - hip

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

Everett Proctor, QB - shoulder

OUT

Jeff Rieskamp, DE - hip

Javon Walker, S - knee

QUESTIONABLE

Rashard Smith, CB - ankle

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for Season

Darren Evans (ACL)

Probable

Nekos Brown (illness)

Blake DeChristopher (ankle)

John Graves (ankle)

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Here are this week's injury reports from the schools that sent them out by midnight on Thursday:

BOSTON COLLEGE

WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee) – OUT

LB Will Thompson (shoulder) – DOUBTFUL

FB James McCluskey (Achilles) – DOUBTFUL

CB Roderick Rollins (Leg) – DOUBTFUL

TE Jordon McMichael (Leg) –PROBABLE

CLEMSON

Questionable

Chris Hairston, OT, knee

Probable

Miguel Chavis, DT, ankle

DUKE

RB Re'quan Boyette (leg) -- Probable

RB Jay Hollingsworth (ankle) -- Probable

OG Mitchell Lederman (leg) -- Probable

DT Vince Oghobaase (leg) -- Probable

OT Jarrod Holt (concussion) -- Questionable

RB Desmond Scott (leg) -- Questionable

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT

CB Randez James (hand) -- OUT

WR Tyree Watkins (leg) -- OUT

FLORIDA STATE

OUT

FB Daniel Gard (knee)

OT Antwane Greenlee (knee)

LB Aaron Gresham (knee)

OT John Prior (knee)

LB Vince Williams (back)

QUESTIONABLE

DT Justin Mincey (knee)

PROBABLE

DT Moses McCray (elbow)

DT Jacobbi McDaniel (knee)

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

Doubtful

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Questionable

Dominique Reese, Jr., S (undisclosed)

Probable

Jaybo Shaw, So., QB (broken collarbone)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Tyler Bowen (foot)

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Travis Baltz (ankle)

Louis Berman (leg)

Caleb Porzel (leg)

Joe Vellano (foot)

MIAMI

Probable

RB Lee Chambers – Lower Extremity

DT Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

WR Aldarius Johnson - Lower Extremity

Doubtful

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

Out

FB Pat Hill – Lower Extremity

DL Dyron Dye - Lower Extremity

DB JoJo Nicolas – Upper Extremity

DB Randy Phillips – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

Surgery and Out for Season

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

Everett Proctor, QB - shoulder

OUT

Jeff Rieskamp, DE - hip

Rashard Smith, CB - ankle

Javon Walker, S - knee

NORTH CAROLINA

Out (Season)

Carl Gaskins OL Knee

Matt Merletti DB Knee

Trevor Stuart DS Knee

Out (Game)

Lowell Dyer C Shoulder

Zack Pianalto TE Foot

Ryan Taylor TE Knee

Doubtful

Linwan Euwall LB Ankle

Questionable

Joshua Adams WR Shoulder

Jonathan Cooper OG Ankle

Anthony Elzy FB Shoulder

VIRGINIA TECH

Out for Season

Darren Evans (ACL)

Probable

Blake DeChristopher (ankle)

Davon Morgan (shoulder)

Dyrell Roberts (hamstring)

Demetrius Taylor (calf)

Posted by ESPN.com's Heather Dinich

Here are the injury reports for Saturday's games. Virginia has a bye week:

BOSTON COLLEGE

FB James McCluskey (Achilles) – OUT

WR Ifeanyi Momah (knee) – OUT

LB Will Thompson (shoulder) – DOUBTFUL

LB Mike McLaughlin (Achilles) – PROBABLE

DT Damik Scafe (Neck/Shoulder) – PROBABLE

CLEMSON

Questionable

Chris Hairston, OT, knee

DUKE

WR Conner Vernon (ankle) -- Probable

WR Johnny Williams (ankle) -- Probable

RB Jay Hollingsworth (ankle) -- Doubtful

DT Vince Oghobaase (leg) -- Doubtful

RB Re'quan Boyette (leg) -- OUT

RB Kyle Griswould (leg) -- OUT

CB Randez James (hand) -- OUT

OG Mitchell Lederman (leg) -- OUT

S Anthony Young-Wiseman (knee) -- OUT FOR SEASON

FLORIDA STATE

Out: FB Danny Gard (knee), OT Antwane Greenlee (knee), LB Aaron Gresham (knee), DT Justin Mincey (knee), OT John Prior (knee), LB Vince Williams (back).

Doubtful: DT Moses McCray (elbow)

Questionable: DT Demonte McAllister (knee)

GEORGIA TECH

Out

Robert Hall, r-Jr., DE (knee)

Kyle Jackson, r-So., LB (foot)

Doubtful

Cooper Taylor, So., S (undisclosed)

Questionable

Jonathan Dwyer, So, RB (shoulder)

Dominique Reese, Jr., Wolf (undisclosed)

Jaybo Shaw, So., QB (broken collarbone)

Probable

Tyler Melton, So., WR (knee)

MARYLAND

Out for season:

Nolan Carroll (leg)

Out:

Louis Berman (leg)

Caleb Porzel (leg)

Joe Vellano (foot)

Probable:

Bruce Campbell (foot)

Jamari McCollough (foot)

MIAMI

Questionable

WR Aldarius Johnson - Lower Extremity

Doubtful

RB Lee Chambers – Lower Extremity

DL Dyron Dye - Lower Extremity

OL Corey White - Lower Extremity

Out

DT Marcus Forston – Lower Extremity

TE Richard Gordon – Upper Extremity

DE Adewale Ojomo – Jaw

DL Andrew Smith – Upper Extremity

Surgery and Out for Season

DE Gavin Hardin – Upper Extremity

LB Shayon Green – Lower Extremity

NC STATE

OUT FOR SEASON

Mario Carter, TE - knee

Denzelle Good, OL - shoulder

Nate Irving, LB - leg

Colby Jackson, FB - knee

Everett Proctor, QB - shoulder

OUT

Ryan Cheek, OL - hip

Jeff Rieskamp, DE - hip

Rashard Smith, CB - ankle

Owen Spencer, WR - concussion

Javon Walker, S - knee

NORTH CAROLINA

Out (Season)

Carl Gaskins OL Knee

Matt Merletti S Knee

Out (Game)

Lowell Dyer C Shoulder

Zack Pianalto TE Foot

Ryan Taylor TE Knee

Doubtful

Linwan Euwall LB Ankle

LeCount Fantroy CB Thigh

Questionable

Joshua Adams WR Shoulder

Jonathan Cooper OL Ankle

VIRGINIA TECH

Collin Carroll (ankle) - probable

John Graves (ankle) - probable

Stephan Virgil (knee) - probable

Eddie Whitley (pectoral) - probable

Jason Worilds (back spasms) - probable