5. Tech encounters different scheme

Tech’s offensive line will be tested by Syracuse’s 3-3-5 defensive scheme, which has produced five sacks in two games, same as the Jackets. First-year defensive coordinator Tony White uses the alignment to give opponents a variety of looks.

“They’ve got guys blitzing from everywhere,” Collins said on his weekly radio show. “Showing from over here, blitzing from over there. They do a lot of creative things. But every single down, there’s guys coming from everywhere.”

Through two games, Tech has made astounding progress in protecting the quarterback. Last year, the Jackets gave up one sack for every 9.6 pass attempts. Through two games, Sims has thrown 70 passes (with the team credited one attempt when Sims spiked the ball to stop the clock against UCF) and has been sacked once. Sims’ elusiveness and Patenaude’s variety of plays to counter the pass rush are a factor, but the line’s play has significantly improved, thanks to continuity, experience and the addition of grad transfer Ryan Johnson at right guard and freshman Jordan Williams at right tackle.

“Every day we work on how to handle blitzes and stunts,” Williams said. “I think just stacking reps on passing blitzers off and picking up stunts, that’s really helped us blocking in the game.”

HYOSUB SHIN / HYOSUB.SHIN@AJC.COM Tech quarterback Jeff Sims was the guilty party on the fumble against UCF last Saturday and also threw a red-zone interception against FSU.