Butler's big plays help Georgia Tech extend winning streak

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech safety James Butler spends at least an hour a day watching tape of the next opponent, so sometimes, he just knows what&#39;s coming.<br> <br> ``It always pays off,&#39;&#39; Butler said. ``It gives you a jump on what the offense is going to do, gives you a jump on what kind of play they&#39;re going to run.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The extra work certainly helped during the past two games. Butler had 21 tackles and three interceptions in victories over Wake Forest and Maryland, and he also caused two fumbles and blocked a field goal. Earlier this week, he was named one of 12 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation&#39;s best defensive back.<br> <br> For the season, Butler leads the Atlantic Coast Conference with five interceptions, and he&#39;s broken up another four passes. He&#39;s a big reason the Yellow Jackets (5-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have won four in a row heading into Saturday&#39;s game at Duke (2-7, 0-5).<br> <br> ``He understands formations and tendencies and I think he goes into the game with a knowledge of what needs to be done,&#39;&#39; coach Chan Gailey said. ``He does have a natural feel for the game, and that comes with studying. You get a better feel and it&#39;s amazing how much better it is when you study the game.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> So far, Butler has four games with at least 11 tackles, including a career-high 14 against Vanderbilt. A victory in that game started the winning streak for Georgia Tech, and Butler sealed it with an interception in overtime.<br> <br> Two weeks later against Wake Forest, he blocked a field goal near the end of the second quarter, helping the Yellow Jackets keep a 7-0 lead. Butler also had an interception and forced a fumble in the first half. They went on to win 24-7.<br> <br> ``If you watch him out there on the field, he&#39;s fast, he looks athletic,&#39;&#39; Georgia Tech defensive tackle Travis Parker said. ``The way he moves, it&#39;s ridiculous how quick he is to the ball. It&#39;s like he knows where the ball is before it&#39;s going to be there.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> That comes from those daily scouting sessions Butler has with the other safety, Dawan Landry.<br> <br> That blocked field goal against the Deacons? ``We saw it on film and thought we could exploit it,&#39;&#39; Butler said.<br> <br> The game-saving interception against the Commodores? ``During practice, we prepared for that play, so I was just waiting for it,&#39;&#39; Butler said.<br> <br> But watching tape of the Blue Devils from earlier this season might not help as much. They fired coach Carl Franks on Oct. 19, and interim coach Ted Roof, a graduate of Georgia Tech and a former assistant at the school, changed a good bit of the offense in the next two games.<br> <br> ``They&#39;ve had something new for every game on both sides of the ball, so they&#39;ll have something new this week as well,&#39;&#39; Gailey said.<br> <br> One thing hasn&#39;t changed, though. Duke can&#39;t win in the ACC, running their conference losing streak to 30 straight games.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re definitely not going to overlook them,&#39;&#39; Butler said. ``They&#39;re eager to win. They&#39;re going to come out with all the stops to win this game. So we&#39;re going to do everything we can to win the game, too.&#39;&#39;