Georgia Tech @ #11 Miami Preview.
Georgia Tech (2-0) 3-1 @ #11 Miami (2-0) 4-0
Saturday; 3:30 / ABC
Miami -7
The Yellow Jackets travel to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami for a crucial ACC Coastal showdown. Miami is coming off a huge win against their arch rival and nemesis; Florida State, while Georgia Tech had the week to prepare for this one.
The Hurricanes received very bad news in that they will lose running back; Mark Walton, for the season. He suffered an ankle injury early in the game against the Seminoles. The running back stable for Miami is thin. It appears that sophomore, Travis Homer will get the bulk of the carries. Homer has 25 carries for 212 yards and three touchdowns.
Walton was one of the ACCs' top running backs with 428 yards rushing so far this year, after racking up over 1100 yards last year.
Miami quarterback; Malik Rosier, will continue to contribute to the rushing attack. He still has weapons available in receivers; Braxton Berrios and Ahmmon Richards and tight end; Christopher Herndon. Rosier connecting with Berrios and Richards did some damage to the Seminole defense in the second half last week.
Miami will be facing a Georgia Tech defense that has improved considerably since their opening night loss to Tennessee. Defensive coordinator; Ted Roof, has simplified the defensive play calling and its paying dividends. Georgia Tech is ranked 14th in the country in rushing defense; (101.8 average yards allowed).
How will the Tech triple option offense stack up against a good front seven in the Hurricanes? Last year, Georgia Tech had 267 rushing yards against Miami, but two defensive Miami touchdowns was the difference in their 35-21 win. TaQuon Marshall and company have the ability to have long offensive drives and keep the ball away from Rosier and Berrios. Miami has gashed the Georgia Tech defense the past four meetings, averaging 8.3 yards per play.
The Georgia Tech offense will have to avoid turnovers, something they seem to always have a bit of a problem with. The big question is will this Yellow Jacket squad up for this challenge? This would be a breakout win for them. Miami is a considerable step up in talent from what Georgia Tech has faced since Tennessee.
I think Tech will answer the bell. Miami could still be full from their win over Florida State. They have had problems getting it going after the Florida State game in recent years, but those were Miami losses. If Tech takes care of the ball, they could be riding high in the Coastal.
Georgia Tech 27-24
