Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Miami Hurricanes
Georgia Tech: 2-0 SU, 0-1 ATS
Miami: 1-0 SU, 1-0 ATS
The ACC has a bad rep this season, but two of the conference’s top teams have the national spotlight on Thursday night. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and Miami Hurricanes are both coming off nail-biting wins heading into this week’s ACC Coastal showdown.
Miami’s goal-line stand against the rival Florida State Seminoles last Monday will go down in the school’s rich football history. But that entertaining 38-34 victory will be in vain if the Hurricanes can’t keep their momentum going against a tough Georgia Tech team.
Miami hasn’t beaten the Yellow Jackets since 2004, having lost four straight meetings while failing to cover in all four. Oddsmakers have tagged the ‘Canes as 4.5-point home favorites for Thursday’s tilt.
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Miami’s passing attack led the way against the ‘Noles. Sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris topped the conference with his 386 yards passing and two touchdowns in the season opener. Harris took some hard licks during that win, hurting his shoulder in the fourth quarter. However, he stayed in the game and led Miami to a late lead. Harris was sacked once and threw two interceptions against FSU. Last season versus Georgia Tech Harris passed for 162 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while splitting time under center.
In that game Miami was rolled over by the Yellow Jackets’ ground attack. Georgia Tech running back Jonathan Dwyer totaled 128 yards and two scores, while dual-threat quarterback Josh Nesbitt scrambled for 93 yards and one touchdown. Nesbitt passed for only 24 yards on six attempts in that 41-23 win. Last week he was more active in the pocket, but went just 3-for-14 passing for 83 yards and two interceptions in a narrow win over Clemson.
Dwyer wasn’t able to break off big numbers against the Tigers, rushing for just 66 yards. He’ll face a Hurricanes defense that limited FSU to 110 yards on the ground last week. Miami’s run defense ranked third worst in the ACC last season, allowing almost 150 yards per game.
The ‘Canes are hoping running back Graig Cooper can continue his game-breaking play. Cooper rushed for 31 yards and a score against the Seminoles. He also caught a 24-yard pass for another touchdown and totaled 177 return yards on special teams.
The Yellow Jackets’ kick coverage will need to stiffen up against Miami. Last week they allowed Clemson to total 122 yards on kick returns. In the season opener against Jacksonville State, Georgia Tech allowed 135 return yards.
Miami wide receiver Travis Benjamin was the big weapon for Miami’s offense last week. The sophomore caught four balls for 128 yards and a touchdown. The Hurricanes also got a big day from Leonard Hankerson and Aldarius Johnson, who combined for 120 yards receiving. Johnson, however, could miss this week’s game due to a groin strain.
Georgia Tech’s defense will have to keep a close eye on Miami’s weapons and not take their foot off the gas like it did against Clemson. The Jackets were holding a 24-0 lead at home before giving up 27 straight points to the Tigers. Georgia Tech appeared to be out of gas late in the game and had no answer for the running back C.J. Spiller and receiver Jacoby Ford down the stretch.
The Jackets’ defense would be to blame if it wasn’t for the steady leg of kicker Scott Blair. He booted two field goals in the fourth quarter, including a 36-yard kick to take back the lead with less than a minute left in the game. Blair is a career 14-for-15 inside the 40-yard line and kicked two field goals against the Hurricanes in last year’s meeting.
