UM vs. Georgia Tech: Matchups to Watch
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The winner of Saturday’s game between the Miami Hurricanes and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will sit atop the ACC’s Coastal Division.
The Hurricanes (4-0, 2-0 ACC) and Yellow Jackets (3-1, 2-0 ACC) have each won 11 meetings in the all-time series, but Miami has won seven of the last eight meetings. The Canes are 4-0 against Georgia Tech since moving to Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami head coach Mark Richt is 14-2 all-time as a head coach against the Jackets. Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson has beaten the Hurricanes twice in his tenure at Georgia Tech, earning victories in Atlanta in 2008 and 2014.
With a lead in the division and the all-time series at stake, here are three matchups to watch in Saturday’s game.
Miami’s defense vs. Georgia Tech’s running game
Georgia Tech’s triple option offense has been effective through four games this season. Tech leads the ACC and is second in the country in rushing offense, averaging 396 yards per game.
Quarterback TaQuon Marshall leads the conference with 130.8 rushing yards per game, while the Yellow Jackets’ top running back, Kirvonte Benson, ranks second in the ACC at 119 rushing yards per game. The duo has combined for 13 of Georgia Tech’s 16 rushing touchdowns this season.
“What they do is they create explosive plays, because they force you to defend the whole field,” Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said.”On a normal week, you normally have different levels of your defense, where [Georgia Tech] makes you defend sideline to sideline. So any breach, whether it’s a missed tackle or missed fit in the run game, it’s harder to get that thing on the ground. You’re under constant pressure. That’s why they’ve been successful at doing what they do. But for us, we look at it as exciting. It’s a great challenge for us. What you have to do and what it ultimately comes down to is – everyone wants to talk scheme – it comes down to their blocking versus our ability to whip a block and then our tackling versus their ability to break a tackle. In some ways, it’s as old school as it gets.”
Miami will expect its linebackers, especially starters Shaquille Quarterman, Michael Pinckney and Zach McCloud, to tackle early and often on Saturday. A year ago, Quarterman had eight tackles and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Pinckney also had a solid showing in his first game against the Yellow Jackets, tallying four tackles, a sack and interception. Additionally, safeties like Jaquan Johnson will need to be sure tacklers against Georgia Tech’s ball carriers.
Miami’s defensive backs vs. Georgia Tech wide receiver Ricky Jeune
It’s no secret that Georgia Tech is going to be a run-heavy team when it faces the Hurricanes on Saturday, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t a threat through the air. Redshirt senior Ricky Jeune is GT quarterback TaQuon Marshall’s favorite target and the 6-foot-3 wideout has hauled in 10 catches for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Jeune’s 17.1 yards per reception is among the best in the ACC, ranking ninth in the conference.
Miami corners like Malek Young, Michael Jackson, Trajan Bandy and Jhavonte Dean will play key roles in stopping the passing game. Communication will be important in the secondary, as safeties like Jaquan Johnson, Robert Knowles, Romeo Finley and Amari Carter will be primarily focused on stopping the run.
“We can’t be out there quiet,” Johnson said. “We’ll be wearing mouthpieces, but not the pacifier mouthpieces. We will have ones so we can talk more.”
Miami’s front seven vs. Georgia Tech’s offensive line
Maybe the most important matchup of Saturday’s game will be battled in the trenches. Georgia Tech’s offensive line will look to cut block Miami’s defenders with the hopes of springing a big play. The Hurricanes will need to fight off those blocks and make tackles to slow the Yellow Jackets down.
“Sometimes all it takes is a drive or two and then you get the speed and know where people are going to be at with game speed and then everything settles down and you are able to see stuff more clearly,” defensive lineman Kendrick Norton said.
Another key for Miami’s defense will be sticking to their assignments. The Yellow Jackets will look to deceive Miami’s defense, so knowing keys will be essential to success.
“We are going to have to make tackles,” defensive back Jaquan Johnson said. “We are going to have to read our keys and make the tackle when the ball spits into open field. They do a lot of things with the quarterback to make you get your eyes off your key, but if you keep your focus on your man, you should be fine.”
Kickoff against the Yellow Jackets is set for 3:30 p.m., from Hard Rock Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ABC. Click here for ticket information.
