Miami Hurricanes Matchup Preview : Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

What a difference one week makes for the psyche of a fan base and a football team. Going into last Friday’s game vs Virginia, Miami was staring at a 2-4 start, and wondering would they make a Bowl Game at all. The Canes were able to play their most complete game, albeit far from perfect, and get the type of win on national TV that can propel them into a big second half of the season.

Georgia Tech is next up on Miami’s redemption tour from 2018, and the Yellow Jackets are a team that is still searching for its identity in year one under new Head Coach Geoff Collins. They present far less challenges than they would have if Paul Johnson and his triple option offense were still around. Miami must come out focused like they did vs Virginia and end this 5 game home stand with a 4-1 mark.

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Matchup to Watch

Miami played like Miami defensively a week ago vs Virginia and should have a juicy matchup against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets average a meager 16.5 PPG offensively and the forward pass has been a struggle all season long. This is a game where Miami’s defensive backs should have a field day against a team who doesn’t throw the ball well at all. Georgia Tech handed the reigns to James Graham as the full time QB two weeks ago, but the results have been very lackluster. This can’t be a game where he ever feels comfortable in the pocket, and Miami should send pressure and play tight coverage on the outside. Graham was 15-35 for 206 yards with 1TD in a 41-23 loss to Duke. Miami did a great job vs Bryce Perkins making him a passer, and should do the same against Graham. Look for the Canes to garner at least 2 INTs vs the Jackets signal caller.

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Potential Game Changing Battle

It is time to unleash DeeJay Dallas in a big way Saturday afternoon. Georgia Tech as a team struggles mightily on run defense giving up 237.7 yards per contest on the ground. Miami used more zone blocking principals vs Virginia and should be able to get healthy running the ball. Dallas has been underutilized in 2019 and needs to get the ball more than the 11.6 times he carries the ball on average this season. If Dan Enos features DeeJay Dallas this week for 20 touches I fully expect number 13 to get well over 100 yards and probably a couple of scores.

Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images

Time for 5 to Shine

N’Kosi Perry was named starter for the 2nd week in a row, and a huge game could be on the table in this matchup with Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets don’t pressure the QB particularly well, and don’t cover the pass all that well either. Perry was efficient vs Virginia, but just missed a couple of deep throws that would’ve made his stats look magnificent if he would’ve connected with Mark Pope and K.J Osborn on big play opportunities. The Canes protected better a week ago, and Dan Enos needs to continue to build in 3 or 4 deep shots a game just to keep the defense honest. Perry loves to push the ball down the field, and against Georgia Tech these shots should once again be available. Kaleb Oliver leads Georgia Tech with 2 of the teams 5 interceptions on the year. GT also has only garnered 9 total sacks on the season, so if there ever was a game where the Miami offensive line can shine, it may be this one.

It Feels Good

The good feelings are back for the Miami Hurricanes, and they need to keep them going, not only with a win, but a dominant win that leaves no doubt. Whatever was said a little over a week ago by Diaz, his staff, and DJ WIlliams seemed to motivate Miami to play up to their capabilities for the 1st time all season. What needs to happen now, and for the rest of the year, is to come out with that same mentality and kick the crap out of lesser teams. At 3-3, the Canes can still finish very strong and play in an upper tier bowl game, but they can’t fall back into the same pattern of playing down to lesser opponents and losing games they have no business losing.