It all comes together or falls apart tonight. Miami at Georgia Tech, under the lights. Nationally televised showdown. The ACC Coastal Division on the line and the Hurricanes looking to end a three-game skid to their conference rivals from the Peachtree State.
The media’s take? It’s anybody’s game. Miami rolls in a a three-point underdog, down from 4.5 earlier this week. Factor in road conditions and this one’s a pick ’em. Can the Canes stay red hot, or does the thirty-degree game time temp cool off the team riding a five-game win streak?
Georgia Tech is no joke and a triple-option is the type of attack that can make a good defense look silly. Assignments and execution; there’s no margin for error. Midread a play and a fullback is rolling for thirty yards instead of a two-yard loss.
Miami needs a superstar tonight. A life-sized performance, but not from the field. This one needs to come from the booth. When this one kicks off, it’s all about Bill Young and the defensive game plan. What does Young have up his sleeve? How prepared and disciplined will this Canes defense be against a rarely-seen offensive attack?
Randy Shannon has talked a good game this week. Tackle high. Option football can equate in turnovers if you tackle high and are in the right place at the right time. Georgia Tech will get their yards. Turnovers keep them from capitalizing.
It worked for North Carolina, weeks back in a 28-7 victory. Tech amassed 423 yard – 326 of which were on the ground – but a lone touchdown. Three turnovers, the difference.
Miami’s D has come on as of late. After giving up 31 in a shootout at Duke, the Canes have become a grind it out, low scoring, defensive battle-type teams in ACC wins over some conference heavyweights.
A 16-10 victory over Wake Forest. 17-17 in regulation against Virginia, en route to a 24-17 overtime win. Then last week, a 16-14 weardown of Virginia Tech.
Georgia Tech is a different monster, but Miami can employ a similar formula. Effective possessions on offense. Solid special teams play. Stout defense that forces mistakes and wins the battle for field possession.
Another Thursday night, big stage game means another chance to take a step forward as a growing program. At 2-3, five straight wins was a pipe dream. At 7-3, it’s not enough. This team wants more and these fans want revenge.
After a 27-3 smackdown of the Yellow Jackets back in 2004, the Canes’ inaugural ACC season, no one expected to drop the next three against a good-not-great conference foe. Georgia Tech ground No. 3 Miami down in 2005, snuffing out any shot at the ACC title game.
A year later, a 30-23 back-and-forth, where the Canes couldn’t capitalize in a must-win situation.
In 2007, the low point – a 17-14 loss against an average GT squad. Miami led 7-0 at the half, but was steamrolled by Tashard Choice in closing quarters. The Canes were outgained 244-79 yard-wise in the second half and a mid-fourth quarter field goal was the difference.
Whatever the case, Georgia Tech has found a way. Wanted it more. Fought for it harder. Caught a lucky break. Another story of one program having a hold over another. Doesn’t matter how it happened; it’s real and Miami needs to take the power back.
The motivation is everywhere you look. An ACC title game berth within reach. The pain of a three-game losing streak. A senior class that’s “o’fer” against this division rival. Bragging rights. State pride. The list goes on.
Miami has a dozen reasons to get after it and find yet another way to score an improbable win. That said, wanting and doing provide two different results.
I haven’t made a prediction in a while, as it’s been too hard to read this team. Questions regarding which team would show up. ‘Wanting’ to believe this team could win, but not sure they could ‘do’ so.
I’m still not 100% and admit this game worried me since early in the season. That being the case, I can’t write a piece like I did a few days back (“Let down your guard and enjoy the ride”) and not start believing myself. Miami has proven their will the past five games. That should earn them the benefit of the doubt tonight.
Tech comes in riding a loss and sporting a hobbled Josh Nesbitt behind center. A hobbled quarterback running a triple option against a speedy Miami defense – that has to account for something. So do intangibles, which are in the Canes favor.
You can count on one hand how many teams sport four-game win streaks against Miami. At some point, enough is enough. The Canes will eventually turn it around in a big game situation. By my estimation, tonight should be that night.
Play for the seniors. End the losing streak. Keep the ACC title dream alive.
Miami 20, Georgia Tech 16