AJC’s Chris Boggs’ ten reasons GT downs Miami…

When did Georgia Tech get so feisty? Seriously? Sure, the Yellow Jackets had their occasional big time player or impressive win, but it was Georgia Tech. The split a title with somebody almost twenty years ago (Colorado, 1990) and have somewhat been a non-factor since, most recently winning the ACC over ten years ago.

Throw ‘Johnson & Johnson’ in the mix (first Calvin, now Paul) – not to mention four straight wins over three sub par Miami team – and Georgia Tech thinks they’re hot mierda.

Good for them. You were a nobody and you had four successful years over a once-great program. You earned your bragging rights. That said, don’t confuse those wins with would-be big wins over a good Canes team. Between 2006 and 2008, Miami posted three less-than-stellar seasons – 7-6, 5-7 and 7-6.

Doesn’t really mean much that Georgia Tech beat Miami those three years as just about everybody owned the Canes then. UM was playing .500 ball, going 19-19 during that span. Yet for some reason, the Jackets wear those wins on their sleeve like they took down 2001-era Miami.

Crazy as it is, most of this newfound spunk comes from Tech fans – geeked out over the state of their program and Johnson’s implementation of the ‘triple option’ attack. Techhies act as if this offense is kryptonite, even though GT lost four games last year – and was a Florida State fumble away from dropping five.

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Chris Boggs chimed in today with a piece entitled, “Miami… Swagger of Substance?”, which read like a heavy dose of hot air.

Comparing Jacory Harris and his confidence to the erratic Reggie Ball. Not giving the Canes offense credit, instead blaming Seminole defenders. Not giving the offensive line its due for giving Harris time, instead criticizing FSU defenders for ‘not getting any pressure’.

J12 lit up the Noles defense for 386 passing yards – most in Quarterback U history. Not even the great Ken Dorsey took it to Florida State in this fashion with hit top-ranked Hurricanes in 2001.

Boggs quips that fans are too focused on the aerial assault and two touchdowns, ignoring Harris’ two interceptions. News flash, Chris – when you complete 21-of-34 passes for 386 yards with three touchdowns – two coming in the fourth quarter – you’re going to get a break for your two freshman mistakes. Only a rival fan plays the, “but he threw two picks” card.

In the article Boggs lists ten reasons why Georgia Tech wins/Miami loses, which came off rather one-sided. In an attempt to balance out the biased piece, allow this Cane to retort:

[1.] Miami doesn’t have near the athletes that Clemson had in Spiller and Ford.

Nice to see Boggs open with his most asinine assessment out the gate. Miami “doesn’t have near the athletes” as Clemson’s C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford? Brother, please. The Canes reeled in the top-ranked class in 2008 and arguably a top five class in 2009. It’s flat-out moronic to imply Miami lacks athletes since Randy Shannon has been heading up the recruiting efforts.

A jacked up Graig Cooper and slimmed down Javarris James are in the same league as Spiller. As for Ford, I’ll put any Cane wideout up against him – be it your bigger receiver like Aldarius Johnson/LaRon Byrd or a speedster like Travis Benjamin/Thearon Collier.

Boggs didn’t just say Miami doesn’t have the same athleticism as Clemson – he went as far as to say it’s not even close.

[2.] Harris will have to keep his head on a swivel to avoid getting molested repeatedly by Derrick Morgan.

Agreed, Harris better get some protection from Morgan. That said, there are six other guys regarding the front seven. One man alone won’t get the job done. Morgan will need help.

Miami’s offensive line played a solid game at Florida State and protected Harris almost all evening. Mark Whipple’s new playcalling has put the line in better position to do what it does best. With creative playcalling and crisp route running, Harris is getting the ball out of his hands and into the mitts of his first, second or third receiver in a matter of seconds.

If the Canes line plays as it did in Tallahassee ten days ago, Morgan and his crew better in the backfield quickly, because Harris doesn’t need long to pick you apart.

[3.] Tech has better defensive backs than FSU does and the big plays won’t come as easily.

Boggs is quick to point the finger at Florida State’s secondary while giving no credit to Miami playcalling or Whipple’s offense. A few weeks ago the Noles were touting Patrick Robinson while defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews was calling this his fastest defense in FSU history. 386 passing yards later….

Whipple created mismatches and used creative playcalling to throw off the Florida State’s defense. Graig Cooper’s late touchdown came after a mismatch had a FSU linebacker going up against him, while Travis Benjamin’s speed and Harris’ accuracy accounted for the pass that set up Miami’s game-winning score. Good defense on the play, the Canes were just a half step better than the Noles.

Side note, if Clemson’s Kyle Parker could throw for 261 yards and three touchdowns, why is Harris being given no shot by Boggs to weather the storm? No offense, but who is Parker – a freshman – at this point of his career? Hell, if Jacksonville State’s Marques Ivory could put up 193 yards and two touchdowns against Tech’s secondary, what might J12 do?

Point being, who is really all that impressed with GT’s secondary two games into the season? Seriously. Doesn’t mean they can’t have a big game, but Boggs is off with the assessment.

[4.] Miami doesn’t seem to be willing to run the ball or have the discipline to exploit the biggest weakness in the GT defense.

The Canes offense took what the Noles offense gave them last week. Simply put, the pass was there so Whipple exploited the weakness. If the game plan calls for some running tonight, you’ll get a healthy dose of James/Cooper. Period.

How can you say Miami doesn’t seem “willing” to run the ball or lacks discipline ONE freakin game into the season. Miami only ran for 90 yards because it passed for 386.

[5.] The Miami defense didn’t look tough enough or disciplined enough to handle Tech’s offensive pressure for four quarters.

Miami had some definitely lapses on defense. No argument there. Gave up some big plays here and there and allowed 404 total yards. The Canes better have tightened that up this past week or it’ll be a long night.

As a Cane, a ounce of homerism from a Canes’ perspective; five straight stops from the two-yard line which preserved the win. Stopped the option. Batted down several passes. Pressured the quarterback. Defensive line got penetration. That’s something for defensive coordinator John Lovett to build off and it should give this defense a shot in the arm, knowing they can get their job done with the game on the line.

[6.] There is no number 6…

Was there even a 1-5… or 7-10, for that matter?

[7.] The Jackets weren’t “stopped” by Clemson…418 yards (301 on the ground) isn’t “stopped”.

Another case where Boggs refuses to give an opponent credit.

The Jackets WERE stopped by Clemson, chief. If you’re going to harp on Harris’ two BAD passes against Florida State, I’ll harp on Nesbitt’s two good ones – 24-yards and 39-yards – both setting up late fourth quarter field goals and a three-point win. Before that, Nesbitt was 1-of-11 on the night for 20 yards and two interceptions.

Roughly 2/3 of GT’s rushing yards were in the first half and the majority of the passing yards came on two plays, by an otherwise horrendous showing by Nesbitt. The passing game was “stopped” all day long and the run wasn’t as effective in the second half.

[8.] Jerrard Tarrant is a weapon that Miami will have to be concerned about. You can’t give Paul Johnson great field position on big kick returns and win the game.

Nothing to argue there. Miami gave up way too much special teams-wise against Florida State and needs to be wary of anybody on the return team who can make plays. That said, Terrant isn’t doing anything as a punt returner that Miami’s Cooper didn’t do as a kick returner.

In two games Terrant had five returns for 172 yards – his long, being an 85-yarder. Cooper returned five kickoffs for 177 yards in one game – at Florida State – his long being a 63-yarder midway through the third quarter.

[9.] Tech will learn from the Clemson comeback and will maintain focus and intensity on the road, away from the friendly fans and confines of Bobby Dodd Stadium.

Nice theory, but pure speculation. Nothing factual about that statement. If Georgia Tech couldn’t focus at home with a huge lead, how will they fare better in a hostile environment tonight? The Canes aren’t known for packing the house, but on Thursday night LandShark Stadium will feel almost like the old Orange Bowl for a few hours.

Last year Miami took out Virginia Tech on the same nationally televised stage and the year prior, it was Texas A&M who got a Thursday night schooling. The Canes are 13-2 on Thursday night ESPN games – with those two losses coming on the road (Pitt, 1997 and Georgia Tech, 2008).

At home, the Canes roll and the environment is electric. Almost 47,000 in attendance for the Hokies game last year, which Miami went into 6-3. A different ball game at 1-0 after beating Florida State. Look for a bigger and rowdier crowd in a few hours.

A home opener, a night game and a week after a thrilling win over the Noles? Even the bandwagon portion of this fan base will turn out tonight and represent… and that’s fact, not opinion.

[10.] The Tech defense made plays when they had to against Clemson…which is a better team than Miami.

… and Clemson is a better team because? 1-1 with a 37-14 win over Middle Tennessee State and a close loss to Georgia Tech? The Blue Raiders hung 300 yards on the Tigers – 207 through the air – and went toe-to-toe regarding time of possession. Miami gave up 404 to a Florida State team light years better than MTSU.

More hot air and bias from Boggs. The Tech defense made plays when it had to? I guess the 20 points and 240 yards in the second half were just for good measure. Trying to keep it interesting and what not.

Do I think Miami wins? I do, 34-27. That said, my opinion is based on three strong recruiting classes and a step forward for the program in Randy Shannon’s third year. There is more depth and talent at the skills position than the Canes have seen since they were BCS bound four straight times earlier this decade – and there’s finally a quarterback behind center for the first time since Dorsey was chucked to the Fiesta Bowl turf in early 2003.

Combine that with Whipple’s offense, more depth/playmakers on defense – as well as the return of upperclassmen defenders who missed last year’s contest – and I’ve backed up my prediction of a Canes victory.

Would’ve been nice to see Chris Boggs do the same, instead of simply donning the cap of GT SuperFan.

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