Georgia Tech vs Miami: Final Thoughts before kickoff

What does Georgia Tech need to do to pull off an upset against Miami?

It is almost time for kickoff! 

Georgia Tech is getting set to take on No. 17 Miami on the road and coming off of a loss to Bowling Green, the Yellow Jackets are hoping to show that they are a better team than the one that took the field last Saturday. 

It is going to take one heck of an effort to keep this one close tonight though. Miami comes into this game playing one of the best teams in the country, but they have only been tested once so far this season and they are coming off of a bye week. 

With kickoff so close, here are my final thoughts on the game. 

1. The offense, namely the passing attack, is going to have to win this game

While Brent Key is hoping that the coaching change on the defensive side of the ball will help the defense's myriad of issues, it is unlikely that Georgia Tech is going to completely shut Miami down. If the Yellow Jackets want to win this game, quarterback Haynes King is likely going to have to have his best game of the season, and these wide receivers are going to have to hit explosive plays. 

The biggest mismatches for Georgia Tech are going to be along the lines of scrimmage and while I don't think they will be able to have a lot of down-to-down success, this Miami secondary could be susceptible to big plays and that is where Georgia Tech does have success. If the offensive line can block a very good Miami defensive line, King could make some plays. 

2. The Yellow Jackets have to win the turnover battle

Anytime that a team is a three-touchdown underdog, turnovers are likely going to have to play a huge factor. Miami does not turn the ball over much and aside from the game against Wake Forest, Georgia Tech has not been able to create many of those opportunities. 

Finding creative ways to get pressure on Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is going to be one of many challenges that defensive coordinator Kevin Sherrer has tonight. Whether it is by blitzing or switching up personnel, Georgia Tech cannot allow Van Dyke to get comfortable and hit big plays. 

3. The Miami running game is the biggest mismatch in the game and could negate everything else Georgia Tech does

I'll be captain obvious here but if Georgia Tech plays the same kind of defense they have through the first five games, this game is going to get ugly. Georgia Tech enters their matchup against Miami with the 128th-ranked rushing defense. The Yellow Jackets give up well over 200 yards per game on the ground and are one of the worst tackling teams in the country. Miami on the other hand has the top rushing attack in the ACC, averaging over 222 yards per game, including a 300+ yard performance against Temple in their last game.

Henry Parrish leads the Miami ground game with 331 yards on 42 carries and he averages nearly eight yards per carry and has scored three touchdowns this season. He is not the only talented player in the backfield for the Hurricanes though. Donald Chaney, Nebraska transfer Ajay Allen, and true freshman Mark Fletcher help form one of the best ground games in the country. All four of these players average at least five yards per carry.

I don't expect Georgia Tech to hold Miami down the whole game, but they can't let Miami dictate the game on the ground and control everything. Getting stops in the early downs and forcing Miami into third and longs will be big tonight. 

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