Week 13: Miami at Georgia Tech

Randy Shannon has hit the accelerator on his rebuilding project, and Miami is speeding ahead of schedule toward the ACC championship game in Tampa, Fla. The Hurricanes control their own destiny in the Coastal Division, needing only to win their final two games to claim the division title.

Miami could clinch the division as soon as this week, as long as it defeats Georgia Tech and North Carolina loses at home to N.C. State. The Hurricanes can’t worry about the second part of that equation because their hands will be full facing a Georgia Tech team looking for redemption. The Yellow Jackets had an open date last week, and the break from game action gave them time to get back to basics after they missed many assignments on offense and defense in a 28-7 loss at North Carolina.

Georgia Tech enters this game still with a chance to win the Coastal Division. And while it’s a long shot — the Yellow Jackets must win this game and then have North Carolina, Virginia and Virginia Tech lose one more league game apiece — at least it’s a chance. Plus, the Yellow Jackets could get an emotional boost in the final home game for their 20 seniors.

Unfortunately for Georgia Tech, Miami could get a boost of its own in this game. The Hurricanes, who are riding their first five-game winning streak since 2005, are 13-1 in games on ESPN’s Thursday night package. That record includes 11 consecutive victories, the most recent of which was a 16-14 win over Virginia Tech last week.

The key matchup in this game pits Georgia Tech’s offense against Miami’s defense. Led by B-back Jonathan Dwyer (ACC-best 105.6 rushing yards per game), the Yellow Jackets lead the ACC and rank eighth in the country in rushing (250.7 ypg). The question facing Georgia Tech is whether quarterback Josh Nesbitt will be healthy enough to execute the team’s option attack. Nesbitt sprained his ankle again at North Carolina and was limited in practice early this week.

Miami counters with a defense that features seven freshmen on its two-deep depth chart, so Georgia Tech’s unconventional offense will present challenges many of the Hurricanes never have encountered before. Miami ranks 10th nationally in total defense (283.2 ypg) and 19th in the country against the run (106.6 ypg) after limiting Virginia Tech to just 77 yards on 38 carries last week.

During their winning streak, the Hurricanes have set the tone in the second half with their defense. Miami has allowed a total of 139 yards on 76 plays in the third quarter of its last five games.

Notes/Things to Watch:

Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 9-4, including 7-2 at home. The Yellow Jackets have won the last three meetings by a combined total of 14 points.

A tight, low-scoring game could favor Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are 4-1 in games decided by four points or fewer this season, while Miami is 1-2 in such games.

Expect the teams to score when they get inside their opponent’s 20-yard line. Miami has scored on 36 of 38 trips inside the red zone this season (ACC-best 94.7 percent) and has converted on 22 red-zone possessions in a row. Conversely, the Hurricanes have allowed their opponents to score on 27 of 28 red-zone trips (NCAA-worst 96.4 percent).

Miami has received some good news on the injury front. Left tackle Jason Fox, whose streak of 21 consecutive starts ended last week when he sat out with a sprained right ankle, is probable against Georgia Tech. So is wideout/kick returner Travis Benjamin, who missed time against Virginia Tech with an ankle injury of his own.

Georgia Tech features the ACC’s best starting defensive line in ends Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan and tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker — a key reason why the team ranks second in the ACC in sacks (28) and among the nation’s top 15 teams in points allowed (16.1 per game) and total yards allowed (287.6 per game). Johnson, Richard and Walker are seniors, and they want to play well in their final home game and take advantage of the spotlight that comes with playing on national TV on a Thursday.

Key Player (Hurricanes) — Robert Marve, QB

Marve and fellow freshman Jacory Harris have formed a nice tandem at quarterback, but Marve is the one in charge of getting the team off to a good start. He’ll be under considerable pressure early, so he must make good decisions and be accurate with his throws.

Key Player (Yellow Jackets) — Josh Nesbitt, QB

Coach Paul Johnson has been complimentary of backup quarterback Jaybo Shaw all season, but the fact of the matter is that Georgia Tech is far more dangerous with a healthy Nesbitt at the controls. If Nesbitt can’t play at or near 100 percent, the Yellow Jackets will suffer.

Georgia Tech by 3