Mark Richt rolls into Atlanta on a field where he has never lost as a head coach (sobering thought for the day). This time though, he's with his alma mater. This will be Richt's first ACC game as HC in his career. The Canes open with home games against Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic before traveling to Appalachian State (no, that's not a misprint...the Canes are traveling to Appalachian State in Week 3). They have a week off in Week 4 to prep for their trip to Grant Field. Tech has a couple of extra days as well coming off our 2nd ACC game of the season on Thursday night hosting Clemson.
Game Info: Oct. 1, Time and TV TBA...note, the marquee ACC game of the day potentially (likely?) will be the Noles hosting the Cheaters this day...Clemson also hosts Louisville in what is a big day for ACC FB...Duke hosts Virginia...and NC State hosts Wake
Last Meeting: Miami trounced the Jackets in South Florida in the rain, 38-21. Tech scored on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, but it was all Canes from there on as JT5 was injured on that opening drive. Tech fumbled 9 times that day, though "only" losing 2.
All-time series: Tech leads the series, 11-10, though the Canes have won 6 of the last 7. Tech is 9-4 at home and won the last meeting on Grant Field in 2014, 28-17, as Tech played keep away most of the game dominating TOP and keeping the Canes offense on the sidelines. Tech had the ball for 40 minutes of the game and had 72 offensive plays to Miami's 44. The previous game in 2012 wound up with Tech blowing a late lead (Tech up 36-22 entering 4Q) and Miami prevailing in overtime, 42-36.
Miami Offense: For the 2nd game in a row, Tech will face one of the potential top picks in next spring's NFL draft in QB Brad Kaaya. Certainly, Ted Roof and staff should have tons of familiarity not only with Mark Richt's offense, but Miami's personnel. With an extra week to prepare - and perhaps playing it vanilla during an opening stretch of 3 games they should win perhaps easily - it is reasonable to guess Richt will open up his playbook and offer some surprises in this game. Miami rarely has to worry about athletes. They are loaded with them. Richt should have plenty of video on Tech's defense and he knows Roof as well as Roof knows him. The difference could be that Tech has already faced a dynamic and explosive offense in Clemson so our guys should be well prepared. I'm not sure Miami's offense will have faced guys like Gamble, Mitchell, Gray and so forth so far.
Miami Defense: Manny Diaz comes over after 1 year as Mississippi State's D-Coord. to run the D for Richt. Note, he was NOT at Miss State when our scholars kicked their ass all over the field in the Orange MEG 2 seasons ago. CPJ has an extra 2 days to prep here and hopefully the guys are refreshing/healing up some from 2 months into the season from the start of practice in early August at this time. I can't see where any of Diaz's defensive staff have any ties to Richt at the Cesspool or experience going up against CPJ and our funky offense. I guess we'll see what Miami's D looks like in their early season soft games. Appalachian State does run some option game so we'll see in Week 3 at Boone how the Canes handle it.
What I Expect To Happen: I originally had this one written off as a loss. I think it will be very closely contested from opening kickoff to the final whistle. Miami getting extra time to prepare helps them, but that helps every team normally. I think getting an extra 2 days will (or should) help Tech as well. Tech could be coming off a dramatic, huge upset of Clemson OR may be entering this game like an angry bunch of yellow jackets trying to avoid a 2nd or 3rd ACC loss. It's our first division game and one that the team needs desperately. I have us at 2-2/0-2 heading into this game. I think the Jackets get over the hump and win one on a late Butker field goal to finally send Richt off that field as a loser... Tech wins a thriller 27-24...Tech moves to 3-2/1-2 on the season.
Game Info: Oct. 1, Time and TV TBA...note, the marquee ACC game of the day potentially (likely?) will be the Noles hosting the Cheaters this day...Clemson also hosts Louisville in what is a big day for ACC FB...Duke hosts Virginia...and NC State hosts Wake
Last Meeting: Miami trounced the Jackets in South Florida in the rain, 38-21. Tech scored on its opening drive to take a 7-0 lead, but it was all Canes from there on as JT5 was injured on that opening drive. Tech fumbled 9 times that day, though "only" losing 2.
All-time series: Tech leads the series, 11-10, though the Canes have won 6 of the last 7. Tech is 9-4 at home and won the last meeting on Grant Field in 2014, 28-17, as Tech played keep away most of the game dominating TOP and keeping the Canes offense on the sidelines. Tech had the ball for 40 minutes of the game and had 72 offensive plays to Miami's 44. The previous game in 2012 wound up with Tech blowing a late lead (Tech up 36-22 entering 4Q) and Miami prevailing in overtime, 42-36.
Miami Offense: For the 2nd game in a row, Tech will face one of the potential top picks in next spring's NFL draft in QB Brad Kaaya. Certainly, Ted Roof and staff should have tons of familiarity not only with Mark Richt's offense, but Miami's personnel. With an extra week to prepare - and perhaps playing it vanilla during an opening stretch of 3 games they should win perhaps easily - it is reasonable to guess Richt will open up his playbook and offer some surprises in this game. Miami rarely has to worry about athletes. They are loaded with them. Richt should have plenty of video on Tech's defense and he knows Roof as well as Roof knows him. The difference could be that Tech has already faced a dynamic and explosive offense in Clemson so our guys should be well prepared. I'm not sure Miami's offense will have faced guys like Gamble, Mitchell, Gray and so forth so far.
Miami Defense: Manny Diaz comes over after 1 year as Mississippi State's D-Coord. to run the D for Richt. Note, he was NOT at Miss State when our scholars kicked their ass all over the field in the Orange MEG 2 seasons ago. CPJ has an extra 2 days to prep here and hopefully the guys are refreshing/healing up some from 2 months into the season from the start of practice in early August at this time. I can't see where any of Diaz's defensive staff have any ties to Richt at the Cesspool or experience going up against CPJ and our funky offense. I guess we'll see what Miami's D looks like in their early season soft games. Appalachian State does run some option game so we'll see in Week 3 at Boone how the Canes handle it.
What I Expect To Happen: I originally had this one written off as a loss. I think it will be very closely contested from opening kickoff to the final whistle. Miami getting extra time to prepare helps them, but that helps every team normally. I think getting an extra 2 days will (or should) help Tech as well. Tech could be coming off a dramatic, huge upset of Clemson OR may be entering this game like an angry bunch of yellow jackets trying to avoid a 2nd or 3rd ACC loss. It's our first division game and one that the team needs desperately. I have us at 2-2/0-2 heading into this game. I think the Jackets get over the hump and win one on a late Butker field goal to finally send Richt off that field as a loser... Tech wins a thriller 27-24...Tech moves to 3-2/1-2 on the season.
