Georgia Tech @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 13, 2010 ) Miami 35, Georgia Tech 10

THE STORY: No. 19 Georgia Tech lost its perfect season last week. Now the Yellow Jackets, in a dogfight in the ACC’s Coastal Division, visit a rejuvenated Miami team coming off an impressive road win. The Hurricanes have bounced back from the Nevin Shapiro scandal and just evened their record with a 30-24 win at North Carolina. Saturday, they’ll welcome back stud defensive end Olivier Vernon from his six-game suspension. Miami has won two straight over Tech by a combined score of 68-27.

TV: ESPN. LINE: Miami -3

ABOUT GEORGIA TECH (6-1, 3-1 ACC): The Jackets won their first three games by an average of 37.3 points, while their last four games have been decided by an average of 6.3 points. The triple option offense has bogged down, scoring just 21 each of the past two weeks. QB Tevin Washington hit just 12 of 39 throws over the past three games. The defense has eight INTs, matching last year’s total, but cannot stop the run. Opponents are averaging 5.5 yards a carry in ACC play. LB Jeremiah Attaochu, who’s missed two games with a leg injury, is expected to return.

ABOUT MIAMI (3-3, 1-2 ACC): Senior QB Jacory Harris is playing the best ball of his career. He’s thrown 12 TDs against three INTs and ranks eighth nationally in pass efficiency (170.8). Senior LB Sean Spence has won ACC Linebacker of the Week for two straight weeks. He has 55 tackles, 29 solo. RB Lamar Miller ranks 11th nationally in rushing (117.6 yards per game). The Canes cannot afford another conference loss if they want to reach the ACC Championship Game.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tech leads the alltime series 10-6.

2. Tech K Justin Moore might not handle field goals after getting his second FG try blocked last week.

3. Miami junior K Jake Wieclaw is 7-for-7 on field goals.

PREDICTION: Miami 27, Georgia Tech 24 – The Yellow Jackets are terrible against the run, and Miller will exploit that weakness.