Does Miami have Tech’s number?
I’m working on a story for Saturday about how Miami has handled Georgia Tech each of the past three seasons. The combined score of the three games has been 92-34.
I haven’t started writing it yet, but just wanted to toss a few things out. I think there’s a few different reasons Miami has won with relative ease. For one, Tech has fallen behind in in the first half of each of the three, 24-3 in 2009, 14-0 in 2010 and 14-0 last year.
“We just haven’t played very well,” coach Paul Johnson said Tuesday at his news conference.
Another part of it has been Miami’s control of the line of scrimmage. In 2009, B-back Jonathan Dwyer had five runs for seven yards and Tech had 95 rushing yards. In 2010, Miami ran for 277 yards. In 2010, B-back David Sims had 10 carries for 29 yards and the offense produced 134 rushing yards.
I talked to former center Sean Bedford for the story on Monday. He offered a lot of insights, such as the following about Miami defensive lineman Allen Bailey.
“In 2009, 2010, Allen Bailey was just a stud,” he said. “He ate my lunch in 2009 and we couldn’t block him with anybody in 2010.”
Which brings up another point. Miami has had physically superior players, including Bailey. Starting with the 2010 draft, Tech has had six players selected in the NFL draft, including one each in 2011 and 2012. Miami has had 18. Bailey was taken in the third round of the 2011 draft by the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Don’t underestimate the kind of players that they’ll have,” Johnson said Tuesday. “They’ll have as good a player as anybody we play.”
What do you think?
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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97 comments Add your comment
Bryan GT04
September 19th, 2012
12:45 pm
just to block somebody else calling “first”…..
I’ll be there for kickoff, can’t wait. Let’s erase this belief they’ve got Tech’s number
HighTech
September 19th, 2012
12:49 pm
Miami has always had speed on their side. Miscues and poor execution as well as falling behind against them have hurt in the past. Hopefully, the Jackets will be as fired up for this game as they were for UVA. In contrast, Clemson has had physically superior athletes and Tech often seems to have their number.
Ramblin' Wreck
September 19th, 2012
12:52 pm
I’ll go with the talent analysis. I go back tom the Orange Bowl again Iowa. The Hawkeye front four destroyed our line. Adrian Clayborn was a man among boys and was in the backfield all night. Scheme is crucial, but talent kills. We should have enough of both to win on Saturday.
Charlie GT 1985
September 19th, 2012
12:53 pm
I’m calling first just to pi$$ off Bryan GT04. All in good fun. What’s the good word?!?!?!?!
Master Yoda
September 19th, 2012
12:54 pm
It’s not going to be pretty for Da U. Perimeter blocking has come around and that opens up everything.
FL Jacket
September 19th, 2012
12:56 pm
Even CPJ has stated “physical superiority cancels all theory”…I’d like to think our level of OL talent is peaking (and execution is gelling at the right time hopefully)
JustinSyder
September 19th, 2012
1:03 pm
I know it’s “The U” and everything, but if this game isn’t put away by the end of the third quarter, we have some work to do. This is a bad football team. Just execute, play smart physical defense, and limit mistakes. I’d be disappointed if we had less than 21 points at halftime.
gt45
September 19th, 2012
1:07 pm
They killed us in the ATL two years ago. It was an uphill battle the whole game. Seems like they had a huge tightend that we had no answer for, as well as a DE. This year, the shoe is on our foot!
JustinSyder
September 19th, 2012
1:11 pm
The game in ‘10 was also TW’s first start. If I remember correctly, we were down 21-10, we were drving the football, and Orwin fumbled inside the 20 which killed any momentum. Much has improved sense then.
Ken Sugiura
September 19th, 2012
1:12 pm
well-played, Bryan.
i do think the offensive line will be more able to stand up. one thing i’ve heard mike sewak (o-line coach) say a number of times is the importance of having older linemen, players who have been in the weight room for two or three years. that’s where tech’s line is now.
JP
September 19th, 2012
1:14 pm
Thank you, Bryan GT04. That “first” crap is so annoying.
Joe Schmoe
September 19th, 2012
1:14 pm
We have a D now that I can confidently say is more superior that our O. I worry more about the O than the D.
yeller bug
September 19th, 2012
1:15 pm
We’re going to win this one handily. 3 scores at least.
collegeballfan
September 19th, 2012
1:28 pm
No matter the offensive scheme one runs, if the OL is not able to block the defense, you usually lose the game.
GTfan2012
September 19th, 2012
1:30 pm
I hope we can dominate them. They have not proven to be even an average defense so far this season. Let’s hope this isn’t the game where their defense suddenly steps up. Our defense should be able to hold them under 20 points.
gt4ever
September 19th, 2012
1:32 pm
Let’s take care of business, just like we did with VA… We should beat a very average Miami team…
Mike S.
September 19th, 2012
1:32 pm
I think Miami definitely has Tech’s number. Its not just been wins, they have been fairly lopsided. The biggest reason is Miami has the athletes on defense to properly line up against the option. They also seemed to be well schooled on staying at home. Johnson embarrassed them in 2008, so I think they took that personal and made a point to learn how to defend him.
On the surface, i would say Miami isnt very good this year. Still, they werent very good in 2010 or last year either.
Jacket Man
September 19th, 2012
1:37 pm
Special teams hasn’t been so special so far, and it better improve or Saturday may be just the excuse the Hurricanes needs to get momentum against the Jackets once again. We saw what happened last year, in Miami, how that hurt the team, and we should know by now that not turning the ball over also helps their chances at a victory. So far, they’ve done okay against the “slower” teams, but against Miami, they’ll have to deal with guys coming across the Line of Scrimmage must faster, trying to disrupt the pitch, which cause fumbles in the past. The Offensive Line, A-Backs, and Wide Receivers really need to step it up this week.
Bobby Dodd
September 19th, 2012
1:37 pm
Not about draft picks at all. Tech owned Miami under Gailey and yet Miami vastly sent more to the NFL. Horrible defenses, and predictable offensive plays early in the games were the differences. Johnson tried to force the Dive too much early in the game leading to quick 3 and outs in which UM simply capitalized on by driving.
macrotech
September 19th, 2012
1:39 pm
I think things are coming together for this Tech team….for the first time in a few years, we’re getting pressure on QBs and our QBs are getting more time to make throws. These two things will make all the difference in the world….we SHOULD be playing our subs in the second half of the third. Can’t wait….go Tech!!!
Mike S.
September 19th, 2012
1:42 pm
Like I said, this is not a very good Miami team as far as I can tell, but I’m not sure its worse than the last two years. Miami has been a 6-7 win program for few years, and I dont expect that to change this year. But that’s not due to lack of athletic ability and NFL talent. Tech really needs to beat a team like this if they want to truly move past the 7 win seasons themselves.
I think Tech should win, but I’m shaky on it. Fact is, Johnson can be very limited and/or stopped if you have the athletes on defense, and they play with discipline. Miami has them and has done that the last three years.
Born2Buzz
September 19th, 2012
1:42 pm
2010 was just a good old fashioned butt whooping. Groh’s D couldn’t stop them at all, especially Hankerson. Last year was better but TW threw an INT on the first play and our Special Teams KILLED us (Laskey’s goof – was that the last punt return for him?).
We are a completely different on D and ST so far this year. And the U has a mess on D with all kinds of kids playing LB, not the MEN of years past.
I expect a little more fight than UVA but still looking for a big W. I will be there cheering as usual…and hugging the Miami girl with us after every big play!!!
blackandwhitestripes
September 19th, 2012
1:44 pm
We will see! Tech has another test coming.
GT Class of 88
September 19th, 2012
1:44 pm
Miami lost a lot of upper classmen this year and have a very young team. The question in my mind is how disciplined a young defensive team will be against the triple option? Remember the talent-heavy Noles and the highlight reel games against them? This should be a good game, if TW plays with confidence and the team fights hard I think we get a close win at home.
GT GRAD
September 19th, 2012
1:51 pm
Teams that have had success against the GT Triple Option ALL have the same attribute…….they all have had dominate defensive line players. The whole “extra time to prepare” nonsense is just that nonsense.
The offensive scheme simply does not matter IF you are playing against a team with a superior defensive front……..no offensive scheme can have consistent success with a DL or DE in the backfield during the play action fake or QB to RB hand-off!!!!
Miami had several dominate defensive line players; I sincerely hope they are all gone by now.
GT does NOT need to go into this game over-confident!
I expect a win, but the team better show up ready for a battle!
Go GT!!
Michael Veli a.k.a Jim Donnan's financial advisor
September 19th, 2012
1:51 pm
I have faith that you are right Yeller bug, i would love to see Vad Lee and the other back ups build on there game experience and get lots of reps!
juvenal
September 19th, 2012
1:55 pm
is the new, improved Tev back this week?
Michael Veli a.k.a Jim Donnan's financial advisor
September 19th, 2012
2:02 pm
Tech’s defense has not given up a rushing touchdown in all three games, that is an improvement!
GT Fan
September 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
IDK they have GT’s number, Ken, but if “the U” needs #s they can contact:
888-TECH-TIX or the Robert Ferst Center Box Office at 404-894-9600
rim shot ….
NYJacket
September 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
Miami has not played a Tech team with this type of defense since 1965. If our defense stands tall and stuffs Miami’s offense, Tech will win this one pulling away.
Roll Tide All Day
September 19th, 2012
2:11 pm
Who doesn’t have Tech’s number should be the real question.
The ACC is worse than watching high school football. Prediction: Tech loses.
NYJacket
September 19th, 2012
2:13 pm
This year’s offensive line is much bigger and stronger than any Miami has faced in previous years. We will move the ball and score unless we turn it over.
JustinSyder
September 19th, 2012
2:14 pm
Roll Tide: Your 15 minute break at wall mart ended 10 minutes ago. Better get back to stocking up the shelves.
Birmingham Jacket
September 19th, 2012
2:18 pm
GT Grad is right. If the defensive line is dominant, it doesn’t matter what the scheme is.
That being said, Miami is a terrible football team this year.
GT 41 Miami 17
DS CE'91
September 19th, 2012
2:18 pm
I actually think it will be the “D” that keys our victory (or not, as it were). I don’t see us scoring at will against the Miami defense, even looking at what K-State did against them. I see us scoring 24-27 points. If we can hold them down under that, we win.
GO JACKETS!!
GT Fan
September 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
Let’s hope the Jackets eliminate TOs vs. the Canes. Everyone remembers Laskey’s botched punt return last season, but it seems that nobody recalls the first play of the game for TW ……
He rolled right, had a WIDE OPEN Orwin Smith streaking across the middle (play would’ve been a 50-60 yd gain if not a TD), and TW overthrew (and behind OS) for an EASY Int by the Canes.
If GT holds UM to 262 total yds and only 14 1st downs again, while ELIMINATING TOs, the Jackets will win in a blowout. UM is like UVA on D…very young & inexperienced.
Justin
September 19th, 2012
2:27 pm
How many times did miami have an open week before gt? I think twice.
GeorgeP
September 19th, 2012
2:30 pm
I think the bigger question is our Defense versus their offense. That is where we will win or lose this Saturday.
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
2:43 pm
Jackets were definitely dominated at the line of scrimmage for the last three years. Doesn’t mean they have Tech’s number though.
I was at the last game Tech played in the Orange Bowl (’07?). Tech brought out the ground game in the second half and pounded the U into the dirt. Game winning field goal at the end sealed it.
Later that night, the kicker’s parents (and their group) were having dinner next to our group at Fleming’s in the Gables. His mom was so proud and rightly so.
On Saturday, as a 14-1/2 point favorite, I hope the Jackets dominate in the trenches. Pound the Canes!
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
2:53 pm
And don’t forget the Thursday night game at BBDS when the puffed up Canes came to town and got stuffed by Michael Johnson and his mates, 41-23. Tech rushed for close to 500 yards that game against a Miami team that thought it had returned to prominence… NOT!
Seems to me if the Jackets win Saturday, the teams are 3-3 in the last 6 years. Only fans of the U would think that it dominance… LOL
GTBob
September 19th, 2012
2:54 pm
Miami has looked pretty awful this year. The Kansas St game was pretty painful to watch. Unless our defense completely collapses, I don’t think we have much to worry about this time around. I was actually more worried about the UVA game.
M-Train Engineer
September 19th, 2012
2:56 pm
The Yoo is in for a bona fide butt-kicking.
North Ave. Engineers 42
Co-Canes 17
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
2:59 pm
@M-Train – ROFL!
SansWorld
September 19th, 2012
3:02 pm
Despite the last three years, this series has been very even. 4 – 4 since the U joined the ACC
Canes have not been the same since GT beat them in 2005 though. That was their last hurrah as a Top 10 power, and it has been down hill ever since then for them. I am glad the the Jackets were their tipping point.
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
3:03 pm
If the Yoo’s “athletes” on defense pose a problem at the line of scrimmage, CPJ’s new shotgun formation with A-Backs in the slot should help Tech loosen up the line of scrimmage.
Hopefully it won’t be necessary to reveal those new looks/plays and Tech just pounds ‘em with the TO. Save the new stuff for Clemson, etc.
ROLL JACKETS!
I, too, would congratulate Bryan GT04, except...
September 19th, 2012
3:04 pm
…for the fact that he used the “F” word in his post – if he had just written and not been grandstanding he would have been a real asset, but now he is only part of an asset…and, oh yeah, I’ll be there for kick-off, too…
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
3:06 pm
For the remedial readers like me, the F word is “First”. Had to go look it up…
crackbaby
September 19th, 2012
3:09 pm
@GTBob – I didn’t see the Yoo v. K-State but I did watch UVA v. Penn State. I can’t imagine any game this year being worse than that cluster fubar.
Wal-Mart Retards
September 19th, 2012
3:16 pm
Nevin Shapiro ensured that Miami had players that would wind up being drafted… after all if they were paid to play college football, chances are they’d want to be paid to play professionally
GTBob
September 19th, 2012
3:20 pm
@crackbaby, the UVA/Penn St game was very ugly and Penn St should have won. At least both teams were battling in that game though. Miami just got completely manhandled by Kansas St. Kansas St only won by 14 over North Texas the week after that also.