Is Miami taking Georgia Tech lightly?
This was the scene after Georgia Tech defeated visiting Miami, 41-23, last season. That's tackle Nick Claytor, somewhere in a crowd of fans. (Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com)
In my continuing quest to peek behind enemy lines during game week, I have a question about the Miami Hurricanes: Huh?
Maybe I’m making too much of this: But when a football coach finds it necessary to tell his players, “Don’t take this opponent lightly,” isn’t there some built-in assumption that said opponent is considered to be in the “light” category?
Here’s why I ask. Miami coach Randy Shannon, who has done a terrific job rebuilding the Hurricanes, seems concerned because his team is coming off a big win over Florida State and now must prepare for Georgia Tech Thursday night.
Loading ...The Yellow Jackets are 2-0. They’ve beaten the Hurricanes four straight years (twice in Miami). They rushed for 472 yards against Miami in last year’s 41-23 win, and I kept deleting that and re-typing it, thinking it was a mistake. The emotional win over the Seminoles notwithstanding, a letdown really shouldn’t be an issue for the Hurricanes if they’re playing a team they respect and somewhat fear. Should it?
But this was Shannon’s comment to the Miami Herald: “Last year we were on a five-game win streak, and, obviously, if we play Georgia Tech and win that game [Nov. 20] we win the conference. Those are things that players understand, that what happened last week [at Florida State] has nothing to do with what we’ll do.
“That’s the biggest focus — don’t take Georgia Tech lightly. Don’t believe in what you’ve done last week. I think they’re starting to understand it because we made a big emphasis on it.”
I get that Shannon is trying to keep his players grounded. I just don’t get why Miami, after a long and significant decline in the program, would be taking any opponent lightly, let alone one that it has lost to four straight years.
The Jackets will be playing their third game in 13 days. The Hurricanes will be playing only their second game of the season and coming off 10 days rest. Confidence shouldn’t be an issue for them. But given the backdrop, neither should overconfidence.
Anybody else wondering about this? And while we’re at it, I’ve got a poll up: Who wins this game?
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230 comments Add your comment
F-105 Thunderchief
September 14th, 2009
3:57 pm
I think coaches have a revolving list of motivational cliches they harp on and this week on the roulette wheel, this gem pops up. It’s little ado about even less, essentially. It’s windblown flatulence.
TDone
September 14th, 2009
3:59 pm
Jeff, it would have been nice if you had not highlighted this matter, but since you did, the only thing I would add to the equation is that there is a very thin line between rest and rust.
Go Jackets!!!
BravesFan79
September 14th, 2009
4:00 pm
GO GT!!
m
September 14th, 2009
4:11 pm
Maybe it is because Miami is as stupid as ugag is.
Tech81
September 14th, 2009
4:12 pm
I am a huge tech fan and ticket holder. However I think tech is in big trouble come thursday, we have not proven that we can play 100% for more than 20 minutes. We get great starts but can’t finish if this pattern continues I think Miami will beat us 31-20, I hope I am wrong.
CoolBreeze
September 14th, 2009
4:14 pm
The ‘Canes should be tipped off by what Climpson did right in last Thursday’s game. But if you stop Dwyer, then CPJ will be thinking of something else (hope it’s a short passing game). If Nesbitt can do that, GT won’t get stopped. Next question: Can the db’s anticipate UM’s passing game any better than they did Climpson’s? I hope so. Jackets, 30-24.
CDawg42
September 14th, 2009
4:21 pm
I guess you’ve got to generate news somehow, huh?? Less than a NON-story…
RAMBLE ON!!!
September 14th, 2009
4:25 pm
I have to agree with m on this one.
Thug’s are stupid.
Melinda
September 14th, 2009
4:26 pm
I would think the players are excited to play GT on another Thursday in their own stadium. They have to want to erase last year’s performance from everyone’s memory banks. It would also be surprising if they weren’t fired up and “riding a high” after beating an in-state conference rival in a hostile stadium.
Jacory Harris was good when they played him at the end of the game against us last year. I think we get Miami’s best shot. Here’s hoping they get our best shot and it’s a knock-out punch.
Jeepers
September 14th, 2009
4:27 pm
Tech is coming off an emotionally and physically draining game. I just hope the players are rested and up for a challenge. The Canes should be rested and ready. The offense needs to bring the heat and not let up. If they can get through this game with a win, the sky’s the limit. Go Jackets.
collegeballfan
September 14th, 2009
4:29 pm
They have had 10 days to come off the high of beating FSU on the road.
The game after Tech is Vir Tech on the road 9 days later, Sat. 9/26.
Miami has a schedule really set up for early season success.
They should beat Tech. But lets play the game anyway.
Cuttysark
September 14th, 2009
4:31 pm
Right now I wouldn’t be putting a lot of stock in the win over Florida State, given that they were fortunate to survive JSU. That being said, Coach Paul Johnson is not one to be left without options in a football game. He ran the quarterback follow through 5 straight times and moved the ball when the entire defense was geared to stop Dwyer. That is what makes this offense so dangerous, there are lots of options available. Right now the “U” just isn’t what it used to be, and frankly Clemson had better skilled position talent. Tech finds a way to win.
I find it funny that Clemson was bragging that Tech didn’t run on them for 400 yards. True, but 301 isn’t anything to get cocky about either, along with 117 in the air. Looks like the special teams are improved.
Go to isportsweb.com for more Georgia Tech Football Articles and analysis. Go Jackets!
Gravy Train
September 14th, 2009
4:35 pm
Jeff, I think Randy was referring to perception, as in the perception associated to Tech and weakness. Maybe Tech is not weak, the passing game and defense suggests as much though. Maybe Miami thinks their task is relatively simple his week. Contain the edges of the line and force the action to the middle and make the QB beat you. LSU and Clemson proved, thus far, that Nesbitt is more a runner than an actual QB.
Relying on trick plays (fake punts, fake feild goals) to win is a gimmick, don’t you think?
Take away the option and CPJ has nada.
GA Tech Insider
September 14th, 2009
4:42 pm
Thursday evening’s game for GA Tech could do one of two things for GA Tech; one positive; one negative.
Playing three games within such a short time frame could give the Jackets an opportunity to work on their mistakes and begin to get a better feel for the speed of the game so they can start to get their offense cranked up quicker than they did last season. While it may be true that Miami has had a chance to see some things that LSU and Clemson have done to try to “bottle up” the Jackets offensively (if that can be argued against a team that’s racking up over 300 yards rushing a game and over 30 points a game), conversely, Paul Johnson has now had time to really try to work out his kinks and prepare new wrinkles as he sees fit.
On the flip side, the boys could be worn out from playing so many games in such a short time frame as compared to Miami. The team has come off of a long summer of practice, then these two games played so close together just prior to the Miami game. It’s really a lot to have on the table for these kids, especially with classes piled on top, especially for the true freshmen who are suiting up.
I would say that Miami will be really “amped” up for the game Thursday evening; looking for revenge from last year’s ESPN Thursday evening white out game at Tech and the fact that GA Tech has had their number for several years now. I expect that Miami will come out with barrels blazing, gadgets, whizzing, and hooting and hollering louder as much as the Bulldog Nation looks forward to playing the Florida Gators every year.
The Jackets need to come out steady and ready to play ball, ignoring all the hoopla. They need to play smart, GA Tech football; they need to play like a team. If they do all of this, and they follow Paul Johnson’s lead, then I think they’ll be fine.
Dooley's Cardiologist
September 14th, 2009
4:42 pm
I don’t see how Miami could take Tech lightly. I mean, did they even hear about the FSU game this past weekend?? If so, they would quickly realize that their CLOSE win over FSU doesn’t really mean much. I hope they overlook Tech. That being said, they have a ton of speed. It should be a good one to watch.
John
September 14th, 2009
4:45 pm
Gravy: Take away the option and CPJ has nada?? That’s the dumbest comment I’ve ever read. It’s like saying take away his height, speed, and hands and Calvin Johnson has nothing. Well, of course, but those are the things that make him great. CPJ’s option got us 9 wins last season and 2 so far this season. I’ll take cpj AND his option anyday.
AlabamaRamblinwreck
September 14th, 2009
4:45 pm
I was surprised to find out that the Coral Gables Detention Center does give passes out on weeknights?? I knew that inmates could get weekend furloughs, but I thought they had to stay in their cells, unless doing road cleaning, during the week????
Anyway, GT 35 thUgs 21
Go Jackets!!
JacketFan86
September 14th, 2009
4:47 pm
Interesting article, Schultz. Here’s to hoping just maybe the canes are taking us lightly and maybe looking past us to the hokies? who knows with them. Its gonna be a quite a game, prob just as many points in this one as against clemson. I think whoever has the ball last (and consequently scores last) probably wins. GT 31-Miami 30
allCanesBlog.com
September 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
What makes you think Miami is taking this lightly? Georgia Tech beat The U four straight. Not one kid on this team has beaten the Yellow Jackets. You think the coaches and players don’t know this? You don’t think it’s a motivating factor? You think ANYONE in Coral Gables is taking this lightly? That’s hogwash.
You also leave out a key component; the Miami offense. Jacory Harris under center and Mark Whipple calling the offensive plays. It’ll a be a different ball game this year with the Canes actually able to score points and effectively moving the ball.
GT isn’t going to have a comfortable lead this year, as they did last year. Josh Nesbitt is going to have to THROW the ball. This won’t be a 472-yard ground massacre like you saw last year.
Good Georgia Tech Excuses
September 14th, 2009
4:51 pm
Don’t forget Tech has a short week to prepare for Clemson (4 days).
Clemson’s D-Line is better than Miami’s and Steele has a much better resume than Miami’s DC.
That being said, Nesbitt’s inablility to throw better than a AAAA highschool QB, and Clemson’s ability to totally shut down our offense for over 3 quarters is scary!
Hope I’m wrong, but unless CPJ lights a fire under our boys, I will go with Vegas: Tech 24 Miami 28
joeygt
September 14th, 2009
4:52 pm
i think last year miami took gt lightly and thats why gt pounded them and its could of been worse if coach johnson did not take the starters out. this year miami will not take gt lightly bc of what happen last year, but im very confident gt wins 38-17 over miami. miami has shown us how undisiplined they can be on defense and the tripple option offense only needs one mistake to take it to the house for a touchdown.john dwyer runs for 12 carries 180 yards and bebe thomas 6 cathces 150 yards. close game at half but tech pulls away in the 3rd quarter. tech could possibly finish 11-1
Born2Buzz
September 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
Nice poll Jeff. What do you think the response of that one is going to be? Hmmm, let’s see, article about Tech in the Atlanta paper, most of the readers are going to be Tech fans, how will they vote?
Any D1(BCS) program that takes any other program lightly is in trouble. Just look at the upsets the last few years and just last week.
Innocent Bystander
September 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
I’d take Tech, especially with the line at UM -4.5. GT wins 34-28. Maybe more. Big game for Dwyer (finally).
dawes
September 14th, 2009
4:57 pm
jeff schultzwhen miami beat georgia tech on thursday don,t cry your eyes out miami hurricanes 31 ga tech 17 go canes eat yellow jackets
collegeballfan
September 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
collegeballfan — Just like Clemson was going to whip us last week, right? I guess you figure you’ll get one right eventually…but maybe not.
Go Jackets!
The U
September 14th, 2009
5:00 pm
I think Coach Shannon was trying to find something to say to deflect from the revenge factor or talk about last year’s debacle. He doesn’t want the team thinking about negative stuff. Jeff, Coach Shannon is like that in interviews. He doesn’t give up much. He’ll do a little coach-speak and that’s it. Nobody’s ever hurt and guys are always flying around. That’s about all you’ll get. Miami isn’t taking Tech lightly. The guys have said they’re embarrassed about last year. A better story for you would be: Is Miami Out For Blood? Will They Get Revenge Thursday Night?
Tech75
September 14th, 2009
5:00 pm
I think I’m channeling Larry Munson….
“I’m really worried about all that speed…” “every one of them could run track, they’re so fast…”
“My God, look what they did to FSU…, and us with a very young, struggling team…”
“I just hope we can find some way to hang in there, maybe win it in the end…”
UGA sucks, but Munson’s a gem!
LOL
DawgProps
September 14th, 2009
5:02 pm
Miami will beat tech easy–mark it down. Tech’s offense will not do anything against that physical Cane D. Miami 37 Tech 20
UGA1-1awful
September 14th, 2009
5:07 pm
FSU had to score in the last 31 seconds to beat Jacksonville State! With that being said Miami’s D might be a little worse than we thought. They will not stop the option and Tech D get to the QB.
Tech wins in a rout 42-10
UGA1-1awful
September 14th, 2009
5:09 pm
DawgProps Miami has no D. Watch and see! Oh by the way UGA will be 6-6 with loses coming from UF,LSU,UT,GT,ASU,OKST.
Tom W
September 14th, 2009
5:14 pm
Wait… thug’s??? The U has cleaned up well and do not have problems with losing players to NCAA rules.. I do know players on GT roster and their past from being arrested and move out of Calhoun in high school… and several others with discipline problems. GT is awful cocky going into Thursday night but GT has taken advantage of Miami QB problems… NEW D & O coordinators AND they will get their starting DE’s they were missing against FSU. FSU and JSU was not impressive just like GT and JSU.. A very avg unranked Clemson team exposed some BIG whole on both sides of the ball for GT, Miami’s passing game with young Harris and a very good running game will put up points. GT after the adrenaline wore off was dominated by Clemson.. The “white out” did its job until it came time to play ball and the tigers put it to the jackets..
Canes 35 Jackets 21
the U!!!
ENVY the past…FEAR the future!!
Jacketfan7
September 14th, 2009
5:16 pm
Georgia tech is aware of whats coming we will be ready paul johnson knows what to do they just need to play the whole game like they do in the 1st quarter
Tom W
September 14th, 2009
5:16 pm
Wait… thug’s??? The U has cleaned up well and do not have problems with losing players to NCAA rules.. I do know players on GT roster and their past from being arrested and move out of Calhoun in high school… and several others with discipline problems. GT is awful cocky going into Thursday night but GT has taken advantage of Miami QB problems… NEW D & O coordinators AND they will get their starting DE’s they were missing against FSU. FSU and JSU was not impressive just like GT and JSU.. A very avg unranked Clemson team exposed some BIG whole on both sides of the ball for GT, Miami’s passing game with young Harris and a very good running game will put up points. GT after the adrenaline wore off was dominated by Clemson.. The “white out” did its job until it came time to play ball and the tigers put it to the jackets..
Canes 35 Jackets 21
the U!!
ENVY the past… FEAR the future
Bob Bodafuco
September 14th, 2009
5:18 pm
I would say Tech is coming off of a big win, too.
play calling
September 14th, 2009
5:20 pm
Did y’all notice how little we pitched to the A-back after the one TD off of the pitch last week. All the plays were a lame attempt at the pass or Dwyer up the middle. I think this was to keep Nesbit from getting hit too much and to keep Miami from scheming the option. I predict Dwyer will get less carries and the A-backs will run wide against Miami. Prepare for some long runs this Thursday!
sneak
September 14th, 2009
5:21 pm
Unless we get short passing game going it will be a struggle all night
Nerd for Life!
September 14th, 2009
5:21 pm
Miami is not taking Tech lightly and even if they were, it wouldnt matter – The U would win anyway. Clemson showed exactly how easy it is to stop tech’s offense and tech’s defense is not good enough to play 90% of the game.
EDGE
September 14th, 2009
5:23 pm
I noticed that too, it’s like we stopped pitching to the right at all, everything was up the middle, i didnt understand that.
GT Que
September 14th, 2009
5:23 pm
Last year Miami was on a 5 game winning streak and had beaten two teams that we had lost to and EVERYONE was saying Miami was going to annihilate GT……and look what happened
Jacket fans, ignore all of this banter from UGA fans ticked about their 1-2 record they have coming up after their trip to Fayetteville on Sat and from Miami fans who are stuck in their Big East glory days
CPJ will have our boys ready – He will make the necessary adjustments.
UGA is the BEST
September 14th, 2009
5:24 pm
Wait for November nerds!!
BARK BARK BARK BARK
RunningDog
September 14th, 2009
5:24 pm
Jeff, really? The Cane are not taking a top 15 team coming in to their place on a Thursday night lightly. Especially after having a week off and being able to watch that opponent a week earlier. Quite a stretch. It should be a tough game for both teams.
mtraininjax
September 14th, 2009
5:28 pm
Folks, Clemson is the best team we will play this season, and they are right next to Va. Tech in terms of talent. I finished watching the game from tivo last night and NFL scouts from 20 teams were in attendance at that game. Clemson’s O line, at its lightest, outweighed the largest Tech lineman by 25 pounds, and at worst, by 65. One of their Def-ends was the #1 rated player out of high school 2 years ago. Then with Spiller and Ford, you had a team of race horses, and Parker threw lights out. That was one of the best teams that the ACC has in place.
That said, Miami has some playmakers too, but not the number that Clemson did. Harris has a great go-to guy in Travis Benjamin, who had 128 yards against FSU. Harris is a good passer, but he never ran against FSU, I don’t look to see him do anything differently. Miami had 90 yards on the ground and 386 in the air. Same attack as what we saw with Clemson, with younger players. I think our D is better than to allow two 30 point games. I see Tech winning by 7 on the road.
mtraininjax
September 14th, 2009
5:34 pm
Play – Clemson’s ends and tackles were taking away the A and B backs, leaving Nesbitt with the room in the middle of the field. He took some shots in the 4th quarter, and his receivers dropped some sure 1st downs in the 3rd, but give Johnson credit for seeing that Clemson would not allow Dwyer or any other A or B back to beat them in the 2nd half. Nesbitt had some good passes too, in the 4th on 3rd down, the pass to Bay Bay on the sidelines, to setup the FG to tie. He is a great passer 10, 15, 20 yards down the field, but he is not you bomb passer down the middle.
Canes Fan
September 14th, 2009
5:39 pm
Honestly, you are looking into Shannon’s remarks too closely. What he meant by his quote was not to overlook them because we came off a big win (although doesnt look so big after FSUs performance last weekend) and have two extremely tough games against ranked opponents after. When u have a stretch of 4 tough games like this, a young group such as Miami sometimes tend to look ahead at the upcoming games. Shannon is simply making sure that they forget what happened last week, and not even think about Va Tech and OU… he had no intentions of implying Ga Tech is a weak opponent.
Miami Alumnus
September 14th, 2009
5:40 pm
Well its good to see that when its a slow news day, the media just makes up its own stories.
I have to say I laughed at AlabamaRamblinwreck’s comment, reposted below:
“I was surprised to find out that the Coral Gables Detention Center does give passes out on weeknights?? I knew that inmates could get weekend furloughs, but I thought they had to stay in their cells, unless doing road cleaning, during the week????
Anyway, GT 35 thUgs 21
Go Jackets!!”
You call us thugs, but we have one of the highest graduation rates in the state of Florida. You call this a detention center, but aside from Robert Marve’s stupidity our players have stayed clean and kept their eyes on the game when FSU and UF have a combine 30 players suspended and/or arrested in the past 6 months alone.
Way to be a sterotyping ignorant savage there Wreck. A classic example of a lack of education in the state of Alabama. Classless to the end… Go Canes.
74Dawg
September 14th, 2009
5:41 pm
I don’t care who wins as long as one of them gets humiliated. Two of the most obnoxious and over reaching fan bases around. One program a has been , one a never was.
joeygt
September 14th, 2009
5:42 pm
joeygt
September 14th, 2009
4:52 pm
i think last year miami took gt lightly and thats why gt pounded them and its could of been worse if coach johnson did not take the starters out. this year miami will not take gt lightly bc of what happen last year, but im very confident gt wins 38-17 over miami. miami has shown us how undisiplined they can be on defense and the tripple option offense only needs one mistake to take it to the house for a touchdown.john dwyer runs for 12 carries 180 yards and bebe thomas 6 cathces 150 yards. close game at half but tech pulls away in the 3rd quarter. tech could possibly finish 11-1
IBIS66
September 14th, 2009
5:42 pm
AS BAD AS THE U WAS ON DEFENSE AND OFFENSE AND GA. TECH ONLY WON BY 18 POINTS. REST ASSURED THAT MIAMI’S OFFENSE WILL PUT UP AT LEAST 35 POINTS AND BY SUSTAINING DRIVES, THEY WILL BE EATING UP CLOCK TIME ALSO. BOTTOM LINE IS GA. TECH WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WIN THIS ONE.
HURRICANES 38 BUMBLE BEES 24
AS REBA WOULD SAY ” THAT’S THE NIGHT THAT THE LIGHTS WILL GO OUT IN GEORGIA.
Canes rule!
September 14th, 2009
5:43 pm
y’all be in 4 an azz whoopin! yeah dats right
saint simons
September 14th, 2009
5:44 pm
miami wins this one going away..sorry bugs