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
Scared Bumble Bee
September 14th, 2009
5:46 pm
Is anyone else as scared as I am? Did you all see the game last week? We can’t throw the ball! We can’t do anything on offense other than toss to the next man in line and hope they aren’t about to get laid out!?!?
I think we will be worked over on Thursday night on national TV. I’m scared!
CanesFan
September 14th, 2009
5:49 pm
Miami torched the FSU defense through the air. The defensive coordinator at FSU said his defense is the fastest he has ever had, which is bold considering the talent they have had in the past. Clemson torched GT through the air with Jacoby Ford and CJ Spiller. Miami has Travis Benjamin and plenty of fast recievers who will do the same. Miami wins this game by ten points, tech’s offense will dissapear for two quarters like it did against clemson.
Sean Spence has a year under his belt at linebacker and Colin McCarthy is back. This will help stop the running game. The only hope is if Nesbitt can learn how to complete a pass on a regular basis if Tech hopes to be competitive in this one. For all of you who refer to Miami as thugs, the U has had fewer incidents than Georgia and Florida combined.
Butts Wagner
September 14th, 2009
5:51 pm
Clemson took away the dive and the triple option. Leaving the middle of the field wide open last week for short 10 yard pass plays. It was basically them saying “GT doesn’t throw short-medium passes, so we’ll gamble that they won’t even if we leave it wide open.” It was a good gamble until the pass to Anthony Allen on 3rd and 9 on the drive GT tied the game on. After that pass, GT’s offense had more room for running plays. It is my contention that if GT had just completed ~3 more passes like that during the 2nd and 3rd quarters, there would not have been such a lack of offense because Clemson would’ve had to respect those short passes over the middle, leaving more room on the edges and up the gut for GT’s typical offense. So for the Miami game, it really does depend on what Miami does on defense. If they do what Clemson did, and PJ refuses to put receivers/A-backs into short routes, GT could be in for a long game. Miami’s offense will score points, the question is if GT’s offense can keep up.
surfrider
September 14th, 2009
5:52 pm
The Defense hopefully will step up. This is like the old Miami offense if the highlights are indicative…can pass, can run and mix it up. The offense needs to keep them off balance like they did last year. It should be a good game.
U Supporter
September 14th, 2009
5:53 pm
Clemson stopped the GT offense…with relative ease….Clemson
GT has not faced a team with a QB like Jacory Harris, and good luck to the GT DBs in trying to catch up to the burners that the U has at WR.
We haven’t forgotten what happened last year….the U will reciprocate the courtesy.
Akhil
September 14th, 2009
5:59 pm
Jackets secondary will come up big in this one….and GT will come up with enough big plays to scrape by…Tech wins 27-24
Tech Fan Since 1950
September 14th, 2009
6:00 pm
Dear 74Dawg:
Don’t be too harsh on the UM. You know your coach, the one in the Athens? He’s a UM grad.
Packerman
September 14th, 2009
6:01 pm
CanesFan,
Miami is also half the size of UGA and 1/3 the size of UF. So I would hope that Miami has had fewer incidents than a combined student population that is 5 times as big as the one UM has.
C.Hill
September 14th, 2009
6:02 pm
I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill. I don’t think MIA is taking GT lightly–I am sure Shannon has had the guys watch last year’s game to remind them of GTs potential (and to let put emphasis on if you stop the option, you stop GT). You have to remember, the GT game is followed by two tough opponents (VT and Oklahoma)–any team would be hard pressed to stay within themselves prepping for GT and not at least think ahead to VT and/or Oklahoma. I think MIA will seek some revenge this Thursday. GO CANES!!!!
Rebe Macintyre
September 14th, 2009
6:05 pm
The ACC is horrible, they will both find a way to lose.
SECya
September 14th, 2009
6:09 pm
NERDS vs. THUGS. I THINK THE THUGS TAKE IT THIS TIME!!!
CoolRuler
September 14th, 2009
6:10 pm
Top 10 2009 Football Academic
Progress Report Scores
(includes BCS, C-USA and independents)
1. Stanford 984
2. Air Force 983
3t. Duke 980
Rutgers 980
5. Rice 979
6. Navy 978
7. Miami 977
8t. Penn St. 976
Georgia 976
10. Notre Dame 974
Where is GT? Where is GT on this list when Miami, a school of thug’s [sic] is 7th in the nation. I gues GT didn’t make it into the top 10. Maybe GT’s “nerds” should study harder and someday…. someday, GT’s football players might, just might be able to match Miami’s football players in academics. So much for Miami being “Thug U.” People outside of Miami crack me up… you just have no idea…
As for the game, it will be decided on the field, not in commenters’ opinions, and I will be there at Landshark Stadium rooting for the ‘Canes.
DamuGTECH!!!!!
September 14th, 2009
6:11 pm
Well I think perhaps its GT that is taking Miami too lightly. Beating a team 4 years in a row can make a team complacent! Cliches mean nothing, this is going to be one hungry Miami team that is STOCKED AND FULLY LOADED ON OFFENSE vs. a depleted GT defense. Mismatches everywhere for the U. As for the GT offense, best hope and pray that Nesbitt isnt forced to pass to catch up or else its lights out time!!
Metal Jacket
September 14th, 2009
6:18 pm
Nesbitt will be ready for Miami. JD was off his game last week, this week will be different. CPJ hopefully sees the need for some short middle passes, maybe to JD. GO JACKETS. THWG
DamYankee
September 14th, 2009
6:21 pm
Oh, boy! The game I’m really looking forward to – UM vs VA Tech. Would that be Thugs A vs Thugs B?
CaneThing
September 14th, 2009
6:21 pm
Last time I was passing thru Atlanta, I witnessed a chickenfight. They had fluffed their feathers too.
Every coach tells his team not to take an opponent lightly, including CPJ. It is part of how you coach.
Mr. Schultz, making a big story out of nothing shows your small-town caliber of writing, unworthy of an Atlanta following. Perhaps you get off your duff, do some real journalism, and find something that will improve the quality of human life, to write about?
Good Luck to both Teams! The one that is to win, will win, no matter what is written or said.
Go CANES!!!!
MS
September 14th, 2009
6:23 pm
I think that you are reading WAY TOO FAR into Randy Shannon’s comments…I think the guy just wants to keep his team from suffering a letdown. As you mentioned, after last year’s 472yd smacking and 4 straight losses I REALLY doubt that UM is taking Tech lighly.
gatorman770
September 14th, 2009
6:26 pm
Go Jackets!!!!!
DamYankee
September 14th, 2009
6:28 pm
On the other hand – did the Big 10 get their a$$es handed to them this weekend? Sad to admit I’ve been a MI State Spartan fan since the Duffy Dougherty days, did the Chippewas really beat them Sat.? And Wisconsin. And Ohio State. At least Michigan won, although the only time I root for them is when they’re playing Ohio Sate or Notre Dame.
Jeff Schultz
September 14th, 2009
6:29 pm
TDone –correct on the rest/rust thing. But personally I’ve always thought “rust” was a lame excuse for losing. It just means they didn’t prepare properly.
Gravy Train – If that’s true then it makes might my point. Tech is a solid team but maybe the “name” doesn’t carry much weight in Coral Gables. I agree that last game left most with mixed feelings.
Jacket – Your analysis might be spot on – about the last possession, I mean.
Born2Buzz – I never said the poll was scientific. But safe to say some Miami readers also are voting. With the Internet, these things get around, posted on message boards, etc.
Dawes – I cry no tears, except when I’m out of beer.
RandyRhino
September 14th, 2009
6:29 pm
Everything will start coming together come Thurs.Nite.We will continue getting better with each game(just like last year).Everybody’s saying they got us figured out.Whoopie!We’ve only got 1 play,and we keep scoring at least 30 with it.Throw in an ever-improving Nesbitt and we should be practically un-stoppable.These next few weeks should prove just how GOOD we are…Look out Mutts, you can rest assured we won’t take you lightly come 11/28/09 (even though you’ll have a losing record by then)…
Crazy Dave
September 14th, 2009
6:33 pm
In mechanical engineering, Tech prevails. In football, Canes have a run defense this year to stop the Wreck’s one dimensional offense. 31-10 Canes. Orange on one side;green on the other –it’s all about the U!
jacket3
September 14th, 2009
6:34 pm
Gonna be a hard licks game. I expect a few extra yellow flags – and some spurious ones probably because ACC zebras are pretty lame. Many blown calls in GT-Clemson game withstanding.
Do not think for a minute CPJ is under a rock. The man’s really a smart coach and will have a few more tricks like the fake field goal touchdown.
It is without question that it is hard to keep focus when you make 4 plays on offense and put up 21 points on O & D -in the first quarter. Again if Nesbitt does not pass to the fans in the stands we should put more consistent points on the board. We are going to need them too – Miami’s got an offense.
I do not believe that 3 games in 13 days is a negative. We are more in sync than a 10 day layoff. Tech will win but not by much as long as we give our “D” some time on the sidelines.
Go Jackets!
GA Tech Insider
September 14th, 2009
6:41 pm
I’m reading, with a bit of amusement, some of the Miami fans comments about how well they played against that vaunted speed FSU, and how that’s going to be the difference in this Thursday’s game. I would remind all of you how much that “speed” helped them against Jacksonville State, in Tallahassee of all places, on Saturday. I don’t care that FSU only had a few days less than Jax State to prepare, if FSU was so fast, they should have been able to run them out of the stadium.
It gets down to execution as a team along with that athleticism, plain and simple; it always has, it always will be. Sure, someone may pop a long play every now and again, but at the end of the day, if GA Tech comes in playing like a unified team and Miami comes in playing like they did last season, we’ll see the same result as last year.
On the other hand, if GA Tech shoots themselves in the foot, and Miami is able to hit some big plays, then Miami could just as easily make it a “laugher” in their favor. That’s why they play the games.
If I were to put my faith in either of these two head coaches, based on past performance, then I’d have to go with GA Tech because he’s a proven winner. He’s consistently shown that he has been able to win close games where Randy Shannon hasn’t, and when it comes down to game time adjustments, I’ll put my faith in Paul Johnson and GA Tech’s coaching staff every day of the week of Miami’s entire coaching staff.
Baba O'Riley
September 14th, 2009
6:41 pm
Crazy Dave- Miami’s run defense?? FSU totalled 110 on the ground against Miami. Jax State held FSU to 78 yards rushing.
DamYankee
September 14th, 2009
6:47 pm
I’ve read a few posts knocking GT for the Thurs. night games – “Doesn’t the JV play Thursday night?” etc. But how big is it for a school to be the only game in town on nat’l. TV with the whole BCS watching, 2 weeks running? You can’t buy that kind of publicity, now kick butt, Jackets!
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
6:47 pm
If you go onto Foxsports or ESPN blogs, the fans think they (UM) is just going to steam roll GT. Funny thing is this is what the Clempson fans were all doing too. Good thing the game is played on the field… Lot less talk, and more walk. Good thing we got CPJ being the Field General!
Sebastian
September 14th, 2009
6:52 pm
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!!
You Sir are an idiot. When you become a fan of college football then try talking trash about other teams. You hate Miami I could care less but give it a rest with the jail garbage. GTech fans for the most part are a class act. Try being the rule and not the exception
THE U
September 14th, 2009
6:58 pm
First of all RAMBLE ON. MIAMI has no thugs!!! YOU are an IDIOT! How are they thugs? What cause the program use to be in bad hands and players were getting arrested. Well you are right there. But since Coach Shannon took over Miami has been one of the, if not the cleanest program in the nation! You cannot say that for Florida who has had 20 players arrested for stealing from an elder or attacking people. But since ESPN and other don’t talk about it, people don’t know. And lets not even talk about FSU. So next time you call Miami a bunch of thugs know your facts.
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
7:01 pm
I also must note the inferiority complex of all these UGA fans on here posting malicously. It must suck to have to root for another team to beat a team you couldnt beat?
Gennaker
September 14th, 2009
7:05 pm
Insider, FSU’s performance, as embarrassing for the entire conference as it was, occurred because FSU was spent emotionally and physically. They made tons of stupid mistakes and would ahve lost to anyone in the ACC not named Duke, UVA, or Maryland. But don’t think for a minute that the performance they had against Jacksonville is the norm. Miami took FSU’s best shot and beat them. GT is a good team and I have no idea if the Canes D can stop them consistently. But, if GT’s secondary plays as poorly as it did last week, the Canes will hang 35 on GT. Your Jackets were lucky to face a freshman QB last week who couldn’t handle a two-minute drill.
Ted Striker
September 14th, 2009
7:06 pm
Speaking as one who has a crystal ball — two, actually, although that’s a story for another forum — GT is going down.
And for all the complaints about going down, there’s nothing wrong with it, depending upon your “opponent.”
Larry
September 14th, 2009
7:07 pm
Great brain there, Jeff! Ga Tech pummels Miami last year and now Miami is taking the Jackets lightly?
What a bizarre and profoundly retarded cognitive reasoning and processing disorder you have.
Whew!
Ted Striker
September 14th, 2009
7:08 pm
To: Joe Schmoe @ 7:01 pm
Subject: My Root
Dear Joe,
Check with your wife if you want to find it.
truth
September 14th, 2009
7:09 pm
a shannon or bobo never beats a johnson
canes
September 14th, 2009
7:10 pm
Neutralize the triple option, and force GT to pass. The DB’s should have a field day. Whipple and Harris will have to create long drives that score points on every opportunity, and keep the GT offense on the bench.
Miami- 38
GT- 24
Ted Striker
September 14th, 2009
7:13 pm
I like guys!
The U
September 14th, 2009
7:14 pm
The U, aka Miami Hurricanes are going to WIN BIG, GT S*cks and are overated, so easy a caveman can do it! Go Canes
The U
September 14th, 2009
7:18 pm
I like guys, especially the soft ones like Ted Striker! So soft. Hmmmm.
reebok
September 14th, 2009
7:19 pm
Miami couldn’t stop FSU’s offense, which needed a TD in the last minute to beat Jax State – a team that Tech ws disappointed to only beat by 20. Tech may run for 500 yards against the ‘Canes. 5 years in a row, baby…
Joe Schmoe
September 14th, 2009
7:21 pm
You sir are no gentleman, but most of us already knew that! Typical UGA fan.
Packerman
September 14th, 2009
7:23 pm
Did I miss something, or did Miami suddenly have a 4-year starter transfer in to take the reigns? I wouldn’t spout off citing inexperience at quarterback as the reason Tech won. Miami’s QB has only started a couple of games himself, if I’m not mistaken. Marve, however horrible he was, was in front of Harris last year. That limited Harris’ play time, and thus limits his experience. He has more experience than Clemson’s QB, but not that much more. One game against a porous FSU secondary doesn’t prove Harris’ worth. The FSU game looked great for Harris, and Tech’s secondary definitely needs to step it up to compete with speedy receivers like Ford and Benjamin. But I couldn’t say that Harris would have changed the outcome if he played for Clemson. There’s just not enough evidence to back that statement up.
I think the deciding factor in this one will end up being special teams. I think that Miami has a huge advantage on special teams with Cooper and Benjamin returning kicks. Miami’s D is kind of weak and likes to showboat, and Tech’s D is weak up the middle – really across the whole D-Line when Morgan is resting. Both offenses are pretty solid. Miami has an advantage with getting more rest, but Tech doesn’t have extra studying to do to prepare for Miami’s offensive scheme. Miami’s D has to prepare for a whole new offense this week, one that they won’t see again this year. It’ll be interesting to see if the extra time will pay off, or if Miami’s ego will get the better of them.
dawes
September 14th, 2009
7:35 pm
collegeballfan if you think ga tech is going to beat miami i hope you don,t bet no money i would hate for you to go block
paul menendez
September 14th, 2009
7:39 pm
miami is too fast for GT if you stop the option thats it its over and how is miami a thug school were in the top ten in academics for football schools ENVY THE PAST FEAR THE FUTURE dont be hating GT fans because you have no program GO Canes!!!!!! 5 national championships dynasty vs glorified highschool
UGAissolastyear
September 14th, 2009
7:40 pm
Miami beat FSU!? Big deal. FSU barely won last weekend and are so bad it isn’t even funny. Miami is better but still average. I think our team and players learned fast that they need to play 4 quarters and they will Thursday. Go Jackets!!!
The U is poo
September 14th, 2009
7:44 pm
Florida State barely got by TINY Jacksonville State at home.
Miami has’nt beat anybody yet. Miami got rid of a winning coach and hired a loser.
paul menendez
September 14th, 2009
7:46 pm
I like guys, those hombres on Calle Ocho are so soft!
gtbabe
September 14th, 2009
7:46 pm
You know I thought about Miami’s advantage with having last week off and how much they’re hungry to beat us after 4 yrs of losing..but then I remembered that UGA had the week off before we played them..No matter how fired up Canes will be up for this game, it could not be anymore intimidating than playing in Athens. One thing about CPJ, he doesn’t have the look of fear on his face even when Jackets are trailing. I know Chan is becoming a thing of the past for good but I remember the look of fear on his face in Athens whey they put the camera on him and I use to think, my God, if the coach is scared how does he expect Reggie Ball to play with confidence. Go get’em Jackets Dywer, I hope you run over them like Tashard did in the 2nd half two years ago.
Thug Life
September 14th, 2009
7:49 pm
Miami has a bunch of thugs from the hood on that team—the geeks from tech will be scared the whole time—the thugs beat the geeks by 17.
MiamiJacket
September 14th, 2009
7:51 pm
The key to this game is going to be the defensive end play for UM. Last week, Miami was starting two freshmen defensive ends. GT’s defense is not big enough or fast enough to shut down UM’s offfense, so GT will have to outscore them to win. If Miami has their two upperclassmen starting defensive ends back (Moncur and Ojomo) it could be trouble. Otherwise, we are going to run circles around the two freshmen. If you watched the clemson game, it was the play of Sapp and Bowers that finally shut down our offense from the second quarter on.