ANALYSIS: Georgia Tech a struggling yet potentially dangerous team
With the 2023-2024 college football season a quarter through, not many people expected Miami to go 4-0 heading into conference play, but that’s the case as the Hurricanes are set to host Georgia Tech on Oct. 7 for their ACC opener. Under new offensive and defensive coordinators Shannon Dawson and Lance Guidry, Miami’s struggle of 2022 are beginning to become a distant memory. But now, with the bulk of their scheduling remaining, the Hurricanes’ first conference test begins with the Yellow Jackets.
Entering Saturday’s contest, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key and his squad are coming off a major upset loss to Bowling Green, 38-27 at home, but are looking to bounce back against the Hurricanes, who they’ve lost their previous two contests against (35-14 in 2022 and 33-30 in 2021).
Hoping to lead Georgia Tech to an upset is former Texas A&M transfer QB Haynes King, whose offense is averaging 467.4 yards per game (No. 19 in the nation in total offense) and 300 passing yards per contest as well.
Through five games, King has thrown for 1,480 yards and 15 touchdowns and should be one of the most prolific quarterbacks Guidry’s defense has played this season due to his ability to extend plays on the ground with his legs.
“He’s very athletic, can run, gets out of the pocket, has a strong arm,” Guidry said of King. “It’s going to be a tall task.”
Thus far, Eric Singleton has been King’s most productive target this season, hauling in 18 receptions for 335 yards and five touchdowns. Leading the team in receptions is Miami native Malik Rutherford, with 22 for 257 yards and one score.
On the ground, Georgia Tech’s offense isn’t as prolific as in the air as – the team is averaging 167.4 yards per game (No. 54 in the nation in rush yards) behind tailbacks Jamal Haynes (65 carries, 376 rushing yards, and 2 TDs) and Trey Cooley (41 carries, 211 rushing yards, and 3 TDs).
Defensively, after allowing 427.8 yards per game (No. 112 in total defense) and 224.2 rush yards per game (No. 128 in that category), the Yellow Jackets decided to make a change at the defensive play caller position by naming Kevin Sherrer as its sole defensive coordinator and demoting Andrew Thacker, who had been the team’s primary defensive coordinator since 2019.
This season, Miami has plenty of success running the ball (222.5 rush yards, No. 9 in the nation) and should continue to do so against a defense that has allowed three out of their five opponents to rush for over 200 yards (Ole Miss 299, Louisville 227, Wake Forest 224) and FCS program South Carolina State to rush for 196 yards as well.
Through the air, the Yellow Jackets have been much better than the rushing defense, allowing 203.6 passing yards per game, which is the 38th best in the country. Although Georgia Tech’s pass defense is superior to its rushing defense, the Hurricanes have had success throwing the ball this season, with Tyler Van Dyke leading the passing attack to the tune of 296.5 yards per game.
While all signs might point in favor of the Hurricanes, Dawson wants this team to remain focused, block out all the noise, and just play Miami football.
“The biggest deal is there’s a lot of praise going around right now, which is dangerous,” Dawson said. “Stay right there in the middle, even keel, and do your job.”
The post ANALYSIS: Georgia Tech a struggling yet potentially dangerous team appeared first on On3.
