Georgia Tech defensive end Jeremiah Attaochu has had a pickup in productivity in the past two games, with three total tackles in both games and a tackle for loss in each. As Miami plays a pro-style offense, Attaochu will likely have more time to get to quarterback Stephen Morris, although he’ll be matched up against some behemoths – left tackle Ereck Flowers (6-6, 315) and right tackle Seantrel Henderson (6-8, 340).

Scouts will be there; it’ll be a great opportunity to help himself. Henderson, you may remember, was considered one of the top prospects in the 2010 class, if not the top, but has had a rocky college career. Recruiting expert Tom Lemming merely described him as a cross between Jonathan Ogden and Orlando Pace. No pressure there.

Attaochu has a fan in Miami coach Al Golden, who said that he is "a guy that can wreck the game if you don't account for him. I love the way he plays and have a lot of respect for him."

More to the point, though, it’s the biggest game of Tech’s season to date.

“It’s definitely a big game, on the road,” Attaochu said. “I think it’s character-defining. Right now, after this loss to Virginia Tech, a lot of people are jumping off the bandwagon, things like that. It’s a game that’s going to be really competitive. They’re a really good team this year, they have some good players. We have a lot of good players, too.”

Tech’s losing streak to Miami – the past four games; Attaochu has not beaten the Hurricanes in his first three attempts – is of no great concern.

“It matters, but what ultimately matters is trying to get to the ACC championship,” he said. “This is a team we have to beat this year. I’m not talking about the last three. I’m not worried about the last three. I’m worried about this year.”

2. Attaochu is taking a four-class load this term in hopes of possibly graduating in the spring, depending on his draft preparation plans. He said he has 28 or 29 hours remaining.

His response when I asked him how many hours he was carrying this semester.

“Is it 14? Yeah, 14. Fourteen hours. Is it 14? Thirteen or 14, I’m not sure. Yeah, 13.”

So it’s definitely either 13 or 14.

3. He has already been hearing from agents (which is not an NCAA violation. Accepting cash or gifts would be.) and is passing along information to his sister and the Tech compliance office as a screen.

“I don’t really have time to do that or even think about agents,” he said. “I’ve got so much schoolwork to do, it’s not even funny.”

It is my understanding that agents can be relentless in their efforts to get in front of potential clients.

“They even got my school e-mail, which is funny,” he said. “I don’t know how they do that, but it’s crazy.”