Three storylines
Can Georgia Tech slow Jacory Harris and Lamar Miller? Harris ranks No. 2 in the ACC in passing efficiency while Miller is the league's No. 2 rusher, with five 100-yard games and seven runs of 25 yards-plus to his credit. The onus is on the Tech defense to force Miller laterally and to limit big plays in the passing game. For Tech, it's a good week to have linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu and Daniel Drummond, both expected back after injuries, in the lineup.
Tech scores early and often. The Yellow Jackets scored 80 first-quarter points in the first five games of the season, but produced seven points in the past two opening periods and fell behind 14-0 on Saturday at Virginia. About the last thing that Tech — in need of a confidence boost and on the road against a team fighting to stay in contention — wants is to have to do is play from behind.
The Goon Squad cometh. The Tech offensive line, dubbed the Goon Squad, has been a culprit in the Jackets' substandard offensive production in recent weeks. It has the benefit of facing a defensive line dinged with injuries and that will be without starting tackle Micanor Regis because of a one-game suspension. The Jackets may also have an extra spring in their step after having a lighter practice load this week.
A Georgia Tech win would …
- Give Tech seventh overall, exceeding its win total from last season in eight games, and ensure its 14th winning season in the past 15 years.
- Break Tech's two-game losing streak in Sun Life Stadium, where it lost to Miami in 2009 and to Iowa in the Orange Bowl at the end of the same season.
A Miami win would …
- Extend its winning streak over Tech to three games, a feat that only Rutgers and Notre Dame have managed against coach Paul Johnson (while he was at Navy) in his 15 seasons as a head coach.
- Even the Hurricanes' record in the ACC at 2-2.
Keep an eye on:
For Miami: Sean Spence. The linebacker's 11.0 tackles-per-game average ranks 11th in the country. Getting Spence blocked to the ground will be a major assignment for Tech's offensive line.
For Tech: Orwin Smith. Poor blocking by Tech and schemes by opponents have limited the A-back's production the past two weeks. Getting Smith (16.3 yards per offensive touch) the ball in space undoubtedly ranks as a priority for the Jackets' offense.
The numbers game
3 Wins by Tech (in three games) under Johnson after its first loss of the season. The Jackets have won those games by an average of 18 points.
6.8 Average number of wins needed to win the Coastal Division (in an eight-game league season) since the ACC adopted a two-division format in 2005. The Atlantic Division number is 5.7.
The history book
Series record: Tech leads 10-6
Last meeting: Tech produced 407 yards, but was done in by penalties, turnovers and Miami's punishing offense in a 35-10 loss Nov. 13, 2010, at Bobby Dodd Stadium. It was Johnson's most decisive regular-season loss at Tech.
The bottom line
Tech’s ACC title hopes may be on the line against its most vexing conference opponent.
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