Sports

MIAMI AT GEORGIA TECH

Oct 3, 2014

MIAMI AT GEORGIA TECH

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday

TV: ESPN2

Line: Tech by 1

WHAT TO EXPECT

Tech on offense: The Yellow Jackets face the challenge of being sharp and crisp after a two-week layoff since the Virginia Tech game. If Miami defends Tech as it has in the past, that should mean opportunities for the A-backs on the perimeter. A big game from A-back Charles Perkins, particularly blocking, would help for Tech.

Miami on offense: The Hurricanes have scored first in four of their five games and also recorded 50 of their 148 points in the first quarter. Freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya, named the starter in preseason camp, has been more than adequate with a 62 percent completion rate and 12/7 touchdown/interception ratio.

Tech on defense: The Jackets will be geared to stop the big play, no small thing facing a superior running back (Duke Johnson) and wide receiver (Phillip Dorsett, with a jaw-dropping 33.2 yards-per-catch average). Tech's best hope may be to play a field-position game, continually make Miami convert third downs and wait for the Hurricanes to mess up.

Miami on defense: Middle linebacker Denzel Perryman, a first-round draft prospect, will be the centerpiece of the Hurricanes' plans. The sideline-to-sideline defender has the task of thwarting the first two legs of the Tech triple option and then racing out to cut down the third if necessary. Tech also is wary of defensive tackle Olsen Pierre, an active player who could disrupt the running game.

About the Author

Ken Sugiura is a sports columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Formerly the Georgia Tech beat reporter, Sugiura started at the AJC in 1998 and has covered a variety of beats, mostly within sports.

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