The undefeated Miami Hurricanes roll into Atlanta with a red-hot offense, seeking their first ten-win season since 2017. Ranked No. 4 in the College Football Playoff standings, Miami is also fighting to stay perfect in ACC play and continue their campaign as a potential national title contender. For Georgia Tech, this matchup poses a tall order, as they look to rebound from recent struggles and potentially play spoiler.
Miami’s offense has been unstoppable this season, ranking No. 1 nationally in scoring with an impressive 47.4 points per game. Led by star quarterback Cam Ward, who has thrown for 3,146 yards, 29 touchdowns, and a 67.1% completion rate, the Hurricanes have overwhelmed opponents with an average of 556.9 yards per game. Ward is on the verge of setting a new Miami record, as he’s just one touchdown away from reaching 30 on the season. Miami’s passing game, complemented by a solid ground attack featuring Damien Martinez and Mark Fletcher, has been the most explosive force in college football.
Georgia Tech’s defense has had mixed results, ranking 50th in the FBS with 22.4 points allowed per game. While they’ve held up reasonably well against the run, their secondary has struggled, allowing opponents to complete 63.4% of their passes for an average of 7.2 yards per attempt. Given Ward’s elite efficiency and Miami’s deep receiving corps, Georgia Tech’s secondary will have a hard time containing the Hurricanes’ aerial assault.
Key Matchups & Players to Watch
Cam Ward vs. Georgia Tech Secondary: Ward’s accuracy and high passer rating should make it difficult for Georgia Tech to slow down Miami’s passing game. If Georgia Tech cannot find ways to pressure Ward, they risk allowing another high-scoring Miami performance.
Haynes King vs. Miami’s Pass Defense: Miami’s defense showed vulnerability in recent games, giving up over 31 points in four of their last five matchups. So far this season, King completed 136 of 191 passes (71.2%) for 1,568 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. He has also rushed 62 times for 353 yards (5.7 yards per carry) and six touchdowns. King suffered a shoulder injury on October 12 against North Carolina, causing him to miss subsequent games for Georgia Tech. His return provides the Yellow Jackets with a shot at taking advantage of Miami’s suspect secondary, which could lead to a shootout type game where Georgia Tech can be in position to pull off the upset.
Zaquan Patterson: Miami’s defense could get a boost with safety Zaquan Patterson, who has shown solid coverage skills in recent games. Patterson’s presence could improve Miami’s secondary, potentially minimizing the pressure on their offense to score in every possession. In his last four games, he allowed just one reception for two yards on four targets over 36 coverage snaps and recorded four defensive stops. His top coverage grade came against Duke, where he earned an 82.8 rating. Patterson’s emergence has been timely for the Canes, especially with injuries affecting Miami’s secondary. His performance in limited playing time has provided stability and playmaking ability, contributing to the team’s defensive efforts.
Prediction
Last season’s loss to Georgia Tech still stings for Miami, particularly because of the dramatic finish. With the memory of that game in mind, head coach Mario Cristobal and the Canes will be locked in. Miami’s explosive offense will be too much for Georgia Tech to handle, even with the Yellow Jackets’ home-field advantage and the return of Haynes King. Expect Miami to win this one with a solid performance on both sides of the ball.
Final Score Prediction: Miami 45, Georgia Tech 31
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