Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Miami Hurricanes Next Opponent: Georgia Tech Losses to Clemson

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Miami Hurricanes travel to Georgia Tech next Saturday for their ACC Opener. The Yellow Jackets lost to Clemson 26-7 Thursday. The Jackets are 3-1, 1-1 after winning their season/ACC opener 17-14 at Boston College.

Clemson held Georgia Tech to 124 yards of total offense, 22 in the first half on 21 plays on its way to the 26-7 victory. On the season, the Yellow Jackets average 216.8 yards per game rushing and 112.5 passing. That’s 65.8 percent of their yards through the air. They finished the game with 95 yard rushing on 38 attempts.

Clemson had struggled through its first two games of the season against FBS opponents. They scratched their way to a 19-13 victory in the opener against Auburn and had to protect a lead late to hold on and beat Troy 30-24 in week two.

They demolished FCS South Carolina State 59-0 last week before beating Georgia Tech Thursday. The Hurricanes are very fortunate that they miss the Tigers and Louisville in ACC play this year in the regular season.

Georgia Tech has finished in the top ten nationally in rushing offense the last three seasons. The Yellow Jackets run the old fashioned Nebraska Option-I. They led the country in rushing in 2014. They are 40 yards below their average of last season and down nearly 150 yards from their 2014 average.

Next week is going to be a big test for Miami’s all freshman linebacking core. Michael Pinckney is tied for first on the Hurricanes with Defensive Lineman Demetrius Jackson with 16 tackles. Jackson and Chad Thomas are tied for 22nd nationally with five tackles for loss.

The ‘Canes lead the all-time series against Georgia Tech 11-10, 7-5 in the ACC and won five of the last six. The Hurricanes have shredded The Yellow Jacket defense for an average of 33.4 points per game in their last seven meetings.

The run defense is the key in any game against Georgia Tech under Paul Johnson. The Yellow Jackets averaged 5.5 yards per carry against Miami last season on their way to 314 rushing yards.

Georgia Tech has rushed for over 300 yards against Miami the last three seasons and they had 287 in 2012. The Hurricanes defense is greatly improved from last season. The Hurricanes gave up an average of 404 yards per game last season, 201 rushing.

Under Manny Diaz, the Canes defense has been one of the staunchest in the country. The ‘Canes are third in total defense. They give are giving up an average of 217 yards per game this season, 65 on the ground.

Florida’s has the top-ranked defense nationally. Going into their matchup with Tennessee, the Gators had allowed just 129 yards per game. That will significantly rise after the Gators gave up 500 yards in a 38-28 loss to the Volunteers. That will be enough to move Miami’s defense ahead of Florida.

The ‘Canes rushing offense has also improved significantly. Their 272 rushing yards per game are up 150 YPG over last season. That’s good enough for 12th Nationally. Georgia Tech gives up 115 rushing yards per game and just 3.5 yards per carry.

The ‘Canes will try and establish the run and keep Georgia Tech’s offense off the field. When the Yellow Jackets offense gets rolling they maintain time of possession. They went 11-3 and won the Coastal in 2014, and finished third in the nation in time of possession.