Miami Hurricanes 2015 Opponent Preview
Week 12
Georgia Tech (November 21th at Sun Life Stadium)
The 2015 Miami Hurricanes Opponent Preview continues with the preview of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, who come to Sun Life Stadium on November 21st, in the Regular season home finale.
With Georgia Tech, they lost some key players in the backfield and at receiver, however, given that Paul Johnson’s team, is still very good and can make another run at a Coastal Division title. The reason for the optimism in Atlanta is due to the fact that they return 13 starters, with the biggest returnee being their quarterback Justin Thomas. It’s a good thing because their defense in 2014 was just terrible, ranking near the bottom of the ACC in the four main statistical categories, but should be much better this season.
Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Offense
Rumors of Tech’s demise were greatly exaggerated. There was talk that Paul Johnson would be out. However, in 2014, that talk ceased when Thomas took over at QB and with that, they returned to the offense that Johnson stands for as a Head Coach. Their offense was better with Thomas running that Triple Option. With him back showing his speed, elusiveness and intelligence, this is a team that nobody wants to face later in the season, with that grinding and punishing running game. He has an opportunity this year to break his own single-season school record (for quarterbacks) of 1,086 rushing yards, and cement his place as a player to be reckoned with.
There are some questions on who will fill the voids in the backfield. They lose Synjyn Days, Zach Laskey (signed as an UFA by St. Louis) and Charles Perkins, who accounted for 377 carries and 2,218 yards last year. However, with the depth of the O-Line having four starters and a few others with starting experience back, and developing the pieces they have, they should be ok there.
One of those pieces returning is A-back Broderick Snoddy, who showed flashes that he can break some big-plays, albeit in limited duty before breaking his leg last season.. The bigger concern for GT is at the B-back position. Here, C.J. Leggett was supposed to be the man there, but was sidelined with a torn ACL in the spring. Patrick Skov, who’s a graduate transfer from Stanford, is going to be asked to carry most of the load at the B-Back spot.
For years, Georgia Tech, did not have a passing game that scared people. That changed last year. However, they will have to find a way to replace DeAndre Smelter (drafted in the 4th round by San Francisco) and Darren Waller (drafted in the 6th round by Baltimore), who made big plays and clutch catches for them.
Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Defense
It’s better that Paul Johnson say it about the Defense here, especially vs. the run: “We weren’t very good,” especially when his defense gave up 25.7 points and 411.3 yards per game in 2014. The big issue here is the lack of depth, especially on the D-Line, and it’ll be that way going forward. They do have some talent here on the Line. Returning for them is senior All-ACC performer Adam Gotsis anchoring the interior and KeShun Freeman coming off a season in which he earned various Freshman All-America honors at end. Those two will be fine there. What Johnson is hoping for here is a big time season from Jabari Hunt-Days, who was academically ineligible in 2014 and is up to 295 lbs.
With the Linebackers, its not going to be an easy task to replace All-ACC linebacker Quayshawn Nealy (signed as UFA by Seattle), when you consider the fact that he leaves behind 92 tackles, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries last season. They really hope that Senior Tyler Marcordes, is able to fill that void. He did have 5.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks; however, losing Nealy is going to hurt the LB core here.
As for the secondary, they’re going to be pretty good again this year, especially with Senior safety Jamal Golden returning. In 2014, he had 61 tackles and four picks. This is the one area of their defense that is solid. They also have back at the corners, seniors Chris Milton and D.J. White, who came up big in games vs. VT and UGa with game-saving takeaways.
Let’s talk about Georgia Tech’s Special Teams
Their kicking game needs to show it could be consistent. It’s going to be up to junior kicker Harrison Butker to come up big. Yes, he made some big kicks, like the one vs Uga from 53 yards out to send it to OT. On the other hand, he has missed some kicks, specifically inside 40 yards, where he missed 5 of them. GT doesn’t punt too often, in fact, Junior punter Ryan Rodwell, who’s back in 2015, had an ACC-low 32 attempts in 2014.
What to expect from Georgia Tech
Looking at them on tape, yes, they lost a lot, but don’t be fooled, with Thomas back running Paul Johnson’s offense, this is still a force to be reckoned with in Atlanta, that even with the losses in their personnel, is a still a threat to win the Coastal. But don’t expect another 11 win season from them here.
The video below is from their 2015 Spring Game
This is their hype video for 2015
This is from our game last year where they just gashed us
In this game, it’ll be at home at Sun Life. After last year vs Tech where they gashed our defense, you know there’s payback on the CANES minds here, and its Senior Day to boot. Yes, GT will be a test to be sure, the U will be ready to play in this game and a game in the end CANES win comfortably and the Seniors out a winner at home.
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