Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
GEORGIA TECH AT UM FAST FACTS, ODDS, KEYS, PREDICTIONS
When: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. Where: Hard Rock Stadium Latest line: Miami’s favored by 10 ½ TV: Bally Sports Florida Radio: 560-AM, 990-AM (Spanish) Weather: 80 degrees, 36% chance of precipitation Online: sun-sentinel.com/um; @ khobi_price on Twitter Stadium safety protocols: Hard Rock Stadium will operate at full capacity. All attendees are encouraged to wear masks in indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status, and to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from those outside of their own party. Quick slant: The Miami Hurricanes are looking to ride the momentum from their back-to-back wins over then-top-20-ranked N.C. State and Pittsburgh into their matchup with the Yellow Jackets. UM is 10-5 in games following wins over an AP Top 25 team since 2007, including 2-1 under coach Manny Diaz. Miami has a 12-13 all-time record against Georgia Tech, losing to the Yellow Jackets in the past two matchups, with the most recent defeat being a 28-21 loss on Oct. 19, 2019, at Hard Rock Stadium. About Miami (4-4, 2-2 ACC): Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was named the ACC Rookie of the Week for the second consecutive time for his performance (32-of-42 passing for 426 yards and three touchdowns) against the Panthers. Miami has improved its tackling in recent weeks, with true freshman safety Kam Kinchens still not having missed a tackle through UM’s eight games. About Georgia Tech (3-5, 2-4 ACC): The Yellow Jackets have lost three of their past four games and are coming off a 26-17 loss to Virginia Tech. Three of their other four losses have been by one score. Georgia Tech is in its third season utilizing a spread offensive system under coach Geoff Collins after using a triple-option offense under Paul Johnson, who coached the Yellow Jackets for 11 seasons.
Three things to watch
■ Will the Hurricanes be able to bring down Jeff Sims, Georgia Tech’s elusive quarterback who’s rushed for 3 8 0 yards and four touchdowns on 5 9 attempts? With its aggressive blitzing scheme, Miami’s been able to generate pressure on quarterbacks, but that pressure hasn’t consistently turned into sacks. The Hurricanes rank 8 6 th in sack rate, according to Football Outsiders.
■ UM’s special-team play has been inconsistent all season, especially over the last month. A strong overall performance in that phase of the game would help Miami secure a convincing win.
■ Will Charleston Rambo continue his strong play against the Yellow Jackets’ pass defense, which is allowing the 1 1 th-most passing yards per game? The Oklahoma transfer has recorded 1 6 catches for 2 2 8 yards and touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ last two games.