Can the Jackets pull off the upset on homecoming weekend?
Get ready to gear up your tricycles, race for cake, and pomp all night long for Georgia Tech homecoming week. For homecoming, we host fourth-ranked Miami backed by potential Heisman finalist Cam Ward. What could go wrong? A noon kickoff, for starters. Yes, I wish this game could be played at night with the ACC Network in town, but I will take what I can get. Miami has had some incredibly exciting and close games this season and has always found a way to pull them out. Will they be successful against the Jackets? Only time will tell. Here is what I think I know as Tech plays their first Top-5 opponent of the season.
We might be healthy… keyword might
If you are a Georgia Tech fan who didn’t appreciate Haynes King before, I bet you appreciate him now! I do not know what to expect with the status of Haynes King, as Key has been very secretive about the injury situation. Jamal Haynes also seemed to be struggling with a shoulder injury in the Virginia Tech game and went back in, but was not 100%, if even 50%. Miami has a strong defense, and being healthy this weekend will be huge for keeping us in this game. If our offense is not operating at full capacity, as much as I hate to say it, we may not have much of a shot.
With the defensive successes, I would also love to see Kyle Efford back in the game. Miami has one of the most explosive offenses in the country, and no matter how good our defense plays, points will be scored. We need all the support we can muster on defense to have a possibility of winning this game.
Miami is vulnerable. If we can control the clock, we have a shot
One of the keys to this game will be time of possession. If we can run the ball down their throats and drain the clock, that means less time Cam Ward has the ball, and the closer this game can be. Miami has an incredible and explosive offense, topping the charts in several offensive categories such as:
- 3rd down conversion rate (58%)
- 1st downs (252)
- Scoring (47.4)
- Total offense (556.9 ypg)
- 3 and outs (only 6)
This is a lethal offense. Our best shot is to let the clock tick down, hold the ball for six to seven minutes, and maybe get lucky with a few turnovers.
A second key to the game is taking advantage of a vulnerable Miami defense. If you look at the stats, they have a pretty solid unit. 19th in total defense, eighth in run defense, and 63rd in passing defense. However, if you look at how many points they allow… it shows that teams are still finding ways to score. Every conference opponent except for Florida State, (they don’t want to be in the conference anyways) has scored at least 31 points against the Hurricanes. If the Jackets can keep that streak alive, we have another shot at keeping things close. Miami is excellent at pressuring the quarterback and stopping the run, and we are good at protecting the quarterback and running the ball. This matchup will be interesting, and I hope Tech can stay in this game and compete.
Oh, I almost forgot the last key to the game! This one is for Mario Cristobal, and Mario Cristobal only. If you are about to defeat your opponent, there is a cool play called “victory formation” where you can just take a knee and run the clock out. So whichever team is about to win should probably consider that instead of running a risky play.
Happy Homecoming!
If you are going to be in town for homecoming, don’t forget to check out all of the amazing traditions that Georgia Tech has throughout the week. This includes:
- The Mini 500 is on Friday, November 8th at 5 pm.
- The Freshman Cake Race is on Saturday, November 9th at 6:30 am.
- The Ramblin Wreck Parade is on Saturday, November 9th, at 9 am.
- Many different organizations and programs are having tailgates throughout the morning on Saturday before the game
College football 2024, I’m so confused
This season is absolute chaos and pandemonium and I love it. This past weekend the following teams lost.
- #3 Penn State
- #10 Texas A&M
- #11 Clemson
- #11 Iowa State
- #17 Kansas State
- #18 Pitt
It’s the month of November, so other teams are bound to keep losing. I am excited to watch what goes down over the next several weeks and see if the Jackets can add to the chaos as we play two opponents in the Top 5 to round out the 2024 season.
Enjoy the weekend and happy homecoming!
Go Jackets.