Miami Hurricanes Week 11 Preview: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Miami, Florida – After last weekend’s debacle, the Miami Hurricanes go on the road to play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium for Week 11. The Yellow Jackets rallied to beat Virginia Tech 28-27 at Blacksburg improving to 4-5 (3-3, ACC). This is in part due to rookie quarterback Zach Pyron. GT has remained competitive and is fired up to face a UM team limping into the contest. Both teams despite their records still have something to play for. The winner is one step closer to a bowl game.

Georgia Tech’s defense is coming off a season high-five sacks forcing four turnovers including three fumbles. D’Quan-Douse had the most sacks and Charlie Thomas led the way in tackles. Their body of work is seen as a solid effort against the Hokies. As the team’s number one wide receiver Nate McCollum was part of the late-game heroics. Thanks to him they kept up enough to rally.

😤 ＡＴＴＡＣＫ ＭＯＤＥ 😤 pic.twitter.com/yT4cjdy47k

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 10, 2022

Tied for second in interceptions (10) the Yellow Jackets are conversely the worst team in the ACC in terms of putting points on the board. They average north of 17 points a game. They’re also the worst when it comes to passing averaging 185.6 yards per game. It makes the rookie Pyron’s performance last Saturday a refreshing one. GT isn’t that much better in the running department. Curiously, they give up nearly the same amount of yards against the pass as the Hurricanes. They’re both in the bottom half of the conference.

Despite these lackluster numbers, the Yellow Jackets are more than capable of delivering another blow to The U.

Yellow Jackets

Zach Pyron (QB) – The offense has stunk for most of the season but has recently seen a boost from the backup. Starting in place of Jeff Sims who is out with a sprained foot, Pyron completed 19 of 32 passes for 253 yards (above what the team was averaging), a touchdown, and an interception. He also rushed for 66 yards with another TD on the ground to secure the win. With 451 yards to his name, interim coach Brent Key has the decision to make if Sims is ready to go.

No guts, no glory.

💪 @zach_pyron_05 pic.twitter.com/Hsy43jokqT

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 6, 2022

D’Quan-Douse (DL) – The sophomore from Savannah, Georgia caused a momentum shifter late in the game forcing a crucial fumble recovery by teammate Makius Scott. Georgia Tech converted on the opportunity with a touchdown. D’Quan-Douse recorded seven tackles, four of them solo achieving 2.5 sacks greatly helping to defeat the lowly Hokies. Douse has a mix of speed and power able to penetrate past the O-line to either sack the quarterback or chase down a would-be rusher.

😤 @quan_61 😤 pic.twitter.com/pEJnq953IS

— Georgia Tech Football (@GeorgiaTechFB) November 6, 2022

Charlie Thomas (LB) – Tied for the most tackles on the team with 86. Charlie Thomas achieved 16 tackles including a sack at Blacksburg. Credited with 57 solo hits, the fella is having a pretty good 2022 season to the point that he is considered one of the top sleepers for the 2023 NFL Draft per ESPN. An effective blitzer, this playmaker can factor into disrupting the Miami Hurricanes’ offensive schemes when they battle the Yellow Jackets this Saturday.

This hit by Georgia Tech's Charlie Thomas was brutal 😮‍💨

🎥 @BallySportsSO pic.twitter.com/C8pWKOig4R

— Bally Sports (@BallySports) November 5, 2022

Nate McCollum (WR) – When Douse gave GT the chance to rally, Pyron found Nate McCollum for the 56-yard touchdown pass. By far the best wideout in the program. McCollum ended the day with seven catches for 103 yards and a score. He thoroughly leads the team in receptions (46) and receiving yards (489). The touchdown against the Hokies is only his second of the season (he has a rushing TD too). A darn shame.

This was big play for @GeorgiaTechFB. The Yellow Jackets are only down by 5 with less than 7 minutes left in the 4th.

🎥 @BallySportsSO pic.twitter.com/zit6tkNlnh

— Bally Sports (@BallySports) November 5, 2022

Hurricanes

Henry Parrish Jr. (RB) – UM has failed to record a single rushing TD for 5 straight games. The last time was against Middle Tennessee. Ouch. If there is anyone that can break the dry spell it’s Henry Parrish Jr. His performance versus FSU was a forgettable one rushing six times for 14 yards (also two catches for eight yards). However, Parrish might see more carries in a friendlier matchup where the team does not fall behind to the point that the running game is abandoned.

Henry Parrish Jr. said Kevin Smith gave him the nickname “Harlem” because he runs “like he has a train to catch.” pic.twitter.com/STapbf8IwM

— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) August 8, 2022

Jacurri Brown (QB) – With Tyler Van Dyke’s status up in the air after reinjuring himself, if he can’t start I’d rather see more of Jacurri Brown. Give the kid more reps to get a bigger sample size. At this juncture, I am all for player evaluations and learning more about Brown’s potential to see where he might fit in with the program next year. Last weekend he completed five of nine passes for 37 yards and an interception (a fumble too) while rushing for 64 yards.

Xavier Restrepo on Jacurri Brown: “Young kid is a baller” pic.twitter.com/bjJHWIbU9k

— Susan Miller Degnan (@smillerdegnan) November 6, 2022

Andre Borregales (K) – Pretty much one of the very few bright spots on the team, Andre Borregales has been money. His 49-yard field goal is the only scoring Miami was able to achieve playing the Noles. If this week’s game proves to be a close one, Borregales will likely be the difference maker. He’s been nailing his shots since the road game against Virginia Tech hitting seven FGs and five-point after-attempts in that span.

It runs in his blood.

Congratulations to @Borregales_andy on being named a Lou Groza Award Semifinalist.

More info: https://t.co/M7hTS0dc0P pic.twitter.com/My0wnPFZwq

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) November 10, 2022

Xavier Restrepo (WR) – After missing a good chunk of the season the Hurricanes’ best wide receiver got more action. Unfortunately, it was still a pair of catches for 25 yards. Despite this, Xavier Restrepo was tied for the most receptions and led the way in yardage. Let that sink in for a few moments. He’ll get more targets and hopefully produce numbers fans saw at the beginning of the season facing the Yellow Jackets.

Xavier Restrepo 🤯 pic.twitter.com/l7yqpoKQ2Z

— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) November 6, 2022

Prediction

Three games are left in what’s been a painful campaign for Mario Cristobal and the boys. The team will try to make the most of it fighting to clinch a bowl game. If not, at the very least complete the season on a positive note. Barring some impressive scenarios, I don’t really see the Miami Hurricanes beating the Yellow Jackets. Maybe Jacurri Brown lights up the Yellow Jackets or we see a stingy defense coupled with a good run game. However, I think GT will win this one 24-14.