posted October 11, 2007 at 19:47 in NCAA F Articles

GEORGIA TECH at MIAMI-FL.

Oct. 13, Noon ET

BetUS NCAA Football Betting Odds: Miami-Fla. -2.5

NOTABLE STAT: Georgia Tech allows just 68.5 rushing yards per game.

KEY COLLEGE FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Miami has played nine unders in last ten home games.

(For more stats and trends on this weekend's games, check out our Matchup Tool)

Yes, there are some painful memories for Miami in this series. Last season it was a 30-23 loss at 4.5-point favorite Georgia Tech, in which the Yellow Jackets scored 17 fourth-quarter points, including a touchdown catch by Calvin Johnson, and took advantage of four Hurricane turnovers. Two years ago Miami QB Kyle Wright was sacked seven times and completed just 14 of 31 passes as Georgia Tech won in the Orange Bowl, 14-10, dashing Miami's hopes to get into the national title game.

So it is understandable that revenge is on Miami's mind. The question is - what kind of position is a team that actually fell behind North Carolina 27-0 to get it?

Miami's athletic administration may soon come to the understanding that rather than hiring Randy Shannon as head coach, they may have been better off bringing in an established name with recruiting clout and head coaching experience. If the team hadn't lost its swagger in the waning days of Larry Coker's tenure, it certainly has now. In losing to former coach Butch Davis and the North Carolina Tar Heels last weekend, Miami football may have hit a new low - even lower than giving up 51 points to a formidable Oklahoma squad earlier in the schedule.

Wright threw four interceptions in that loss to the Tar Heels and Kirby Freeman, his backup, is not a proficient passer. Georgia Tech QB Tyler Bennett may not be spectacular, but he's thrown only two interceptions in 160 attempts. That's important when you're looking to control the football primarily with the use of workhorse running back Tashard Choice (636 yards, 5.3 ypc). Miami is having some injury problems on the defensive line and in the linebacking corps. It should be mentioned that the Jackets are second nationally in sacks and lead all of Division I in tackles for loss, tallying more than ten per game. Miami's own ground game is clearly in for a challenge.

If there is a saving grace for this Hurricane squad, it is that they still exhibit some proficiency at home, with four double-digit wins in the Orange Bowl,including a 34-17 triumph over Texas A&M. In those games the 'Canes have outscored opponents 64-0 in the first half. Might they have to get off to that rousing start against Georgia Tech in order to achieve success? With a player like Choice who can help his team hold onto the ball, and Bennett making progress with a 22-for-24 performance last week, I'm thinking the Yellow Jackets can prevent that from happening.

JAY'S PLAY: GEORGIA TECH ** (Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)

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(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com still has some of that college spirit. He is a regular contributor to the BetUS Locker Room)