Miami Hurricanes vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview
Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016 12:00 PM ET
Line: Miami Hurricanes (-7) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+7) – view all NCAA Football odds and lines
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Betting on the Miami Hurricanes (-7)
The Miami Hurricanes did what everyone thought they would: start 3-0 by smashing the hell out of their opponents. Their 70-3 massacre of Florida A&M in Week 1 was followed by consecutive blowout wins (Florida Atlantic, 38-10 and Appalachian State, 45-10).
Week 5 is where the season starts to get a little more challenging for the ‘Canes. All those bottom-ranked schools are behind them and they will be facing a more established football team in Georgia Tech. Adding to that is the uncertainty of starting QB Brad Kaaya’s health – the junior QB is nursing a knee injury and is still listed as questionable for Sunday.
Should Kaaya play, he will continue being a catalyst for the Hurricanes’ offense. Through the first three weeks, his play under center has produced notable numbers offensively. Along with passing for 14 yards per completion, he is guiding Miami to a 78.9-percent success rate in the red zone (15 of 19). Another key contributor on offense is the backfield, where they have Mark Walton and Joseph Yearby. The two backs will continue being headaches for opposing defenses, as they are combining for 657 rushing yards, 11 TDs, on eight yards per carry.
The offense is doing well, but the defense is just as responsible for the bloodbath that the Canes have left in the past three weeks. Those teams were beneath them, but allowing 1.5 yards per carry is just remarkable. The unit is also averaging four sacks and one interception per game, while limiting opponents to 10 points or less.
Miami is 5-0 SU (4-1 ATS) in its last five games as favorites.
Betting on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+7)
Georgia Tech was 3-0 before getting a wake-up call from the fifth-ranked Clemson Tigers in Week 4, losing 26-7. Starting QB Justin Edwards is in his senior year, but he’s still playing like a freshman, averaging just 121.3 yards on a woeful 45.1-percent completion rate.
Edwards’ poor QB play is of course causing a non-existent passing game. Ricky Jeune has the most receptions on their roster and he only has seven (he’s averaging 15.4 yards per catch, though). With that, the Yellow Jackets are again expected to rely on the running abilities of freshman Dedrick Mills, the team’s leader in rushing yards (205) and touchdowns (five).
Like Miami, they have a high success rate when reaching the red zone (12-of-14, 85 percent). However, it is not good that they have only reached the area 14 times in four games.
The front seven is currently allowing a decent 3.7 yards per rush. They will be in for a tough task against the Canes’ run-happy offense (36 carries per game). As for the sacks and picks department, the Yellow Jackets are quite average. They have a total of five sacks and three interceptions through four games.
Georgia Tech is 5-5 SU (6-4 ATS) in their last 10 games as underdogs.
Writer’s Prediction
Miami (–7) wins, 28-14.
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