Miami football needs improved run defense versus Georgia Tech

The Miami football team allowed a season-high 49 carries for 229 rushing yards against Florida State on Saturday with three touchdowns on the ground. Florida State averaged 4.67 yards per carry, the second-highest average Miami has allowed this season. Duke had a season-high 4.76 YPC and four rushing TDs versus Miami.

Miami could not stop the counter. Florida State attempted only 16 passes against Miami. Seminoles’ starting quarterback Jordan Travis was 10-12 for 202 yards three TDs and one interception. In seven games Miami has not played this season versus Duke or Florida State they have allowed 229 carries for 698 yards rushing.

Seven of the 12 rushing TDs against Miami this year were by Duke and Florida State combined. Middle Tennesee State was the only other Miami football opponent that had multiple rushing TDs this season with two. Not coincidently, Duke, FSU and Middle Tennessee State each scored 45 points versus Miami.

Georgia Tech is 81st nationally averaging 137.87 rushing yards per game. The Yellow Jackets have been held under 100 yards rushing four times this season. Georgia Tech ran for at least 180 yards in all four of its wins this season. The Yellow Jackets are averaging 216.25 rushing yards per game in wins and 75.20 in losses.

 

The Georgia Tech rushing offense against the Miami run defense matches a pair of inconsistent units that have had great success and failure during the 2022 season. Georgia Tech is led by former Louisville running back Hassan Hall who has 93 carries for 458 rushing yards but has not scored a TD.

Dontae Smith has 60 carries for 343 rushing yards and four TDs. Georgia Tech starting QB Jeff Sims who missed the last two games has 87 carries for 292 yards rushing and one TD this season. Zach Pyron who took the place of Sims had 17 carries for 66 yards and a TD rushing in the Georgia Tech win over Virginia Tech.

Miami has to be able to limit either Pyron or Sims from thrashing the Miami run defense. Travis only had seven carries for 10 yards. Florida State did not need him to have a good day running. Miami has had trouble containing several QBs on the ground this season. If Miami can stop the run they will have a good chance to beat Georgia Tech.