Sounds like a plan

posted by LW, Tuesday, September 15, 2009

That's the enduring image of Miami's defenders when recalling last year's meeting with Georgia Tech.

The Hurricanes allowed 472 yards rushing, the second-highest total in school history, in a Thursday-night smacking at the hands of the Yellow Jackets.

Well, here we go again. Georgia Tech visits Miami on Thursday night, and the Hurricanes feel better about their plan this time. They've had extra time to prepare after their opening win at Florida State eight days ago, and extra time is considered huge when facing Paul Johnson's triple option.

Apparently the Canes are using Clemson as a blueprint for stopping the Jackets. The Tigers gave up 300 yards, but it was considered a success because Tech managed just one offensive touchdown and had a ton of three-and-outs.

And shoot, Miami will have improved their defensive output by 172 yards if they give up a "mere" 300 yards Thursday.

Hurtt said the Canes watched Thursday night's game and took mental notes from the type of success Clemson was able to have. Despite giving up 304 yards total on the ground, Hurtt said the Tigers were able to slow down a big part of the triple option attack -- reigning ACC Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer, who finished with 66 yards on 18 carries. Dwyer, who collects most of his yards on the dive play, was often met at the line by Clemson's dominating defensive tackles. Hurtt and coach Randy Shannon both said the play of UM's tackles this week will be huge.

"It comes down to the defensive tackles, who have to get a lot pressure, and a lot of push up the middle with what we call the hump," Shannon said. "If you can get the quarterback to hump backwards it screws up the pitch and fullback relationships. If you don't get the quarterback to make the hump, then it is going to be a long night. That is why those guys inside are so valuable."

Said Hurtt: "You have to take out Dwyer. The thing that gave Clemson a shot last night was that they took Jonathan Dwyer out of the game. He's an extremely talented back... he's the best back in the country in my opinion -- between he and and the kid at Cal [Jahvid Best]. We have to be able to stop that kid."

Linebacker Darryl Sharpton said first-year defensive coordinator John Lovett is an "expert" at gearing up to stop that style of offense, and I guess he should be given some credit for being on the North Carolina staff that kept Georgia Tech out of the end zone in the first three quarters of last year's 28-7 Tar Heel win in Chapel Hill.

But looking further back, Lovett's inability to stop Wake Forest's funky stuff might've been the reason Tommy Bowden kicked him to the curb after the 2004 season.

I know PJ's offense isn't the same thing as what the Deacons used to gash Clemson from 2002-04, but still ...

Speaking of offense, former Tigers coach Tommy West needs some at Memphis. As I recall, offensive inconsistency and lack of identity greatly contributed to West's downfall at Clemson in the late 1990s.

Last weekend, West's team got spanked by a Middle Tennessee team run by one of his former Clemson assistants. That's two losses to Rick Stockstill in three years, and it's gotta hurt.

Rivals.com names Houston QB Chase Keenum its national player of the week, and they should've stuck with Houston for their national coordinator of the week as well.

Dana Holgorsen. Remember that name.

Mitch Albom writes about Michigan's big win over Notre Dame.

I find myself pulling for the Wolverines and Rich Rod. Not sure why.

Florida State's near-disaster against Jacksonville State unearthed all manner of questions.

The 'Noles can put most of them to rest by winning at BYU this weekend, but the folks down there have to be at least a little concerned.

Then again, Georgia Tech should've lost at home to Gardner-Webb last year and ended up fine.

Moving on to some Clemson stuff...

Inspired by the AJC's Jeff Schultz, Travis Sawchik of The Post and Courier gives this photoblogger thing a stab.

A good first effort. And I'm not just saying that because Sawchik gives me credit for Richard Jackson's remarkable transformation.

I'm just glad he didn't zoom in on that ever-growing bald spot on top of my massive cranium.



Sawchik writes about Mr. Jackson, as does Ed McGranahan of The Greenville News.

Paul Strelow says Da'Quan Bowers is still waiting for his breakout game.

I wouldn't worry too much. Saturday's meeting with Boston College will give Bowers an opportunity to show his stuff.

Strelow also writes about the officiating mistakes in last Thursday's game.



LW

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