Miami Hurricanes Week 6 Preview: Yellow Jackets

Miami, Florida –The Miami Hurricanes are back from the bye week opening ACC play with a home game versus the Yellow Jackets on Saturday night. Coming out of week 5 fresh and ready, the now No. 17 ranked Canes play a Yellow Jackets team that is terrible against the run. At 2-3 (1-1, ACC) Georgia Tech rolls into town after losing 38-27 to Bowling Green. The Falcons were trailing 14-0 before putting up 38 unanswered points including three rushing touchdowns. Thus far the Yellow Jackets have given up the most rushing yards in the ACC (1,121), roughly 224 yards a game. Bowling Green wrapped up 175 in their effort. GT’s pass defense is only marginally better (1,018 yards) averaging about 203.6 yards per game.

The Captains for Week 6.#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/JOo7PhUpmb

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 5, 2023

For a quick comparison, they’ve given up the third most points in the conference (154) as opposed to Miami’s 50 which is the least in the ACC. The loss to Bowling Green was embarrassing enough for Andrew Thacker, Georgia Tech’s defensive coordinator since 2019, to be demoted to safeties coach according to the reporting from Brett McMurphy. He was replaced by Kevin Sherrer adding another dynamic into the upcoming game. In a battle against the Miami Hurricanes, the Yellow Jackets’ best hope is a shootout.

Georgia Tech

Haynes King

Haynes King havin’ a season 🫡 pic.twitter.com/kL5mUX3Lnv

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) October 4, 2023

Tracking 15 TDs and 4 interceptions, the sophomore has earned his way in being the starting signal caller. Completing 23 of 37 passes, King threw for 348 yards including four touchdowns as well as a pair of interceptions last weekend. Despite his best efforts, the young gunslinger was unable to keep up getting sacked three times in the attempt. King does have some mobility with 176 rushing yards in 2023 but given how good Miami’s defense has been, they will force King into making mistakes. Get ready to see turnovers.

Jamal Haynes

Rushed 18 times, zooming for 95 yards + touchdown!

Jamal Haynes has moves like nobody's business! 🐝@GeorgiaTechFB | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/g1wON7i9ha

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 27, 2023

The leading rusher for the Yellow Jackets, Jamal Haynes has a challenging front to face. Silent during week five tallying only eight carries for 45 yards, Haynes has manufactured 376 yards and two TDs in the season. Given the sophomore’s inability to get anything going against the Falcons, one would think he won’t get anywhere against The U. This will be especially true if Georgia Tech falls behind forcing the Yellow Jackets to ditch the run.

Eric Singleton Jr.

Catching up on watching the Louisville Georgia Tech game and true freshman WR Eric Singleton Jr caught my eye

At 5’11 173 Singleton is a thinly framed speedster with a track and field background

Making plays right out the gate
https://t.co/S3CZjXxhlo

— Joe O’Leary (@TheHQNerd) September 4, 2023

As King’s go-to man, Eric Singleton Jr. is going to have to step up his A-game against a stingy defense. A stingy defense that will have the return of Kamren Kinchens. Although he wasn’t the top receiver for GT (Dominick Blaylock accumulated 131 yards) Singleton did make four catches for 85 yards including a 53-yard touchdown on the very first play of the game. The freshman wide receiver has the talent for explosive plays, collecting 18 receptions for 335 yards and five TDs for ’23. If the Yellow Jackets have any chance for a big upset, it’s with this fella involved.

Miami

Kamren Kinchens

Kamren Kinchens | #ItsAllAboutTheU® pic.twitter.com/DtHmBVVaBa

— GO ‘CANES! (@83_87_89_91_01) September 28, 2023

Guess who is back! That’s right it’s been confirmed that Kamren Kinchens is cleared to play and will be returning to the gridiron this weekend. Kinchens had been out the last three weeks after suffering a frightening injury versus Texas A&M. His return is a boon to the defense who is getting back not only a playmaker but a leader on and off the field. Kinchens has 10 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery for 2023. Although it’s not known how much playing time he’ll get, his presence will factor in.

Henry Parrish Jr.

Blowin' through Week 6 like a Hurricane! 🙌

With the 9️⃣th best rushing attack in FBS, they're running the game like nobody's business! 💨@CanesFootball | #ACCFootball pic.twitter.com/5vH5rY1G2J

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 6, 2023

You’d think with an opponent this bad against the rush Miami’s running back committee will flourish. Averaging nearly eight yards a carry, Henry Parrish Jr., has accumulated 331 yards including three touchdowns for 2023. The Hurricanes have the depth to spread the ball around and grind down Georgia Tech’s defense. Among them, I believe Parrish will be the frontrunner with the most touches hitting the centennial mark.

Te’Cory Couch

TE'CORY COUCH BALLED OUT SATURDAY. 2 INTS 3 TACKLES AND A PASS DEFLECTION. COUCH HAS 3 INTS ON THE SEASON. COUCH RECORDED A 77.7 TACKLING GRADE IN 44 TOTAL SNAPS ACCORDING TO PFF. COUCH WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE PLAYS DURING THE SEASON ESPECIALLY WITH CONFERENCE PLAY COMING. #GOCANES pic.twitter.com/lNJJs9f70G

— Florida Boy Corey 🌴🍊🌊☀️ (@floridaboycorey) September 25, 2023

Leading the team with three picks, we might see a continuation of Te’Cory Couch’s success in shutting down drives. He worked wonders against Temple and even Texas A&M. King would do well to keep the ball as far away from this cornerback as possible. The senior also has seven tackles and two pass breakups. It will be interesting to see how the secondary matches up against Georgia Tech, a team that can certainly score.

Prediction

Oh, this is without a doubt a win. Hopefully, right? The question is by how much will Miami go 5-0. Starting ACC play, the Canes are now entering the meat of their schedule. Considering the opponents that remain ahead of them, this is an important matchup to take care of business in. At the end of the day, the Yellow Jackets won’t stop the run. You’ll see Tyler Van Dyke dropping dimes adding to Georgia Tech’s woes, especially with that terrific group of wide receivers. The Miami Hurricanes defense will be the toughest the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets faced and with the return of Kinchens we’ll see GT held to under two TDs. Final score: 41-13.