MIAMI -- The Hurricanes (6-3, 4-2 ACC) will try to keep their hopes of reaching the ACC championship game alive today when they take on Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3) at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta. You can watch it locally on WBFS-Ch. 33 or listen it on the radio at WQAM.com. Feel free to participate in our discussion below as you tune in. Here is a link to where the game is televised in other places.
REWIND: The last time the Hurricanes faced the Yellow Jackets they cruised to a 33-17 win in South Florida. Two years ago in Atlanta, the Yellow Jackets dashed and gashed UM's hopes of reaching the ACC title game by rolling to a 41-23 win. Georgia Tech owns the all-time series 10-5. The last time UM won in Atlanta it was a 27-3 win in 2004.
ABOUT GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets own the No. 1 rushing offense in the country and have ravaged opposing teams with their triple option offense. But Georgia Tech will be without its trigger man -- quarterback Josh Nesbitt for the rest of the regular season. Redshirt sophomore Tevin Washington relieved an injured Nesbitt, who suffered a broken right forearm in a 28-21 loss at Virginia Tech on Nov. 4, and is 3-of-10 passing for 84 yards and in interception this season. He's run 23 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.
The Yellow Jackets still have plenty of talent in the backfield even without Nesbitt. B-back Anthony Allen (6-0, 229) leads the team in rushing with 817 yards and five touchdowns. A-backs Orwin Jones (6-0, 202) and Roddy Jones (5-9, 202) have combined for 469 yards and seven TDs this season on only 62 attempts.
Defensively, the Yellow Jackets have been mediocre at best. Their run defense ranks 82nd in the country and they're giving up an average of 24 points a game (54th overall). The pass defense, however, is solid (ranking 21st overall).
THINGS TO KEEP AN EYE ON FOR UM...
Will the Canes continue to run the football? Miami ran the ball a season high 49 times last week in its win over Maryland. With freshman Stephen Morris making only his second career start, will offensive coordinator Mark Whipple remain committed to take the pressure off Morris' shoulders? We'll find out. Georgia Tech is obviously susceptible to the run. And will Damien Berry play?
Penalties, penalties, penalties... The Canes almost killed themselves last week when Sean Spence was flagged for a facemask, negating a fumble return for a touchdown that would have given them the lead against Maryland. It's debatable whether or not Spence deserved the flag. What isn't debatable? The Canes rank dead last (119th) in the country in penalties. Most of them are really dumb penalties that are lack of focus. They can't afford to keep giving away big plays with penalties.
Un-special teams... When will the special teams become special again? Missed extra points are inexcusable. But beyond that, the Canes haven't had a decent return on a kickoff or punt in a long time. Can UM change the field today against the Yellow Jackets?
MY PICK: The Hurricanes have never beaten Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech in the same season. If there is a team they are more equipped to beat this year of those two, its Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets are without their starting quarterback and their defense isn't as good as it has been. I think the Canes remain in the hunt for the ACC title for another week as long as Stephen Morris isn't asked to win the game again. UM 27, Georgia Tech 17.
To all you jacory faithful ... He can'tthrow a pass like that. Notice how he hit Hank in stride...
Posted by: sidcane | November 13, 2010 at 12:36 PM
like every week looks like your pick is wrong. if it keep going like its going the canes might drop 48 on em
Posted by: sickofthefans | November 13, 2010 at 12:40 PM
does anyone know where I can watch the game online?
Posted by: kevin | November 13, 2010 at 12:40 PM
GO GT!!! The more losses the CANES have the quicker "CANDY RANDY" is gone and hopefully Donna and the AD are gone also!!! GT 34-Canes 24
Posted by: mark drebin | November 13, 2010 at 12:41 PM
Morris is a much better QB. Jacory never matured he could be a good back up but I think it's time to give up on Harris. Jacory had some too many opportunities to prove himself and he cost Miami 2 seasons already.
Posted by: Redzoe | November 13, 2010 at 12:42 PM
HEY YOU SH*T TALKERS ON HERE AGAINTS OUR TEAM...
See the U crowd on TV?
THOSE ARE REAL FANS WHO SUPPORT THIS TEAM & COACH... Through THICK AND THIN...
GO CANES or GO THE F* HOME!!!
Posted by: WestCoastCane | November 13, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Hope the Canes win today but it's far too late for them to be relevant this year. Very few people nationally care about them anymore and I can't remember the last time I saw anybody outside South Florida wearing a Canes jersey or cap. They just don't seem to matter anymore.
But Go Canes! Playing well today despite such a disappointing season.
Posted by: darrin stevens | November 13, 2010 at 12:53 PM
the game is
http://www.raycomsports.com/index.php/ACC-Information/live-stream.html
Posted by: Lakay | November 13, 2010 at 01:04 PM
I was at that georgia tech game 2 years ago. Flew up there to watch the lost.. REVENGE IS COMING...
I'm also loving this kid Morris. The kid acts like a QB thats well beyond his years. His passes better then jacory and is more accurate when hitting a target...
Posted by: nightstalker4848 | November 13, 2010 at 01:16 PM
espn3
Posted by: ltcdolphin | November 13, 2010 at 01:20 PM
Anyone missing Jacory yet?
Posted by: sickofthefans | November 13, 2010 at 01:23 PM
Great game plan Randy...let's make a few adjustments at the half and put these guy's away.
Jacory is a fantastic leader. He's been in on every sideline huddle and Stephen goes to him after every series for advice and you see Jacory coaching him up.
We are getting closer to the ACC Championship game...let's go Canes!
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 01:51 PM
canes pride, jacory is a great #2 qb. i believe morris is the future. go canes beat gt
Posted by: ltcdolphin | November 13, 2010 at 02:02 PM
same mistakes. This team does not throw the ball well, so why not just play man-to-man. TE wide open, even our TE's could have caught that. Same crap every week
Posted by: go canes!! | November 13, 2010 at 02:08 PM
Mark Duper needs to become our WR coach !!!!!!
Posted by: BertDawg | November 13, 2010 at 02:12 PM
jacory should not start next week. its obvious
Posted by: lebb09 | November 13, 2010 at 02:33 PM
TOO all the haterz that say their aren't any canes fan out there.. Think again morons... I'm currently in IRAQ... And yesterday in baghdad.. i wasn't wearing any U apparel but i saw 3 different guys (Firefighter not from miami) repping the U.... GO canes!!!
Posted by: jay | November 13, 2010 at 02:43 PM
TO ALL THE HATERS.........
GO FU......CK YOURSELVES.
Posted by: Cane Domination | November 13, 2010 at 02:49 PM
McCarthy reckin shyt. Where you at haters....
Posted by: Cane Domination | November 13, 2010 at 02:54 PM
Canesjunkie, rogedoosh, Whats the matter. Don't you have somthing to rag on? You guys need to look forward to tonights uf cocks game.
Posted by: Ur outta gas | November 13, 2010 at 03:00 PM
typical... Talk shyt all week posing as a disgruntled Cane fan. Now........ cats got your fingers. PUNKS!
Posted by: Ur outta gas | November 13, 2010 at 03:07 PM
thanks for your service jay. yeah the biatchers are silent. shows they are not true fans.
Posted by: ltcdolphin | November 13, 2010 at 03:08 PM
Morris is the man!! See what happens when receivers get the ball before defenders can get there? We actually had a shytload of YAC yards which we never get with Japicky. Oh AND NO PICKS TODAT Canes fans!!
Now lets hope Randy can see it also and stop playing favorites.
Posted by: Joseph | November 13, 2010 at 03:12 PM
The O Line was mean today. The D was flying around. Tackling and running the football. Seems like the team has found its identity. My Canes look like my Steelers. Keep running the ball and passing less = winning. Great coaching and great execution today.
Posted by: Canes Fan RI | November 13, 2010 at 03:25 PM
I'm a HUGE FAN and have been DEFENDING the TEAM and COACH against all the FAKE FANS on here who disrespect our team and coach,
But I GOTTA SAY THIS: MORRIS MUST START THE REST OF THE SEASON. JACORY IS BACK-UP and can come in IF MORRIS gets in trouble.
We would HAVE AN AWESOME 1-2 PUNCH at QB FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME.
MORRIS IS FLAT OUT BETTER, MORE MOBILE, MORE UNFLAPPABLE, MORE ZIP ON THROWS, MORE PRECISE ON THROWS, MORE CALM, AND CAN TAKE HITS!!!
GO CANES or GO THE F* HOME!!!!!
Posted by: WestCoastCane | November 13, 2010 at 03:25 PM
This was a nice win for the Canes... There was more consistency from the O-Line and the D-Line did what they had to do.
If we can play lights out like that on both sides of the ball then I believe we'll win the rest of our games.
Go Canes
Posted by: Canatic | November 13, 2010 at 03:29 PM
ALSO, this team seems to be playing much harder for Morris than they did for Jacory.
Receivers catching more balls and dropping less, and getting more YAC
Runners and O-line busting harder holes and runs
Defense going after TO's
Maybe they are just improved, or maybe they are more desperate to save the season...
But they are clearly SPARKED ALIVE by the excitement on Offense that Morris brought.
IT'S ONLY ONE GAME. BUT THE WAY THEY ARE PLAYING IS CLEARLY DIFFERENT.
THEY ARE RISING with Morris.
Coach is RISKING more hell for himself if he brings in Jacory and they lose a game with him. Were as, if they lose a game with Morris, the fans could forgive the true freshman QB.
Posted by: WestCoastCane | November 13, 2010 at 03:32 PM
JACORY MADE THE SCENE FOR COMING IN TO SAVE THE GAME, when he was a freshman.
I THINK JACORY IS MUCH BETTER WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN AND HE'S COMING IN TO SAVE IT.
HE SEEMS TO WILT when the ENTIRE game from beginning to end is on his shoulders.
LET HIM BE THE CLOSER, if Morris screws up.
Posted by: WestCoastCane | November 13, 2010 at 03:34 PM
FANTASTIC JOB IN PREPARING THIS TEAM RANDY SHANNON!!!!
We now have 2 great QB's, an offensive line that is flatout mean, athletic and physical, running backs that are the best combo in the nation, a middle linebacker that took over the game today, a guy that has the #31 printed on his jersey that is the best outside linebacker in the country and a team that is improving week to week.
NOW---LET'S GO GET THEM HOAKIES!!!
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 03:38 PM
WE ALL NEED TO BE NORTH CAROLINA FANS TODAY.
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 03:40 PM
7 - nothing Tar Heels!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get'em Tar Heels!
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 03:44 PM
I agree with West Coast Cane(play Morris) - but I completely fear we'll have JH back to throw a few picks against VTech and be an under-achieving team once more. Also - Benjamin - get with Hankerson and Duper and learn how to catch the easy ball. I cannot understand how you allow yourself to have this persistent problem. Shakin' my head.
Posted by: cainemutiny | November 13, 2010 at 03:59 PM
ZERO ints. Bye bye J12.
Posted by: JC | November 13, 2010 at 04:00 PM
Tar Heels 7
Hokies 3
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 04:02 PM
I am in Atlanta, and I must admit I watched this game with uncertainty. Saw Morris last game and he looked nice, but this game against GT, he looked real, real good. I am from Miami & also Miami Northwestern, but it's about winning, and if Miami can win with Stephen Morris, so be it. He runs out of the pocket, is more mobile, has a zip on the ball and can stand in the pocket and throw that ROCK! He is a true freshmen, but he has good presence. Hankerson, Miller, Berry, Bailey, Spence, Fortson, Harris and the O line did their job today. I like a lil competition; it makes everybody up their game! GO CANES
Posted by: DeeMack | November 13, 2010 at 04:06 PM
Judging from the third-grade level of spelling and grammar I see, it's evident that very few here are educated at all.
College football is for those of us who actually WENT to the school we are cheering for. Who are you people who obviously never spent a day in college? Go root for your high-school teams (if you even made it that far!)
Posted by: john moore | November 13, 2010 at 04:36 PM
How long will it be before you fair weather fans destroy this QB confidence? His play today was the result of better play calling by Whipple. Not one time Whipple placed this young man in a bad situation or called plays that could result in throwing interceptions. This is a team effort and O-line finally showed up today against a sub-par defense. The receivers finally made some big catches, which made Morris looked good. Morris is still work in process. However, it's good to know this team have a legit back-up QB.
Posted by: CANE VA | November 13, 2010 at 05:02 PM
Actually u are wrong. College football is for anyone who loves and enjoys the game of football. I played in hs but sucked. I admit it. i was horrible. I live i maine and fell in love with the canes when i was 13 im as much a fan as any guy who went to miami. Ill give u the fact u have more a right to say we and i when refering to the school but im just as much a fan as u and as much a fan as anyone who went to college and loves college football. Dont put people down based on how they write online also. U never know which person is college educated and which isnt.
Posted by: mainecane | November 13, 2010 at 05:04 PM
Now on to miami. I love the canes and the loss to fsu was frustrating as a fan to watch due to lack of emotion. That said i never believed they would lose to gt. This team is way more talented then gt and even with a true freshman at qb. I love morris gives us hope for the future at qb. I hope he challenges jacory enough that j 12 stops throwing picks. I think whipple though calls a better game for morris then j 12 and takes to many chances with j12 at qb that lead to ints.
Posted by: mainecane | November 13, 2010 at 05:10 PM
Great win Canes. Kudos to the coaching staff for having the team ready. Kudos to the players for DOMINATING. That looked like old school Cane ball. Game ball to Morris,Hank, McCarthy, Spence, Benjamin, both o-line and d-line ooh and the Running backs. Go Tar Heels!!
Posted by: duvalcanesfan | November 13, 2010 at 05:13 PM
I think my cat is a lesbian.
Posted by: Clam Juice | November 13, 2010 at 05:13 PM
GAME BALL TO RANDY SHANNON!
Great job coach!
Go Canes and go Carolina (for one day only)!
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Carolina is falling apart...
Posted by: Canes Pride! | November 13, 2010 at 05:47 PM
wl
well doesnt look like we will be getting help from the tar heels , they cant even movr out there on territoty
Posted by: dre 07 | November 13, 2010 at 05:48 PM
Posted by: Ur outta gas
Yes, I have something to rag on. Why can't Stephen Morris start every game for the next few years?
There's something about this kid.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | November 13, 2010 at 06:11 PM
To all you "real" canes fans..how do you feel about having to cheer for UNC in order to save this season?
Way to go coach!
I'm looking forward to Jacory's return...I haven't seen us throw an interception in so long.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | November 13, 2010 at 06:15 PM
So John Moore by your logic I can't be a fan because I chose to do the fire academy instead of following in my dads and uncles footsteps at UM? Even though I have rooted for the Canes since I was old enough to grasp the concept of football?
Posted by: sickofthefans | November 13, 2010 at 06:20 PM
It's up to the players to keep Morris in. They need to tell shannon he is the one. And the team seems to play better as a whole . Come on doctors... keep jacory out for one more week. Oh and this kid is throwing the same passes as j-int he just is not throwing as many. Gotta admit he is better.
Posted by: sidcane | November 13, 2010 at 08:20 PM