Matchup of the Week- CMR vs. Paul Johnson
Here we are with yet another game against a team with half the talent as UM, yet Miami opens up as 3 point underdog. Why? Because Vegas and everyone else in the world expects this Miami to underperform at this point. This week comes down to Mark Richt’s favorite word “execution”. It is the player’s job to execute, but execution is born from preparation. It is the coaches’ job to prepare the team well enough for them to execute at full potential on game day. That brings us to the Matchup of the Week: CMR vs. Paul Johnson.
I’ll keep it short and sweet this week since I know it’s getting depressing to hear us continuously talk about the same issues. It’s about time to just sit back, pray and hope something changes.
Mark Richt and Paul Johnson are familiar foes. They know what to expect from each other. Mark Richt owns the series with an 8-2 record against Johnson, and the 2 losses were back in Athens. CMR and Miami have won 3 straight against GT. However, things always seem to get weird when the Canes lineup across from the Jackets. The overall series is 12-11 in Miami’s favor. Georgia Tech could easily be leading the series if it wasn’t for a Darrell Langham 4th down miracle at Hard Rock last year. I say all of this to say that the Richt’s 8-2 record against Johnson and overall dominance of Georgia Tech is a bit misleading. There’s been a ton of close calls. Numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the full story. Paul Johnson teams often give Mark Richt and his group all they can handle.
While the triple option offense isn’t the most aggressive in theory, Paul Johnson is one of the more aggressive coaches out there by nature. His teams are often tops in the country in 4th down conversions. He’ll throw every variation of the triple option at the opposing defense and try to wear them down. Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech are a wild card. When the option is rolling, they churn out first down after first down and completely demoralize a defense. When its not hitting, it can be really ugly, and they have no hope if they're playing from behind. That's why Paul Johnson will often take chances early and often. Plus, he's got to be tired of Mark Richt beating up on him. Paul doesn’t hold any punches, and tomorrow night in Atlanta won’t be any different.
Richt has to one up Johnson’s aggression this week. (Just hopefully no surprise onside kicks that get returned for TDs) He knows his team is sputtering and is desperate for an injection of new found energy. He’s picked Perry as the starting QB this week. Hopefully, he sticks with it. I think it’s time to take the reins off Perry a bit and really cut him loose. His arm strength is at another level than Rosier. With Rosier on the field, there was a lid on the offense because there were just certain throws he simply can’t make. Richt needs to take that lid off and really let Perry be himself. Let him make mistakes, but do it in an aggressive fashion. I remember a few years back when Stephen Morris launched a bomb to Phillip Dorsett for a long TD on the opening drive in Atlanta. Maybe Perry can dial up a different #4, Jeff Thomas, early on and spark some life into this football team.
I could easily go in and break down specific matchups in this game, but this season is beyond the point where specific matchups are going to alter the game. This team just has to play better. The coaches have to coach better. This Miami team is desperate for a win. Richt knows it. Paul Johnson knows it. Whose team is going to execute better tomorrow night?
Miami 24 Georgia Tech 17
Here we are with yet another game against a team with half the talent as UM, yet Miami opens up as 3 point underdog. Why? Because Vegas and everyone else in the world expects this Miami to underperform at this point. This week comes down to Mark Richt’s favorite word “execution”. It is the player’s job to execute, but execution is born from preparation. It is the coaches’ job to prepare the team well enough for them to execute at full potential on game day. That brings us to the Matchup of the Week: CMR vs. Paul Johnson.
I’ll keep it short and sweet this week since I know it’s getting depressing to hear us continuously talk about the same issues. It’s about time to just sit back, pray and hope something changes.
Mark Richt and Paul Johnson are familiar foes. They know what to expect from each other. Mark Richt owns the series with an 8-2 record against Johnson, and the 2 losses were back in Athens. CMR and Miami have won 3 straight against GT. However, things always seem to get weird when the Canes lineup across from the Jackets. The overall series is 12-11 in Miami’s favor. Georgia Tech could easily be leading the series if it wasn’t for a Darrell Langham 4th down miracle at Hard Rock last year. I say all of this to say that the Richt’s 8-2 record against Johnson and overall dominance of Georgia Tech is a bit misleading. There’s been a ton of close calls. Numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t tell the full story. Paul Johnson teams often give Mark Richt and his group all they can handle.
While the triple option offense isn’t the most aggressive in theory, Paul Johnson is one of the more aggressive coaches out there by nature. His teams are often tops in the country in 4th down conversions. He’ll throw every variation of the triple option at the opposing defense and try to wear them down. Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech are a wild card. When the option is rolling, they churn out first down after first down and completely demoralize a defense. When its not hitting, it can be really ugly, and they have no hope if they're playing from behind. That's why Paul Johnson will often take chances early and often. Plus, he's got to be tired of Mark Richt beating up on him. Paul doesn’t hold any punches, and tomorrow night in Atlanta won’t be any different.
Richt has to one up Johnson’s aggression this week. (Just hopefully no surprise onside kicks that get returned for TDs) He knows his team is sputtering and is desperate for an injection of new found energy. He’s picked Perry as the starting QB this week. Hopefully, he sticks with it. I think it’s time to take the reins off Perry a bit and really cut him loose. His arm strength is at another level than Rosier. With Rosier on the field, there was a lid on the offense because there were just certain throws he simply can’t make. Richt needs to take that lid off and really let Perry be himself. Let him make mistakes, but do it in an aggressive fashion. I remember a few years back when Stephen Morris launched a bomb to Phillip Dorsett for a long TD on the opening drive in Atlanta. Maybe Perry can dial up a different #4, Jeff Thomas, early on and spark some life into this football team.
I could easily go in and break down specific matchups in this game, but this season is beyond the point where specific matchups are going to alter the game. This team just has to play better. The coaches have to coach better. This Miami team is desperate for a win. Richt knows it. Paul Johnson knows it. Whose team is going to execute better tomorrow night?
Miami 24 Georgia Tech 17
