By Scott Haynes, College Football Senior Editor

GAME NOTES: The third-ranked Miami Hurricanes control their own destiny and are on course to capture the Coastal Division of the ACC and compete in the league's first-ever conference title game next month in Jacksonville, but must win out to guarantee that. Larry Coker's squad will try to move one step closer this week, when they welcome the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets to the Orange Bowl for a key ACC tilt. The 'Canes have won eight straight games since a season-opening loss to Florida State and come into this contest off a 47-17 rout of Wake Forest. Chan Gailey's Yellow Jackets have struggled with consistency week in and week out, but have still managed to produce a 6-3 overall record. However, the team comes into this contest on a down note, having dropped a 27-17 decision to Virginia in Charlottesville last weekend. This game was originally scheduled for October 22nd, but was moved due to Hurricane Wilma. Tech holds a 6-4 edge in the all-time series with Miami, but the Hurricanes got the better of the Yellow Jackets in their first-ever ACC clash a year ago, posting a 27-3 rout in Atlanta.

Part of Georgia Tech's problem this season has been a lack of real balance in the offense. The team has plenty of weapons on the roster, but lack of consistency under center has been a thorn in the offense. Quarterback Reggie Ball has struggled big time in 2005, completing just 48.9 percent of his passes, for 1,593 yards, with nine TDs and eight interceptions. His woes have really kept star wideout Calvin Johnson from having a monster season. Still, Johnson has been able to post solid numbers, leading the team in receptions (44), receiving yards (766) and TDs (five). Veteran tailback P.J. Daniels spearheads a ground game that is averaging almost 160 yards per game (158.4). Daniels is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has amassed 744 yards on the year. Still, he has only scored three TDs, while the Tech ground game overall has registered just 11 scores.

Consistency has not been a problem for the Georgia Tech defense, which is allowing just 19.9 ppg this year, while doing a solid job against both the run (108.9 ypg) and the pass (197.4 ypg). In addition, this is a unit that has taken advantage of opportunities, posting 25 takeaways and 24 sacks thus far. Senior linebacker Gerris Wilkinson leads the defense in tackles this year with 67, while adding 6.5 TFLs, two sacks and one interception to his stat sheet. Senior safety Chris Reis is having another solid year as well, ranking second on the team with 64 stops, with 6.5 TFLs and two INTs. Fellow safety Dawan Landry (55 tackles), paces the team with four INTs, while veteran end Eric Henderson (21 tackles) has camped in opposing backfields, with six TFLs and a team-high five sacks in just five games this year.

Sophomore signal-caller Kyle Wright tied a school-record with five touchdown passes last week, leading the Hurricanes to a lopsided win over Wake Forest. Tailback Charlie Jones, who took over for an injured Tyrone Moss, rushed for 90 yards and two scores in the win as well. Although not considered a juggernaut by any means, this Miami offense is beginning to open some eyes with its strong play of late. The team is now averaging a respectable 31.9 ppg, behind 383.1 total yards per outing. Wright has been solid all year long, completing nearly 60 percent of his passes (.591), for 1,848 yards, with 16 TDs. Tight end Greg Olsen and wideouts Sinorice Moss, Ryan Moore and Darnell Jenkins all have 20+ catches on the year, with Olsen, Moss and Moore tied for the team-lead with four TD catches apiece. Jones has taken over the rushing duties for the Hurricanes and the sophomore has not disappointed, averaging 4.3 yards per carry in his limited action thus far.

The real strength of this Miami team resides on the defensive side of the ball, where the Hurricanes rank first in the country in pass defense (130.56 ypg) and pass efficiency defense (76.53 rating), while ranking second in scoring defense (11.1 ppg). Although the defense allowed over 200 yards of offense for the first time in six games last week, this unit was still opportunistic, registering six turnovers for the second straight week. The team now has 25 takeaways on the year. A contributing factor has been the team's ability to pressure opposing QBs, with 28 sacks. Leading the charge in that area is rush end Javon Nanton, with seven sacks. Safety Brandon Merriweather has kept Miami's streak of All-American talent in the secondary going strong with his solid performance this year. Merriweather currently leads the team in tackles (85) and TFLs (11) and is tied for the team lead in INTs with three. Linebacker Roger McIntosh (77 tackles, seven TFLs and four sacks) must also be accounted for in the middle of the field.

The Hurricanes are headed for the ACC Title game and actually have an outside shot at the Rose Bowl if the team gets some help. That being said, it isn't likely that Miami will look past anyone this year and with an inconsistent Ball under center for Tech, Miami's stout defense will lead the way to victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Miami-Florida 31, Georgia Tech 10