College football odds between ranked teams are tough to find in Week 3, but at least things get started with a bang on Thursday night when the Miami Hurricanes host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The 'Canes are looking to avenge last season's 41-23 drubbing to Georgia Tech, though they'll have their hands full stopping the triple option. (14) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs (20) Miami Hurricanes
Thursday, September 17, 7:30 p.m. ET
Online betting favorite: Miami -4.5
Miami joined the Top-25 after upsetting Florida State 38-34 last weekend. The road victory was punctuated by a great effort from sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris, who tossed two scores and a career high 386 yards. He spread the football around very well, making Miami's attack difficult to slow down, though sophomore wide out Travis Benjamin did haul in 128 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Hurricanes have some work to do after allowing over 400 yards. They did produce a pair of turnovers, but injuries to safties Vaughn Telemaque and Ryan Hill and defensive end Eric Moncur should give second thoughts to gambling software and bettors alike.
The Yellow Jackets have rolled up back-to-back wins to open the season, though they fell asleep at the switch last week and nearly blew a big lead against Clemson; a 24-7 halftime edge was quickly erased and it took a last-minute field goal for Georgia Tech to finish off the Tigers.
Georgia Tech lives and dies with its ground game and triple-option offense. It rolled up 301 yards at 6.1 yards per pop against Clemson, and the team currently ranks fourth in the nation in rushing. If the ground game falters, so will the entire team—quarterback Josh Nesbitt was just 3-14 for 83 yards and two interceptions last week (although he does have 184 yards rushing this season).
Blowing a big lead against Clemson may actually help Georgia Tech's NCAA football odds; the defense should enter this contest primed and focused. The Hurricanes will need a tremendous performance offensively to stay in this game—they surrendered 472 rushing yards to the Yellow Jackets in last year's 41-23 blowout loss. Considering much of the personnel remains the same, and Miami is nursing some injuries on defense, its likely Georgia Tech will simply have too much firepower in this one.
The Hurricanes will keep it close early, but the unrelenting Georgia Tech rush will prove too much for Miami and eventually the yardage—and scores—will pile up.
Sports picks: Georgia Tech +4.5
