You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to identify the big key in this weekend’s Atlantic Coast Conference clash between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Miami Hurricanes. The oldest two-pronged football maxim in the book will decide a Coastal Division duel with implications for the rest of the season.

The Miami Hurricanes might have only one ACC win to their credit, but they can play spoiler for Georgia Tech at Sun Life Stadium in Miami. Georgia Tech is tied with Virginia Tech atop the division and wants to remain in that position by the time a November showdown with the Hokies arrives. The Yellow Jackets had owned sole possession of first place through their first six games, but a stunning loss to the Virginia Cavaliers has placed them in a precarious position. A second consecutive road loss to Miami would put Georgia Tech on the precipice of ruin. Why? A second ACC loss would mean that Georgia Tech would have to run the table in its remaining ACC games against teams other than Virginia Tech. If Georgia Tech were to lose to Miami, it could beat Virginia Tech yet still lose the Coastal Division if it finished 5-3 in the ACC. Georgia Tech needs the Virginia Tech win most of all, but a triumph over the Hokies – the Coastal Division favorites – won’t matter that much if the Jackets keep absorbing losses.

How will Georgia Tech be able to fend off Miami, then, and restore order on its march to a division title? It’s very simple: Run and stop the run. The ancient football wisdom applies to this game with a fullness and resonance that would make old-time coaches proud.

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Georgia Tech lost to Virginia last weekend because it could not stop Virginia’s running game. The Cavaliers pounded out 272 yards on the ground and kept the ball for half the game, preventing the Jackets from establishing the pace they wanted. Georgia Tech, like other teams that employ the triple-option, wants to wear out defenses by leaning against them with the fullback handoff and then setting up the pitch play to the boundary. The triple-option works against tired defenses because it is mentally taxing as well as athletically demanding to account for every part of the triple option: the fullback up the middle, the quarterback keeper, and the late pitch to the tailback. Georgia Tech thrives when it can keep the ball for extended periods of time, but Virginia’s own ability to run the ball down the throat of the Jackets’ defense nullified one of Tech’s foremost strengths.

Miami has the kind of running back who can duplicate Virginia’s deed. Lamar Miller has rushed for over 100 yards in five of Miami’s six games this season. Miller’s best game came against Virginia Tech, the team whose defensive coordinator – Bud Foster – is regarded as one of the best defensive minds in the sport. Miller torched Virginia Tech for 166 yards on just 18 carries, a mind-blowing average of over nine yards per carry. If Miller can light up Virginia Tech, imagine what he can do to Georgia Tech. It will be up to the Jackets’ defensive front to corral Miller, keep Miami’s offense off the field, and establish the triple-option attack with decisiveness and conviction.

Run and stop the run – it is as football truth as old as the scriptures. Whoever accomplishes these two goals to a greater extent will almost surely walk away with a win this Saturday.